The thesis presents a compact, miniature, and low cost antenna array designed for millimeter-wave frequencies for future 5th generation (5G) mobile applications. The proposed antenna array is a geometrically modified structure of the Franklin array, which allowed to transform a conventional narrowband array into a wideband antenna array. It is composed of five millimetre-wave circular patch radiation elements with phasing stubs. The designed array, fabricated on the commercial Rogers RO3003 substrate with small form factor of 8x25x0.5 mm3, covers the upcoming 5G band of 23.6-30.3 GHz, with peak gain as 10.8 dB, and high radiation efficiency over the whole operating band. In addition, with frequency sweeping, the proposed antenna array radiation pattern is directive and offers beam steering at the desired angles, acting similarly as a leaky-wave antenna.

1. Mesophyllzellen von Arabidopsis thaliana sind mit Hyperpolarisations-ab-hängigen, Calcium-permeablen Kanälen ausgestattet. In Ca2+-haltigen Lösungen folgte die Nullstromspannung der Nernst-Spannung mit 27 mV bei einer zehnfachen Erhöhung der Ca2+-Konzentration. Die Sequenz an relativen Stromamplituden ergab Ba2+ (131,8 ± 20) > Ca2+ (100) > Mg2+ (84,3 ± 18). Der makroskopische Strom wurde auf der Basis einer 7,2 ± 1 pS-Leitfähigkeit bei einer Pipettenlösung mit 10 mM Ba2+ in der cell-attached Konfiguration gebildet. Die Kanäle waren sensitiv gegenüber Lanthan und Gadolinium, wobei die Stromamplitude bei 100 µM Lanthan um 97,2 ±7 % und bei 100 µM Gadolinium um 95,2 ± 7 % reduziert wurde. 2. Blaulicht induzierte den Hyperpolarisations-abhängigen, Calcium-permeablen Kanal in dunkeladaptierten, intakten Mesophyll-Protoplasten. Die Aktivierung war zeitabhängig und der Stromanstiegs erreichte eine Sättigung nach 11-16 Minuten. Weiterhin wurde bestimmt, dass eine Kanalaktivität erst bei einer Intensität an Blaulicht > 50 µmol/m2s1 induziert wird. Aufgrund der Tatsache, dass der photosynthetische Elektronentransport-Entkoppler DCMU die Aktivierung nicht verhinderte, konnte eine Beteiligung des Photosyntheseapparates ausgeschlossen werden. Eine Inhibierung der Aktivierung nach Inkubation mit dem Kinase-Inhibitor K252a war ein erster Hinweis für die Beteiligung von Phototropinen als relevante Blaulicht-Rezeptoren, da Phototropine eine Kinase-Funktion besitzen. Diese Hypothese bestätigte sich nach Überprüfung der Phototropin-knockout-Mutanten phot1-5 und phot1-5 phot2-1. Da die Aktivierung in phot1-5 reduziert war, und in phot1-5 phot2-1 keine Aktivierung der Kanäle durch Blaulicht mehr möglich war, konnte auf eine überlappende Funktion beider Photorezeptoren bezüglich der Aktivierung von Calcium-permeablen Kanälen geschlossen werden. Dagegen konnte eine Beteiligung weiterer Blaulicht-Rezeptoren, der Cryptochrome, ausgeschlossen werden. 3. Neben Blaulicht aktivierten auch reaktive Sauerstoff-Spezies (ROS) Hyper-polarisation-abhängige, Calcium-permeable Kanäle. Protoplasten mit intaktem Cytoplasma (cell-attached Konfiguration) zeigten nach Applikation von 5 mM H2O2 eine zeitabhängige Aktivierung der Lanthan-sensitiven Kanäle. Eine Sättigung des Stromanstiegs wurde nach ca. 25 Minuten erreicht. Neben dem Wildtyp (Col-0) wurde die Mutante dnd1 hinsichtlich Calcium-permeabler Kanäle überprüft. Sie besitzt einen nicht-funktionellen putativen cyclisch-Nukleotid-aktivierten Kanal, CNGC2, und zeigt Phänotypen bei der Pathogenabwehr. Eine histochemische DAB-Färbung ergab, dass dnd1 eine dem Wildtyp vergleichbare ROS-Produktion nach Inokulation mit avirulenten Pseudomonas syringae DC 3000 pv. tomato avrB besitzt. Da eine ROS- bzw. H2O2-Produktion, ein wichtiger initiierender Schritt bei Abwehrmechanismen, in der Mutante nicht beeinträchtigt war, wurde überprüft, ob ROS-aktivierte, Calcium-permeable Kanäle in dnd1 beobachtet werden konnten. Nach Applikation von 5 mM H2O2 zu intakten Protoplasten wurde keine dem Wildtyp vergleichbare Aktivierung Calcium-permeabler Kanäle festgestellt. Daraufhin konnte spekuliert werden, dass CNGC2 im Wildtyp den Calcium-permeablen Kanal repräsentiert. Eine Blaulicht-Aktivierung der Calcium-permeablen Kanäle in der Kanal-Mutante war jedoch möglich, was die Frage aufkommen ließ, ob es sich um verschiedene Kanäle mit denselben elektrophysiologischen Charakteristika handelt, oder ob es sich bei dem H2O2-aktivierten und dem Blaulicht-aktivierten Kanal um denselben Kanal handelt, der durch verschiedene Signalketten angeschaltet wird. Cyclische Nukleotide (cAMP) konnten die Kanäle in Wildtyp-Protoplasten nicht aktivieren, was dagegen sprach, dass es sich um CNGC2 handelte. Eine Inhibierung der H2O2-aktivierten Ströme durch den Calmodulin-Inhibitor W7 wies auf eine Beteiligung eines Calmodulin-abhängigen Schritts in der Signalkette hin. Untersuchungen des Calcium-permeablen Kanals in der outside-out Konfiguration mit einer dem Cytoplasma ähnlichen internen Lösung ergab, dass eine Kanalaktivität durch eine erhöhte Calcium-Konzentration (21 µM) bei Vorhandensein von Calmodulin induziert werden konnte. Cyclische Nukleotide aktivierten wie erwartet keine Hyperpolarisation-abhängigen, Calcium-permeablen Kanäle. Dies deutete darauf hin, dass CNGC2 die Calcium-permeablen Kanäle über einen Ca2+/Calmodulin-abhängigen Schritt in einer H2O2-induzierten Signalkette regulieren könnte. Lokalisationsstudien mit einem GFP-CNGC2-Fusionskonstrukt (CNGC2::mGFP4 /pPILY) zeigten, dass der Kanal in vivo im Endoplasmatischen Retikulum lokalisiert sein könnte. Dies bestätigte die Hypothese, dass CNGC2 nicht den Calcium-permeablen Kanal in der Plasmamembran repräsentiert und dass der Verlust der Kanalaktivität in dnd1 in einer beeinträchtigten Signalkette zu suchen ist. / 1. Hyperpolarisation-dependent, calcium-permeable channels have been found in Arabidopsis thaliana mesophyll cells. In Ca2+-containing solutions, the reversal potential shifted 27 mV with a tenfold increase of the Ca2+-concentration. The relative sequence of permeability was Ba2+ (131,8 ± 20) > Ca2+ (100) > Mg2+ (84,3 ± 18). The macroscopic current in the cell-attached configuration was based on a 7,2 ± 1 pS-conductance with 10 mM Ba2+ in the pipette solution. The channels were sensitive to lanthanum and gadolinium. Current amplitudes decreased 97,2 ±7 % after application of 100 µM La3+ and 95,2 ± 7 % after application of 100 µM Gd3+. 2. Blue-light (450-490 nm) induced hyperpolarisation-dependent, calcium-permeable channels in dark-adapted mesophyll-protoplasts with intact cytoplasm. The current increase was time-dependent and saturated after 11-16 minutes. Examining the dose dependence of channel activation revealed that > 50 µmol/m2s1 blue-light induces channel activity. Phototsynthesis was shown to be not involved in the signaling cascade since the photosynthetic electron-transport inhibitor DCMU did not inhibit channel activation. The inhibition of channel activation with the kinase inhibitor K252a pointet to the involvement of phototropins. This hypothesis proved to be true when the phototropin knockout mutants phot1-5 and phot1-5 phot2-1 were examined. In phot1-5, the activation was clearly reduced and in phot1-5 phot2-1 no blue-light activation was observed anymore. Furthermore, this pointed to an overlapping function of both photoreceptors. The involvement of cryptochromes, further blue-light receptors, could be excepted. 3. Beside blue-light, also reactive oxygen species (ROS) were shown to activate calcium-permeable channels in intact mesophyll protoplasts. After application of 5 mM H2O2, lanthanum-sensitive channels showed a time-dependent current increase with a saturation after approx. 25 minutes. Beside wildtype-plants (Col-0), also the mutant dnd1 has been tested. dnd1 is characterized by a truncated protein of a putative cyclic-nucleotide-gated channel, CNGC2. The plants are dwarfed in stature, have an elevated level of salicylic acid and exhibit a resistance against a variety of virulent bacterial, fungal and viral phatogens without developing a hypersensitive response. After inoculation of leaves with Pseudomonas syringae DC 3000 pv. tomato avrB, dnd1 showed a production of ROS like the wildtype. In contrast, an activation of calcium-permeable channels by ROS was not observed. A blue-light-dependent activation of calcium-permeable channels was still possible. This raised the question if blue-light and H2O2 activate the same channel via different signaling cascades or if there are two calcium-permeable channels. Cyclic nucleotides alone did not activate the channels, pointing to the possibility that CNGC2 does not represent the calcium-permeable channel. Furthermore, when the intact cytoplasm was lost (outside-out configuration), H2O2-induced channel activity was also observed in dnd1, possibly due to the loss of a composition of regulating compounds in the cytoplasm. Therefore it was concluded that CNGC2 does not represent the observed calcium-permeable channel and that CNGC2 is placed upstream of the activation of these channels. An inhibition of the H2O2-induced channel activation by the calmodulin (CaM) inhibitor W7 pointet to the involvement of a CaM-dependent step in the signaling cascade. When the cytoplasm was replaced with a pipette solution containing an elevated level of Ca2+ (21 µM) and CaM, channel activity was induced. Ca2+, cyclic nucleotides or CaM alone did not have this effect. This pointed to the possibility, that CNGC2 might activate calcium-permeable channels via a Ca2+/CaM-dependent signaling pathway. Subcellular localisation studies with a GFP-fusionconstruct (CNGC2::mGFP4 /pPILY) revealed that CNGC2 might be located in the endoplasmatic reticulum. This reeinforced the hypothesis that CNGC2 does not represent the calcium-permeable channel in the plasma membrane and that the loss of channel activity in dnd1 is due to an impaired signaling cascade. Also the expression of GFP-labeled CNGC2 in a heterolguous system (HEK293 cells) showed that neither the full-length nor a mutant containing a partly deletion of the N-terminal end (CNGC2::EGFP/pcDNA3.1 or CNGC2-D112::EGFP/pcDNA3.1) is transported to the plasma membrane. Therefore no electrophysiological characterization of CNGC2 in this cell line was possible.

Modeling of patch antennas and resonators on arbitrary dielectric substrates using surface RWG and volume edge based basis functions and the Method of Moments is implemented. The performance of the solver is studied for different mesh configurations. The results obtained are tested by comparison with experiments and Ansoft HFSS v9 simulator. The latter uses a large number of finite elements (up to 200K) and adaptive mesh refinement, thus providing the reliable data for comparison. The error in the resonant frequency is estimated for canonical resonator structures at different values of the relative dielectric constant ƒÕr, which ranges from 1 to 200. The reported results show a near perfect agreement in the estimation of resonant frequency for all the metal-dielectric resonators. Behavior of the antenna input impedance is tested, close to the first resonant frequency for the patch antenna. The error in the resonant frequency is estimated for different structures at different values of the relative dielectric constant ƒÕr, which ranges from 1 to 10. A larger error is observed in the calculation of the resonant frequency of the patch antenna. Moreover, this error increases with increase in the dielectric constant of the substrate. Further scope for improvement lies in the investigation of this effect.

Esta dissertação de mestrado apresenta uma metodologia de projeto de filtros de microondas planares passa-faixa tipo patch dual-mode, que associam baixas perdas nos condutores, boa capacidade de potência, rejeição da banda de segunda harmônica e miniaturização. Utilizou-se a ferramenta computacional MATLAB para desenvolver programas de cálculo de dimensões de ressoadores patch single-mode em função da freqüência fundamental e do substrato escolhido, bem como para cálculo da distribuição de campos eletromagnéticos (EM) ao longo destes ressoadores. O simulador EM 3D Momentum/ADS foi utilizado na análise, otimização e simulação do desempenho dos filtros. A metodologia desenvolvida consiste no projeto do ressoador patch single-mode nas geometrias quadrada, triangular e circular, com perturbações tais que resultem na freqüência central e banda de passagem desejadas para o filtro, bem como na miniaturização do mesmo. A metodologia engloba a análise do posicionamento das linhas de entrada e de saída para excitação dos modos desejados e seu acoplamento ao ressoador projetado. Foram propostos três ressoadores patch com topologias originais, modificados pela inserção de fendas, os quais foram aplicados ao projeto, construção e caracterização de cinco filtros. Desses, dois filtros passa-faixa dual-mode de banda mediana utilizam a nova topologia proposta de ressoador patch quadrado. Esses filtros, com dois e com quatro pólos, operam em 2,4 GHz e 2,35 GHz, com banda de passagem fracional de 14% e 9,8%, respectivamente. Outros dois filtros passa-faixa dual-mode de banda estreita, um com dois pólos e outro com quatro pólos, utilizam a topologia original proposta de ressoador patch triangular, com fenda em forma de \"T\" invertido. O filtro com dois pólos opera em 7,8 GHz, com banda de passagem fracional de 4,3% e o filtro de quatro pólos, em 7,5 GHz, com banda de 3,5%. Por fim, o filtro passa-faixa circular banda larga utiliza o ressoador patch circular proposto, que foi modificado para operar como triple-mode, comportamento inédito na literatura internacional enfocando ressoadores patch. Esse filtro triple-mode com três pólos apresenta freqüência central de 2,4 GHz e banda fracional de 29%. Os resultados experimentais validam a aplicação da metodologia, que apresenta grande flexibilidade no projeto de filtros com bandas estreitas, medianas ou largas, com boa rejeição na faixa de segunda harmônica (resultados acima de 13 dB). Conseguem-se leiautes miniaturizados com redução em área maior que 50% e ao mesmo tempo sem dimensões críticas, o que resulta em facilidade de fabricação através de métodos tradicionais de fotogravação em placas de circuito impresso. / This dissertation presents a methodology for the design of microwave planar bandpass filters using dual-mode patch resonators, which have low conductor loss, high power handling, second harmonic band rejection and miniaturization. MatLab software was used to develop routines that can calculate the dimensions of the single-mode patch resonators as a function of their fundamental frequency and of the chosen substrate. Further, these routines are able to calculate the electromagnetic (EM) field patterns across these resonators. Momentum/ADS EM 3D software was used for the analysis, optimization and simulation of the performance of the filters. The developed methodology consists on the design of the single-mode patch resonator in either square, rounded or triangular shape with perturbations that result in the desired filter\'s central frequency and bandwidth, and also in its miniaturization. The methodology involves the positioning of the input and output transmission lines to excite the desired modes and their coupling to the developed resonator. Three patch resonators were proposed with novel topologies that were modified by the insertion of slots, and applied to the design, fabrication, and measurements of five filters. Out of these five filters, two are dualmode medium band filters that use the proposed new topology for the square patch resonator. These filters, with two and four poles, are centered at 2.4 GHz and 2.35 GHz, with fractional bandwidth of 14% and 9.8%, respectively. Other two filters are dual-mode narrowband filters, a two-pole and a four-pole, that use the original topology proposed for the triangular patch resonator with a \"T\"-shaped slot. The two-pole filter is centered at 7.8 GHz with fractional bandwidth of 4.3%, whereas the four-pole filter is centered at 7.5 GHz with 3.5% of bandwidth. The last filter is a broadband circular filter that uses the proposed circular triplemode patch resonator, which is a brand new behavior in the international literature that focus on patch resonators. This triple-mode filter with three poles is centered at 2.4 GHz with fractional bandwidth of 29%. Experimental results validate the methodology, which presents wide filter design flexibility with narrow, medium or broad bands, and good second harmonic rejection (results better than 13 dB). Layouts can be designed with more than 50% of area reduction, and without critical dimensions at the same time, resulting in a simple fabrication that utilizes conventional PCB photopatterning process.

Esta dissertação de mestrado apresenta uma metodologia de projeto de filtros de microondas planares passa-faixa tipo patch dual-mode, que associam baixas perdas nos condutores, boa capacidade de potência, rejeição da banda de segunda harmônica e miniaturização. Utilizou-se a ferramenta computacional MATLAB para desenvolver programas de cálculo de dimensões de ressoadores patch single-mode em função da freqüência fundamental e do substrato escolhido, bem como para cálculo da distribuição de campos eletromagnéticos (EM) ao longo destes ressoadores. O simulador EM 3D Momentum/ADS foi utilizado na análise, otimização e simulação do desempenho dos filtros. A metodologia desenvolvida consiste no projeto do ressoador patch single-mode nas geometrias quadrada, triangular e circular, com perturbações tais que resultem na freqüência central e banda de passagem desejadas para o filtro, bem como na miniaturização do mesmo. A metodologia engloba a análise do posicionamento das linhas de entrada e de saída para excitação dos modos desejados e seu acoplamento ao ressoador projetado. Foram propostos três ressoadores patch com topologias originais, modificados pela inserção de fendas, os quais foram aplicados ao projeto, construção e caracterização de cinco filtros. Desses, dois filtros passa-faixa dual-mode de banda mediana utilizam a nova topologia proposta de ressoador patch quadrado. Esses filtros, com dois e com quatro pólos, operam em 2,4 GHz e 2,35 GHz, com banda de passagem fracional de 14% e 9,8%, respectivamente. Outros dois filtros passa-faixa dual-mode de banda estreita, um com dois pólos e outro com quatro pólos, utilizam a topologia original proposta de ressoador patch triangular, com fenda em forma de \"T\" invertido. O filtro com dois pólos opera em 7,8 GHz, com banda de passagem fracional de 4,3% e o filtro de quatro pólos, em 7,5 GHz, com banda de 3,5%. Por fim, o filtro passa-faixa circular banda larga utiliza o ressoador patch circular proposto, que foi modificado para operar como triple-mode, comportamento inédito na literatura internacional enfocando ressoadores patch. Esse filtro triple-mode com três pólos apresenta freqüência central de 2,4 GHz e banda fracional de 29%. Os resultados experimentais validam a aplicação da metodologia, que apresenta grande flexibilidade no projeto de filtros com bandas estreitas, medianas ou largas, com boa rejeição na faixa de segunda harmônica (resultados acima de 13 dB). Conseguem-se leiautes miniaturizados com redução em área maior que 50% e ao mesmo tempo sem dimensões críticas, o que resulta em facilidade de fabricação através de métodos tradicionais de fotogravação em placas de circuito impresso. / This dissertation presents a methodology for the design of microwave planar bandpass filters using dual-mode patch resonators, which have low conductor loss, high power handling, second harmonic band rejection and miniaturization. MatLab software was used to develop routines that can calculate the dimensions of the single-mode patch resonators as a function of their fundamental frequency and of the chosen substrate. Further, these routines are able to calculate the electromagnetic (EM) field patterns across these resonators. Momentum/ADS EM 3D software was used for the analysis, optimization and simulation of the performance of the filters. The developed methodology consists on the design of the single-mode patch resonator in either square, rounded or triangular shape with perturbations that result in the desired filter\'s central frequency and bandwidth, and also in its miniaturization. The methodology involves the positioning of the input and output transmission lines to excite the desired modes and their coupling to the developed resonator. Three patch resonators were proposed with novel topologies that were modified by the insertion of slots, and applied to the design, fabrication, and measurements of five filters. Out of these five filters, two are dualmode medium band filters that use the proposed new topology for the square patch resonator. These filters, with two and four poles, are centered at 2.4 GHz and 2.35 GHz, with fractional bandwidth of 14% and 9.8%, respectively. Other two filters are dual-mode narrowband filters, a two-pole and a four-pole, that use the original topology proposed for the triangular patch resonator with a \"T\"-shaped slot. The two-pole filter is centered at 7.8 GHz with fractional bandwidth of 4.3%, whereas the four-pole filter is centered at 7.5 GHz with 3.5% of bandwidth. The last filter is a broadband circular filter that uses the proposed circular triplemode patch resonator, which is a brand new behavior in the international literature that focus on patch resonators. This triple-mode filter with three poles is centered at 2.4 GHz with fractional bandwidth of 29%. Experimental results validate the methodology, which presents wide filter design flexibility with narrow, medium or broad bands, and good second harmonic rejection (results better than 13 dB). Layouts can be designed with more than 50% of area reduction, and without critical dimensions at the same time, resulting in a simple fabrication that utilizes conventional PCB photopatterning process.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate how plant spatial patterns and insect behavior interact to influence the population dynamics of insects using the plants. The study included three phases: l) field experiments using collards (Brassica oleracea) and the crucifer insect fauna; 2) simulation models representing the population dynamics of an insect herbivore as functions of insect dispersal behavior and host plant patch size; and 3) model-field syntheses integrating model predictions and field variability estimates to choose an appropriate spatial scale for future field experiments or applications. In field experiments on surrounding plant type, collards were planted with 1) other collards; 2) collards treated with a systemic insecticide; 3) broccoli, a related host; and 4) tomatoes, an unrelated host whose odor may repel crucifer pests. In three such experiments, eggs and larvae of the imported cabbageworm (Pieris rapae (L.)) were most abundant an collards surrounded by tomatoes. These results were contrary to those from previous experiments with other crucifer pests, but can perhaps be explained by P. rapae's preference for ovipositing on isolated host plants. In three patch size experiments, P. rapae eggs and larvae were more abundant on collards in small patches; in one of these experiments, the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella (Linn.)) was more abundant in large patches. The results for P. rapae were consistent with previous studies showing more oviposition on plants in smaller patches and on plants at the edge of a patch. The simulation models predicted mean level and variability of an insect herbivore population based on interactions between insect behavior and host plant patch size. Features of insect behavior modeled were: 1) an inverse relationship between distance and dispersal; 2) preferences for host vs. nonhost plants, which differ for generalist and for specialist herbivores; and 3) preference of specialists for larger areas of host plants. Aspects of plant pattern studied were size and number of host plant patches in a background of nonhost vegetation. Constant, exponential and logistic growth of insect populations in the nonhost background and in the host patches were used. The models were designed to provide a theoretical framework for studying interactions between insect behavior and plant pattern, not to duplicate the dynamics of the field system. However, for the model-field syntheses, parameters of one model were fit to field data to establish a correspondence between expected differences in population levels predicted by the model and variability estimates obtained in the field experiments. The fitted model was used to construct a graph of differences in population levels versus patch size. Field variability estimates were used to calculate the least difference in population levels, for a given number of replicates and subsamples, that could be detected in field experiments. The least difference was compared with the differences predicted b y the fitted model to determine what patch sizes will produce significant effects of patch size on insect populations. This method was used to assess feasibility of future field experiments and to select appropriate patch sizes. The method can also be used to evaluate crop field size in agroecosystems as a component of pest management.

Antennas enable wireless communication by transmission and reception of electromagnetic (EM) signals, which carry information is space. Signal reception and hence the quality of service depends significantly on the antenna properties, e.g. radiation pattern, operational frequency, and polarization. Legacy antennas, with their fixed properties, fail to adapt to the changing environment and degrade signal quality. Reconfigurable antennas (Ras) capable of changing their properties dynamically increase the capacity and data rate of wireless systems while offering a compact design. However, these advantages come at the cost of increased complexity compared to legacy antennas. Therefore it is important to design Ras with minimal complexity. To that end, this dissertation focuses on the development of a novel approach, three different Ras operation at three different frequency bands have been designed, fabricated and characterized. First RA works at the 5GHz band (4.9-5.1GHz) and obtains on current beam steering and 3-dB beam width variability. An algorithm to choose the optimum mode of operation has also been developed. The design approach introduced in first RA has been exploited to design the second RA, which achieves beam steering and beam width variability for two polarizations and operates a the 28 GHz band (27.5-28.3 GHz). The third RA operates at the 3GHz band and simultaneously reconfigures impedance and radiation patterns.

In an attempt to find a way of improving the damage tolerance of composite bonded repairs to metallic aircraft structures, the effect of using conventional crack growth retardation techniques in conjunction with bonded repairs was experimentally investigated. Hence, an experimental test program was set up to determine whether fatigue crack growth under bonded repairs is retarded further by giving the crack to be repaired a crack growth retardation treatment prior to repair patch application. In addition, it was set up to determine the influence of a bonded repair on the effectiveness of a crack growth retardation method. Centrally cracked aluminium plates were used. Stop drilling followed by cold hole expansion and the application of single overloads were selected as retardation treatments. Two patch materials were considered; boron/epoxy and Glare 2. Further test variables were the aluminium alloy and the plate thickness. Fatigue testing was carried out under constant amplitude loading and baseline results were determined first. In addition to optically monitoring the crack growth, local and global out-of-plane deformations were visualised with holographic interferometry and shadow moire??. Furthermore, the stress intensity factors under the repair patch were examined with strain gauges and measurement of the central crack opening displacement. Disbonds and fracture surfaces were studied after residual strength tests. The crack growth results obtained showed that retardation treatments decrease crack growth rates under a repair patch and that the effectiveness of a retardation treatment is increased by the patch. Although identical crack growth rates were observed under boron/epoxy and Glare 2 patches, the reinitiation period after the retardation treatment lasted longer when Glare 2 patches were applied. Analytical predictions of the extent of retardation based on existing models showed that the conjunctive effect of retardation treatments and bonded repairs was underestimated. A sustained reduction in crack growth rates was observed under bonded repairs with a prior overload retardation treatment. It was concluded that the damage tolerance of bonded repairs is increased by the application of a crack growth retardation treatment because the crack growth is retarded further. These findings indicate that the range of cracks in aircraft for which bonded repairs can be considered is expanded and that economic benefits can be obtained.

Rivers around the world are under increasing pressure from a variety of human activities. Effective management of riverine landscapes requires an ecosystem approach and one that recognises the complex interactions between their physical, chemical and biological components. Perceptions of pattern and process are central to our understanding of riverine landscapes. Pattern and process operate over multiple scales to produce heterogeneous mosaics of landscape patches that change over time. Hierarchical patch dynamics provides a useful approach to unravel pattern and process at multiple scales in riverine landscapes. This thesis adopts a hierarchical patch dynamics approach to investigate floodplain sediment and nutrient dynamics within the Barwon-Darling River in South Eastern Australia. The flow regime of the Barwon-Darling River is highly variable. As a result, it has a complex channel cross section featuring inset-floodplain surfaces that occur at multiple elevations within the channel trough. These surfaces formed the focus of this study. The texture of inset- floodplain surface sediments displays a patchy spatial distribution and one that did not reflect lateral or longitudinal gradients within this floodplain landscape. Rather a sediment textural patch mosaic was identified. Nutrient concentrations associated with the surface sediments of the inset-floodplains were also shown to vary significantly resulting in a nutrient patch mosaic. This spatial nutrient mosaic was enhanced by factors including the surface elevation of the floodplain surface. Sediment and nutrient exchange between the river channel and inset-floodplain surfaces was measured during several flows in 2001, 2002 and 2005. Pin and sediment trap data showed that significant quantities of sediment were exchanged between the river channel and floodplain surfaces during inundation with both cut and fill processes occurring. Patterns in sediment exchange appear to be related to local sediment supply and seasonal sediment exhaustion, rather than the top down geomorphic constraints considered. These material exchanges resulted in a change to the spatial configuration of the sediment textural patch mosaic. Distinct new sediment textural patches were created following inundation, while other patches were lost post inundation and other patches changed sediment textural character to move into pre-existing patches. Thus a truly dynamic sediment textural mosaic exists within this floodplain landscape. Nutrient concentrations associated with floodplain sediments also changed over time. While nutrient concentrations increased after the December 2001 flow event, they generally decreased after the March 2002 event, highlighting their dynamic nature over time. The spatial distribution of nutrient concentrations also varied over time, with a 40 percent change to the nutrient mosaic as a result of the March 2002 flow event. In addition to the influence of the changing physical template (sediment texture mosaic), nutrient concentrations were shown to be influenced by rainfall processes on non flooded surfaces, and also a number of top-down constraints and bottom-up influences operating over multiple spatial scales. Overall, the inset-floodplains studied in this thesis acted primarily as sediment and nutrient sinks, and were a source for dissolved nutrients. Nutrient exchange was associated with the exchange of sediments in this riverine landscape, over both inter-flow and decadal timescales. It was demonstrated that water resource development within the catchment reduced the number, magnitude and duration of flow events down the Barwon-Darling River and as a result reductions in the exchange of sediment, associated and dissolved nutrients between inset-floodplains and the main river channel were calculated. The greatest reductions were with the release of dissolved nutrients (42-25 percent) and the exchange of sediment and associated nutrients from high level surfaces (43 percent). Effective conservation and management of riverine ecosystems must occur at the correct scale. This study identified potential nutrient hotspots at several scales in the Barwon-Darling floodplain landscape that could be targeted by management. The low predictability of the location of nutrient hotspots at the inset-floodplain scale over time means that environmental flows should be targeted at high level surfaces (<25 000 MLD-1) that provide long term sources of carbon to the river channel. Conserving flows of this magnitude will also reinstate flow variability, an important facet of the Barwon-Darling River?s hydrology that has been changed by water resource development. The research presented in this thesis highlights the importance of not only considering pattern and process at multiple scales, but also the way in which these processes influence landscape patterns over time, leading to the identification of the appropriate scales that can best be targeted for the conservation of these systems.

Clinical studies reported side effects of muscular spasms and muscle stiffness following the administration of clofibrate, a drug once used to treat hyperlipidaemia in patients. Experiments with clofibrate and its analogues in animal models showed it produced these myotonic symptoms in muscle by reducing the chloride conductance of the muscle membrane. The effects of 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid, an analogue of clofibric acid, was assessed on the rat ClC-1 channel (rClC-1). Racemic 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid shifted the voltage dependence of rClC-1 activation to more depolarising potentials, a mechanism accounting for myotonic symptoms previously reported. Experiments with resolved enantiomers revealed that the effects recorded were due exclusively to S-(–) 2-(4- chlorophenoxy)propionic acid. The R-(+) enantiomer was ineffective at the concentrations tested. Further experiments with the compound at differing Cl- concentrations in the extracellular solution suggested that S-(–) 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid altered the gating of ClC-1 by decreasing the affinity of the binding site where Cl- normally acts to ‘gate’ the channel. Similarities in the effects reported for most dominant mutations in the CLCN1 gene that lead to myotonia congenita and 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid prompted experiments that introduced these point mutations in the human ClC-1 (hClC-1) gene to compare their mode of action to that of the drug. These mutations, F307S and A313T, predominantly altered the slow, or common, gate of the channel. Conversely, the effect of 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid was predominantly on the fast gating process of hClC-1. A macroscopically similar effect therefore, can be produced by two different modes of action. Results suggested that both drug and mutations exert their action by affecting the transition of the channel from its closed to open state subsequent to Cl- binding. Investigation of the interaction between rClC-1 gating and a further 25 compounds structurally related to clofibric acid identified a number of compounds effective at shifting the open probability of fast gating to depolarising potentials. Fewer were identified that influence slow gating. Some compounds affected both gating processes, however, none were identified which influenced slow gating alone. Ability to displace the voltage dependent activation of the fast gate appeared to depend largely on the lipophilicity of the molecules tested, indicating the importance of hydrophobic interactions between drug and channel protein. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1474724 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, 2009