This thesis evaluates the utility of a geochemical technique for the investigation of palaeoenvironmental change in south west England. The method, EDMA (Energy Dispersive X-ray Micro Analysis), is a rapid, non-destructive analysis tool, capable of detecting a large range of geochemical elements. This research examines the most appropriate method of sample preparation for organic soils and peats, and investigates the reliability of results gained from EDMA with respect to conventional bulk geochemical techniques. A detailed study focused on a range of different sedimentary sites in south west England where a variety of palaeoenvironmental changes were thought to occur. Pollen analysis was undertaken on the same sedimentary material, and provided complementary information on the nature and scale of vegetation change through time. Sediments from a coastal valley mire near North Sands, Salcombe, revealed information relating to the processes of sea-level change in this part of south Devon and the subsequent autogenic processes as the sediment accumulated through time. A range of sites were located on the granitic upland of Dartmoor. A raised bog, Tor Royal, provided data relating to the changing nature of the central upland landscape from late Mesolithic times to the present day. Two soligenous sites, Upper Merrivale and Piles Copse, sought to investigate the activities of postulated anthropogenic activity at a much smaller spatial scale, with particular interest placed upon the evidence for deforestation activity and the utilisation of the local mineral resources. The last site, Crift Down, a lowland spring fed valley mire utilised geochemical and palynological fluxes within the peat to investigate processes and activities associated with archaeological evidence for Medieval tinworking in this area of Cornwall. The results from the EDMA investigations, and comparable studies using other geochemical methods including EMMA, AAS and flame photometry, suggest the technique to have greatest applicability as a first stage tool in the analysis of general activities of past environmental change. The technique was found to yield reliable results for the major elements (Si, Al, 5, Fe, Ca, K, Na and Mg), but is generally incapable of providing useful data on heavy metal elements. The data from south west England suggest the method to reflect activity at a range of different scales, and as part of a structured programme of analysis may contribute information to allow a more holistic environmental reconstruction to be made.

Ternary indium aluminum nitride (InXAl1-XN) semiconductor is an attractive material with a wide-range bandgap energy varied from ultraviolet (Eg(AlN): 6.2 eV) to near infrared (Eg(InN): 0.7 eV). With tuning composition, it can be widely used to many optoelectronic device applications. In this thesis, I have studied InXAl1-XN film deposited on Si (111) substrate using natural and isotopically enriched nitrogen as reactive gas by reactive magnetron sputter epitaxy (MSE). Four series of experiments were performed, which are I. InAlN presputtering, II. InAlN sputter deposition, III. InAlN direct deposition, and IV. InAlN direct deposition using isotopically enriched nitrogen. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The θ-2θ XRD scan confirms that the designed composition x = 0.17 of InXAl1-XN film was obtained. TEM images shows that an amorphous interlayer with a thickness ranging from 1.2 nm to 1.5 nm was formed between Si substrate and InXAl1-XN film. However, high-resolution TEM shows that the interlayer actually contains partial crystalline structures. EDX line profile indicates that the chemical composition of the amorphous interlayer is silicon nitride (SiNX). By comparing d-spacing measurement of partial crystalline structures with EDX line profile, it reveals that partial SiNX crystal is formed in the interlayer. Nonetheless, the samples (IAD01, IAD02, IAD03, IAD04), grown without presputtering procedure, contain both crystalline SiNX and InXAl1-XN embedded in the amorphous interlayer. It means that SiNX and InXAl1-XN film can be directly grown on the substrate in the beginning of deposition. Moreover, the samples (IAD01, IAD03), quenched directly after deposition, have less crystalline structures in the interlayer then the samples (IAD02, IAD04), maintained at 800℃ for 20 min.

The observation of graphene’s extraordinary electrical properties has stirred great interest in two dimensional (2D) materials. The rapid pace of discovery for low dimensional materials with exciting properties continue with graphene allotropes, multiple polymorphs of borophene, germanene, and many others. The future of 2D materials goes beyond synthesis and characterization of free standing materials and on to the construction of heterostructures or sophisticated multilayer devices. Knowledge about the resulting local structure and composition of such systems will be key to understanding and optimizing their performance characteristics. 2D materials do not have a repeating crystal structure which can be easily characterized using bulk methods and therefore a localized high resolution method is needed. Electron microscopy is well suited for characterizing 2D materials as a repeating coherent structure is not necessary to produce a measureable signal as may be the case for diffraction methods. A unique opportunity for fine local scale measurements in low dimensional systems exists with a specific class of materials known as ferecrystals, the rotationally disordered relative of misfit layer compounds. Ferecrystals provide an excellent test system to observe effects at heterostructure interfaces as the whole film is composed of interdigitated two dimensional layers. Therefore bulk methods can be used to corroborate local scale measurements. From the qualitative interpretation of high resolution scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) images to the quantitative application of STEM energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), this thesis uses numerous methods electron microscopy. The culmination of this work is seen at the end of the thesis where atomically resolved STEM-EDX hyperspectral maps could be used to measure element specific atomic distances and the atomically resolved fractional occupancies of a low dimensional alloy. These local scale measurements are corroborated by additional experimental data. The input of multiple techniques leads to improved certainty in local scale measurements and the applicability of these methods to non-ferecrystal low dimensional systems.

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the methodology of three dimensional chemical imaging of nanoparticles through the use of scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) – energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. In this thesis, an absorption correction factor is derived for spherical nanoparticles that can correct X-ray absorption effects. Quantification of EDX spectra of nanoparticles usually neglects X-ray absorption within the nanoparticle but may lead to erroneous results, thus an absorption correction is important for accurate compositional quantification. The absorption correction presented is verified through comparison with experimental data of Au X-ray peaks in spherical Au nanoparticles and is found to agree excellently. This absorption correction allows accurate compositional quantification of large ( > 100 nm) particles with STEM-EDX.Three dimensional chemical mapping is achievable through the use of EDX spectroscopy with electron tomography. Here, the methodology of STEM-EDX tomography is fully explored, with a focus on how to avoid artefacts introduced through detector shadowing and low counts per pixel. A varied-time acquisition scheme is proposed to correct for detector shadowing that is shown to provide a more constant intensity over a series of projections, allowing a higher fidelity reconstruction. The STEM-EDX tomography methodology presented is applied to the study of AgAu nanoparticles synthesized by the galvanic replacement reaction. The elemental distribution as a function of the composition of the as-synthesized nanoparticles is characterised and a reversal in the element segregated to the surface of the nanoparticles is found. The composition at which the reversal takes place is shown to correlate with a peak in the catalytic yield of a three component coupling reaction. It is hypothesized that a continuous Au surface results in the optimum catalytic conditions for the reaction studied, which guides the use of galvanically prepared AgAu nanoparticles as catalysts.

Electric and hybrid vehicles uses regenerative braking, where application of the brake triggers the electric motor to work as a generator to produce electricity, which in turn charges the battery. This results in much less use of the friction brake, changing the corrosion and wear behavior of the rotor surface. There is a need for research on this topic, since fully electric or hybrid vehicles are replacing combustion engines due to concerns about global warming and climate change. Here the corrosion behavior of coated cast iron vehicle rotors in 3.5wt% NaCl is studied. The corrosion study has been performed using electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). All the coated samples were provided by Pure Forge Rotors. Based on the results from SEM and EDX, the coating is atomic forge proprietary coating, and the base material is gray cast iron. Our primary objective is to study the corrosion behavior of coated, non-coated and friction-tested samples. CV experiments indicate a shift in the corrosion potential and corrosion current density due to changes in the nature of the exposed surface. Cross-sectional SEM showed the thickness of the coating to be 16-23 µm. After friction testing, the friction layer created by rubbing the brake pad over the rotor plays a role in corrosion resistance, but this depends on the type of brake pad material (i.e. semi-metallic, non-asbestos organic and low metallic). Results showed that friction film that forms after testing against non-asbestos organic pads provides the highest corrosion resistance amongst the three brake pad materials.

No / Solvent influences on the crystallization of polymorph and hydrate forms of the nootropic drug piracetam (2-oxo-pyrrolidineacetamide) were investigated from water, methanol, 2-propanol, isobutanol, and nitromethane. Crystal growth profiles of piracetam polymorphs were constructed using time-resolved diffraction snapshots collected for each solvent system. Measurements were performed by in situ energy dispersive X-ray diffraction recorded in Station 16.4 at the synchrotron radiation source (SRS) at Daresbury Laboratory, CCLRC UK. Crystallizations from methanol, 2-propanol, isobutanol, and nitromethane progressed in a similar fashion with the initial formation of form I which then converted relatively quickly to form II with form III being generated upon further cooling. However, considerable differences were observed for the polymorphs lifetime and both the rate and temperature of conversion using the different solvents. The thermodynamically unstable form I was kinetically favored in isobutanol and nitromethane where traces of this polymorph were observed below 10°C. In contrast, the transformation of form II and subsequent growth of form III were inhibited in 2-propanol and nitromethane solutions. Aqueous solutions produced hydrate forms of piracetam which are different from the reported monohydrate; this crystallization evolved through successive generation of transient structures which transformed upon exchange of intramolecular water between the liquid and crystalline phases

No description available.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-11Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:31:17Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 sakamoto_ss_me_araca.pdf: 2232778 bytes, checksum: 2d567023e0bd2b444f0d70e7197d8eaf (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O papel dos elementos traço em tumores mamários tem sido investigado nas últimas décadas, mas comparações de subclasses de tumores mamários malignos são ainda inéditas em medicina veterinária. Portanto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi identificar a concentração dos elementos cálcio, ferro, cobre e zinco em neoplasias mamárias de cadelas, comparando-se um grupo controle com três tipos histológicos malignos. Cinquenta e uma biopsias mamárias foram avaliadas e divididas em quatro grupos (G1 - controle, G2 - carcinoma complexo, G3 - carcinoma tubular/tubulopapilífero e G4 – carcinoma sólido). O material foi colhido de mastectomias realizadas na rotina do Hospital Veterinário da UNESP-Araçatuba sendo classificado segundo os critérios diagnósticos propostos pela Organização Mundial de Saúde. As amostras foram analisadas, quanto aos elementos traço, pela técnica de Fluorescência de Raios X por Dispersão de Energia (EDXRF). A análise estatística revelou aumento significativo (p<0,05) dos elementos cálcio, ferro e zinco entre os grupos G1 e G2. Comparações entre o sistema TNM (Tumor/Linfonodo/Metástases) e os elementos traço não foram significativas (p˃0,05) à análise estatística, já que os mesmos demonstraram estar correlacionados ao tipo histológico e não ao sistema TNM de prognóstico de vida. O aparelho de EDXRF mostrou-se eficaz para a análise dos elementos traço, além de ser uma técnica mais acessível, multielementar e não destrutiva, permitindo que outras metodologias possam ser utilizadas para estudos complementares com as mesmas amostras / The role of trace elements in breast cancer has been investigated in recent decades, but comparisons of subclasses of malignant mammary tumors are still unpublished in veterinary medicine. So, the aim of this work was to identify the concentration of calcium, iron, cooper and zinc in canine mammary tumors, comparing them with a control group and three malignant neoplasias. 51 mammary fragments of biopsies were analyzed and divided in four groups (G1 – Control, G2 - Complex Carcinomas, G3 – Tubular/Tubulopapillary Carcinoma and G4 – Solid Carcinoma). Samples of the tumors were collected during surgical procedures, mastectomy, performed at Veterinary Hospital of Sao Paulo State University – Araçatuba and were classified according to the diagnostic criteria proposed by the World Health Organization. Samples were analyzed by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Equipment (EDXRF). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) only in the groups G1 and G2, concerning to the calcium, iron and zinc elements. The comparison between TNM system and trace elements revealed an absence of statistical evaluation, because trace elements were connected with histopathologycal graduation. The EDXRF was useful for trace element analyses and it is a non-destructive, multielementar technology that permits complementary studies with the same samples

Resumo: O papel dos elementos traço em tumores mamários tem sido investigado nas últimas décadas, mas comparações de subclasses de tumores mamários malignos são ainda inéditas em medicina veterinária. Portanto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi identificar a concentração dos elementos cálcio, ferro, cobre e zinco em neoplasias mamárias de cadelas, comparando-se um grupo controle com três tipos histológicos malignos. Cinquenta e uma biopsias mamárias foram avaliadas e divididas em quatro grupos (G1 - controle, G2 - carcinoma complexo, G3 - carcinoma tubular/tubulopapilífero e G4 - carcinoma sólido). O material foi colhido de mastectomias realizadas na rotina do Hospital Veterinário da UNESP-Araçatuba sendo classificado segundo os critérios diagnósticos propostos pela Organização Mundial de Saúde. As amostras foram analisadas, quanto aos elementos traço, pela técnica de Fluorescência de Raios X por Dispersão de Energia (EDXRF). A análise estatística revelou aumento significativo (p<0,05) dos elementos cálcio, ferro e zinco entre os grupos G1 e G2. Comparações entre o sistema TNM (Tumor/Linfonodo/Metástases) e os elementos traço não foram significativas (p˃0,05) à análise estatística, já que os mesmos demonstraram estar correlacionados ao tipo histológico e não ao sistema TNM de prognóstico de vida. O aparelho de EDXRF mostrou-se eficaz para a análise dos elementos traço, além de ser uma técnica mais acessível, multielementar e não destrutiva, permitindo que outras metodologias possam ser utilizadas para estudos complementares com as mesmas amostras / Abstract: The role of trace elements in breast cancer has been investigated in recent decades, but comparisons of subclasses of malignant mammary tumors are still unpublished in veterinary medicine. So, the aim of this work was to identify the concentration of calcium, iron, cooper and zinc in canine mammary tumors, comparing them with a control group and three malignant neoplasias. 51 mammary fragments of biopsies were analyzed and divided in four groups (G1 - Control, G2 - Complex Carcinomas, G3 - Tubular/Tubulopapillary Carcinoma and G4 - Solid Carcinoma). Samples of the tumors were collected during surgical procedures, mastectomy, performed at Veterinary Hospital of Sao Paulo State University - Araçatuba and were classified according to the diagnostic criteria proposed by the World Health Organization. Samples were analyzed by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Equipment (EDXRF). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) only in the groups G1 and G2, concerning to the calcium, iron and zinc elements. The comparison between TNM system and trace elements revealed an absence of statistical evaluation, because trace elements were connected with histopathologycal graduation. The EDXRF was useful for trace element analyses and it is a non-destructive, multielementar technology that permits complementary studies with the same samples / Orientador: Alexandre Lima de Andrade / Coorientador: Maria Cecília Rui Luvizotto / Coorientador: Andrea Antunes Pereira / Banca: Flávia de Rezende Eugênio / Banca: Paula Rahal / Mestre

O câncer de mama é o tipo de câncer mais frequente entre as mulheres, sendo a mamografia a técnica mais utilizada para sua detecção. No entanto, essa técnica possui algumas limitações, como o baixo contraste, o qual pode ser associado, dentre outros fatores, a radiação espalhada. Apesar desse fato, novas técnicas baseadas na detecção do espalhamento vêm sendo empregadas em um vasto campo de aplicação, como na caracterização de materiais e tecidos biológicos. Há na literatura diversos estudos sobre perfil de espalhamento para a caracterização de tecidos mamários, porém ainda são poucos os estudos sobre imagem por espalhamento de mama e de otimização de contraste. Além disso, essas imagens são realizadas apenas em pequenas amostras de mama. Uma das possibilidades para o estudo de mamas de dimensões reais é a aplicação do método Monte Carlo (MC). Neste trabalho, foi estudado e otimizado um sistema de difração de raios X dispersivo em energia (SDRXDE) para medidas de perfis de espalhamento e um sistema para formação de imagens por espalhamento utilizando estas informações. O SDRXDE foi caracterizado experimentalmente, analiticamente e por simulação Monte Carlo, enquanto que o segundo sistema foi caracterizado analiticamente e por simulação Monte Carlo. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que as principais correções para o SDRXDE foram auto-atenuação, o espectro incidente, eficiência de detecção e múltiplo espalhamento. Outro fator importante que afeta o perfil de espalhamento resultante é a resolução de momento do sistema, o qual depende dos parâmetros geométricos (abertura dos colimadores, distâncias, ângulo de espalhamento e espessura da amostra) e da resolução de energia do detector. Os resultados para o sistema de imagem mostram claramente a capacidade dessas imagens na detecção de um nódulo no interior da mama. A respeito da otimização das condições de irradiação da mama e detecção da radiação espalhada, os resultados alcançados demostram a viabilidade experimental da geração destas imagens num ambiente clínico. / Breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer among women, being mammography the technique more used for its detection. However, this technique presents some limitations, such as low contrast, which may be associated with scattered radiation. Thus, new scatterinng detection techniques have been employed in different fields such as characterization of biological materials and tissues, such as characterization of scattering profile for breast tissue, although there are still few studies on breast image and contrast optimization. Moreover, the images are originated from small breast samples. In this context, one of the possibilities for the study of actual breast dimensions is the application of the Monte Carlo method. Thus, this work studied optimized an energy X ray diffraction system (EDXRD) for measures of scattering profile and developed a system for imaging using this information. The EDXRD system was studied and optimized by experimentally, analytically and Monte Carlo simulation, while the image system was studied analytically and simulated by Monte Carlo. The results showed that the main corrections for the EDXRD system are self-attenuation, incident spectrum, detection eficiency and multiple scattering. Another important factor that affects scattering profile is the system momentum resolution, which depends on geometric parameters (collimator aperture, distances, scattering angle and sample thickness) and detector energy resolution. The results for the imaging system showed that a nodule could be detected within the breast. Finaly the optimizations of breast radiation conditions and radiation detection showed the viability of generating experimental scattering images in clinical environment.