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The accurate prediction of forces and motions on autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) operating close to the wavy free surface is imperative to their usefulness as oceanic research and warfare craft. Maneuvering models for underwater vessels are typically constrained to deep water motions where surface effects are negligible; however, a number of modeling assumptions that are applicable for deep water motions become invalid when the vessel is in proximity to the air-water interface. This dissertation investigates several aspects for the inclusion of free surface effects in maneuvering predictions of a shallowly submerged underwater vehicle. A lumped parameter maneuvering model for deeply submerged motion is improved to accommodate depth dependent effects by updating hydrodynamic derivatives using strip theory and boundary element method analysis. This new model can predict near-surface maneuvering motions of an AUV operating in calm or wavy waters. Alternative free surface affected motion predictions are offered by the Lagrangian Nonlinear Maneuvering and Seakeeping (LNMS) model, which provides motion predictions of a vehicle under waves using calculations from first principle energy considerations. While both models provide their own approach to shallowly submerged vehicle motion predictions, each model suffers from its own limiting hydrodynamic modeling assumptions such as linearized free surface boundary conditions, potential flow assumptions, and slowly varying motions. An investigation into the errors from these simplifying assumptions, including under prediction of the steady-state wave making forces and neglect of viscous effects, led to the creation of an innovative impulse motion model for the calculation of hydrodynamic parameters reducing the need for simplifying assumptions. The significant, novel contributions to near-surface AUV maneuvering research provided in this dissertation are listed below: 1. Creation of a free-surface affected lumped parameter maneuvering and seakeeping model using depth corrected hydrodynamic parameters from strip theory and boundary element method analysis 2. Investigation into the errors associated with linearized free surface boundary conditions and potential flow assumptions during the prediction of near-surface steady-state motions 3. Development of an impulse motion simulation procedure using 3D Unsteady Reynolds- Averaged Navier-Stokes Equation (URANSE) solvers to calculate the infinite frequency hydrodynamic added mass of a shallowly submerged underwater vehicle from rest and constant forward speed / Doctor of Philosophy / Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVS) are an increasingly used tool in the exploration, defense, and study of our oceans and seaways. An essential aspect for the creation of various AUV systems is the accurate prediction of forces and motions while operating in a variety of different conditions, including near the wavy water surface. Maneuvering models that predict the motions of underwater vehicles often opt for deep water simplifying assumptions where the free surface has no effect; however, these assumptions aren't always valid. This dissertation looks to better understand the effects that a free surface has on AUV motion predictions and how these effects can be captured, understood, and incorporated within different maneuvering models. This goal is achieved by updating a previously constructed deep water maneuvering model to account for proximity to the free surface as well as exploring new methods that calculate the hydrodynamic parameters of a vehicle operating at these depths. With these findings, AUVs will be better informed to move as intended while operating in important combat and research zones of the ocean.

The objective of the proposed research is the design and fabrication of a novel stand-alone wireless robust system with enhanced hardware-enabled authentication and anti-counterfeiting capabilities. The system consists of two major components; the near-field certificates of authenticity (CoA), which serve as authenticity vouchers of the products they are attached to, and a microcontroller-enabled, low-power and low-cost reader. Small-sized passive physical three-dimensional structures that are composed of extremely cheap conductive and dielectric materials are shown to yield a unique and repeatable RF signature in a small portion of the frequency spectrum when brought in the reactive and radiating near-field regions of an array of miniature antennas. The multidimensional features of these CoAs, or in other words their signature or fingerprint, are cryptographically signed and digitally stored. The contactless signature validation procedure, in which an attempt to associate the near-field signature response of the physical CoA with the digitized signature, is carried out by the reader designed and fabricated. This low-cost reader operates autonomously and in an offline fashion. The feasibility and performance robustness of the system, in terms of accuracy, consistency and speed of capturing of the signatures, is rigorously assessed with a wide array of tests. Moreover, the entropy, or uncertainty, of the signatures generated by the system are empirically quantified and verified to achieve a virtually impossible false alarm. The aforementioned characteristics of the realized authentication system make it applicable to a vast array of physical objects that needs protection against counterfeiters.

Introdução – A mortalidade materna apresenta grande diferença entre os países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento e espelha a qualidade da assistência prestada à saúde da mulher. Para evidenciar melhor essa assistência novos métodos de estudo vêm sendo utilizados, dentre eles a investigação das morbidades materna graves – near misses. Objetivo - Analisar se a cor é fator de risco determinante de casos de near miss, das mulheres residentes em três municípios da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba. Método - Estudo de caso-controle prospectivo de base populacional. Resultados - Foram identificados 68 casos de near miss, dentre eles um óbito materno direto, um indireto tardio e um direto tardio, sendo relação de 1 óbito para cada 23 casos de near miss ou 4,41%. A razão de mortalidade materna ficou em 36,05/100 mil nascidos vivos, atingindo 108,15/100 mil nascidos vivos considerando os dois óbitos tardios. Os casos representam taxa de 2,45% das gestantes ou 24,50/1000 partos. Tanto na análise univariada como na multivariada a cor não apresentou significância estatística sendo o p= 0,497 e 0,8964 respectivamente. Houve significância estatística na interação entre cor e paridade p= 0,0095, OR 3,67 (IC 95% 1,37 – 9,80). Conclusões – Dentre outros achados a relação de 1 óbito materno para 23 casos de near miss e o salto da razão de mortalidade materna de 36,05 para 108,15/100 mil nascidos vivos justificam o estudo da morbidade materna grave, possibilitando conhecer a real situação da assistência a saúde da mulher. A variável cor não foi identificada como sendo fator de risco para near miss. Evidenciou-se a necessidade de aprofundamento da análise das variáveis identificadas como fatores de risco para near miss: idade e outras causas de internação para mulheres brancas, número de gestações e doenças associadas para as mulheres negras, assim como a instituição de outros parâmetros de análise como as transferências e reinternações. / Introduction - Maternal mortality presents great difference between the developed and developing countries and reflects the quality of the woman health care delivered. To evidence this assistance better new study methods come being used, amongst them, the investigation of the severe maternal morbidity - near misses. Objective – Evaluate if the color is a determinative factor to cases of near miss to women who live in three cities of Metropolitan Region Curitiba. Method – Prospective case-control study of population-based. Results – 68 cases of near miss had been identified, amongst them one direct maternal death, one delayed indirect and one delayed direct, being relation of 1 death for each 23 cases of near miss or 4.41%. The maternal mortality ratio was in 36,05/100,000 live births, reaching 108,15/100,000 live births considering the two delayed deaths. The cases represent 2,45% of the pregnants or 24,50/1000 live births. As much in the univariate analysis as in multivariate the color did not present statistic significance, being p= 0,497 and 0,8964, respectively. There was statistic significance in the interaction between color and parity p= 0,0095, OR 3,67 (IC 95% 1,37 - 9,80). Conclusions – Amongst other findings, the relation of 1 maternal death for 23 cases of near miss and the jump of the maternal mortality ratio from 36,05 to 108,15/100,000 live births justify the maternal morbidity study making possible to know the real situation of the assistance the health of the woman. The variable color was not identified as being factor of risk to near miss. It was proven necessity of deepening of the analysis of the identified variable as factors of risk to near miss: age and other causes of internment for white women, number of gestations and diseases associates for the black women, as well as the institution of other parameters of analysis as the transferences and re-internment

Liu, Haijing. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-116). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.iii / 摘要 --- p.v / Table of contents --- p.vi / List of figures --- p.xii / List of tables --- p.xv / List of abbreviations --- p.xvi / Chapter / Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Fermentation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Biopharmaceutical production --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- History of fermentation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Fermentation Technology --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3.1 --- Fermentation process --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3.2 --- Fermenter --- p.4 / Chapter "1,1.3.3" --- Mode of fermentation process --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.3.4 --- Bacterial growth --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- High cell density fermentation for plasmid DNA production --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1.4.1 --- Porcine growth hormone releasing factor (pGRF) --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.4.2 --- H5N1 avian influenza viruses DNA vaccine --- p.9 / Chapter 1.1.4.3 --- Fed-batch high-cell-density fermentation --- p.9 / Chapter 1.1.5 --- Fermentation process monitoring --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2 --- Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Basic near-infrared spectroscopy --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.1.1 --- Rationale of near-infrared spectroscopy --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.1.2 --- NIR spectra acquisition --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.1.3 --- Interpretation of NIR spectra --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Multivariate calibration --- p.20 / Chapter 1.2.2.1 --- Why multivariate calibration --- p.22 / Chapter 1.2.2.2 --- The problem of collinearity --- p.25 / Chapter 1.2.2.3 --- Spectral range selection --- p.26 / Chapter 1.2.2.4 --- Signal optimization --- p.26 / Chapter 1.2.2.5 --- Spectral pretreatment --- p.27 / Chapter 1.2.2.6 --- Parameter selection --- p.28 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Applications of NIRS in high cell density E. coli fermentation --- p.31 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Adaptive calibration strategy --- p.33 / Chapter 1.3 --- Aims of study --- p.34 / Chapter 2 --- Materials and methods / Chapter 2.1 --- High cell density fermentation of plasmid DNA --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Fermentation system --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- pGRF fermentation --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Prepare seed flask --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- Reagents for bacterial culture by fermenter --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.2.2.1 --- LB based complex fermentation medium --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.2.2.2 --- Batch fermentation medium --- p.39 / Chapter 2.1.2.2.3 --- Feeding medium-1 --- p.41 / Chapter 2.1.2.2.4 --- Base feed --- p.41 / Chapter 2.1.2.3 --- Fermentation methods --- p.42 / Chapter 2.1.2.3.1 --- Fermenter set-up --- p.42 / Chapter 2.1.2.3.2 --- Inoculate seed culture into the fermenter --- p.43 / Chapter 2.1.2.3.3 --- Transfer the feeding medium --- p.44 / Chapter 2.1.2.3.4 --- Heat induction --- p.44 / Chapter 2.1.2.3.5 --- Fermentation harvest --- p.44 / Chapter 2.1.2.4 --- Scale-up fermentation and large scale production 45 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- H5N1 fermentation --- p.45 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Reference analytical testing --- p.45 / Chapter 2.1.4.1 --- Optical density --- p.45 / Chapter 2.1.4.2 --- Cell dry weight --- p.45 / Chapter 2.1.4.3 --- Specific plasmid DNA yield --- p.46 / Chapter 2.1.4.3.1 --- Plasmid DNA isolation --- p.46 / Chapter 2.1.4.3.2 --- Plasmid DNA measurement --- p.46 / Chapter 2.1.4.3.3 --- Plasmid DNA identification --- p.46 / Chapter 2.1.4.4 --- Analysis of glycerol and acetate --- p.46 / Chapter 2.1.4.4.1 --- Standard samples --- p.46 / Chapter 2.1.4.4.2 --- Enzymatic test kits --- p.47 / Chapter 2.1.4.4.3 --- Automatic biochemistry analyzer --- p.47 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Summary of all fermentation batches --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2 --- Full factorial design and semi-synthetic samples --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Adaptive calibration samples --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- Matrix 1 calibration samples --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Matrix 2 calibration samples --- p.50 / Chapter 2.2.1.3 --- Matrix 3 calibration samples --- p.50 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Summary of all samples --- p.51 / Chapter 2.3 --- NIR sample presentation and spectral acquisition --- p.52 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- NIR spectrophotometers --- p.52 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Cuvettes for transmittance spectral acquisition --- p.53 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Bottles for reflectance spectral acquisition --- p.54 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Spectral acquisition --- p.55 / Chapter 2.3.4.1 --- Transmittance --- p.55 / Chapter 2.3.4.2 --- Reflectance --- p.55 / Chapter 2.4 --- Multivariate calibration and validation --- p.56 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Spectral preprocessing --- p.56 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Multivariate calibration --- p.57 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Model validation --- p.57 / Chapter 3 --- Results and discussion / Chapter 3.1 --- Sample presentation and NIR spectrum --- p.59 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Transmission measurement --- p.60 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Reflectance measurement --- p.63 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Spectral responses and pre-treatment method --- p.64 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Design of experiments for calibration sample preparation --- p.67 / Chapter 3.1.5 --- Summary --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2 --- Adaptive calibration --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Selection of Multivariate calibration model --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.1.1 --- Matrix 1 calibration models --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.1.2 --- Matrix 2 calibration models --- p.74 / Chapter 3.2.1.3 --- Matrix 3 calibration models --- p.76 / Chapter 3.2.1.4 --- Summary --- p.78 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Model validation --- p.79 / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Performance of Reference analytical methods --- p.79 / Chapter 3.2.2.1.1 --- Enzymatic test kits --- p.79 / Chapter 3.2.2.1.2 --- Automatic biochemistry anaylyzer (Bioprofile) --- p.81 / Chapter 3.2.2.1.3 --- Summary --- p.83 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- Model validation using external test samples --- p.83 / Chapter 3.2.2.2.1 --- Matrix 1 models --- p.83 / Chapter 3.2.2.2.2 --- Matrix 2 models --- p.87 / Chapter 3.2.2.2.3 --- Matrix 3 models --- p.89 / Chapter 3.2.2.2.4 --- Overall NIR measurement errors --- p.90 / Chapter 3.2.2.2.5 --- Summary --- p.91 / Chapter 3.3 --- Use of calibrated NIRS in at-line monitoring and control of fermentation --- p.93 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Analysis of small-scale fermentation --- p.94 / Chapter 3.3.1.1 --- pGRF plasmid DNA production --- p.94 / Chapter 3.3.1.2 --- H5N1 plasmid DNA production --- p.95 / Chapter 3.3.1.3 --- Summary --- p.97 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Analysis of large scale fermentation --- p.97 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- 30 L clinical production of H5N1 plasmid DNA --- p.97 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- 80 L scale-up production of H5N1 plasmid DNA --- p.99 / Chapter 3.3.2.3 --- Summary --- p.100 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Effective control of fermentation production using at-line NIR analysis --- p.101 / Chapter 3.3.3.1 --- At-line monitoring of Batch 11 --- p.101 / Chapter 3.3.3.2 --- At-line monitoring of Batch 12 X --- p.102 / Chapter 3.3.3.3 --- Summary --- p.104 / Chapter 3.4 --- General discussion and conclusion --- p.105 / Chapter 3.5 --- Future prospects --- p.108 / References --- p.112 / Appendix 1 --- p.117 / Appendix 2 --- p.118 / Appendix 3 --- p.123 / Appendix 4 --- p.131 / Appendix 5 --- p.134

We aim to explain the intuition behind several large cardinal axioms, give characterization theorems for these axioms, and then discuss a few of their properties. As a capstone, we hope to introduce a new large cardinal notion and give a similar characterization theorem of this new notion. Our new notion of near strong compactness was inspired by the similar notion of near supercompactness, due to Jason Schanker.

The invasive nature and undesirable side-effects related to conventional cancer therapy, such as surgery and chemotherapy, have led to the development of novel drug delivery systems (DDS). A minimally invasive DDS using near-infrared (NIR) light as a trigger for drug release is investigated to reduce the adverse side-effects triggered by systemic delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs. The low tissue absorbance in the NIR region, λ = 650–2500 nm, allows the irradiation to penetrate through tissues to release cisplatin from a NIR-sensitive nanocomposite of Au-Au₂S. Our laboratory has recently shown that cisplatin can be effectively released from Au-Au₂S upon NIR irradiation. Cisplatin was loaded onto Au-Au₂S through its adsorption on COOH-functionalized alkanethiols coated on Au-Au₂S. The current work focuses on the development of methods to control the release of cisplatin. Drug release is controlled by either the irradiation parameters or the type of coatings. The effect of different coatings on NIR sensitivity and drug release is investigated. Molecular layers of HS-(CH₂)n-COOH and HS-CH₂-COO-CH₂(CH₂CH₂O)xCH₂-COOH have been successfully coated onto Au-Au₂S. The effect of different surface layers on drug adsorption is being examined. In addition, a mathematical model has been developed to describe the thermal effects of different irradiation parameters on soft tissues. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in an imaging technique that has gained much attention in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Previous NIRS-BCI studies have primarily employed temporal features, derived from the time course of hemodynamic activity, despite potential value contained in the spatial attributes of a response. In an initial offline study, we investigated the value of using joint spatial-temporal pattern classification with dynamic NIR topograms to differentiate intentional cortical activation from rest. With the inclusion of spatiotemporal features, we demonstrated a significant increase in achievable classification accuracies from those obtained using temporal features alone (p < 10-4). In a second study, we evaluated the feasibility of implementing joint spatial-temporal pattern classification in an online system. We developed an online system-paced NIRS-BCI, and were able to differentiate two cortical states with high accuracy (77.4±10.5%). Collectively, these findings demonstrate the value of including spatiotemporal features in the classification of functional NIRS data for BCI applications.

Microwave near-field probes (MNPs) confine evanescent fields to regions that are substantially smaller than the wavelength at the operation frequency. Such probes are able to resolve subwavelength features, thus providing resolution much higher than the classical Abb?? limit. These abilities of MNPs are primarily due to the evanescent nature of the field generated at the tip of the probes. In the past, MNPs with ultra-high resolution were designed by tapering a resonant opening to provide high field concentration and high sensitivity. The limitations of these MNPs were subject to low surface roughness and practical realization challenges due to their geometrical features and vibration control constraints. Metamaterials with their ability to enhance evanescent fields, lead to the speculation that they could potentially increase the sensitivity of near-field probe. Periodically arranged metamaterial unit elements such as split-ring-resonators (SRRs) can create negative permeability media. Placing such material layer in the proximity of a probe leads to enhancement of the evanescent waves. Guided by this remarkable feature of metamaterials, I proposed an MNP consisting of a wire loop concentric with a single SRR. The evanescent field behavior of the probe is analyzed using Fourier analysis revealing substantial enhancement of the evanescent field consistent with metamaterial theory predictions. The resolution of the probe is studied to especially determine its ability for sub-surface detection of media buried in biological tissues. The underlying physics governing the probe is analyzed. Variations of the probe are developed by placement of lumped impedance loads. To further increase the field confinement to smaller region, a miniaturized probe design is proposed. This new probe consists of two printed loops whose resonance is tunable by a capacitor loaded in the inner loop. The sensing region is decreased from ??/20 to ??/55, where ?? is the wavelength of the probe???s unloaded frequency. The magnetic-sensitive nature of the new probe makes it suitable for sensing localized magnetostatic surface resonance (LMSR) occurring in electrically very small particles. Therefore, I proposed a sensing methodology for detecting localized magnetostatic surface (LMS) resonant particles. In this methodology, an LMS resonant sphere is placed concentrically with the loops. A circuit model is developed to predict the performance of the probe in the presence of a magnetic sphere having Lorentz dispersion. Full-wave simulations are carried out to verify the circuit model predictions, and preliminary experimental results are demonstrated. The Lorentzian fit in this work implies that the physical nature of LMSR may originate from spin movement of charged particle whose contribution to effective permeability may be analogous to that of bound electron movement to effective permittivity in electrostatic resonance. Detection of LMSR can have strong impact on marker-based sensing applications in biomedicine and bioengineering.

This thesis presents a practical approach to reduce the overall testing time in a spherical near-field (SNF) antenna measurement environment. The premise of this work is that the acquisition time is mostly dominated by the mechanical movement and the processing electronic. Moreover, it is assumed that the transformation time to go from the near-field domain to the far-field domain (NF-FF transform) is small compared to the acquisition time. Thus this operation can be done repeatedly while the acquisition is on-going without significantly affecting the overall test time. This situation allows to continuously evaluate the far-field (FF) of the antenna under test (AUT), so that certain decision functions based on the radiation pattern of the antenna can be monitored. Such decision functions are based on the antenna specification, such as the gain, the side lobe level, etc. We do not proceed with a complete scan of the measurement sphere but effectively allow the probe to follow a directed path under control of an acquisition rule, so that the sampled near-field (NF) datapoints constitute an acquisition map on the sphere. The acquisition can then be terminated based on decision function values, allowing the smallest amount of data needed to ensure accurate determination of the AUT performance measures.