<p>To estimate the propagation of light in tissue-like optical phantoms (fat emulsions), this thesis utilized the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in combination with Monte Carlo simulations. A method for determining the two-parametric Gegenbauer-kernal phase function was utilized in order to accurately describe the diffuse reflectance from poly-dispersive scattering optical phantoms with small source-detector separations. The method includes the spectral collimated transmission, spatially resolved diffuse reflectance spectra (SRDR) and the inverse technique of matching spectra from Monte Carlo simulations to those measured. An absolute calibration method using polystyrene micro-spheres was utilized to estimate the relation between simulated and measured SRDR intensities. The phase function parameters were comparable with previous studies and were able to model measured spectra with good accuracy. Significant differences between the phase functions for homogenized milk and the nutritive fat emulsions were found.</p><p> </p>

To estimate the propagation of light in tissue-like optical phantoms (fat emulsions), this thesis utilized the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in combination with Monte Carlo simulations. A method for determining the two-parametric Gegenbauer-kernal phase function was utilized in order to accurately describe the diffuse reflectance from poly-dispersive scattering optical phantoms with small source-detector separations. The method includes the spectral collimated transmission, spatially resolved diffuse reflectance spectra (SRDR) and the inverse technique of matching spectra from Monte Carlo simulations to those measured. An absolute calibration method using polystyrene micro-spheres was utilized to estimate the relation between simulated and measured SRDR intensities. The phase function parameters were comparable with previous studies and were able to model measured spectra with good accuracy. Significant differences between the phase functions for homogenized milk and the nutritive fat emulsions were found.

Cancer is a world menace. After years of endeavor seeking the end of it, people started to realize that no matter how powerful the therapy could be, detection at early stage is always a cheaper, easier and more successful solution compared with curative methods for cancer developed onto its advanced stage. However, relatively few early-detection approaches have proven sufficiently effective and practical for mass use as a point-of-care tool. An early-cancer screening tool integrating the desired features of sensitive, informative, portable, and cost-effective is in need for the doctors. The progress in optical imaging and Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology offers a promise for an innovative cancer screening alternative that is non-invasive, radiation-free, portable and potentially cost-effective. This dissertation investigates handheld instrumentation as multi-modalities of miniature imaging probes with various designs of MEMS devices, to obtain real-time images of epithelial tissue optical and physiological properties, combining the quantitative advantages of spectral analysis with the qualitative benefits of imaging to distinguish early cancer. This dissertation in sequence presents the handheld instruments in the fashions of Laser-scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), optical diffuse reflectance imaging, nonlinear optical imaging modalities with their subsequent image-guided managements in oral cancer, skin cancer detection, circulating tumor cell (CTC) imaging, and imaging guided surgeries. One of the main challenges facing miniaturization lies in the mechanism of beam deflection across the sample. This dissertation introduces two generations of MEMS devices desgined, fabricated and incorporated in the imaging probes. A two-axis vertical comb driven silicon micromirror was used in the development of a handheld LSCM for oral cancer detection. Though obtaining numerous advantages, this first generation silicon MEMS micromirror suffers from small aperture size and high voltage requirement for actuation, which result in low collection efficiency in fluorescence imaging and medial safety concerns, respectively. Therefore a stainless steel scanner compatible with electrical discharge machining (EDM) process was fabricated with simplified process, low-voltage magnetic actuation and large fluorescence collection efficiency, with its capability demonstrated in the incorporation and embodiment of a handheld hyperspectral nonlinear imaging probe. Besides, software and controlling innovations for handheld imaging modalities are presented. A feedback controlling system for MEMS scanning status monitoring was developed for stabilized imaging rendering. For the sake of further improved imaging stability in handheld imaging and to enable on-site mosaic for large field viewing, a handheld mosaic system was developed and presented. / text

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This study quantifies discolouration on the surface of Pinus radiata boards during kiln drying, particularly kiln brown stain (KBS), and models it as a function of chemical compounds present in the wood closest to the surface. The discolouration was investigated with two experimental factors: drying time, which consisted in drying at 70/120 ℃ for 0, 8, 16 and 24 hours; and leaching, done at three levels, noleaching, mild and severe, to reduce the soluble compounds present in wood suspected of developing coloured compounds. The colour change was quantified using a reflectance photometer (colour system CIE Yxy, brightness) and by the analysis of digital photographs (colour system CIE Lab). The chemical analysis of the wood closest to the surface of the boards determined fructose, glucose, sucrose (HPLC), total sugar (sum of fructose, glucose and sucrose), total nitrogen (combustion gas analysis), and phenols discriminated by molecular weight (Folin-Ciocalteu method). In the cause-effect analysis, colour was the dependent variable, and drying time and the determinations of chemical compounds were independent variables. After statistical analysis (ANOVA and MANOVA) the dependent variables to be included in the models were luminance factor (Y), brightness (R457 and the blue-to-yellow scale of CIE Lab (b); and the independent variables were drying time, nitrogen, total sugar, and high-molecular-weight phenols. Linear (multivariate regression) and non-linear models (Neural Networks) showed that discolouration during kiln drying was best predicted when the luminance factor (Y) was used to quantify colour change as a function of the content of nitrogen-containing compounds and drying time. Furthermore, the data were fitted into an empirical model based on simple reaction kinetics that considered the rate of discolouration as a function of nitrogen concentration. The results suggest that nitrogen could act as a limiting reactant in Maillard-type reactions that produce colour during kiln drying.

Monitoring biophysical variables at a global scale over long time periods is vital to address the climatechange and food security challenges. Leaf Area Index (LAI) is a structure variable giving a measure of the canopysurface for radiation interception and canopy-atmosphere interactions. LAI is an important variable in manyecosystem models and it has been recognized as an Essential Climate Variable. This thesis aims to provide globaland continuous estimates of LAI from satellite observations in near-real time according to user requirements to beused for diagnostic and prognostic evaluations of vegetation state and functioning. There are already someavailable LAI products which show however some important discrepancies in terms of magnitude and somelimitations in terms of continuity and consistency. This thesis addresses these important issues. First, the nature ofthe LAI estimated from these satellite observations was investigated to address the existing differences in thedefinition of products. Then, different temporal smoothing and gap filling methods were analyzed to reduce noiseand discontinuities in the time series mainly due to cloud cover. Finally, different methods for near real timeestimation of LAI were evaluated. Such comparison assessment as a function of the level of noise and gaps werelacking for LAI.Results achieved within the first part of the thesis show that the effective LAI is more accurately retrievedfrom satellite data than the actual LAI due to leaf clumping in the canopies. Further, the study has demonstratedthat multi-view observations provide only marginal improvements on LAI retrieval. The study also found that foroptimal retrievals the size of the uncertainty envelope over a set of possible solutions to be approximately equal tothat in the reflectance measurements. The results achieved in the second part of the thesis found the method withlocally adaptive temporal window, depending on amount of available observations and Climatology as backgroundestimation to be more robust to noise and missing data for smoothing, gap-filling and near real time estimationswith satellite time series.

Nitrocellulose is the main component in many types of ammunition, propellants and explosives. The principles of production for nitrocellulose have not changed much since the 19th century when it started being industrially produced for this purpose. The character of the nitrocellulose has a large effect on the end products abilities. The aim of this study was to develop a method that would be able to characterise and distinguish between nitrocellulose from different manufacturers to be able to relate the character of the nitrocellulose to the properties of ammunition, propellants and explosives. Samples were dissolved in acetone and analysed by GC/MS and data were then analysed by multivariable statistics. FTIR was also used to characterise the nitrocellulose. Results from both methods showed very small differences when chromatograms and spectra were analysed. This study shows that GC/MS and FTIR are not suitable for this type of characterisation. The differences between the data were not sufficient to be able to separate the samples from each other. / Nitrocellulosa är den viktigaste komponenten i många typer av ammunition, drivmedel och sprängämnen. Principerna för produktionen av nitrocellulosa har inte förändrats mycket sedan det börjades produceras industriellt för detta ändamål på 1800 talet. Karaktären av nitrocellulosa har en stor inverkan på slutproduktens egenskaper. Syftet med denna studie var att utveckla en metod som skulle kunna karaktärisera och skilja mellan nitrocellulosa från olika tillverkare för att kunna relatera karaktären av nitrocellulosa till egenskaperna hos ammunition, drivmedel och sprängämnen. Proverna löstes i aceton och analyserades med GC/MS och data analyserades med multivariabel statistik. FTIR användes också för att karakterisera nitrocellulosan. Resultaten för båda proverna visade mycket små skillnader när kromatogram och spektra analyserades. Denna studie visar att GC/MS och FTIR inte är lämpliga för denna typ av karaktärisering. Skillnaderna i data var inte tillräckliga för att kunna skilja proverna från varandra.

Multi-Angle, Multi-Date, Hyperspectral imagery of forests have been used to provide accurate estimates of the canopy characteristics. This thesis investigated the influence of various forest attributes on the spectral reflectance over time and view direction. The Compact High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (CHRIS) is aboard the ESA PROBA satellite. The revisits of the CHRIS multi-angle images have been used to improve the accuracies of forest species recognition and stand densities compared to a nadir view only. Multi-angle data for CHRIS analysis of forest species produced higher accuracy and were easier to obtain than multi-date date. 5-Scale, a radiative transfer model, and CHRIS data have been compared as inputs into Partial Least Squares (PLS), a fullspectrum analytical method that offers relations between forest stand parameters and the resulting spectra. The resulting coefficients highlight where (view angle and spectral regions) within the multi-angle spectra contributed to estimating the various forest parameters. Methodology of collecting spectral calibration data in the field and the unique pre-processing challenges have been described.

Various carbon content hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-Si1&iexcl / xCx:H) and hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin films have been deposited on various substrates by using plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) technique. Transmission spectra of these films have been determined within UV-Visible region and the obtained data were analysed to find related physical constants such as / refractive indices, thicknesses, etc. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry technique has been used to determine transmission &amp / reflection type spectra of these films. Obtained data were analysed to determine bond structures of the films. E&reg / ects of relative concentration of ethylene (C2H4) gas on thin film bond structure and on optical constants have been questioned.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.