Emergent spatial signals which may be interpreted in the context of fluvial sediment transport processes are detected through the use of reflectance spectroscopy in the sand-sized sediments of the Towamba River, southeastern New South Wales. Reflectance spectroscopy of sufficiently fine spectral resolution represents a technique for mineral composition analysis which is complementary to X-ray diffraction, with advantages in terms of ease of sample preparation and rapidity of measurement. Instrumentation is available allowing high-quality spectrum acquisition in the field and from airborne and satellite-borne instruments. The former allows mineral analyses to more easily be incorporated into sediment tracing studies as an additional variable. The latter offers large scale, repeatable areal coverage of a dynamic system in which sediments are exposed to the sky. The Towamba River drains a catchment of c. 1000 km [square] in extensively altered granitic terrain along the south coast of New South Wales, and carries significant quantities of sand-sized sediment through much of the system. Pervasive but spatially variable chlorite, epidote, and sericite have been described in local and neighbouring terrain. These are spectrally active in the SWIR wavelength region in which the PIMA portable spectrometer operates. The airborne HyMap instrument is sensitive through this range as well as through the visible and near-infrared regions. Conventionally such channel sediments would represent a single class in the context of the broader landscape, and comparatively they represent a domain of restricted variance. In this study of samples of sediment were collected for analysis with the PIMA, the results of which supported the efficacy of such an exercise in a conventional tracing context and supported analysis of HyMap imagery. Although issues related to reduction of HyMap-detected radiance to reflectance prevented effective analysis of the shorter wavelengths sensitive to the presence of ferrous and ferric iron, the consideration of absorption feature depths and the application of a matched filtering operator revealed gross-scale spatial patterns which were interpreted as two populations of sand in the main channel. This interpretation is consistent with bank erosion occurring during two very large magnitude flow events in the 1970s, with minor ongoing perturbation of the sediment signal in the main channel by the contribution of sediment from tributaries. The presence of a definite spatial signal having been established, routes for further investigation are suggested. A noisy signal hypothesised on the basis of imagery may be used to better direct a field sampling program for a conventional sediment tracing study. The signal to noise ratio may be improved for example through calibration of radiance to reflectance and removal of atmospheric interference and improved field sampling schemes, after which more rigorous, quantitative exercises such as geostatistical ???field??? trial or spatial series analysis may be performed. Connections to process through sediment transport models are enabled through the use of GIS.

This dissertation focuses on the development of computational models and algorithms related to diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Specifically, this work aims to advance diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to a technique that is capable of measuring depth dependent properties in tissue. First, we introduce the Monte Carlo lookup table (MCLUT) method for extracting optical properties from diffuse reflectance spectra. Next, we extend this method to a two-layer tissue geometry so that it can extract depth dependent properties in tissue. We then develop a computational model that relates photon sampling depth to optical properties and probe geometry. This model can be used to aid in design of application specific diffuse reflectance probes. In order to provide justification for using a two-layer model for extracting tissue properties, we show that the use of a one-layer model can lead to significant errors in the extracted optical properties. Lastly, we use our two-layer MCLUT model and a probe that was designed based on our sampling depth model to extract tissue properties from the skin of 80 subjects at 5 anatomical locations. The results agree with previously published values for skin properties and show that can diffuse reflectance spectroscopy can be used to measured depth dependent properties in tissue. / text

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published_or_final_version / Medicine / Master / Master of Philosophy

Emergent spatial signals which may be interpreted in the context of fluvial sediment transport processes are detected through the use of reflectance spectroscopy in the sand-sized sediments of the Towamba River, southeastern New South Wales. Reflectance spectroscopy of sufficiently fine spectral resolution represents a technique for mineral composition analysis which is complementary to X-ray diffraction, with advantages in terms of ease of sample preparation and rapidity of measurement. Instrumentation is available allowing high-quality spectrum acquisition in the field and from airborne and satellite-borne instruments. The former allows mineral analyses to more easily be incorporated into sediment tracing studies as an additional variable. The latter offers large scale, repeatable areal coverage of a dynamic system in which sediments are exposed to the sky. The Towamba River drains a catchment of c. 1000 km [square] in extensively altered granitic terrain along the south coast of New South Wales, and carries significant quantities of sand-sized sediment through much of the system. Pervasive but spatially variable chlorite, epidote, and sericite have been described in local and neighbouring terrain. These are spectrally active in the SWIR wavelength region in which the PIMA portable spectrometer operates. The airborne HyMap instrument is sensitive through this range as well as through the visible and near-infrared regions. Conventionally such channel sediments would represent a single class in the context of the broader landscape, and comparatively they represent a domain of restricted variance. In this study of samples of sediment were collected for analysis with the PIMA, the results of which supported the efficacy of such an exercise in a conventional tracing context and supported analysis of HyMap imagery. Although issues related to reduction of HyMap-detected radiance to reflectance prevented effective analysis of the shorter wavelengths sensitive to the presence of ferrous and ferric iron, the consideration of absorption feature depths and the application of a matched filtering operator revealed gross-scale spatial patterns which were interpreted as two populations of sand in the main channel. This interpretation is consistent with bank erosion occurring during two very large magnitude flow events in the 1970s, with minor ongoing perturbation of the sediment signal in the main channel by the contribution of sediment from tributaries. The presence of a definite spatial signal having been established, routes for further investigation are suggested. A noisy signal hypothesised on the basis of imagery may be used to better direct a field sampling program for a conventional sediment tracing study. The signal to noise ratio may be improved for example through calibration of radiance to reflectance and removal of atmospheric interference and improved field sampling schemes, after which more rigorous, quantitative exercises such as geostatistical ???field??? trial or spatial series analysis may be performed. Connections to process through sediment transport models are enabled through the use of GIS.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Potsdam, 2004. / "August 2004"--P. [2] of cover. Includes bibliographical references (p. 102-108). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Master of Science / Department of Grain Science and Industry / Charles R. Stark / A study was carried out to determine the effect of replacing fish meal with either soybean meal or poultry by-product meal on broiler performance and total feed cost per kg of gain. A second study evaluated the effect of storage time and trace minerals on the stability of vitamins stored at high temperature and relative humidity and their subsequent effects on broiler performance, bone strength and ash. A third study consisting of two experiments was conducted to determine the effects of particle size, diet, method of analysis (laboratory, ground and unground) and feed form (mash and pellet) on the crude protein predictability of the near infrared reflectance spectroscopy while using standard calibrations installed with the instrument. In study 1, three dietary treatments, 1) SBM-FM diet, 2) SBM diet and 3) SBM-PBM diet, were allocated to 36 pens using a completely randomized design with 12 replicates per treatment. Replacing FM with SBM and PBM in broiler diets improved growth performance and reduced total feed cost per kg of gain. In study 2, seven experimental treatments, 1) 0 d VP, 2) 30 d VTMP, 3) 30 d VP, 4) 60 d VTMP, 5) 60 d VP, 6) 90 d VTMP and 7) 90 d VP, were stored for 0, 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively in an environmentally controlled chamber at 29.4°C and 75%. Samples of treatments were analyzed, and loss of vitamin activity was calculated after storage. Treatments were added to broiler diets to determine the effect of loss of vitamin activity on broiler performance. Dietary treatments were set up as randomized complete block design in four batteries. Storing vitamins with trace minerals for 90 days increased loss of vitamin activity as compared to when stored as vitamin premix. Loss of vitamin activity did not significantly affect overall broiler performance, bone strength and ash. In study 3, Exp. 1 was a 3 × 3 × 4 factorial with corn particles size (400, 600 and 800 μm), method of analysis (laboratory, unground and ground) and diet (SD, SFD, SFB and SB). Diets were formulated to contain 20% crude protein. Subsamples were ground through a 0.5 mm sieve. Crude protein contents of ground and unground samples were analyzed using the Foss DS2500 NIRS (Model Foss DS2500 Monochromator, Foss NIRSystems, Laurel, MD) and compared to laboratory results from wet chemistry analysis. Interaction (P≤0.05) was observed between diet and method and particle size and method, but similar (P≥0.05) crude protein was observed for particle size. Diets and particle sizes were significantly different (P≤0.05) as unground samples but no differences (P≥0.05) were observed when ground and analyzed using the NIRS or wet chemistry. Exp. 2 was a 3 ×2 factorial with method of analysis (laboratory, unground and ground) and feed form (mash and pellet). Diets were formulated to contain 20% crude protein and manufactured with 600 μm corn particle size. Portions of diets were pelleted using a pellet mill and cooled. Ground and unground mash and pellets were analyzed as in Exp. 1. Interaction was found (P≤0.05) between feed form and method of analysis. Feed form and method of analysis significantly (P≤0.05) affected crude protein prediction from the NIRS. Crude protein content of ground mash and pellets were similar (P≥0.05) to that of laboratory results. Generally, analyzing finished feed samples in the unground form with the NIRS while using standard calibrations yielded less accurate predictions for crude protein, but samples in the ground form yielded similar (P≥0.05) results when analyzed with either the NIRS or wet chemistry.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-01-31Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:18:54Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 gigante_ac_me_araiq.pdf: 810984 bytes, checksum: d628a07a7c532c812f60d96301f7afff (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O presente trabalho propõe o desenvolvimento de um método limpo para determinação de ureia em amostras comerciais de fertilizantes utilizando a Espectroscopia de Reflectância Difusa combinada com spot test. O método desenvolvido é baseado na reação entre a ureia e o reagente cromogênico p-dimetilaminocinamaldeído (p-DAC) em meio de ácido clorídrico diluído, que resulta em um produto de coloração rósea cujo valor máximo de reflectância ocorre no comprimento de onda de 535 nm. Os parâmetros experimentais foram otimizados através dos planejamentos fatorial e composto central para a obtenção da superfície de resposta, os quais indicaram uma maior sensibilidade para o método quando se utiliza o reagente p-DAC na concentração de 0,196% (m/v) em meio de ácido clorídrico de concentração 0,0549 mol L-1, empregando etanol como solvente para as soluções. O suporte sólido para a reação é um papel de filtro qualitativo onde são colocados 20,0μL de solução de ureia seguidos de secagem com ar frio de um secador de cabelos e 20,0μL de solução de reagente p-DAC 0,196% (m/v) em meio de HCl 0,0549 mol L-1 e secagem ao ar livre, submetendo-se então o spot à leitura reflectométrica em máx. = 535 nm. Uma relação linear (R = 0,996) foi estabelecida na faixa de concentração de ureia compreendida entre 50,0 – 300 mg L-1. Os limites de detecção e de quantificação foram determinados em 5,13 mg L-1 e 17,10 mg L-1, respectivamente. O método limpo desenvolvido foi aplicado na determinação de ureia em amostras comerciais de fertilizantes onde demonstrou apresentar ótima precisão e exatidão, evidenciadas pela boa recuperação (94,2 – 107,4%), além de oferecer vantagens como simplicidade de execução e baixo consumo de reagentes, geração de mínima quantidade de resíduos, rapidez e segurança... / This work proposes the development of a clean method for determination of urea in commercial samples of fertilizers using the Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy combined with spot test. The method is based on the reaction between urea and the chromogenic reagent p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (p-DAC) in diluted hydrochloric acid medium, which results in a pink colored product whose maximum value of reflectance occurs at a wavelength of 535 nm. The experimental parameters were optimized through a factorial and a central composite experimental design to obtain the response surface, which indicated a higher sensitivity for the method when using the reagent p-DAC in the concentration of 0.196% (w/v) in a hydrochloric acid 0.0549 mol L-1 medium, using ethanol as a solvent for the solutions. The solid support for the reaction is a qualitative filter paper where they are placed 20.0μL of urea solution followed by drying with cold air from a hair dryer and 20.0μL of reagent solution p-DAC 0.196% (w/v) in the HCl 0.0549 mol L-1 medium and drying in the air, then submitting the spot to the reflectometric reading at max = 535 nm. A linear relationship (R = 0.996) was established in the range of urea concentration between 50.0 to 300 mg L-1. The limits of detection and quantification were determined at 5.13 mg L-1 and 17.10 mg L-1, respectively. The method was applied to the clean determination of urea in commercial samples of fertilizers, which has shown to present great precision and accuracy as evidenced by the good recovery (94.2 to 107.4%) and also offers advantages such as simplicity of implementation and low consumption of reagents, generation of minimum quantity of wastes, rapidity and security, producing reliable results. As shown, the method is designed as environmentally friendly for determination of urea, as it is consistent with the Principles advocated by the Green Chemistry.