The use of practically non-repeating spreading codes to generate sequence-based spread spectrum waveforms is a strong method to improve transmission security, by limiting an observers opportunity to cross-correlate snapshots of the signal into a coherent gain. Such time-varying codes, particularly when used to define multi-bit resolution arbitrary-phase waveforms, also present significant challenges to the intended receiver, which must synchronize correlator processing to match the code every time it changes. High-order phase shift keying (PSK) spread modulations do, however, provide an overall whiter spectral response than legacy direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) signals. Further, the unique ability to color the output signal spectrum offers new advantages to optimize transmission in a non-white frequency channel and to mitigate observed interference. In high data rate applications, the opportunity to inject a time-aligned co-channel underlay-based watermark for authentication at the receiver is an effective method to enhance physical layer (PHY) security for virtually any primary network waveform. This thesis presents a series of options to enhance the implementation of arbitrary-phase chaotic sequence-based spread spectrum waveforms, including techniques to significantly reduce fallthrough correlator hardware resources in low-power sensing devices for only minor performance loss, capabilities for programming chosen frequency domain spectra into the resulting spread spectrum signal, and design considerations for underlay watermark-based PHY-layer firewalls. A number of hardware validated prototypes were built on an Intel Arria 10 SoC FPGA to provide measurable results, achieving substantial computational resource gains and implementation flexibility. / Master of Science / This thesis presents a series of options for enhancing the implementation of arbitrary-phase spread spectrum waveforms, a highly-secure class of wireless technologies, in order to reduce design complexity with minimal loss, provide methods for real-time performance adaptations, and extend the traditional application space for increased security of communications in other networks. A number of enhanced hardware prototypes were implemented to provide measurable results, achieving substantial computational resource gains and design flexibility. Given the computational resources and power constraints of devices in the Internet of Things (IoT), the signal detection loss of 2.10 dB for reducing the hardware logic utilization of the brute force fallthrough correlator by more than 76% (and eliminating the need to dedicate computationally-expensive embedded multipliers) is a very reasonable trade. While the waveform is fundamentally designed for increased security, adapting to widespread and/or commercial use may allow some sacrifice of the signal’s ability to avoid interception/detection to improve performance in undesirable operating conditions. In a similar, yet reversed, case, injecting a watermarking signature at the physical layer (PHY) of less-secure wireless technologies for receiver-side authentication also proves to be beneficial.

This thesis explores the PMU placement problem, that is, the placement of a minimal number of Phase Measurement Units (PMUs) on the nodes of a power system graph such that the entire graph is observed. The NP-completeness of PMU placement for planar bipartite graphs is shown. PMU placement algorithms are developed for graphs of bounded tree width, such as trees and outer planar graphs. Graph decompositions are used to develop efficient algorithms that produce minimal PMU covers. These algorithms are developed, analyzed, and compared theoretically. Algorithm animations were used in the study to develop insight into the problem and to understand algorithm behavior. / Master of Science

The phase equilibria relationships in the Na₃AlF₆-AlF₃-LiF ternary system have been investigated using a combination of quenching, optical microscopy, DTA, and x-ray powder diffraction techniques. The compatibility relations at 500°C, the binary system Na₃AlF₆-Li₃AlF₆, and the ternary liquidus surface were determined. The liquidus surface was found to contain the following five important invariant points: 1) eutectic - 81% LiF, 9.5% Na₃AlF₆, 9.5% AlF₃ and 685°C 2) eutectic - 56% LiF, 6% Na₃AlF₆, 38% AlF₃ and 585°C 3) eutectic - 37% LiF, 17% Na₃AlF₆, 46% AlF₃ and 620°C 4) peritectic - 30% LiF, 37% Na₃AlF₆, 33% AlF₃ and 660°C 5) reaction point - 65% LiF, 9% Na₃AlF₆, 26% AlF₃ and 675°C The 500°C isothermal section contains 7 three-phase regions and 2 large two-phase regions. The binary system Na₃AlF₆-Li₃AlF₆ contained 2 incongruently melting compounds, many polymorphic transformations, and a eutectic at 690°C and 67 mole % Li₃AlF₆. / Master of Science

An analytical threshold criterion in approximation has been developed for the basic phase-locked loop demodulator utilizing quasi-linearization technique. The analysis is based on assumptions that the loop is excited by an input FM signal and additive white Gaussian noise. This paper defines the threshold criterion by the characteristics of maximum demodulating sensitivity limit. Finally, the effects of the modulation indeces and loop parameters on the threshold characteristics are discussed from a theoretical and practical point of view. / Master of Science

The phase equilibria relationships in the Li₃A1F₆-A1₂0₃ binary system, the Li₃A1F₆-Na₃AlF₆-A1₂0₃ ternary system and the LiF-A1F₃-Na₃A1F₆-Al₂0₃ quaternary system have been investigated using a combination of X-ray powder diffraction, DTA, quenching and optical microscopy techniques. The compatibility relations at 500°C for the ternary and quaternary systems, the Li₃A1F₆-A1₂0₃ binary system and the ternary liquidus surface were determined. The binary system was found to have a eutectic at 754°C and 1 mole % Al₂0₃. The liquidus surface was found to contain the following three invariant points: 1. eutectic - 66 mole % Li₃A1F₆, 29% Na₃A1F₆, 5% A1₂0₃ and 670°C 2. peritectic - 51 mole % Li₃A1F₆, 42.5% Na₃A1F₆, 65% A1₂0₃ and 683°C 3. reaction point - 65 mole % Li₃A1F₆, 33% Na₃A1F₆, 2% A1₂0₃ and 693°C. The 500°C isothermal section contains three 3-phase regions and one 2-phase region. The quaternary system contains 7 compatibility tetrahedra at 500°C. / Master of Science

No description available.

No / Background: AQ4N (1,4-bis[[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl] amino]-5,8-dihydroxyanthracene-9, 10-dione bis-N-oxide dihydrochloride) is a prodrug which is selectively activated within hypoxic tissues to AQ4, a topoisomerase II inhibitor and DNA intercalator. Patients and methods: In the phase I study, 22 patients with oesophageal carcinoma received an i.v. infusion of AQ4N (22.5¿447 mg/m2) followed, 2 weeks later, by further infusion and radiotherapy. Pharmacokinetics and lymphocyte AQ4N and AQ4 levels were measured after the first dose. At 447 mg/m2, biopsies of tumour and normal tissue were taken after AQ4N administration. Results: Drug-related adverse events were blue discolouration of skin and urine, grade 2¿3 lymphopenia, grade 1¿3 fatigue, grade 1¿2 anaemia, leucopenia and nausea. There were no drug-related serious adverse events (SAEs). Three patients had reductions in tumour volume >50%, nine had stable disease. Pharmacokinetics indicated predictable clearance. Plasma area under the curve (AUC) at 447 mg/m2 exceeded AQ4N concentrations in mice at therapeutic doses and tumour biopsies contained concentrations of AQ4 greater than those in normal tissue. Tumour concentrations of AQ4 exceeded in vitro IC50 values for most cell lines investigated. Conclusions: No dose-limiting toxic effects were observed and a maximum tolerated dose was not established. Tumour AQ4 concentrations and plasma AUC at 447 mg/m2 exceeded active levels in preclinical models. This dose was chosen for future studies with radiotherapy.

No / The two known crystalline phases of resorcinol and their phase transitions are of considerable interest. The crystals exhibit pyro- and piezo-electricity and, remarkably, the higher temperature phase is the denser phase. Furthermore, crystals of the phase, by virtue of having a polar axis, have played a crucial role in investigating fundamental issues of crystal growth. We report an optimized force field for the molecular simulation of crystalline phases of resorcinol. The hydroxyl groups of the resorcinol molecule have a torsional degree of freedom and the molecule adopts a different conformation in each of the two phases of resorcinol. The torsional barrier, therefore, was considered to be critical and has been characterized using ab initio methods. Although the atomic partial charges showed some dependence on the molecular conformation, a single set of partial charges was found to be sufficient in describing the electrostatic potential for all conformations. The parameters for the van der Waals interactions were optimized using sensitivity analysis. The proposed force field reproduces not only the static structures but also the stability of the crystalline phases in extended molecular dynamics simulations.

Yes / In this work DLS, NTA, SAXS and NMR were used to investigate populations, size distributions and structure of clusters in undersaturated aqueous solutions of glycine. Molecular and colloidal scale (mesoscale) clusters with radii around 0.3-0.5 nm and 100–150 nm, respectively, were observed using complementary experimental techniques. Molecular clusters are consistent with hydrated glycine dimers present in equilibrium with glycine monomers in aqueous solutions. Mesoscale clusters previously observed in supersaturated glycine solutions appear to be indefinitely stable, in mutual equilibrium within mesostructured undersaturated solutions across all glycine concentrations investigated here, down to as low as 1 mg/g of water. / Supported by EPSRC funding via the SynBIM project (Grant Reference EP/P0068X/1) and by the Synchrotron SOLEIL.

A modified space vector modulation algorithm for a zero-voltage transition three-phase voltage source inverter/boost rectifier is presented. The converter is intended for high performance medium power applications requiring bi-directional power flow. The proposed modified space vector modulation allows the main switches to be operated with constant frequency and soft switching for any phase shift between the three-phase currents and voltages. The modulation algorithm also eliminates any low frequency distortion caused by the zero-voltage transition and can be extended to other soft-switching PWM three-phase converters. Experimental verification of the proposed algorithm is also presented as well as a comparison to the hard switched PWM converter. / Master of Science