Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / This thesis assesses the performance of the Naval Postgraduate School Aerosol Optical Depth (NPS AOD) model utilizing very high spatial resolution QuickBird (QB) satellite data. QuickBird derived AOD results are compared to other satellite and ground based AOD results, specifically, AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET), MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR), and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). Data is collected around Sir Bu Nuair Island, United Arab Emirates in September 2004 as part of the UAE2 Campaign. Satellite measured radiances are calibrated and due to spatial resolution differences between sensors, modal radiances are calculated for areas matching the highest resolution sensor. The AOD model is based on AVHRR wavelengths; hence, the modal satellite measured radiances are linearly extrapolated to the effective wavelengths of AVHRR. Results show application of the NPS AOD model to QuickBird data yields findings that are consistent with other satellite and ground based retrievals. In general, the NPS AOD model works well for nadir and near-nadir view angles, but not for high zenith angles. / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy

The newly discovered iron based superconductors have captivated the attention of the scientific community due to the unusual mechanism behind their superconductivity and their promise as the next generation high temperature superconductors. After a century of superconductor research, the physical mechanism behind high temperature superconductivity is still not understood. These new materials bring renewed hope in elucidating the pairing mechanism responsible with high temperature superconductors and achieving the ultimate goal of the field, room temperature superconductivity. Consequently, a deeper understanding of the intriguing properties of iron based materials is essential. A great deal about the pairing mechanism of Cooper electron pairs can be inferred from the symmetry of their pairing wave function or order parameter. One of the most involved probes for studying the pairing symmetry is the London penetration depth. The low temperature behavior of London penetration depth in superconductors is directly related to the density of states and provides a powerful tool for investigating low-lying quasiparticle energy and, for this very reason, can give valuable hints on superconducting gap symmetry. The work presented focuses on investigating the pairing symmetry in the Fe1+y(Te1−xSex) system using a radio-frequency tunnel diode oscillator (TDO) technique for precise measurements of the temperature dependence of their in-plane penetration depth. The TDO technique, based on an original concept involving the use of planar inductors in an novel configuration, was implemented on a dilution refrigerator to investigate a significant number of single crystal samples, with nominal Se concentrations of 36%, 40%, 43% and 45% respectively, down to temperatures as low as 50 mK. A systematic study together with a comprehensive analysis regarding the order parameter symmetry in the Fe1+y(Te1−xSex) system is presented. In many cases we found that London penetration depth shows an upturn below at low temperatures, indicative of a paramagnetic-type contribution. Also the low-temperature behavior of penetration depth is best described by a quadratic power law with no systematic dependence on the Se concentration. Most importantly, in the limit of T → 0, in some samples we observed a narrow region of linear temperature dependence, suggestive of nodes in the superconducting gap of Fe1+y(Te1−xSex).

I Sverige idag finns ett statligt vägnät som finansieras och underhålls av de Svenska myndigheterna genom Trafikverket. På Trafikverkets avdelning för underhåll planeras och genomförs underhållsåtgärder för att vägarnas standard ska uppfylla de beslutande kraven som finns. En av de dimensionerande faktorerna vid underhåll av asfaltsvägar är spårdjup, spårdjupen får inte överstiga den specifika underhållsstandarden som finns eftersom om det sker ökar olycksrisken och en försämrad framkomlighet kan uppstå. Ett av syftena med detta examensarbete är att undersöka om det går att förutse var och varför asfaltsbeläggningar inte uppfyller underhållsstandarden som finns. Metoden som används grundar sig i en analys av mätdata som inhämtats genom laserskanning av vägytan med hjälp av en mätbil. Datan presenteras i form av grafer och figurer i Trafikverkets öppna webbportal PMSV3, graferna och figurerna har analyserats för att sedan utgöra resultatet och slutsatserna i arbetet. Resultatet som framgick stämmer som helhet överens med grundinställningen innan arbetet påbörjades, att det går att se en indikation efter några år vart beläggningen kommer att överstiga maximalt spårdjup enligt underhållsstandarden. Men att förutse om och var beläggningen kommer försämras först och mest är svårare i ett tidigt skede. Arbetets slutsatser har bidragit till att flera förslag på fortsatta arbeten har föreslagits, vilket får arbetet att anses lyckat. / In Sweden today, there is a state road network that is financed and maintained by the Swedish authorities through the Swedish Transport Administration. At the Swedish Transport Administration maintenance department, maintenance measures are planned and implemented to ensure that the standards of the roads meet the decision requirements that exist. One of the dimension factors for maintenance of asphalt roads is rut depth, the groove depth must not exceed the specific maintenance standard that exists because, if this happens, the accident risk increases One of the purposes of this thesis is to investigate whether it is possible to predict where and why asphalt pavements do not meet the maintenance standard that exists. The result which appeared to be in agreement with the basic attitude before the work was started, that it is possible to see an indication after a few years where the occupancy will exceed the maintenance standard But to predict if and where the asphalt coating will deteriorate first and most is more difficult at an early stage The work's conclusions have contributed to several ideas for further work being proposed, which makes the work to be considered successful

1 ABSTRACT The present thesis is focused on primary school pupil's understanging of gender issues. The aim of the thesis is to analyze and compare how pupils understand the gendre issues introduced in the theoretical part of the thesis. The theoretical part of the thesis defines the theoretical concepts of the gender issues - gender, stereotype, gender stereotypes, also related areas, constructivism, pedagogical constructivism and children's interpretations of the world. In this part of the thesis, there is also presented an overview of current research focused on the gender issues. The practical part consists in a qualitative analysis. The data are collected through individual in-depth interview with primary school pupils. The results of the analysis are compared with previous stuides focused on the gender issues.

This phenomenological hermeneutic research explores the author’s lived experience of painting a Sacred Mandala over the course of 15 months while focusing on child-loss by adoption. In this dissertation, the structure, process, and mindful practice of Sacred Mandala Inquiry are presented—incorporating methodological considerations, related theories, and illuminated through personal examples. Although the focus in the paper is on an individual Sacred Mandala practice, it is with the understanding that the individual is embedded within a community and world in a web of relationships. Impetus for research often arises from personal lifeworld experience. The Sacred Mandala provides structure and containment for inquiry, for those who are attracted to the form, assisting in bracketing that which has previously been accepted while simultaneously becoming a sacred boundary for the unknown to emerge, protected and witnessed. The practice and process may be taken up by inquirers in the social sciences, humanities, arts and within the community of adult learners. The mindful and embodied painting and journaling practices necessitate the inclusion of processes occurring outside of awareness—hosted in emerging images, dialogues, stories, synchronistic events, myths, metaphors, and poetry; inviting the unconscious forward. Opening both eyes—the rational and imaginal—provides a depth perspective. Both are needed, each is as real as the other, one illuminating the inner world, one illuminating the outer world, in wholeness. Importantly, the meanings embedded within the work continue to resonate, unfold, and inform over time. / Graduate / 2020-08-27

Although both the Immorality Act and the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act were repealed in 1985, for the most part, interracial intimate relationships continue to be fraught with controversy. It was hypothesised that discourses on interracial intimate relationships in post-apartheid South Africa would intersect with racist and/or antiracist discourses. This study sought to identify and explore discourses on these relationships, and to investigate the possible intersections with discourses on racism. Thompson’s method of depth hermeneutics (of which critical discourse analysis was a component) was employed to analyse data generated by two focus group discussions and two interviews with interracial couples. The study yielded a wealth of data. This research report presents significant findings in terms of how discourses on interracial intimate relationships in post-apartheid South Africa intersect with discourses on race and racism. The three main discursive themes were on race, whiteness, and interracial intimate relationships, with the latter theme dominating. Of particular significance was how discursive strategies were employed in order to deny, negate and justify racism. The most striking findings relate to how discourses on interracial relationships intersect with discourses on three main themes: i) experimentation, as depicted by discourses on developmental psychology, ii) geographical locations, socio-economic status, and class, as manifested in the discourse of “It depends on where you go”, and iii) the ideological construction of the family, which functions to maintain a racially stratified society that maintains the status quo.

O tratamento do câncer e de lesões pré-malignas é uma importante aplicação da terapia fotodinâmica. A base da técnica é o uso da luz associada a um fotossensibilizador, na presença de oxigênio, de forma a promover a formação de espécies reativas de oxigênio que culminam na morte celular. Esta técnica é altamente seletiva, e apresenta poucos efeitos colaterais. A efetividade da terapia pode ser avaliada com base na emissão de fluorescência do fotossensibilizador, uma vez que o grau de fotodegradação deste indica uma terapia mais ou menos efetiva. No caso de tumores, a reincidência de lesões, causada por células malignas remanescentes, é um problema importante e que pode piorar as condições clínicas de um paciente. Este estudo propõe, portanto, um modelo matemático baseado na aferição da fluorescência do fotossensibilizador in situ para previsão da extensão do dano promovido pela terapia fotodinâmica em tempo real. Esta aferição é feita em comparação com o parâmetro experimental de profundidade de necrose, de modo a avaliar se uma lesão pode ser completamente eliminada numa dada aplicação. O estudo utilizou fígados de ratos Wistar machos, saudáveis, como modelo inicial dada sua relativa homogeneidade óptica com relação a lesões tumorais, visando minimizar variáveis. Os fígados foram irradiados com diferentes intensidades (150, 250 e 350 mW/cm2) e com diferentes fluências (50-450 J/cm2) de luz com comprimento de onda de 630 nm, CW, para avaliação das necroses e da fluorescência (avaliada usando 532 nm para excitação). A primeira versão do modelo utilizou o conjunto de dados de 250 mW/cm2 para obtenção de um modelo inicial baseado na fotodegradação avaliada por fluorescência. Este modelo foi alterado com base em modificações biológicas observadas na literatura durante a terapia. Tais alterações estão relacionadas à modificação de aporte de oxigênio causada por vasoconstricção, pela farmacocinética do fotossensibilizador e pelas modificações nas propriedades ópticas intrínsecas ao tecido. Foi possível encontrar equivalência entre modelo e experimentação ao final das modificações propostas ao modelo inicial, embora tenha sido evidente o efeito da variação no fracionamento da fluência entregue sobre os resultados da previsão. Como forma de mostrar a capacidade do modelo não apenas para previsão da profundidade de necrose (e, portanto, da extensão do dano), mas também para avaliações de dosimetria, foi proposta uma situação hipotética onde se entrega a mesma fluência de luz com intensidades diferentes (variando linearmente). Este teste mostrou o potencial do modelo não apenas para avaliar a extensão do dano causado pela terapia em tempo real, mas também para estimar os resultados de protocolos clínicos não-testados e, portanto, para a proposta de melhorias a protocolos de terapia fotodinâmica. / Malignant and pre-malignant cancer lesions treatment is an important application of photodynamic therapy. It is based on the use of light associated to a photosensitizer, in the presence of oxygen, so that reactive oxygen species may be formed, resulting in cell death. This is a highly selective technique, and few side effects are reported. The therapy efficacy may be evaluated through the photosensitizer fluorescence emission, since its level of bleaching indicates a more or less effective therapy application. Concerning cancer, recurrent lesions, caused by remaining malignant cells, is an important problem which may cause the worsening of patient´s clinical condition. Therefore, this study proposes a mathematical model based on the assessment of photosensitizer fluorescence in situ for prediction of the damage extent caused by photodynamic therapy. This evaluation is performed by comparison with the experimental parameter of depth of necrosis, as to evaluate if a lesion can be completely eliminated during an application. This study used male Wistar rats healthy livers as an initial model due to its relative optical homogeneity when compared to tumor lesions, hence minimizing variables. Livers were irradiated using different light fluence rates (150, 250 and 350 mW/cm2) and fluences (50-450 J/cm2) with 630 nm wavelength, CW, to perform evaluation of fluorescence (wit 532 nm excitation) and depth of necrosis. A first model was obtained from the 250 mW/cm2 dataset, based on fluorescence-assessed photobleaching. Such model was modified according to literature observations on biological changes during therapy. Those changes are related to the oxygen arrival, promoted by vessels shutdown, by the photosensitizer pharmacokinetics and by the changes in the intrinsic optical properties of liver tissue. Correspondence between model and experimentation was achieved after the changes proposed to the initial model, although the effect of different fractioning of light fluences on prediction has become evident. To show the model ability not only to predict depth of necrosis (and, hence, damage extent), but also for dosimetry studies, an hypothetical situation in which the same fluence has been delivered in different (linearly varying) fluence rates. This test result showed the potential of the model not only to evaluate the damage extension by the therapy in real-time, but also to investigate untested clinical protocols results and, therefore, to allow proposals of improvement to photodynamic therapy protocols.

Mudas ou sementes podem ser utilizadas em projetos de restauração, sendo que, o uso da semente por meio da semeadura direta tem vantagem em função da redução do custo, pois não há gastos para a formação inicial da muda, por proporcionar a reconstituição do banco de sementes do solo e possibilitar a formação de uma comunidade heterogênea. Portanto, nessa pesquisa foram avaliadas as sementes de quatro espécies de recobrimento, Apeiba tibourbou, Heliocarpus popayanensis, Senna alata e Senna multijuga, para a utilização na semeadura direta, associada aos estudos da aplicação das técnicas do priming e da interferência da profundidade de semeadura na emergência da plântula. O estudo dos métodos de priming incluiu a hidratação das sementes em água (imersão e entre papel) e em soluções -0,1 MPa e -0,6MPa de PEG 6000 (entre papel), sendo que parte das sementes foi avaliada ainda úmida quanto à germinação, parte foi seca até graus de umidade semelhantes aos obtidos antes da realização do priming e parte foi seca e armazenada para ser semeada após 45 dias. A determinação da qualidade das sementes foi baseada nos resultados dos testes de germinação e de emergência da plântula e foram calculados os totais, em porcentagem, o índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG) e o tempo médio de germinação (TMG). Para o estudo da profundidade de semeadura foi avaliada a distribuição superficial das sementes 0 (superficial) e 0,5 cm, 1,0 cm e 2,0 cm e determinados a emergência da plântula, o IVEP e o TMEP. O estudo da absorção de água das sementes indicou que os teores de água, na fase II da germinação, são 48 a 55% para as sementes de A. tibourbou e 55 a 60% para as de S. alata e de S. multijuga. Em função dos resultados dessa pesquisa, o priming não beneficia a germinação das sementes de A. tibourbou e de H. popayanensis. A utilização da solução -0,1 MPa de PEG 6000 reduz o tempo de germinação das sementes de S. alata, quando avaliadas úmidas. Esse mesmo método é eficiente para o priming das sementes de S. multijuga, avaliadas após a secagem. As sementes de S. alata e S. multijuga são recomendadas para semeadura direta em projetos de restauração ecológica, desde que, seja superada a dormência dessas sementes. A profundidade ideal de semeadura é 1 a 2 cm para as sementes de A. tibourbou, de 0,5 cm para as de H. popayanensis, de 1 cm para as de S. alata e de 1 a 2 cm para as sementes de S. multijuga. / Seedlings or seeds can be used in reforestation projects and the use of seed through direct sowing has the advantage because there is no cost for the initial formation of the seedlings and additionally it provides enriching soil seed bank and the possibility of a heterogeneous community formation. Then, in this research were evaluated the seeds of four pioneer species, Apeiba tibourbou, Heliocarpus popayanensis, Senna alata and Senna multijuga, for direct sowing associated with the priming techniques and the study of the interference of sowing depth in the emergence of seedling. The study of priming methods included seed hydration (water immersion and between paper water moistened) and the use of PEG 6000 solutions (- 0,6MPa and -0.1MPa between paper). For evaluations, these seeds were sown still wet and after dry; furthermore, the dry seeds were stored for evaluation after 45 days. The determination of the seed quality was based on the results of seed germination and seedling emergence. In the study of seed sowing the seeds were sowing on surface and in 0.5 cm, 1.0 cm and 2.0 cm depth, and these results were based on seedling emergence. This research results indicated the possibility of using S. alata and S. multijuga seeds for direct sowing. There are benefits of using seed priming for S. alata and S. multijuga seeds. Appropriate sowing depth for these seeds are 0.5 cm, 1.0 cm or 2.0 cm; seed surface sowing is not recommended.

A utilização frequente de glyphosate em sistemas de produção envolvendo as culturas de soja e milho, resistentes ao glyphosate, tem selecionado populações resistentes de plantas daninhas a este herbicida, sendo comum no Brasil a ocorrência de populações resistentes de capim amargoso (Digitaria insularis). Para manejo racional destas populações, há necessidade de medidas alternativas envolvendo herbicidas e práticas culturais, as quais somente podem ser empregadas adequadamente com o conhecimento da biologia da planta daninha, porém atualmente pouco se sabe sobre a biologia do capim amargoso. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo obter informações básicas da biologia das populações de capim-amargoso suscetíveis e resistentes ao herbicida glyphosate. Para isso, foram conduzidos três ensaios no Departamento de produção Vegetal da ESALQ/USP, em Piracicaba - SP, durante o ano de 2012. Para isso foram coletadas sementes do biótipo resistente no município de Matão, São Paulo, e as sementes do biótipo suscetível no município de Piracicaba, São Paulo. A determinação do fator de resistência entre estes biótipos ao glyphosate foi determinas a partir da elaboração de curvas de dose-resposta no estádio de desenvolvimento de 3 a 4 perfilhos do capim amargoso. Em seguida, foram conduzidos experimentos para avaliar a germinação e quantificação de massa seca produzida sob efeito de diferentes volumes da cobertura do solo com resíduos de milheto. Também foram desenvolvidos ensaios para avaliar a longevidade das sementes dos biótipos resistentes e suscetíveis, conduzidas em diferentes profundidades no solo. Através do modelo de curva dose-resposta foi possível quantificar o fator de resistência (GR50) a partir do programa estatístico R obtendo o valor de 16,66, comparando-se o biótipo resistente ao suscetível. O aumento da quantidade de palha de milheto sobre as sementes proporciona diminuição do peso de matéria seca de plântulas de Digitaria insularis, tanto resistente como suscetível ao glyphosate, sendo percebida de forma mais acentuada nos tratamentos 4,0 e 8,0 ton ha-1. O biótipo resistente apresenta número de plântulas significativamente maior que o biótipo suscetível, independentemente da quantidade de palha. Não é possível concluir que as sementes dos biótipos resistentes possuem maior longevidade que as sementes dos biótipos suscetíveis, sendo que a presença de luz é indiferente para a sua germinação. / The frequent use of glyphosate in production systems that involve the crops soybean and corn, resistant to glyphosate, have selected weed populations resistant to this herbicide, being very common in Brazil the occurrence of resistant populations of bitter grass (Digitaria insularis). For the rational management of these populations, there is a need of alternative measures, that involve herbicides and cultural practices, which can be applied only with the knowledge of the weed biology, however little is known about the bitter grass biology. Therefore, this study aimed to obtain basic information of the biology of populations of bitter grass susceptible and resistant to the herbicide glyphosate. For that, three assays were conducted in the Department of Crop Science at ESALQ / USP, in Piracicaba - SP, during the year 2012. For that, it was collected seeds of the resistant biotype in Matão, São Paulo and seeds of the susceptible population in Piracicaba, São Paulo. The determination of the resistance factor for glyphosate between the biotypes was performed using dose-response curves at stage 3-4 tillers of bitter grass. Following, it was evaluated the germination and quantification of dry matter produced under the effect of different amounts of coverage with millet straw. It was also developed trials to see longevity of the resistant and susceptible biotypes, conducted at different soil depths. With the model of dose-response curve, it was possible to quantify the resistance factor (GR50) from the R statistical program by obtaining the value of 16.66, compared to the susceptible biotype resistant. The increased amount of millet straw on seed caused reduction in dry weight of seedlings of Digitaria insularis, for both biotypes, being more evident in treatments of 4.0 and 8.0 ton ha-1. The resistant biotype showed significantly higher number of seedlings than susceptible population, regardless of the amount of straw. It is not possible to conclude that the seeds of resistant biotypes have greater longevity than the seeds of the susceptible biotype, and the presence of light is indifferent to its germination.

Teve-se por objetivo investigar se o tempo de exposição das informações de profundidade afeta a comparação de tamanho de objetos pictóricos. Para isso, 120 participantes distribuídos aleatoriamente em 12 grupos julgaram qual de duas barras verticais, uma a teste e outra a padrão, era maior. Usando o método dos estímulos constantes, estas barras podiam ser apresentadas simultaneamente por 50ms, 100ms ou 200ms em quatro condições de fundo de tela: (1) sem textura, (2) com apenas a linha do horizonte, (3) com o horizonte e o gradiente de linhas de compressão, e (4) com o horizonte e o gradiente de linhas de perspectiva. A inclinação das curvas psicométricas, os pontos de igualdade subjetiva (PIS) e o erro relativo foram calculados. A análise dos erros relativos indicou uma diferença significativa entre o gradiente de perspectiva e outras duas condições (controle e horizonte). Embora os tempos de exposição não tenham apresentado diferenças significativas entre si, observou-se uma maior superestimação do tamanho com apresentações de 100ms nas condições com indícios de profundidade (perspectiva e compressão). A análise das inclinações das curvas psicométricas mostrou uma maior sensibilidade dos participantes para efetuarem as comparações sob um tempo de 200ms em relação ao de 50ms, independentemente do fundo de tela. Os erros relativos maiores para a condição com linhas de perspectiva confirmam evidências de que esta é uma informação de profundidade eficiente na modulação do tamanho percebido. Além disso, é possível que essa eficiência seja maximizada nas condições em que os estímulos são expostos em torno dos 100ms. / The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the duration of pictorial depth cue exposures on perceived sizes of stimuli. For this, 120 volunteers distributed randomly in 12 groups compared two vertical bars, one the test and other the standard, in to order to report which one was bigger. Using the method of constant stimuli, these bars could be presented simultaneously for 50, 100 or 200ms in four background conditions: (1) without depth cues, (2) with only the horizon, (3) with the horizon and compression line gradient, and (4) with the horizon and perspective line gradient. The slope of the psychometric curves, the points of subjectivity equality (PSE) and relative errors were calculated. The analysis of relative errors indicated a significant difference among the perspective gradient and other two conditions (without texture and horizon). Although exposure time had not presented significant differences among them, it was observed size overestimation during the 100ms exposure in depth cues conditions (compression and perspective). The analysis of slopes psychometric function showed a greater sensibility in the participants who made comparisons with 200ms than the ones who made with 50ms, independently of depth cue background. Pronounced relative errors in comparisons with perspective gradient tend to agree with previous studies, which demonstrate higher influence of this cue in perceived size modulation. Besides, this efficiency seems to be maximized when stimuli exposure time was 100ms.