Ion channels play a critical role in maintaining homeostasis by moving various ions in and out of cells. The Na+-K+-2Cl- or NKCC1 ion channel is involved in the regulation of Na+, K+, and Cl- across cell membranes, and plays a key role in many forms of cellular physiology. In the cochlea, NKCC1 is involved in endolymph production and maintenance of the endocochlear potential. Our hypothesis is that blocking NKCC1 channels should directly impact auditory sensitivity causing hearing loss. Our lab has also shown that the hormone aldosterone (ALD) can upregulate NKCC1 protein expression in vitro and in vivo. In the present investigation, we use electrophysiology and molecular biology techniques to study the biophysical mechanisms underlying the action of ALD in vitro on NKCC1 in the SH-SY5Y cell line. Our initial protein expression studies using RT-PCR found that proteins specific to NKCC1channels were present in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Whole cell currents measured using patch clamp methodology, were used to analyze the effects of various compounds on NKCC1 in the SH-SY5Y cell line. Control data were collected under perfusion of extracellular solution (ECS), then ECS containing 10µM bumetanide was applied, and, finally a washout condition completed the experiment. Similar experiments were conducted using ALD, and we observed an increase in K+ currents when bumetanide as well as when ALD was applied. This is the first report that indicates that ALD can directly regulate K+ channels in SH-SY5Y cells.

Serotonin (5-HT)-containing neuroepithelial cells (NECs) of the gill filament are believed to be the primary O2 chemosensors in fish. In the mammalian carotid body (CB), 5-HT is one of many neurotransmitters believed to play a role in transduction of hypoxic stimuli, with acetylcholine (ACh) being the primary fast-acting excitatory neurotransmitter. Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy was used to observe the presence of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), a marker for the presence of ACh, and its associated innervation in the gills of zebrafish. VAChT-positive cells were observed primarily along the afferent side of the filament, with some cells receiving extrabranchial innervation. No VAChT-positive cells were observed in the gills of goldfish; however, certain key morphological differences in the innervation of goldfish gills was observed, as compared to zebrafish. In addition, in zebrafish NECs, whole-cell current is dominated by an O2-sensitive background K+ current; however, this is just one of several currents observed in the mammalian CB. In zebrafish NECs and the CB, membrane depolarization in response to hypoxia, mediated by inhibition of the background K+ (KB) channels, is believed to lead to activation of voltage-gated Ca2+ (CaV) channels and Ca2+-dependent neurosecretion. Using patch-clamp electrophysiology, I discovered several ion channel types not previously observed in the gill chemosensors, including Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa), voltage-dependent K+ (KV), and voltage-activated Ca2+ (CaV) channels. Under whole-cell patch-clamp conditions, the goldfish NECs did not respond to hypoxia (PO2 ~ 11 mmHg). Employing ratiometric calcium imaging and an activity-dependent fluorescent vital dye, I observed that intact goldfish NECs respond to hypoxia (PO2 ~ 11 mmHg) with an increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and increased synaptic vesicle activity. The results of these experiments demonstrate that (1) ACh appears to play a role in the zebrafish, but not goldfish gill, (2) goldfish NECs likely signal hypoxic stimuli primarily via the central nervous system (CNS), (3) goldfish NECs express a broad range of ion channels as compared to the NECs of zebrafish, and (4) goldfish NECs rely on some cytosolic factor(s) when responding to hypoxia (PO2 ~ 11 mmHg). This thesis represents a further step in the study of neurochemical and physiological adaptations to tolerance of extreme hypoxia.

The space environment is a volatile and challenging place for satellites to survive in. For Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites, atomic oxygen (AO) is a constant corrosive effect that degrades the outer surface of satellites over long durations. Atomic oxygen exists in the atmosphere between 180 and 675 km and has a relatively high energy at 4.5 eV, which allows AO to break molecular bonds in materials on the surfaces of spacecraft. As the number and complexity of CubeSat missions increase, there is an increased risk that AO degradation on commercial off the shelf parts (COTS), such as antenna, could degrade the satellite’s ability to communicate with ground systems. This thesis looks at how AO erosion affects the performance of patch antennas for CubeSat applications. Patch antennas are small, cheap, low-profile antennas that can be used on CubeSats to communicate with the ground or other satellites. Patch antennas are semi-directional, providing higher gain and higher available frequencies than omnidirectional antennas. An AO chamber in the California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo’s (Cal Poly) Spacecraft Environments Testing Lab was used to expose the patch antennas for 24-hour and 48-hour tests. The 24-hour exposure saw an average AO fluence of 8.757 ± 0.807•1020 atoms/cm2 which corresponds to roughly 3.5 months of on-orbit AO exposure on the Ram side when in a 28.5° inclined orbit with an altitude of 400 km. The 48-hour exposure saw an average AO fluence of 1.595 ± 0.076•1021 atoms/cm2 which corresponds to approximately 6.4 months of on-orbit AO exposure on the Ram side when in a 28.5° inclined orbit with an altitude of 400 km. To test the performance of the patch antenna before and after AO exposure, an anechoic chamber in the Microwave Lab at Cal Poly was used to measure boresight gain and radiation pattern in the E-plane and H-plane. From the testing in the anechoic chamber it was determined that there was no apparent difference in the patch antenna’s gain and radiation pattern before and after AO exposure. By using a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) it was discovered that the outer surface of the patch antennas were forming a silicon dioxide layer, which did not affect the performance of the patch antenna. Since silicon dioxide is resistant to AO erosion, it may be beneficial for CubeSats to include silica additives to their exposed antenna surfaces to prevent erosion.

Thesis focuses on the design and development of three possible methods to power the serial patch array and optimization of the chosen design. The antenna array is conceived as a multi-layered structure formed on a 3D textile substrate. The objective of this work is to identify the best possible configuration of antenna array for the use in automotive and aerospace industry. The first concept – array coupled by near microstrip line – proved in the case of the more serial elements as non-functional. The second concept – aperture coupled array – is unsuitable for use in close proximity to the electrically conductive shell of the aircraft. The third concept – array coupled with textile integrated waveguide – seems like the best possible solution. The design of the array coupled with textile integrated waveguide was optimized in consideration of the production process. The impedance bandwidth of this proposed three elements antenna is 890 MHz, the gain in the main lobe direction is 11.8 dBi.

Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) is a grass species that can dominate wet meadow plant communities. This study investigated if grazing by cattle on restored wet meadows suppresses reed canarygrass, thereby promoting the restored plant community. This study was conducted at two locations in northwest Minnesota. Management practices used were a patch-burn grazing treatment and a four-pasture high intensity-short duration grazing rotation. A pretreatment survey was conducted before grazing followed by annual surveys every five years after grazing. Both treatments reduced reed canarygrass canopy cover by 49 percent compared to non-grazed control sites. Grazed patches were moving towards a Carex dominated community. The community not invaded with reed canarygrass had similar native species richness at the end of the experiment in the rotational grazing treatment, and improved plant richness in the patch-burn grazing treatment. This study demonstrates grazing reduces cover of reed canarygrass, while maintaining or increasing native plant species richness.

The complex interface between tyre and terrain is a largely studied topic in terramechanics and vehicle dynamics research. This interface, known as the contact patch, is however hidden from view and cannot easily be measured. Several studies have focused on measuring tyre strain on the inside surface of the tyre to indirectly determine tyre parameters. The inner surface is separated from the contact patch by the tyre thickness however this difference can be considered small in comparison to the bene t gained by a safe environment for measurement systems. Static studies of tyre strain have been successful however lacks the important phenomena occurring in a rolling tyre. Tyre strain measurements in dynamic tyres have been limited to discrete points and/or once per revolution, which is an insufficient sampling rate for vehicle stability controllers such as ABS. This study performs full-fi eld and point strain measurements of the inner tyre surface of a rolling agricultural tyre at low speeds. Stereo cameras mounted on a mechanically stabilised rim will record full-fi eld measurement of the contact patch kept in constant view. Digital Image Correlation techniques are used to determine full-fi eld deformation and strain from successively captured images. Point measurements, such as strain gauges, are included in the study for a comparative measurement. An agricultural tyre hosts large lugs which include large strain concentrations within the contact patch. The complex tyre structure signi ficantly influences the strain measurements, other factors such as inflation pressure, vertical load and slip angle is also studied. Since most vehicle forces are transmitted through the tyre at the tyre-terrain interface, capabilities to measure this area will be a great benefi t for tyre research and leading towards a smart tyre. / Dissertation (MEng (Mechanical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / MEng (Mechanical Engineering) / Unrestricted

With the advancement of silicon electronics under threat from physical limits to dimensional scaling, the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) released a white paper in 2008, detailing the ways in which the semiconductor industry can keep itself continually growing in the twenty-first century. Two distinct paths were proposed: More-Moore and More-than-Moore. While More-Moore approach focuses on the continued use of state-of-the-art, complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology for next generation electronics, More-than-Moore approach calls for a disruptive change in the system architecture and integration strategies. In this doctoral thesis, we investigate both the approaches to obtain performance improvement in the state-of-the-art, CMOS electronics. We present a novel channel material, SiSn, for fabrication of CMOS circuits. This investigation is in line with the More-Moore approach because we are relying on the established CMOS industry infrastructure to obtain an incremental change in the integrated circuit (IC) performance by replacing silicon channel with SiSn. We report a simple, low-cost and CMOS compatible process for obtaining single crystal SiSn wafers. Tin (Sn) is deposited on silicon wafers in the form of a metallic thin film and annealed to facilitate diffusion into the silicon lattice. This diffusion provides for sufficient SiSn layer at the top surface for fabrication of CMOS devices. We report a lowering of band gap and enhanced mobility for SiSn channel MOSFETs compared to silicon control devices. We also present a process for fabrication of vertically integrated flexible silicon to form 3D integrated circuits. This disruptive change in the state-of-the-art, in line with the More-than-Moore approach, promises to increase the performance per area of a silicon chip. We report a process for stacking and bonding these pieces with polymeric bonding and interconnecting them using copper through silicon vias (TSVs). We report a process for fabricating through polymer vias (TPVs) facilitating the fabrication of sensor arrays and control electronics on the opposite sides of the same flexible polymer. Finally, we present a process to fabricate stretchable metallic thin films with up to 800% stretchability, and report two distinct applications for these devices which cannot be done using current techniques.

The master's thesis deals with the design and implementation of a reconfigurable patch antenna. The antenna is fed by a microstrip transmission line. To the microstrip feeder, tuning stubs are connected. Each stub matches the input impedance of the antenna to 50 ? for different operation frequencies. Stubs can be individually connected to the feeder by PIN diodes; operation frequency of the antenna can be switched that way. In the project, the antenna is initially designed for antenna substrate RO3006. Then, the design will be converted to the substrate ARLON AD600 selected for the realization. In the project, modifications of stubs will be proposed to properly connect the PIN diodes. Functionality of the designed antenna will be verified by modeling in Ansoft Designer. The last part will be dealt with implementation of the antenna and the experimental measurement of their properties.

In the first part of this thesis a basic theory of retrodirective antenna arrays and their particular parts – antennas and mixers is summarized. Further, there is a basic summary of possibilities for an usage of retrodirective antenna arrays for an information transmission. The second part deals with the concrete retrodirective antenna array design. The design starts with creation of an antenna array model for MATLAB software. Then a suitable structure for further design is chosen. Further, particular parts of retrodirctive antenna array – a patch antenna, a mixer, a low-pass filter, a bandstop filter, a signal combiner and a Wilkinson power divider are designed and analyzed in Ansoft Designer software. For the patch antenna analysis also CST Microwave Studio software is used. The following part deals with the realization of particular parts of the retrodirecive antenna array and its parameters measuring.

This thesis describes the basic principles of radio frequency identification, basic characteristics of patch antennas, the possibility of their feeding and design of planar antenna series. Are discussed, impedance matching options. The selected antenna arrays were realised, measuring their parameters was down and measured parameters was compared with simulation results.