Thesis (M.S. in Electrical Engineering and M.S. in Systems Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2004. / Title from title screen (viewed June 20, 2005). "September 2004." Includes bibliographical references (p. 139-140). Also issued in paper format.

Thesis (M.A. in Security Studies (Civil-Military Relations)--Naval Postgraduate School, Sept. 2004. / Thesis Advisor(s): Harold A. Trinkunas. Includes bibliographical references (p. 87-88). Also available online.

Chemically mediated interactions have important ecological and evolutionary effects on populations and communities. Despite recognition that herbivory can significantly affect the biomass and composition of freshwater macrophyte communities, there are few investigations of chemical defenses among freshwater vascular plants and mosses and none of freshwater red algae. This study compares the palatability of five species of freshwater red algae (Batrachospermum helminthosum, Boldia erythrosiphon, Kumanoa sp., Paralemanea annulata, and Tuomeya americana) that occur in the southeastern United States relative to two co-occurring macrophytes (the chemically defended aquatic moss Fontinalis novae-angliae and the broadly palatable green alga Cladophora glomerata). We assessed the potential role of structural, nutritional, and chemical traits in reducing macrophyte susceptibility to generalist crayfish grazers. Both native and non-native crayfish significantly preferred the green alga C. glomerata over four of the five species of red algae. B. erythrosiphon was palatable, while the cartilaginous structure of P. annulata reduced its susceptibility to grazing, and chemical defenses of B. helminthosum, Kumanoa sp., and T. americana rendered these species as unpalatable as the moss F. novae-angliae. Extracts from these latter species reduced feeding by ~30-60% relative to solvent controls if tissues were crushed (simulating herbivore damage) prior to extraction in organic solvents. However, if algae were first soaked in organic solvents that inhibit enzymatic activity and then crushed, crude extracts stimulated or had no effect on herbivory. B. helminthosum, Kumanoa sp., and T. americana all exhibited "activated" chemical defenses in which anti-herbivore compounds are produced rapidly upon herbivore attack via enzymatic processes. In an additional accept/reject behavioral assay, B. helminthosum extracts reduced the number of crayfish willing to feed by >90%. Given that three of the five red algal taxa examined in this study yielded deterrent crude extracts, selection for defensive chemistry in freshwater rhodophytes appears to be substantial. Activated chemical defenses are thought to be an adaptation to reduce the resource allocation and ecological costs of defense. As such, activated chemical defenses may be favored in freshwater red algae, whose short-lived gametophytes must grow and reproduce rapidly. Roughly 20% of the known chemical defenses produced by marine algae are activated; further examination is needed to determine whether the frequency of activated chemistry is higher in freshwater red algae compared to their marine counterparts. Continued investigation of chemical defenses in freshwater red algae will contribute to among-system comparisons, providing new insights in the generality of plant-herbivore interactions and their evolution.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The objective of this thesis is to investigate the requirements and limitations of boost phase ballistic missile intercept systems that contain an interceptor and its guidance sensors (both radar and infrared). A three- dimensional computer model is developed for a multi-stage target with a boost phase acceleration profile that depends on total mass, propellant mass and the specific impulse in the gravity field. The radar cross-section and infrared radiation of the target structure is estimated as a function of the flight profile. The interceptor is a multi- stage missile that uses fused target location data provided by two ground-based radar sensors and two low earth orbit infrared sensors. Interceptor requirements and limitations are derived as a function of its initial position from the target launch point and the launch delay. Sensor requirements are also examined as a function of the signal-to- noise ratio during the target flight. Electronic attack considerations within the boost phase are also addressed including the use of decoys and noise jamming techniques. The significance of this investigation is that the system components within a complex boost phase intercept scenario can be quantified and requirements for the sensors can be numerically derived. / Captain, Turkish Air Force

The Free Electron Laser (FEL) can provide the naval surface combatant with a directed energy weapon that can be used against a large target set. Due to space constraints in a shipboard installation, an exploration is conducted to show the feasibility of short Rayleigh length FELs using a FEL simulation. Low atmosphere engagements are discussed through the modeling of a turbulence module for laser propagation in cruise missile defense applications. In particular, this thesis explores the difficulties in engaging a short/medium range theater ballistic missile (TBM) in the terminal phase as an engagement scenario in support of littoral operations using HELCoMES, developed by SAIC, as an engagement analysis tool. A concept of operations (CONOPS) for the use of a FEL as an area TBM defensive weapon is explored, using a unitary, high explosive warhead model and extrapolations to other TBM warhead types.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The NATO Allies decided at the November 2002 Prague Summit to conduct a feasibility study concerning the protection of national territories, populations, and forces from the threat of ballistic missile attacks. This thesis examines current missile defense programs and analyzes their potential to protect the Alliance as a whole, thus maintaining the indivisibility of Allied security. The thesis investigates the political, military, economic, and technological challenges for a NATO full-spectrum missile defense and the major questions that the Allies have yet to resolve. It also examines the prospects for cooperation between NATO and Russia in missile defense and potential perils for international stability, including the non-proliferation regime. The thesis concludes that NATO missile defenses will probably enhance the transatlantic link. However, the most crucial challenges include the command and control issue and the potential reactions of Russia and China to defenses capable of protecting NATO homelands against ballistic missile attacks. / Hellenic Army author.

Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

No description available.

Over the past several years there has been a steady increase in the incidence of immunologically compromised patients. This has been the result of both chemical agents, such as those used in cancer chemotherapy, and biological agents such as HIV, the cause of Acquired lmmunodefeciency Syndrome (AIDS). The increase in immune-suppressed patients has lead to an increase in life-threatening mycoses requiring treatment with antifungal agents. Pharmaceutical companies have increased research for the development of new antifungal agents which are more effective and less toxic than those that are currently used. Several researchers have reported on antifungal agents that demonstrate both positive and negative effects on the immune system. Because antifungal therapy relies on host immune defenses in eliminating diseases, more emphasis is being placed on how antifungal agents interact with the immune system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Ketoconazole, ltraconazole and Fluconazole on T- and B-cell proliferation and natural killer cell activity using normal, cyclosporine-compromised and cyclophosphamide-compromised immune models in mice. T and B cells obtained from the spleens Balb/c mice were mitogen stimulated and grown in the presence of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 µg/ml of these 3 antifungal agents. Cell proliferation was determined by the uptake of 3[H]-thymidine and was measured as counts per minute. Natural killer cell activity was measured by the release of 51-sodium chromate (51Cr) into the supernatant by 51Cr-labeled Yac cells. Ketoconazole caused a significant reduction in cell proliferation in all immune models in both T and B cells. Itraconazole also significantly inhibited cell proliferation in all models in both T and B cells as well as natural killer (NK) cell activity in the immune-normal model. Viability studies on mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes suggest that inhibitory effects of Katoconazole and Itraconazole on lymphocyte proliferation are due to toxic effects. Fluconazole appears to have few if any inhibitory effects on either cell proliferation or natural killer cell activity.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-132).