The so-called "Marine Testing Field (MTF)" is a concept to set up a natural site so that a laboratory experiment may be implemented directly at sea. In viewing the geographical advantage of National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), an MTF has been proposed near the Shziwan bay area, which is particularly suitable to conduct research on near shore processes and harbor monitoring and protection. The purpose of this study is implemented the first phase towards the establishment of Shziwan MTF, that is, to conduct a complete survey of this area, including topological, morphological, geological, and dynamical properties of this area. The survey employs various equipment including sidescan sonar, subbpttom profiler, multibeam system, and seabed sampling, etc. To achieve a good quality, the survey routes were carefully planned, and 10 seabed samples were taken. The results have shown that the slope of the seafloor is about 145:1, indicating that the area has a very slow varying topography. Sidescan images have been carefully analyzed, and several objects on the seabed have been identified; furthermore, the subbottom images have shown layering structure in this area. The seabed sampling shows that the seabed is mostly consisted of fine sand with average particle size of about 0.263 mm. Overall, the field already explored shows that it is about 4116725m2 in area, in which 88.1% is sand, 7.2% sand with ripple marks, and 4.7% rocks.

High-precision optical systems are generally tested using interferometry, since it often is the only way to achieve the desired measurement precision and accuracy. Interferometers can generally measure a surface to an accuracy of one hundredth of a wave. In order to achieve an accuracy to the next order of magnitude, one thousandth of a wave, each error source in the measurement must be characterized and calibrated.Errors in interferometric measurements are classified into random errors and systematic errors. An approach to estimate random errors in the measurement is provided, based on the variation in the data. Systematic errors, such as retrace error, imaging distortion, and error due to diffraction effects, are also studied in this dissertation. Methods to estimate the first order geometric error and errors due to diffraction effects are presented.Interferometer phase modulation transfer function (MTF) is another intrinsic error. The phase MTF of an infrared interferometer is measured with a phase Siemens star, and a Wiener filter is designed to recover the middle spatial frequency information.Map registration is required when there are two maps tested in different systems and one of these two maps needs to be subtracted from the other. Incorrect mapping causes wavefront errors. A smoothing filter method is presented which can reduce the sensitivity to registration error and improve the overall measurement accuracy.Interferometric optical testing with computer-generated holograms (CGH) is widely used for measuring aspheric surfaces. The accuracy of the drawn pattern on a hologram decides the accuracy of the measurement. Uncertainties in the CGH manufacturing process introduce errors in holograms and then the generated wavefront. An optimal design of the CGH is provided which can reduce the sensitivity to fabrication errors and give good diffraction efficiency for both chrome-on-glass and phase etched CGHs.

Approved for public release, distribution unlimited / Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. / Healthcare costs throughout the United States are on the rise, drawing increased scrutiny from government officials and Congress. The cost of pharmacy operations and pharmaceuticals is growing at a rate that is alarmingly higher than that of the total cost of military healthcare itself. Recent congressional legislation has essentially given the Department of Defense the ultimatum to cut costs for beneficiaries wherever possible, or risk having benefits arbitrarily cut by Congress. In the face of this possibility, cutting costs through better business practices must be explored, particularly within the area of pharmacy operations. This project explores the potential cost savings that can be realized by implementing Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology in the pharmacy operations of the DoD Medical Treatment Facilities (MTF). This research proves that implementing Lean Six Sigma methodology will improve military pharmacy operations, often at little cost, while realizing significant savings and increased customer satisfaction.

De nombreuses filières de détecteurs coexistent dans le domaine infrarouge (longueur d’onde entre 1µm et 50µm). Chacune possède ses avantages et ses inconvénients (coût, performance, compacité …). Certaines filières sont bien établies et disponibles commercialement alors que d’autres sont encore émergentes. La filière super-réseaux (SR) est une filière récemment commercialisée. Elle repose sur l’empilement périodique de semiconducteurs (InAs/GaSb), donnant un détecteur quantique capable de détecter des longueurs d’ondes comprises entre 1 et 32µm typiquement.L’objectif de cette thèse est d’évaluer le potentiel de la filière super-réseaux en cryostat opérationnel à l’aide de fonctions de mérite orientées système qui tiennent compte du packaging entourant le détecteur. Nous nous concentrerons sur la Fonction de Transfert de Modulation (FTM), décrivant la résolution du système ainsi que sur le rapport Bruit Spatial Fixe Résiduel sur Bruit Temporel (BSFR/BT), décrivant la stabilité temporelle de la qualité image.Ce travail a ainsi permis de confirmer deux promesses des SR en moyen infrarouge : d’une part, la grande stabilité temporelle de la qualité image et d’autre part le faible nombre de pixels clignotants. Par ailleurs, les bancs de mesures de FTM et de stabilité temporelle développés au cours de la thèse pourront être adaptés pour caractériser d’autres filières dans les mêmes conditions de mesure. / Many photodetector technologies coexist in the infrared domain (wavelength between 1µm and 50µm). Each of them comes with its assets and drawbacks (cost, performance, compactness, etc.). Some technologies are well established and available while others are still under development. The superlattice technology (SL) recently made its way into the market. It is based on the periodic stack of semiconductors (InAs/GaSb), giving a quantum detector capable of detecting wavelengths between 1 and 32µm typically. Like other quantum infrared detectors, superlattice photodetectors need to be cooled at cryogenic temperature to maximize their electro-optical performance.The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the potential of the SLSL in IDDCA using system-oriented figures of merit, which also take into account the packaging of the detector. The present work is focused on the Modulation Transfer Function, which describes the system resolution and the ratio Residual Fixed Pattern Noise over Temporal Noise (RPFN/TN), which evaluates the temporal stability of the image quality.This present work successfully confirmed two promises of the SL in midwave infrared : the excellent stability of the image quality and the low flickering pixel count. Besides, the experimental benches developped (MTF and temporal stability alike) can be adapted to perform similar measurements with other technologies.

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Publika aktiebolag som önskar att fortsätta sin tillväxt kan söka sig till börsen i syfte att underlätta kapitalanskaffning. För att ta upp aktierna till handel måste emittenten möta börsens krav för upptagande till handel. Noteringskraven som börsen ställer upp innebär i sig en kvalitetsstämpel för företagens förmåga att växa och eventuellt ge avkastning till befintliga och framtida investerare. Samtidigt som en notering för med sig diverse fördelar kommer det till ett pris. När ett bolag noterat sina aktier på en reglerad marknad eller på en handelsplattformkrävs det vidare investeringar för att säkerställa regelefterlevnad. Kraven på informationsgivning och likviditetskrav, för att nämna två av dessa krav, belastar företagen ekonomiskt. Kostnaderna som en notering av aktier för med sig kan för vissa bolag bli överväldigande. Det kan till och med vara så att kostnaderna överstiger den nytta som bolaget har av noteringsplatsen. Att avnotera aktierna kan i detta skede vara ett alternativ. I Europa har frivillig avnotering blivit ett instrument som bolag väljer att utnyttja i allt större utsträckning. Det innebär att börsbolag kan avföra sina aktier från handel på en reglerad marknad eller handelsplattform genom en ansökan. Att avnotera aktier från en reglerad marknad kan leda till besparingar för företagen, eftersom det inte ställs samma krav på onoterade bolag som för noterade bolag. Samtidigt som företagen kan gynnas i form av besparingar riskerar aktieägarna att hamna i ett sämre läge till följd av en avnotering. Försämringen består i att överlåtbarheten av aktierna begränsas i samband med att aktierna avnoteras. En frivillig avnotering kan även, utöver efter en ansökan, ske genom en så kallad cold delisting. Det innebär att bolagets aktier avnoteras utan att en formell ansökan lämnas in från bolagets sida. Cold delisting har diskuterats i andra europeiska länder, bland annat i Österrike. I Österrike var inlösen av minoritetsaktier och cold delisting de enda möjligheterna som stod bolagen till buds för att åstadkomma en avnotering. Den österrikiska Högsta domstolen ansåg dock att cold delisting var ett missbruk av lagen. Den nya BörsG som trädde i kraft efter Högsta domstolens avgörande välkomnades således av bolagen då det innebaren möjlighet att ansöka om en sådan avnotering på frivillig väg. I Sverige har bolag vars aktier handlas på en reglerad marknad eller handelsplattform möjligheten att ansöka om att avnotera sina aktier. Diskussionen som förts i andra europeiska länder väcker däremot frågan om hur det svenska regelverket ser på cold delisting samt om det kan anses vara ändamålsenligt.

O presente trabalho de pesquisa trata da investigação de parâmetros de qualidade aplicados a sistemas de imagem em radiologia odontológica. Para isso, foram levantados parâmetros propostos pela Portaria nº 453 de 1998 da Secretaria de Vigilância Sanitária do Ministério da Saúde em aparelhos de raios X odontológicos e determinadas funções de transferência de modulação (FTM), como método para a avaliação da resolução espacial de sistemas de radiologia odontológica digital. Com base nesses dados, comparou-se três sistemas digitais diretos (DIGORA, DENOPTIX e CygnusRay) e um sistema digital indireto, baseado no scanner Umax PowerLook 1120. Essa comparação evidenciou, para esse caso, a melhor qualidade, em termos de resolução espacial, do sistema indireto estudado e a relativa equivalência dos sistemas digitais entre si, quando comparados em suas resoluções máximas (em número de pontos por polegada). Também foi possível validar o uso do método de simulação computacional para a obtenção da FTM de sistemas radiográficos odontológicos / This work has investigated quality parameters applied to odontologic radiographic image systems. In order to achieve this purpose, parameters related to the Portaria nº 453 of 1998 of Secretaria de Vigilância Sanitária do Ministério da Saúde have been checked and modulation transfer functions (MTF) have been determined. These information has been used to compare three differents direct radiographic images systems (DIGORA, DENOPTIX e CygnusRay) and one indirect, based on scanner Umax PowerLook 1120. The obtained data has showed, in this case, the better performance, in terms of spatial resolution, of the indirect system and the relative equivalency of the direct systems, when configured with the maximum resolution (in term of dpi). The work has validated the computer simulation process in order to generate the MTF of odontologic radiographic image systems

Fluorescent x-ray screens are used in medical x-ray diagnostics to absorb x-ray photons and convert these x-ray photons to visible light. The light distribution from these screens are then registered on photographic film to give an x-ray image. Both the sensitivity and the resolution characteristics of these systems are dependent on the x-ray photon energy. To enable a study of these and some other energy dependent characteristics of x-ray screens a number of almost monoener-getic radiation sources were constructed, tested with regard to their purity and calibrated. Both film and a photo-multiplier tube were used as light detectors.The sensitivity of screens with three different screen phosphors were studied as a function of the photon energy and large variations in sensitivity was found for different photon energies and screen phosphors. The light from the screens has been compared to the absorbed energy in the screens and this comparison shows that the energy dependence of the screens can approximately be predicted by calculations of the absorbed energy, except at low photon energies where other effects like increased light absorption in the screens is present.The modulation transfer factor (MTF) was studied both experimentally and theoretically as a function of photon energy. Two effects were shown to influence the energy dependence of the MTF. At low energies an increased light diffusion will destroy the MTF and at energies above the K-edge of the high-Z elements in the screens the production and re-absorption of K-radiation will deteriorate the MTF.Both the energy dependence of the screen-film sensitivity and the MTF have been calculated for some normally used spectral distributions from x-ray tubes and significant changes due to choice of kV and filtration of the beam were found. Other effects such as the number of interacting photons in the screens per unit area, contribution of K-radiation from one screen to the other, and light contribution to the front emulsion of the film compared to the back emulsion have also been investigated as a function of photon energy.Optimization of x-ray systems and clinical routines to give the lowest possible radiation dose to the patient with an acceptable image quality is an important task to carry out. The energy dependent characteristi es of x-ray screens studied in this work is a lead in the optimizing of the system with regard to choice of x-ray screens, film and radiation quality. / digitalisering@umu

X-ray absorption spectroscopy and computational chemistry have been used to probe the structure of biomolecules involved in cellular copper homeostasis. X-ray absorption spectroscopy shows that copper chaperones involved in cytochrome c oxidase assembly bind Cu(I) with trigonal coordination environments in poly-copper thiolate clusters, but the number of coppers in these clusters remains unclear. X-ray absorption spectroscopy of the metal-sensing transcription factor-1 from Drosophila melanogaster and metallothionein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae with stoichiometries of four or less shows a tetracopper cluster in an all-or-none manner in these molecules. These results suggest that cooperative binding of copper to form tetracopper clusters may be a common mechanism employed by copper control molecules. The active site structure of the novel copper-sensitive repressor CsoR in Mycobacterium tuberculosis binds copper in a trigonal coordination geometry with two sulfur and one nitrogen donors according to X-ray absorption spectroscopy results. Molecular dynamics simulations of both apo- and Cu-bound CsoR reveal local conformational changes in CsoR upon copper binding, which suggests multiple possible mechanisms of Cu-dependent transcriptional regulation by CsoR. Finally, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence imaging have been used to understand the molecular basis of a promisng new treatment for Wilsons disease (a genetic disorder of Cu homeostasis) using tetrathiomolybdate. Overall, the results presented provide an essential structural basis for understanding copper homeostasis in living cells.