The Raman Injection Laser is a new type of laser which is based on triply resonant stimulated Raman scattering between quantum confined states within the active region of a Quantum Cascade Laser that serves as an internal optical pump. The Raman Injection Laser is driven electrically and no external laser pump is required. Triple resonance leads to an enhancement of orders of magnitude in the Raman gain, high conversion efficiency and low threshold. We studied this new type of laser and conclude some basic equations. With reasonable experimental parameters, we calculated the laser gain, losses and the output power of the Raman Injection Laser by using Mathematica and FEMLab. Finally we compared the theoretical and experimental results.

The temporal and spatial patterning that underlies morphogenetic events is controlled by gene regulatory networks (GRNs). These operate through a combinatorial code of DNA – binding transcription factor proteins, and non – coding DNA sequences (cis-regulatory elements, or CREs), that specifically bind transcription factors and regulate nearby genes. By comparatively studying the development of different species, we can illuminate lineage – specific changes in gene regulation that account for morphological evolution. The central nervous system of vertebrates is composed of diverse neural cells that undergo highly coordinated programs of specialization, migration and differentiation during development. Approximately 20% of neurons in the cerebral cortex are GABAergic inhibitory interneurons, which release the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Diseases such as autism, schizophrenia and epilepsy are associated with defects in GABAergic interneuron function. Several members of the distal-less homeobox (Dlx) transcription factor family are implicated in a GRN underlying early GABAergic interneuron development in the forebrain. I examined the role played by orthologous dlx genes in the development of GABAergic interneurons in the zebrafish forebrain. I found that when ascl1a transcription factor is down-regulated through the micro-injection of translation – blocking morpholino oligonucleotides, Dlx gene transcription is decreased in the diencephalon, but not the telencephalon. Similarly, gad1a transcription is also decreased in this region for these morphants. As gad1a encodes an enzyme necessary for the production of GABA, these genes are implicated in a cascade underlying GABAergic interneuron development in the diencephalon.

This work presents a model of the fouling mechanism and the evaluation of compressor washing on line. The results of this research were obtained from experimental and computational models. The experimental model analyzed the localization of the particle deposition on the blade surface and the change of the surface roughness condition. The design of the test rig was based on the cascade blade arrangement and blade aerodynamics. The results of the experiment demonstrated that fouling occurred on both surfaces of the blade. This mechanism mainly affected the leading edge region of the blade. The increment of the surface roughness on this region was 1.0 μm. This result was used to create the CFD model (FLUENT). According to the results of the CFD, fouling reduced the thickness of the boundary layer region and increased the drag force of the blade. The model of fouling was created based on the experiment and CFD results and was used to calculate the engine performance in the simulation code (TURBOMATCH). The engine performance results demonstrated that in five days fouling can affect the overall efficiency by 3.5%. The evaluation of the compressor washing on line was based on the experimental tests and simulation of the engine performance. This system demonstrated that it could recover 99% of the original blade surface. In addition, this system was evaluated in a study case of a Power Plant, where it proved itself to be a techno-economic way to recover the power of the engine due to fouling. The model of the fouling mechanism presented in this work was validated by experimental tests, CFD models and information from real engines. However, for further applications of the model, it would be necessary to consider the specific conditions of fouling in each new environment.

Quantum cascade laser (QCL), as a unipolar semiconductor laser based on intersubband transitions in quantum wells, covers a large portion of the Mid and Far Infrared electromagnetic spectrum. The frequency of the optical transition can be determined by engineering the layer sequence of the heterostructure. The focus of this work is on Terahertz (THz) frequency range (frequency of 1 - 10 THz and photon energy of ~ 4 - 40 meV), which is lacking of high power, coherent, and efficient narrowband radiation sources. THz QCL, demonstrated in 2002, as a perfect candidate of coherent THz source, is still suffering from the empirical operating temperature limiting factor of T ≈ ħω/kB, which allows this source to work only under a cryogenic system. Most of high performance THz QCLs, including the world record design which lased up to ~ 200 K, are based on a resonant phonon (RP) scheme, whose population inversion is always less than 50%. The indirectly-pumped (IDP) QCL, nicely implemented in MIR frequency, starts to be a good candidate to overcome the aforementioned limiting factor of RP-QCL. A rate equation (RE) formalism, which includes both coherent and incoherent transport process, will be introduced to model the carrier transport of all presented structures in this thesis. The second order tunneling which employed the intrasubband roughness and impurity scattering, was implemented in our model to nicely predict the behavior of the QCL designs. This model, which is easy to implement and fast to calculate, could help us to engineer the electron wavefunctions of the structure with optimization tools. We developed a new design scheme which employs the phonon scattering mechanism for both injecting carrier to the upper lasing state and extracting carrier from lower lasing state. Since there is no injection/extraction state to be in resonance with lasing states, this simple design scheme does not suffer from broadening due to the tunneling. Finally, three different THz IDP-QCLs, based on phonon-photon-phonon (3P) scheme were designed, grown, fabricated, and characterized. The performance of those structures in terms of operating temperature, threshold current density, maximum current density, output optical power, lasing frequency, differential resistance at threshold, intermediate resonant current before threshold, and kBT/ħω factor will be compared. We could improve the kBT/ħω factor of the 3P-QCL design from 0.9 in first iteration to 1.3 and the output optical power of the structure from 0.9 mW in first design to 3.4 mW. The performance of the structure in terms of intermediate resonant current and the change in differential resistance at threshold was improved.

Terahertz (THz) frequency range (wavelength of 300-30 μm, frequency of 1-10 THz and photon energy of ~4-40meV), the gap between infrared and microwave electromagnetic waves, have remained relatively unexplored for a long time, due to lack of a high power, coherent, and compact source, as well as the lack of an appropriate detector and the transmission devices. THz wave has recently received considerable attention for potential applications in non-invasive medical imaging, detecting trace of gases in the environment, sensing of organic and biological molecules, security controls, local oscillators for heterodyne receiver systems, free space communication, etc. THz quantum cascade laser (QCL), as the relatively high power and coherent THz radiation source, was demonstrated in 2002. After near a decade of intense research, THz QCLs operate only up to 186K in pulse mode with maximum power of 250 mW at 10 K. This thesis discusses many aspects of theoretical and experimental design considerations for THz QCLs. The objective is to obtain a laser device that emits high powers and works towards the temperatures achievable by thermoelectric coolers. This work includes designing the active gain medium, and the engineering of the waveguide and heat removal structures. A density matrix based model is developed to explain the charge transport and gain mechanism in the intersubband devices, particularly for three well resonant phonon based THz QCLs. The model allows for designing of the optimum and novel active gain mediums that work at higher temperatures. The designed active gain mediums are fabricated using discussed low loss waveguide and efficient heat removal structures. The maximum operating temperatures as high as ~176 K is achieved. Finally a promising lasing scheme based on phonon-photon-phonon emissions is proposed that improves the population inversion and offers high gain peak.

Recent high-resolution seismic imaging has allowed detailed reconstruction of the relationship between fold development and crestal faulting of the Chinook and Cascade folds in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Using 3-D seismic and biostratigraphic data, we have found that (1) short wavelength (~2300m), small amplitude folds (~540m) within the upper Cretaceous and upper Jurassic stratigraphic sequences took place no later than the late Jurassic, (2) large wavelength and amplitude fold growth, starting in the early Cretaceous, was produced by salt withdrawal, and (3) periods of increased sedimentation, fold growth, and fault slip occurred during the middle Miocene and late Miocene. Although the dominant stage of long wavelength, large amplitude fold growth started around early Cretaceous, the development of the Cascade and Chinook structures was continuous, punctuated by episodes of accelerated growth during the middle Miocene at rates of 337 and 235 m/Ma in the Cascade and 203 and 230 m/Ma in the Chinook. A later event of accelerated growth occurred during the late Miocene at rates of 1038 m/Ma in the Cascade and 1189 m/Ma in the Chinook. Accompanying fold growth was sedimentation, which was highest at 1949 m/Ma in the Cascade and 2585 m/Ma in the Chinook. Although limb tilt rates varied through fold growth, the highest rates also occurred during the middle Miocene at 0.330 and 0.196 degree/Ma for the Cascade and Chinook, respectively with the development of crestal faults at maximum slip rates of 88 and 90 m/Ma.

This thesis considers the design of cascaded SISO control systems using the H∞ and QFT methodologies. In the first part of the thesis the actual advantages offered by Single Input Single Output (SISO) cascade loop structures are studied. In Quantitative Feedback Theory(QFT) it is emphasized that the use of cascaded loops is primarily for the reduction of bandwidth of the controllers. This in turn helps in considerable reduction of the adverse effects of high frequency noise. The question that arises then is whether or not there are any substantial benefits to be gained by cascade loop design in the low frequencies. It is shown using QFT methodology that there aren’t any advantages gained in the low frequencies with the use of cascaded design. In effect it is concluded that if the design is properly executed a single loop controller closed from the output to the input will be sufficient to meet the typical performance specifications. This is shown using an example where the mold level of a continuous casting process is to be controlled. The plant being used has considerable uncertainty so that features of robust control can be highlighted. In the second part the Robust Outer Loop bounds were generated analytically and examined for certain properties. It was compared to the bounds generated by already existing algorithms. In the third part the inner outer QFT design was modified with the inner loop being designed using H∞ with the concept of sensitivity shaping. This design was very similar to the pure QFT design with the added advantage of having some automation. In the fourth part the H∞ methodology was used to design a two loop control structure. The idea was to compare this design to the QFT design. It was seen that H∞ generated redundant controllers and pre filters.

This study presents the development of a cell-based routing model. The model developed is a two parameter hydrological routing model that uses a coarse resolution stream network to route runoff from each cell in the watershed to the outlet. The watershed is divided into a number of equal cells, which are approximated as cascade of linear reservoirs or tanks. Water is routed from a cell downstream, depending on the flow direction of the cell, using the cascade of tanks. The routing model consists of two phases, first is the overland flow routing, which is followed by the channel flow routing. In this study, the cell-to-cell stream flow routing model is applied to the Brazos River Basin to demonstrate the impact of the cascade of tanks on the flow over a simple linear reservoir method. This watershed was tested with a uniform runoff depth in absence of observed runoff data. A case study on Waller Creek in Austin, Texas with observed runoff depths and stream flow is used to demonstrate the calibration and validation of model parameters.

The Raman Injection Laser is a new type of laser which is based on triply resonant stimulated Raman scattering between quantum confined states within the active region of a Quantum Cascade Laser that serves as an internal optical pump. The Raman Injection Laser is driven electrically and no external laser pump is required. Triple resonance leads to an enhancement of orders of magnitude in the Raman gain, high conversion efficiency and low threshold. We studied this new type of laser and conclude some basic equations. With reasonable experimental parameters, we calculated the laser gain, losses and the output power of the Raman Injection Laser by using Mathematica and FEMLab. Finally we compared the theoretical and experimental results.

I. Efforts Toward the Synthesis of (–)-Tetracycline. A macrocyclic approach toward (–)-tetracycline is described. Traditional approaches towards the synthesis of tetracycline antibiotics employ the linear construction of the core structure starting with either the A- or D-rings. In contrast to this iterative annulation-based strategy, we have sought to employ a chiral macrocycle in our approach. Key to the success of our synthesis endeavor is the execution of two key steps: (1) a transannular Michael addition, which forms the A-ring and sets the C4a-stereogenic center; and (2) an isoxazole substitution reaction, which effects a ring contraction to produce both the B- and C-rings. This work describes our implementation of the strategy and focuses on the stereochemical interplay between the C4-, C4a-, C6-, and C12a-stereocenters within the context of the key steps. II. Analysis of the Peripheral Attack Model. The application of the peripheral attack model to 34 literature examples of intermolecular macrocyclic stereocontrol is described. While the peripheral attack model has been broadly applied in complex molecule synthesis, the validity of the model has not been subjected to analysis since being proposed in the early 1980’s. In order to assess the value of the model to organic chemists, we have developed a systematic method for probing the conformational profile of macrocycles. Using this tool, we then analyzed each of the 34 literature substrates and concluded whether the peripheral attack model predicts the correct stereochemical outcome in both a binary- and magnitude-based capacity. Analysis of both the bulk dataset and subsets of the dataset is included. / Chemistry and Chemical Biology