Data collected in a large scale laboratory wave flume by a research team using the autonomous bottom boundary layer rig, (STABLE) was the subject of this study. The near bed suspension processes were examined relating them to the hydrodynamics. The deployment of a number of sensors allowed the assessment of their individual performance including the analysis of the pump-sampling and acoustic concentration data. Wavelet analysis was applied to identify the influence of STABLE on the vortex ripples in the vicinity of the rig. It revealed that the modification of the ripple dimensions around STABLE's feet was very localised. Sediment suspension was found to be strongly correlated to wave groups. The measured concentrations and empirical models based on convective and diffusive entrainment mechanisms were compared. A model based on the jet like ejection of particles between a vortex pair was developed and showed that lifting of sediments up to ten ripple heights above the bed was possible. A second model, capable of simulating the pumping effect, included this entrainment process to simulate the suspension under wave groups taking the suspension history into account. The behaviour of neutrally buoyant particles in a laboratory wave flume was videoed and revealed jet like ejections and horizontal movement over two or more ripple wavelengths.

Fermi surface, the locus in momentum space of gapless low-energy excitations, is a concept of fundamental importance in solid state physics. Electronic properties of a material are determined by the long-lived low-energy excitations near the Fermi surface. Conventionally, Fermi surface is understood as a property exclusive to a metallic state, contoured by electronic bands crossed by the Fermi level, although there has been a continuing effort in searching for Fermi surface outside the conventional description. In this thesis, techniques developed to prepare high-quality single crystals of SmB$_6$ and YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+x}$ (abbreviated as YBCO$_{6+x}$ hereinafter) are described. By utilising measurement techniques of exceptional sensitivity and exploring a wide range of temperatures, magnetic fields, and electrical currents, we found signatures of unconventional Fermi surfaces beyond the traditional description in these strongly correlated electronic systems. SmB$_6$ is a classic example of Kondo insulators whose insulating behaviour arises due to strong correlation between the itinerant $d$-electrons and localised $f$-electrons. The peculiar resistivity plateau onsets below 4 K has been a decades-long puzzle whose origin has been recently proposed as the manifestation of topological conducting surface states. We found that the insulating behaviour in electrical transport is robust against magnetic fields up to 45 T, while prominent quantum oscillations in magnetisation are observed above 10 T. Angular dependence of the quantum oscillations revealed a three-dimensional characteristics with an absolute amplitude consistent with a bulk origin, and temperature dependence showed a surprising departure from the conventional Lifshitz-Kosevich formalism. Complementary thermodynamic measurements showed results consistent with a Fermi surface originating from neutral itinerant low-energy excitations at low temperatures. Theoretical proposals of the unconventional ground state uncovered by our measurements in SmB$_6$ are discussed. YBCO$_{6+x}$ is a high-temperature superconductor with a maximum $T_{\rm c}$ of 93.5 K and the cleanest member in the family of copper-oxide, or {\it cuprate}, superconductors. The correct description of electronic ground state in the enigmatic pseudogap regime, where the antinodal density of states are suppressed below a characteristic temperature $T^*$ above $T_{\rm c}$, has been a subject of active debates. While the quantum oscillations observed in underdoped YBCO$_{6+x}$ have been predominately interpreted as a property of the normal state where the superconducting parameter is completely suppressed at $\approx$ 23 T, we made the discovery that YBCO$_{6.55}$ exhibits zero resistivity up to 45 T when a low electrical current is used, consistent with the observation of a hysteresis loop in magnetisation. Quantum oscillations in the underdoped YBCO$_{6+x}$ are thus seen to coexist with $d$-wave superconductivity. Characteristics of the quantum oscillations are consistent with an isolated Fermi pocket reconstructed by a charge density wave order parameter and unaccompanied by significant background density of states, suggesting the antinodal density of states is completely gapped out by a strong order parameter involving pairing correlations, potentially in addition to the other order parameters. Transport measurements performed over a wide doping range show signatures consistent with pairing correlations that persist up to the pseudogap temperature $T^*$. The surprising observation of quantum oscillations in insulating SmB$_6$ and superconducting YBCO$_{6+x}$ demonstrates a possible new paradigm of a Fermi surface without a conventional Fermi liquid. A new theoretical framework outside the realm of Fermi liquid theory may be needed to discuss the physics in these strongly correlated materials with enticing electronic properties.

Estuaries are highly dynamic systems, subject to continuous morphological change, which results from complex interactions and feedbacks between the hydrodynamic processes, sediment transport processes and the ecology. The prediction of morphological change in estuaries is therefore difficult but is necessary to help protect a range of human interests and estuarine ecosystems. Existing methods use detailed process modelling (Bottom-Up methods) or rely on data analysis and the development simple equilibrium relationships (Top-Down methods). Bottom-Up methods are able to make accurate predictions of change over short timescales but suffer from long simulation times and an accumulation of errors when applied over medium and long timescales, while Top-Down methods are better suited for predicting long term trends in morphological behaviour. A need currently exists for new, improved methods to predict changes occurring over medium timescales (one year to several decades). This thesis presents a new, Cellular Automata based, estuarine morphodynamic model, which divides the estuary into an array of cells and uses simplified representations of the hydrodynamic and sediment transport processes together with empirical rules to represent salt marsh ecology. The model has been developed to focus on high level interaction and feedback effects between these processes in order to identify potential medium term morphological changes that may occur in response to environmental change or engineering works. The model has been tested using a series of sensitivity tests and idealised test scenarios for a simple generic estuary and was found to have successfully generated qualitatively realistic results. The model is robust and computationally very efficient. Further work is now needed to calibrate and verify the model using datasets from real estuaries. Future improvements may also include the addition of ocean waves, littoral wave driven sand transport and improvements to the methodology in order to further enhance the computational efficiency.

A radiomarcação de biomoléculas específicas com o tecnécio-99m 99mTc utilizando agentes quelantes bifuncionais é um campo em crescimento na Medicina Nuclear. Em especial, a classe de peptídeos regulatórios, como a Neurotensina, participa de processos fisiológicos essenciais no organismo, como o crescimento tumoral. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o estudo comparativo da influência dos agentes quelantes bifuncionais 6-hidrazinonicotinamida (HYNIC) e S-acetil-mercaptoacetiltriglicina (MAG3), no comportamento in vitro e in vivo do análogo duplamente estabilizado da Neurotensina(8-13) radiomarcado com 99mTc, em células tumorais de mama da linhagem MDA-MB-231. Um elevado rendimento radioquímico (> 97%) e estabilidade frente aos agentes transquelantes foi observado para ambos análogos radiomarcados. Foram também obtidos comportamentos similares in vitro, no que diz respeito à porcentagem de ligação às proteinas plasmáticas (aproximadamente 22%), estabilidade metabólica, ligação aos receptores celulares (intervalo nM) e taxas de internalização/externalização para ambos radiocomplexos. A maior lipofilicidade encontrada para o análogo radiomarcado via MAG3 refletiu nas principais diferenças nos estudos de biodistribuição. A degradação do análogo radiomarcado via HYNIC nos estudos de estabilidade metabólica in vivo aos 90 min levou a menor retenção tumoral (0,44±0,02% DI/g), e consequentemente, às menores razões tumor/órgãos não-alvos (< 5%). Embora a superioridade do traçador marcado via MAG3 tenha sido comprovada no presente estudo, um redesenho estrutural objetivando contornar a alta captação no trato gastrointestinal deve ser realizada a fim de que sua potencial aplicabilidade não seja comprometida. / The radiolabeling of receptor specific biomolecules with 99mTc using bifunctional chelator agents represents a growing field in Nuclear Medicine, specially, regarding regulatory peptides, such as Neurotensin, which are important in several essential physiological functions, particularly in tumor growth. The aim of the study was the comparative radiolabeling evaluation of the double-stabilized NT(8-13) analog with 99mTc, via the bifunctional chelating agents 6- hydrazinonicotinamide (HYNIC) and S-acetyl-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. High radiochemical yields (> 97%) and stability toward transchelant agents was observed for both radiolabeled analogs. Also, comparable in vitro behaviour regarding the percentage of plasma protein binding (nearby 22%), metabolic stability, receptor binding affinity (nM range), and internalization/externalization rates were obtained. The greater lipophilicity found for the analog radiolabeled via MAG3, reflected in the major differences in biodistribution studies. The in vivo metabolic stability studies suggested that the degradation observed in the later time point (90 min) for the conjugate radiolabeled via HYNIC, leads not only to lower tumor uptake accumulation (0,44±0,02% ID/g), but also to lower tumor-to-non-tumor ratios (< 5%). Although the superiority of the tracer radiolabeled via MAG3 had been confirmed in the present study, a strucutural re-design aiming the reduction of the high gastrointestinal uptake must be done in order to guarantee the potential applicability of MAG3-radiocomplex.

A cintilografia com radioisótopos em repouso tem despertado muito interesse nos últimos anos para pesquisa da viabilidade miocárdica na disfunção isquêmica avançada do VE, porque esta pode ser reversível e porque há melhora prognóstica neste contexto. O objetivo desse trabalho é buscar identificar a acurácia da cintilografia tomográfica Tc-99m-Sestamibi, sob a infusão de dobutamina em baixa dose. Foram protocolados trinta pacientes que sofreram um infarto do miocárdio com padrão “Q”, com dissinergia ao ecocardiograma, e submetidos a estudos perfusionais em dias diferentes, com Tc-99m-Sestamibi − dobutamina e Tl-201 em repouso-redistribuição 4 horas, usado como padrão ouro. Não ocorreram complicações com nenhum paciente submetido ao protocolo do estudo. Os resultados revelaram: sensibilidade = 85%, especificidade = 87%, valor preditivo positivo = 96%, valor preditivo negativo = 65 % e acurácia de = 85,2%. A razão de probabilidade positiva foi de 6,68 e a razão de probabilidade negativa de 0,17. Confrontando-se nossos dados com uma metanálise de resultados para o Tc-99m-Sestamibi em repouso, a sensibilidade no presente estudo foi 85% vs. 81% e a especificidade de 87% vs. 60%. Em relação aos dados da literatura para Tl-201: 85% vs. 90% e 87% vs. 54%, sensibilidade e especificidade, respectivamente. Em conclusão, o Tc-99m-Sestamibi sob a infusão de dobutamina parece ser um método promissor para detectar viabilidade superior a esta modalidade de cintilografia em repouso, com valores preditivos comparáveis à literatura disponível para esse mesmo método: 85,2% vs. 87%, 96% vs. 90% e 65% vs. 83%, para acurácia, valor preditivo positivo e valor preditivo negativo, respectivamente. / Rest isotopic scintigraphy has been evoked much interest in the last years for myocardial viability search on severe ischemic ventricular dysfunction, because improvement of function can bring a better outcome to this subset of acute myocardial infarction (MI) survivors. This study was designed to search to identify accuracy of 99m-Tc sestamibi − low dose dobutamine SPECT scintigraphy in a single injection rest protocol examination. Thirty patients with previous Q wave (MI), with basal echocardiographic demonstration of rest dyssynergia and coronary artery related significant obstruction, were submitted to perfusion studies, on a different day basis, with 99m-Tc-sestamibi − dobutamine and 201-Th rest-redistribution, utilized as gold standard. There were not complications with any patient submitted to this study protocol. The results showed sensitivity = 85%, specificity = 87%, positive predictive value = 96%, negative predictive value = 65% and accuracy = 85.2%. The positive likelihood ratio was 6.68 and the negative likelihood ratio 0.17. When our results were confronted with a metanalysis 99m-Tc sestamibi at rest (our results being firstly showed), sensitivity was 85% vs. 81%, specificity 87% vs. 60%, respectively. In relation to literature data for 201-Thallium were 85% vs. 90% e 87% vs. 54%, for sensitivity, specificity, respectively. In conclusion, 99m-Tc sestamibi-low dose dobutamine seems to be a promising test to detect viability, superior to that modality of rest perfusion, with predictive values comparable to the available literature for this methodology: 85,2% vs. 87%, 96% vs. 90% e 65% vs. 83%, results for accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, respectively.

This research aims to develop realistic solutions to enhance the efficiency of port operations. By conducting a comprehensive literature review on logistic problems at seaports, some important gaps have been identified for the first time. The following contributions are made in order to close some of the existing gaps. Firstly, this thesis identifies important realistic features which have not been well-studied in current academic research of berth planning. This thesis then aims to solve a discrete dynamic Berth allocation problem (BAP) while taking tidal constraints into account. As an important feature when dealing with realistic scheduling, changing tides have not been well-considered in BAPs. To the best of our knowledge, there is no existing work using meta-heuristics to tackle the BAP with multiple tides that can provide feasible solutions for all the test cases. We propose one single-point meta-heuristic and one population-based meta-heuristic. With our algorithms, we meet the following goals: (i) to minimise the cost of all vessels while staying in the port, and (ii) to schedule available berths for the arriving vessels taking into account a multi-tidal planning horizon. Comprehensive experiments are conducted in order to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the algorithms and compare with both exact and approximate methods. Furthermore, lacking tools for examining existing algorithms for different optimisation problems and simulating real-world scenarios is identified as another gap in this study. This thesis develops a discrete-event simulation framework. The framework is able to generate test cases for different problems and provide visualisations. With this framework, contributions include assessing the performance of different algorithms for optimisation problems and benchmarking optimisation problems.

From conception the dynamic balance between nutritional and activity factors play a role in the accumulation of risk for future disease. Maternal nutrient balance and the subsequent dietary pattern of the family set the path for the growth and development of the individual and therefore also for their offspring. There is strong evidence from studies in India that mothers who have a low vitamin B12 status, but high folate, will have children with higher adiposity and more cardiovascular risk factors than those with adequate B12. The B12 status is closely linked to the dietary pattern particularly the consumption of red meat which has a high B12 content. In New Zealand there are an increasing number of Indian migrants. Vegetarianism is also practiced by an increasing number including young women. In addition, there is a high rate (up to 60%) of unplanned pregnancies in New Zealand. In the 1997 New Zealand National Nutrition Survey (NNS97) report, vitamin B12 intake appeared adequate for the New Zealand population and breakfast cereals were reported as one major dietary source of B12. Cereals in New Zealand however, were not fortified with B12 and there was an error in the FOODfile™ data entries for B12 in some cereals. The raw data of reported B12 intakes in the 24-hour diet recall (24HDR) of NNS97 was reanalysed at the individual level by subtracting the B12 derived from breakfast cereals and applying the 2005 revised estimated average requirement (EAR) value. The possible prevalence of B12 insufficiency was 2.4 times that originally reported by the NNS97, translating into a prevalence of up to 27% of the population sampled. This analysis was limited as it was not adjusted for day-to-day variance or to the New Zealand population. This apparently high prevalence of risk for inadequate B12 intake in the surveyed individuals required confirmation that the B12 intake from 24HDR and also a 7-day diet diary (7DDD) was a valid assessment of B12 status. The group of particular interest is women of childbearing age (18-50y) with a range of eating patterns. Thirty eight women aged 19-48y; 12 non-red-meat-eaters (5 Indians vs. 7 non-Indians) and 26 red-meat-eaters (1 Indian vs. 25 non-Indians) participated in this validation study. Anthropometry and hand-to-foot bioelectrical impedance (BIA) were measured on the same day as a 24HDR was recorded. Fasting serum lipids, glucose, haematological parameters, and serum B12, holotranscobalamin II (holo-TC II, a specific B12 biomarker), and folate concentrations were measured. Foods eaten and time spent in physical activity during the following 7 days were extracted from 7DDD and 7-day physical activity diary (7DPAD). There was no significant correlation between dietary intake (24HDR or 7DDD) and biomarkers for B12 status. Indians reported lower mean daily B12 intakes in 7DDD than non-Indians (1.6 vs. 4.5 μg/day, p<0.001) and this was confirmed by Indians’ significantly low serum B12 (203 vs. 383 pmol/L, p=0.04) and holo-TC II (35 vs. 72 pmol/L, p=0.02) concentrations compared to non-Indians. A similar pattern was found between non-red-meat-eaters and red-meat-eaters in daily B12 intake in 7DDD (2.3 vs. 4.8 μg/day, p<0.001) and in B12 biomarkers (serum B12, 263 vs. 397 pmol/L, p=0.01; holo-TC II, 43 vs. 77 pmol/L, p<0.005). Non-red-meat-eaters reported significantly higher daily folate intake in 7DDD (359 vs. 260 μg/day, p=0.01) than red-meat-eaters but no significant difference was found in serum folate concentration between these groups (29 vs. 24 pmol/L, p=0.10). Indians/non-red-meat-eaters also reported lower daily protein intake and higher percentage of total energy from carbohydrate in 7DDD compared to non-Indians/red-meat-eaters but total reported energy intake tended to be under-reported and physical activity over-reported when assessed against estimated basal metabolic rate (BMR). Body composition varied by dietary pattern. Indians/non-red-meat-eaters had higher body fat percentage (BF %) and weaker grip strength than non-Indians/red-meat-eaters. In addition, Indians had a significantly higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) than non-Indians. Overall, the whole group reported that they were inactive. The median time spent in moderate, high and maximal intensity activities was only 19 minutes a day, which did not meet the NZ guideline for adults of 30 minutes a day. In this small study nutrient analysis of diet by 24HDR or 7DDD, was not a reliable or accurate way to assess B12 insufficiency. Questions about dietary patterns such as “do you eat red meat”, and taking ethnicity into account could more easily identify the at risk population. Supplementation and/or fortification of B12 should be considered before pregnancy.

<p>In this thesis we describe how to systematically test, where our target has been Open Source Systems. We have applied a series of common and overlapped test design techniques at defined levels, specifically using seven different functional and structural test approaches. Our conclusion is that open source systems often lack fundamental testing, where on average it only takes 6 test cases to reveal the first failure. The first time to failure is 1 hour on average and MTTF (mean time between failures) is approximately 2 hours with our systematic approach. Our systematic approach is not only testing in itself, but we do also describe the process of discovering a system’s requirements. We have also found that some test design techniques seem to be more effective than others to find failures. We have investigated fifteen different open source systems, attempting to classify these systems in a methodical way. Our process consists in measuring time spent to identify unique part of the system where to apply the test cases. We consider both the system and the test design technique as measures to evaluate the effectiveness and construct test cases.</p>

We carried out systematic neutron scattering experiments to investigate the magnetic properties and their relationship to the high-$T_c$ superconductivity, when the materials are tuned from their antiferromagnetic (AF) parent compounds to the superconducting regime. We observed resonance mode in the electron doped cuprate Nd$_{1.85}$Ce$_{0.15}$CuO$_4$, demonstrating that the resonance is a general phenomenon in cuprate superconductors regardless of hole- or electron-doping. In Pr$_{0.88}$LaCe$_{0.12}$CuO$_4$, the local susceptibility displays two distinct energy scales that are broadly consistent with the bosonic modes revealed by scanning tunneling microscopy experiments. These results indicate the presence of very strong electron spin excitations couplings in electron doped cuprates. Shortly after the discovery of high-$T_c$ superconductivity in the Fe pnictides, we discovered that the magnetic phase diagram of CeFeAsO$_{1-x}$F$_x$ is remarkably similar to that of the cuprates. Besides CeFeAsO, similar magnetic and lattice structures are also observed in PrFeAsO and SrFe$_2$As$_2$ systems. Neutron scattering measurements show that in SrFe$_2$As$_2$, the spectrum of magnetic excitations consists of a Bragg peak at the elastic position, a spin gap, and sharp spin-wave excitations at higher energies. Based on the observed dispersion relation, we estimated the effective magnetic exchange coupling using a Heisenberg model. In order to study the nature of the exchange interactions in the parent compound of Fe pnictides, we studied the high energy spin-wave excitations in CaFe$_2$As$_2$. Although the spin waves in the entire Brillouin zone can be described by an effective three-dimensional anisotropic Heisenberg Hamiltonian, the magnetism in this system is neither purely local nor purely itinerant; rather it is a complicated mix of the two. When the Fe pnictide is tuned into superconducting regime with doping, the low energy spin fluctuation is dominated by a resonance mode. In the optimally electron doped BaFe$_{1.9}$Ni$_{0.1}$As$_2$, application of a magnetic field that suppresses the superconductivity and superconducting gap energy also reduces the intensity and energy of the resonance. These results suggest that the energy of the resonance is proportional to the electron pairing energy, and thus indicate that spin fluctuations are intimately related to the mechanism of high $T_c$ superconductivity.

The biodegradation kinetics of Geropon TC-42 (trademark) by an acclimated culture was investigated in anoxic batch reactors to determine biokinetic coefficients to be implemented in two biofilm mathematical models. Geropon TC-42 (trademark) is the surfactant commonly used in space habitation. The two biofilm models differ in that one assumes a constant biofilm density and the other allows biofilm density changes based on space occupancy theory. Extant kinetic analysis of a mixed microbial culture using Geropon TC-42 (trademark) as sole carbon source was used to determine cell yield, specific growth rate, and the half-saturation constant for S0/X0 ratios of 4, 12.5, and 34.5. To estimate cell yield, linear regression analysis was performed on data obtained from three sets of simultaneous batch experiments for three S0/X0 ratios. The regressions showed non-zero intercepts, suggesting that cell multiplication is not possible at low substrate concentrations. Non-linear least-squares analysis of the integrated equation was used to estimate the specific growth rate and the half-saturation constant. Net specific growth rate dependence on substrate concentration indicates a self-inhibitory effect of Geropon TC-42 (trademark). The flow rate and the ratio of the concentrations of surfactant to nitrate were the factors that most affected the simulations. Higher flow rates resulted in a shorter hydraulic retention time, shorter startup periods, and faster approach to a steady-state biofilm. At steady-state, higher flow resulted in lower surfactant removal. Higher influent surfactant/nitrate concentration ratios caused a longer startup period, supported more surfactant utilization, and biofilm growth. Both models correlate to the empirical data. A model assuming constant biofilm density is computationally simpler and easier to implement. Therefore, a suitable anoxic packed bed reactor for the removal of the surfactant Geropon TC-42 (trademark) can be designed by using the estimated kinetic values and a model assuming constant biofilm density.