Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 158-169). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Amyloidosis is a group of diseases caused by proteins that have lost their correct three-dimensional conformation and instead assemble into insoluble fibrils in various tissues and organs. Today, more than 30 different proteins that can give rise to amyloid fibrils have been identified. Each protein that assembles into fibrils causes a specific disease. For clinical diagnosis of amyloid, antibodies are one of the most important tools. In this study, antibodies generated towards various amyloid-specific peptides were characterized and validated. This was assessed by immunohistochemistry, slot blot and SDS-PAGE and western blot. Congo red, an amyloid specific dye, was used for detection of amyloid. Immunohistochemical staining and slot blot analysis indicated that each antiserum used in this study was amyloid-specific. Antigen retrieval can facilitate staining by the techniques ability to break cross-linkages caused by fixation in formaldehyde. The results from the characterization of antisera in this study should be a great helpin clinical work on amyloid, and ensure correct diagnosis.

This thesis concern physiology of binocular vision, tools for recording, processing and reproduction of stereoscopic dynamic records. The thesis describes design and realization of recording tool which uses couple of digital still video cameras as stereoscopic video recorders. The thesis deals with the software capabilities of image processing in Matlab and presents possible solutions in the form of a program for creating stereoscopic video in various formats. In the thesis is presented in detail passive projection techniques O anaglyph and polarization method. Has been designed and constructed projection tool uses the light polarization to obtain stereoscopic vision and then has been objectively and subjectively evaluated qualities of both methods in survey with group of observers.

No presente trabalho, investigamos algumas propriedades e aplicações para imagens de diferença de polarização (PDI\'s) propondo dois sistemas de aquisição destas imagens como alternativas à arquitetura proposta por Tyo (1996). O primeiro sistema aqui abordado faz uso de duas câmeras e dois polarizadores para a obtenção de PDI\'s. A redundância, em termos de elementos de aquisição de imagens, visa suprir uma deficiência do sistema supracitado, qual seja a sua impossibilidade de operar em tempo real. O segundo projeto propõe a utilização de filtros polarizadores baseados em implementações de estruturas Fabry-Perot utilizando-se filmes finos birrefringentes de TiOx, como elemento principal de um dispositivo que possa ser produzido na forma de um microssistema integrado de aquisição de imagens completamente compatível com as tecnologias de produção CMOS disponíveis hoje em dia. Dadas as possibilidades envolvendo esse último projeto, definimos como objetivo principal deste trabalho a obtenção de filtros polarizadores baseados em tecnologia de filmes finos birrefringentes, que foram obtidos por deposição física num equipamento de Sputtering DC. Na etapa de análise dos dados, foram feitas caracterizações ópticas (espectrofotometria) e RBS tanto dos filtros finais quanto dos filmes de TiOx, que foram ensaiados previamente para a extração de parâmetros necessários para o projeto dos filtros de interferência. Conclui-se o trabalho comprovando a possibilidade de se obter filtros polarizadores que possam ser utilizados em sistemas integrados de aquisição de imagens, mas ressalva-se que o equipamento de Sputtering DC empregado não é o ideal para essa aplicação, sugerindo-se o uso de equipamentos capazes de monitorar espessura e índices de refração durante o processo de deposição dos filmes (um exemplo seria um sistema de deposição por e-beam acoplado a um elipsômetro de transmitância) / In the present work, it was investigated some properties and applications for polarization-difference images (PDI\'s), what led us to the proposition of two acquisition systems for such images as alternatives to the architecture proposed by Tyo (1996). The first system here discussed uses two cameras and two polarizers in the attainment of PDI\'s. The image elements redundancy is supposed to overcome a deficiency of the above-mentioned system that is its inability to operate in real time. The second project proposes the use of polarizing filters based on Fabry-Perot structures obtained with birefringent thin films of TiOx. Such filters are the key elements in a device that can be implemented as an integrated microsystem, fully compatible with the CMOS production technologies, available nowadays. Given the possibilities associated with this last project, it was defined as the main goal of this work, the attainment of polarizing filters based on birefringent thin films technology, physically deposited by a DC Sputtering equipment. During the phase of data analysis, it was carried out optical characterizations (spectrofotometry) as well as RBS analysis, both for the filters itself and for the TiOx films, that were previously investigated in order to determine the required parameters for the design of the interference filters. This work is concluded by proving the possibility of using polarizing filters in integrated image acquisition systems, but a remark ismade stating that the employed equipment is not the ideal one for such applications and it is suggested the use of deposition set up capable to monitor thickness and refractive indexes during the run (an example would be an e-beam equipment connected to a transmittance ellipsometer).

No presente trabalho, investigamos algumas propriedades e aplicações para imagens de diferença de polarização (PDI\'s) propondo dois sistemas de aquisição destas imagens como alternativas à arquitetura proposta por Tyo (1996). O primeiro sistema aqui abordado faz uso de duas câmeras e dois polarizadores para a obtenção de PDI\'s. A redundância, em termos de elementos de aquisição de imagens, visa suprir uma deficiência do sistema supracitado, qual seja a sua impossibilidade de operar em tempo real. O segundo projeto propõe a utilização de filtros polarizadores baseados em implementações de estruturas Fabry-Perot utilizando-se filmes finos birrefringentes de TiOx, como elemento principal de um dispositivo que possa ser produzido na forma de um microssistema integrado de aquisição de imagens completamente compatível com as tecnologias de produção CMOS disponíveis hoje em dia. Dadas as possibilidades envolvendo esse último projeto, definimos como objetivo principal deste trabalho a obtenção de filtros polarizadores baseados em tecnologia de filmes finos birrefringentes, que foram obtidos por deposição física num equipamento de Sputtering DC. Na etapa de análise dos dados, foram feitas caracterizações ópticas (espectrofotometria) e RBS tanto dos filtros finais quanto dos filmes de TiOx, que foram ensaiados previamente para a extração de parâmetros necessários para o projeto dos filtros de interferência. Conclui-se o trabalho comprovando a possibilidade de se obter filtros polarizadores que possam ser utilizados em sistemas integrados de aquisição de imagens, mas ressalva-se que o equipamento de Sputtering DC empregado não é o ideal para essa aplicação, sugerindo-se o uso de equipamentos capazes de monitorar espessura e índices de refração durante o processo de deposição dos filmes (um exemplo seria um sistema de deposição por e-beam acoplado a um elipsômetro de transmitância) / In the present work, it was investigated some properties and applications for polarization-difference images (PDI\'s), what led us to the proposition of two acquisition systems for such images as alternatives to the architecture proposed by Tyo (1996). The first system here discussed uses two cameras and two polarizers in the attainment of PDI\'s. The image elements redundancy is supposed to overcome a deficiency of the above-mentioned system that is its inability to operate in real time. The second project proposes the use of polarizing filters based on Fabry-Perot structures obtained with birefringent thin films of TiOx. Such filters are the key elements in a device that can be implemented as an integrated microsystem, fully compatible with the CMOS production technologies, available nowadays. Given the possibilities associated with this last project, it was defined as the main goal of this work, the attainment of polarizing filters based on birefringent thin films technology, physically deposited by a DC Sputtering equipment. During the phase of data analysis, it was carried out optical characterizations (spectrofotometry) as well as RBS analysis, both for the filters itself and for the TiOx films, that were previously investigated in order to determine the required parameters for the design of the interference filters. This work is concluded by proving the possibility of using polarizing filters in integrated image acquisition systems, but a remark ismade stating that the employed equipment is not the ideal one for such applications and it is suggested the use of deposition set up capable to monitor thickness and refractive indexes during the run (an example would be an e-beam equipment connected to a transmittance ellipsometer).

The aim of the work presented in this thesis is to contribute to a fundamental understanding of polarizing phenomena in some scarab beetles. The aim is also to study the beetle structures as inspiration in fabrication of artificially sculptured films. The three investigated species Cetonia aurata, Potosia cuprea and Liocola marmorata are of the family Scarabaediae and subfamily Cetoniianae (Guldbaggar). They were all collected at Swedish locations and are the only species of Cetoniinae scarabs in Sweden. This work reports on their optical properties represented by Mueller matrix elements, degree of polarization data and trace curves in the Cartesian complex plane representation of polarized light. From these results we verifyan earlier structural model for the Cetonia aurata and make way for similar models of the other two species. The ellipsometer used in this work is of dual rotating compensator type from which the complete Mueller-matrix for the medium examined can be obtained. The ellipsometric measurements were conducted on the scutellum for four different angles of incidence, 45°, 55°, 65° and 75° over a wave-length range of 245-1000 nm. Common for all examined species is that left polarization is observed in the wavelength range of 400 800 nm. For most of these species the polarization state is close to circular at some wavelengths especially at smaller angles of incidence. In general the degree of polarization is high (above 50%) when the polarization is near-circular. The degree of polarization also shows a clear dependence on the angle of incidence. The earlier model for Cetonia aurata shows a good agreement with the experimental data of this work. The model is also found as a good basis to work from to create models for the other two species.

Depuis sa découverte, la spectroscopie de Résonance Magnétique Nucléaire (RMN) a permis de grandes avancées scientifiques dans de nombreux domaines allant de la physique à la médecine. L'inconvénient majeur de la RMN est sa faible sensibilité intrinsèque, due à la très faible polarisation des spins nucléaires. Au cours de ces 20 dernières années, la Polarisation Dynamique Nucléaire (PDN) s'est développée comme technique très prometteuse permettant d'augmenter la polarisation de spin nucléaire, et l'intensité des signaux en RMN liquide ou solide de plusieurs ordres de grandeur. Dans les mêmes conditions expérimentales, la polarisation de spin de l'électron est beaucoup plus grande que la polarisation de spin nucléaire et la PDN permet le transfert de cette forte polarisation à partir d'un agent de polarisation paramagnétique (habituellement un radical libre organique) vers les noyaux avoisinants. L'augmentation de l'intensité du signal RMN (I) est caractérisé par un facteur d'exaltation ε=I(μw ON)/I(μw OFF).L'objectif principal de cette thèse est la synthèse d'agents de polarisation, de type dinitroxyde, solubles dans l'eau et très efficaces pour des expériences de MAS ssNMR/PDN. Nous avons préparé une large série de dérivés du bTurea solubles dans l'eau et leurs performances PDN ont été évaluées à différent champs magnétiques. En remplaçant les groupements méthyl des fonctions TEMPO par des cycles pyranyl, ainsi qu'en introduisant des chaînes PEG sur le linker urée, AMUPol (ε=247) et PyPolPEG2OH (ε=303) ont entre autres été obtenus. Ce sont actuellement les agents de polarisation les plus efficaces pour des expériences de MAS ssNMR/PDN en milieux aqueux. / Nowadays, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has become a very powerful technique that can be used to address a wide range of problems, ranging from physics to medicine. The major limitation of NMR is its intrinsic low sensitivity, resulting from the very small nuclear spin polarizations observed even at high magnetic fields. During the last two decades, Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) has emerged as a very promising approach to enhance NMR signal intensities of solids and liquids by several orders of magnitude. All things being equal, electron spin polarization is much higher than nuclear spin polarization and DNP exploits the microwave-driven transfer of polarization from a paramagnetic polarizing agent (usually an added exogenous organic free radical) to the surrounding nuclei. The enhancement of NMR signal intensities (I) is characterized by the enhancement factor ε=I(μw ON)/I(μw OFF). The main objective of this PhD thesis was the development of new water-soluble dinitroxides, highly efficient polarizing agents for MAS solid-state NMR/DNP applications. We have designed and prepared a large series of water-soluble bTurea (TEMPO-N(H)-C(O)-(H)N-TEMPO), derivatives, and their DNP performance was tested at different magnetic fields (mainly 9.4 T). Replacing the methyl groups of TEMPO moieties with pyranyl rings, and introducing PEG chains on the urea linker we obtained, among others, two derivatives, AMUPol (ε = 247) and PyPolPEG2OH (ε = 303) which are currently the most efficient water-soluble polarizing agents for MAS ssNMR/DNP experiments for aqueous media.

Background. The real-time renderers used in video games and similar graphics applications do not model the polarization aspect of light. Polarization parameters have previously been incorporated in some offline ray-traced renderers to simulate polarizing filters and various optical effects. As ray tracing is becoming more and more prevalent in real-time renderers, these polarization techniques could potentially be used to simulate polarization and its optical effects in real-time applications as well. Objectives. This thesis aims to determine if an existing polarization technique from offline renderers is, from a performance standpoint, viable to use in real-time ray-traced applications to simulate polarizing filters, or if further optimizations and simplifications would be needed. Methods. Three ray-traced renderers were implemented using the DirectX RayTracing API: one polarization-less Baseline version; one Polarization version using an existing polarization technique; and one optimized Hybrid version, which is a combination of the other two. Their performance was measured and compared in terms of frametimes and VRAM usage in three different scenes and with five different ray counts. Results. The Polarization renderer is ca. 30% slower than the Baseline in the two more complex scenes, and the Hybrid version is around 5–15% slower than the Baseline in all tested scenes. The VRAM usage of the Polarization version was higher than the Baseline one in the tests with higher ray counts, but only by negligible amounts. Conclusions.  The Hybrid version has the potential to be used in real-time applications where high frame rates are important, but not paramount (such as the commonly featured photo modes in video games). The performance impact of the Polarization renderer's implementation is greater, but it could potentially be used as well. Due to limitations in the measurement process and the scale of the test application, no conclusions could be made about the implementations' impact on VRAM usage. / Bakgrund. Realtidsrenderarna som används i videospel och liknande grafikapplikationer simulerar inte ljusets polarisering. Polariseringsinformation har tidigare implementerats i vissa stålföljningsbaserade (ray-traced) offline-renderare för att simulera polariseringsfilter och diverse optiska effekter. Eftersom strålföljning har blivit allt vanligare i realtidsrenderare så kan dessa polariseringstekniker potentiellt också användas för att simulera polarisering och dess optiska effekter i sådana program. Syfte. Syftet med denna rapport är att avgöra om en befintlig polariseringsteknik från offline-renderare, från en prestandasynpunkt, är lämplig att använda för att simulera polariseringsfilter i stålföljningsbaserade realtidsapplikationer, eller om ytterligare optimeringar och förenklingar behövs. Metod. DirectX RayTracing API:et har använts för att implementera tre stålföljningsbaserade realtidsrenderare: en polarisationsfri Baseline-version; en Polarization-version med en befintlig polariseringsteknik; och en optimerad Hybrid-version, som är en kombination av de andra två. Deras prestanda mättes och jämfördes med avseende på frametime och VRAM-användning i tre olika scener och med fem olika antal strålar per pixel. Resultat. Polarization-versionen är ca 30% långsammare än Baseline-versionen i de två mest komplexa scenerna, och Hybrid-versionen är ca 5–15% långsammare än Baseline-versionen i alla testade scener. Polarization-versionens VRAM-användningen var högre än Baseline-versions i testerna med högre strålantal, men endast med försumbara mängder. Slutsatser. Hybrid-versionen har potential att användas i realtidsapplikationer där höga bildhastigheter är viktiga, men inte absolut nödvändiga (exempelvis de vanligt förekommande fotolägena i videospel). Polarization-versionens implementation hade sämre prestanda, men även den skulle potentiellt kunna användas i sådana applikationer. På grund av mätprocessens begränsningar och testapplikationens omfattning så kunde inga slutsatser dras gällande implementeringarnas påverkan på VRAM-användning.

Zwei Kontrahenten in der Debatte um Nachhaltigkeit und die Angemessenheit von rigorosen Nachhaltigkeitsforderungen: Während der eine mit seiner Nachhaltigkeitsvision auf Freiheit, individuelle Verantwortung und technologische Innovationen setzt und weiterhin aus dem Vollen schöpfen möchte, hält der andere den ungebremsten Fortschritt und eine Zunahme der Möglichkeiten für eine Überforderung der Verantwortung und ist überzeugt von asketischen Lösungen. Im Zuge des weitläufigen, erzählerisch eingerahmten Dialogs werden anhand verschiedener Gesichtspunkte immer wieder neue Positionsgegensätze durchgespielt. Zwischen den oft kooperativen Gesprächsepisoden, die teils theoretische Vogelperspektiven erschließen und ein gemeinsames Problemverständnis anzeigen, brechen immer wieder tiefgehende Polarisierungen durch.

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