Στην εποχή της Μοριακής Ιατρικής, η ιατρική πληροφορία θα πρέπει να σχετίζεται με την λειτουργία των ιστών και των κυττάρων σε μοριακό επίπεδο. Η ιατρική διάγνωση καθώς και ο σχεδιασμός και η αποτελεσματικότητα της θεραπείας απαιτούν λεπτομερή πληροφόρηση σε θέματα που αφορούν τον μεταβολισμό, τους υποδοχείς, αλλά και την γονιδιακή έκφραση των ιστών. Η Τομογραφία Εκπομπής Ποζιτρονίων (ΡΕΤ), μέθοδος της Πυρηνικής Ιατρικής είναι ο κυριότερος επί του παρόντος εκπρόσωπος της Μοριακής Απεικόνισης, διαγιγνώσκει δηλαδή απεικονιστικά παθήσεις σε μοριακό επίπεδο με την βοήθεια ραδιοφαρμάκων. Τα τελευταία χρόνια υπάρχει όλο και μεγαλύτερο ενδιαφέρον για την ανάπτυξη συστημάτων Τομογραφίας Εκπομπής Ποζιτρονίων που αφορούν την απεικόνιση μικρών ζώων (animal PET). Τα συστήματα αυτά είναι σχεδιασμένα ώστε να κάνουν απεικόνιση ανατομικών δομών μικρότερων από αυτές του ανθρώπου. Τα οφέλη πολλά, τόσο στην αξιολόγηση νέων ραδιοφαρμάκων, όσο και στην βελτίωση των κλινικών PET μέσα από την μελέτη και την ανάπτυξη τέτοιων πρότυπων συστημάτων. Το αντικείμενο της διπλωματικής εργασίας αφορά την μελέτη σε βάθος και κατανόηση της λειτουργίας ενός πρότυπου συστήματος PET (Positron Emission Tomography). Σε πειραματικό επίπεδο θα γίνει εκμάθηση και λήψη δεδομένων μέσω των ηλεκτρονικών μονάδων NIM. Τα χαρακτηριστικά του συστήματος που χρησιμοποιείται στην παρούσα εργασία είναι μια μικρή PET κάμερα, που αποτελείται από δυο κεφαλές βασισμένες σε χωρικά ευαίσθητο φωτοπολλαπλασιαστή H8500 και διακριτοποιημένο κρύσταλλο LSO κυψελίδων 2x2mm2, πεδίου διαστάσεων 5x5cm2. Κάθε κεφαλή περιλαμβάνει ένα φωτοπολλαπλασιαστή, ένα κρύσταλλο και ηλεκτρονικά τα οποία είναι υπεύθυνα για την προ-ενίσχυση. Το σύστημα συλλογής δεδομένων θα γίνει μέσω των ηλεκτρονικών NIM (Nuclear Instrumentation Module) και θα συγκριθεί με εκείνο του small animal PET. Σκοπός μας είναι να χρησιμοποιήσουμε τις κατάλληλες μονάδες (ενισχυτές, διευκρινιστές, μονάδες σύμπτωσης και gate and delay generators), ώστε να καταγραφεί το είδος των μεταφερομένων σημάτων σε όλες τις επιμέρους μονάδες. Στη συνέχεια και ύστερα από επεξεργασία των δεδομένων στον υπολογιστή θα πραγματοποιηθεί απεικόνιση ομοιωμάτων ή μικρών ζώων. Η σύγκριση καθώς και η κατανόηση της λειτουργίας του τρόπου με τον οποίο γίνεται η σύμπτωση και η συλλογή των δεδομένων θα μας βοηθήσει μελλοντικά στην ανάπτυξη ενός νέου συστήματος PET με βέλτιστα επιθυμητά χαρακτηριστικά. / In this work dual head PET camera, suitable for high resolution small animal studies has been developed. The system has a field of view of 5x5cm and is based on 2 H8500 position sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PSPMTs), coupled to two LSO crystals with 2.5x2.5mm pixel size. Then an FPGA based data acquisition system and proper data reconstruction system collect events, sort coincidences and produce images. We develop a system that is responsible for the coincidence detection based on NIM electronics. Systems evaluation has been carried out using FDG. Point sources have been used for systems calibration. Capillaries with 1.1mm inner diameter were imaged.

Minimizing numerical dissipation without compromising the robust shock-capturing attributes remains an outstanding challenge in the design of numerical methods for high-speed compressible flows. The conflicting requirements of low and high numerical dissipation for accurate resolution of discontinuous and smooth flow features, respectively, are the principal reason behind this challenge. In this work we pursue a recently proposed novel strategy of combining adaptive mesh redistribution with conservative high-order shock-capturing finite-volume discretization methodology to overcome this challenge. In essence, we perform high-order finite-volume WENO (weighted essentially non oscillatory) reconstruction on a continuously moving grid the nodes of which are repositioned adaptively in such a way that maximum spatial resolution is achieved in regions associated with sharpest flow gradients. Moreover, to reduce computational expense, the finite-volume WENO discretization strategy is combined with the midpoint quadrature so that only one reconstruction along each intercool location is necessary. To estimate a monotone upwind flux, a rotated HLLC (Harten-Lax-vanLeer-contact resolving) Riemann solver is employed at each intercool location with the state variables estimated from the high-order WENO reconstruction procedure. The effectiveness of this adaptive high-order discretization methodology is assessed on the well-known double Mach reflection test case for reconstruction orders ranging from five to eleven. We find that the resolution of the intricate flow features such as the wall-jet improves progressively with the reconstruction order, which is indicative of the reduced dissipation level of the adaptive high-order WENO discretization. The adaptive discretization methodology is applied to simulate a flow configuration consisting of a Mach 3 supersonic jet injected in a Mach 2 supersonic crossflow of similar ideal gas. It is found that the flow characteristics and especially features that are formed as a result of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability are strongly influenced by the reconstruction order. The influence of the jet inclination angle on the overall flow features is analyzed.

This diploma work targets the processional exist business management and helps to keep high quality of the manufacturing process. I find out strenghts and weaknesses with the analysis of the company. Further I will solve concrete claim, which has to be solved effectively and flexifly, in order that the firm fulfils the requirements of their customers and creates new opportunities to sustain the long term economic growth.

Fluid dynamicists are always in need of innovative instruments for flow velocity measurements. An ideal instrument would be non-intrusive, have a very fine spatial resolution as well as a very fine temporal resolution, be able to measure three-components of velocity, and be compact. Through recent advancements, laser Doppler velocimetry can now meet all of those requirements making it an important part of aerodynamicist's research toolbox. The first paper presented in this manuscript style thesis explains the development of an advanced three-velocity component, spatially-resolving laser-Doppler velocimetry (LDV) system for highly resolved velocity measurements in situations with limited optical access. The new instrument, a next generation version of the previously developed 'comprehensive' LDV technology, enables measurements of three components of velocity and particle position in the axial direction all through a single transceiving lens. Described here is the design process and the final design for the 'compact, comprehensive' LDV (Comp²LDV). The probe was designed to achieve ± 10 micron root-mean-square uncertainties in axial particle position, which combined with the long measurement volume, allow researchers to obtain a three-velocity-component velocity statistics profiles over a span of approximately 1.5mm without the need for traversing. Results from measurements in a flat plate turbulent boundary layer very near the wall have compared favorably to data from previous studies. The second paper focuses on the motion and evolution of coherent structures in supersonic jet flows and how that relates to the intense noise the flows generate. As a preliminary study to experimentally address these relationships, novel non-intrusive measurements using two-component laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) have been conducted at exceptionally high data rates to lend insight into the statistical behavior of noise-generating flow structures. A new heated supersonic jet facility has been constructed to provide supersonic flow at total temperatures ratios (T₀/Tₐ) up to 3. In the present work, the instrumentation is validated via comparison of LDV measurements along the centerline of a screeching cold jet with microphone and high-speed shadowgraph results. Reynolds stress spectra are presented for an over-expanded case (nozzle pressure ratio of 3.2) of a design Mach number 1.65 nozzle operated cold (T₀/Tₐ = 1). A preliminary study was then conducted in the near-nozzle shear layer, up to x/d = 4.0, at design nozzle pressure ratio (4.58) and total temperature ratio of 2.0. Results are presented for Reynolds stress time-delay correlations and power spectra at Re_d = 1.1M for this case. The stream-wise Reynolds normal stress spectra are compared with published spectral behavior reported by other researchers, indicating a similar spectral shape in the downstream stations as previously measured with LDV and hot wire anemometry for cold jets, but which differ in shape from density-based techniques. / Master of Science

<p dir="ltr">It is known that tornadic storms favor environments characteristic of high values of thermal instability, adequate vertical wind shear, abundant near-surface moisture supply, and strong storm-relative helicity at the lowest 1-km boundary layer. These mesoscale environmental conditions and associated storm behaviors are strongly governed by large-scale synoptic patterns and sensitive to variabilities in near-surface characteristics, which are less known in the current research community. This study aims to advance the relatively underexplored area regarding the interaction between surface characteristics, mesoscale environmental conditions, and large-scale synoptic patterns driving tornadic storms in the U.S. </p><p dir="ltr">We first investigate the impact of surface drag on the structure and evolution of these boundaries, their associated distribution of near-surface vorticity, and tornadogenesis and maintenance. Comparisons between idealized simulations without and with drag introduced in the mature stage of the storm prior to tornadogenesis reveal that the inclusion of surface drag substantially alters the low-level structure, particularly with respect to the number, location, and intensity of surface convergence boundaries. Substantial drag-generated horizontal vorticity induces rotor structures near the surface associated with the convergence boundaries in both the forward and rear flanks of the storm. Stretching of horizontal vorticity and subsequent tilting into the vertical along the convergence boundaries lead to elongated positive vertical vorticity sheets on the ascending branch of the rotors and the opposite on the descending branch. The larger near-surface pressure deficit associated with the faster development of the near-surface cyclone when drag is active creates a downward dynamic vertical pressure gradient force that suppresses vertical growth, leading to a weaker and wider tornado detached from the surrounding convergence boundaries. A conceptual model of the low-level structure of the tornadic supercell is presented that focuses on the contribution of surface drag, with the aim of adding more insight and complexity to previous conceptual models.</p><p dir="ltr">We then examine the behaviors and dynamics of TLVs in response to a range of surface drag strengths in idealized simulations and explore their sensitivities to different storm environments. We find that the contribution of surface drag on TLV development is strongly governed by the interaction between surface rotation, surface convergence boundaries, and the low-level mesocyclone. Surface drag facilitates TLV formation by enhancing near-surface vortices and low-level lifting, mitigating the need for an intense updraft gradient developing close to the ground. As surface drag increases, a wider circulation near the surface blocks the inflow from directly reaching the rotating core, leading to a less tilted structure that allows the TLV position beneath the pressure minima aloft. Further increase in drag strength discourages TLV intensification by suppressing vertical stretching due to a negative vertical pressure perturbation gradient force, and it stops benefiting from the support of surrounding convergence boundaries and the overlying low-level updraft, instead becoming detached from them. We hence propose a favorable condition for TLV formation and duration where a TLV forms a less tilted structure directly beneath the low-level mesocyclone but also evolves near surrounding surface boundaries, which scenario strongly depends on underlying surface drag strength. </p><p dir="ltr">Beyond near-surface characteristics, we further explore how these storm-favorable environmental conditions may interact with the larger-scale synoptic patterns and how these interactions may affect the tornadic storm potential in the current warming climate. We employ hierarchical clustering analysis to classify the leading synoptic patterns driving tornadic storms across different geographic regions in the U.S. We find that the primary synoptic patterns are distinguishable across geographic regions and seasonalities. The intense upper-level jet streak described by the high values of eddy kinetic energy (EKE) associated with the dense distribution of Z500 contours dominates the tornado events in the southeast U.S. in the cold season (November-March). Late Spring and early Summer Tornado events in the central and south Great Plains are dominated by deep trough systems to the west axes of the tornado genesis position, while more summer events associated with weak synoptic forcing are positioned closer to the lee side of Rocky Mountain. Moreover, the increasing trend in tornado frequency in the southeastern U.S. is mainly driven by synoptic patterns with intense forcing, and the decreasing trends in portions of the Great Plains are associated with weak synoptic forcing. This finding indicates that the physical mechanisms driving the spatial trends of tornado occurrences differ across regions in the U.S.</p>

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:46:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MagnaMPS_DISSERT.pdf: 1336445 bytes, checksum: 2998e1c0551bf591c5ce1acc115c4190 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-11-18 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study, using technical procedures of document consultation from secondary sources and health household survey with application form for face to face inter views, with the assent n?.039/2011 from the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. The aim of this study was to analyze the cervix cancer control in the area47 of the Health Family Centre Nova Natal II. The cancer cervix is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. In Brazil screening for early detection and treatment of disease has been poorly done and follow-up to reduce mortality has not been executed. From a total of1170women belonging to area 47, who under went screening by the Pap test in the period from 2005 to 2010,was elected a sample of 38 women with positive cervical changes, over 18 years old. The calculation of frequency analysis of socio demographic and clinical and epidemiological selected variables with the results of cervical changes, using the X2 test and taking as significance level of p<0.05 was not statistically significant. The predominant age range was 25 to 64 years (68.9%), most no white women (60.5%), predominantly with primary education (57.9%), most married (68.4%) and housewives (68.4%) with early age of sexual activity (86.8%), the minority smokers (13.2%), with a sexual partner (36.8%). At the time of interview, 42.1% of the women voiced complaint of discharge, while only 2.6% reported bleeding. In relation to the occurrence of STDs (including HPV), 10.5% of women reported being a carrier. The use of oral contraceptives was 32.3% of women, from 2 to 4 years (44.4%). The result of the last screening test performed, showed prevalence of immature squamous metaplasia (55.3%), followed by intraepithelial low- grade lesion (including the cytopathologic HPV effect and cervical intra epithelial neoplasia grade I) (31.6%); intraepithelial high-grade lesion (including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade II and III) (7.9%), atypical squamous non neoplastic cells (5.3%). There was no squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Most women received information about the action that should be done after the last screening test result (55.3%), but how to perform follow, most women did not report having done so (55.3%). The follow-up group of women studied, with varying degrees of cervical abnormalities, should only be completed with the discharge by cure, established inconsecutive negative cytology, a goal that is not being achieved in the area 47 of the Health Family Centre of Nova Natal II / Estudo quantitativo realizado por meio de pesquisa descritiva, transversal e retrospectiva, utilizando procedimentos t?cnicos de consulta documental a fontes secund?rias e inqu?rito domiciliar com aplica??o de formul?rio de entrevistas face a face, ap?s parecer favor?vel n? 039/2011 do Comit? de ?tica em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi analisar a resolutividade do controle da neoplasia maligna do colo de ?tero na ?rea 47 da Unidade de Sa?de da Fam?lia Nova Natal II. A neoplasia maligna do colo de ?tero ? o segundo tipo de c?ncer mais frequente entre as mulheres no mundo. No Brasil o rastreamento para detec??o e tratamento precoces da doen?a tem sido efetuado precariamente e o seguimento, para reduzir a mortalidade, n?o tem sido executado. De um total de 1170 mulheres pertencentes ? ?rea 47, que se submeteram a rastreamento por meio do exame de Papanicolau, no per?odo de 2005 a 2010, elegeu-se uma amostra de 38 mulheres com resultado positivo de altera??es cervicais, maiores de 18 anos. A an?lise do c?lculo da frequ?ncia de vari?veis sociodemogr?ficas e cl?nico-epidemiol?gicas selecionadas com os resultados das altera??es cervicais, utilizando-se o teste de X2 e adotando como n?vel de signific?ncia p<0,05 n?o mostrou signific?ncia estat?stica. A faixa et?ria predominante foi de 25 a 64 anos (68,9%); a maioria parda (60,5%); com escolaridade predominante at? o ensino fundamental (57,9%); a maioria casada ou em conviv?ncia marital (68,4%) e donas de casa (68,4%); com in?cio precoce da atividade sexual (86,8%), a minoria fumante (13,2%), com um parceiro sexual (36,8%). No momento da entrevista, 42,1% das mulheres verbalizou queixa de corrimento, enquanto apenas 2,6% referiu sangramento. Em rela??o ? ocorr?ncia de DSTs (inclusive HPV), 10,5% das mulheres declarou ser portadora. Verbalizaram o uso de contraceptivos orais, 32,3% das mulheres, por 2 a 4 anos (44,4%). Quanto ao resultado do ?ltimo exame preventivo realizado, prevaleceu a metaplasia escamosa imatura (55,3%), seguido de les?o intraepitelial de baixo grau (compreendendo efeito citopatol?gico pelo HPV e neoplasia intra-epitelial cervical grau I) (31,6%); les?o intra-epitelial de alto grau (compreendendo neoplasias intra-epiteliais cervicais de grau II e III) (7,9%); c?lulas at?picas escamosas de significado indeterminado, possivelmente n?o neopl?sicas, (5,3%). N?o foi observado carcinoma de c?lulas escamosas e adenocarcinoma. A maioria das mulheres recebeu informa??es sobre o seguimento que deveria ser realizado ap?s o resultado do ?ltimo exame preventivo (55,3%), mas, quanto a realizar o seguimento, a maior parte das mulheres n?o referiu t?-lo feito (55,3%). O seguimento do grupo de mulheres analisadas, com diferentes graus de altera??es cervicais, somente deveria ser finalizado com a alta por cura, estabelecido em citologias consecutivas negativas, meta que n?o est? sendo atingida na ?rea 47 da Unidade de Sa?de da Fam?lia Nova Natal II

In turbomachines, rotors and stators differ by the rotation of the former. Hence, half of each stage is directly influenced by rotation effects. The influence of rotation on the flow structure and its impact on the performance is studied through wall-resolving large Eddy simulations of a rotor with large relative tip gap size. The simulations are performed in a rotating frame with rotation accounted for through a Coriolis force term. In a first step, experimental results are used to provide validation. The main part of the study is the comparison of the results from two simulations, one representing the rotating configuration and one with the Coriolis force removed, without any other change. This setup allows a very clean assessment of the influence of rotation. The turbulence-resolving approach ensures that the turbulent flow features are well represented. The results show a significant impact of rotation on the secondary flow. In the tip region, the tip leakage vortex is enlarged and destabilized. Inside the tip gap, the flow is altered as well, with uniformization in the rotating case. At the blade midspan, no significant effects are observed on the suction side, while an earlier transition to turbulence is found on the pressure side. Near the hub, rotation effects are shown to reduce the corner separation significantly.

The turbine inlet guide vanes of a gas-turbine are subjected to extreme hot gas temperatures which increases the risk of mechanical failure and overall reduces the component lifespan. Hence, it is of great interest for gas-turbine manufacturers to establish methods for accurately estimating the temperature distribution along the vane surface. Due to the three-dimensional nature of turbine flow, it is of interest to establish Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methodology which capture these three-dimensional effects. This thesis is one in a collection of theses conducted at Siemens Energy AB on the subject. Previous studies have investigated and validated the implementation of RANS simulations on non-cooled turbine vanes and endwalls. In this study, the focus is on studying a film cooled vane and establishing one RANS as well as one hybrid modelling strategy for heat transfer coefficient (HTC) predictions. The HTC prediction capabilities are compared and validated against experimental data presented in the doctoral thesis by Fabrizio Fontaneto on the LS94 vane at Von Karman Institute. The chosen RANS modelling method was the Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model, with γ-Reθ transition modelling, based on the findings by Enico (2021) and Daugulis (2022). The model proved capable in estimating the HTC well on mainly the suction side of the vane. The pressure side HTC was largely under-predicted, a common issue with the SST model also seen in the previous theses as well as the hybrid simulations. The strength of the SST k-ω turbulence model, with γ-Reθ transition modelling, is in accurately capturing the HTC magnitude, most likely due to the well-predicted turbulence intensity decay at the inlet. However, it largely under-predicts the HTC along the suction side film-coolant layer, implying that it may be over-estimating the film-cooling capabilities. The hybrid model chosen was the Scale Resolving Hybrid (SRH) model, with underlying RANS SST k-ω. Compared to RANS, hybrid results were under-estimated, seemingly offset from the experimental data by a constant 200 units along the entire vane midspan. This is likely due to the inaccurate turbulence intensity presented in the SRH simulations, which decays quickly along the inlet compared to RANS and experimental data. Yet still, the hybrid model showed potential in capturing certain results not seen with RANS, such as the secondary flow effects by the vane endwalls, as well as arguably capturing the general HTC trend at midspan seen in the experimental data. Additionally, the section of severely under-predicted HTC by the suction side film-coolant seen with RANS is not present in the hybrid results. Although the hybrid model has proven promising in many aspects, in its current state it is not a viable method for HTC predictions due to its general under-prediction of HTC. Largely, the authors suspect this is due to the undesirably coarse mesh around the cooling holes, which leads to RANS computation in regions where SRH is desired. Thus, improvements would need to be made to the model, where, for example, implementing a zonal hybrid RANS-LES model would be an option. Considering the hybrid model in its current state, RANS is the preferred method, especially when considering the greater computational cost and the labor associated with hybrid simulations which were experienced during this study. In conclusion, it is evident that the correct capture of inlet turbulence intensity decay as well as suitable mesh refinement by the cooling holes are crucial for obtaining the correct magnitudes of HTC, and thus, the capture of it should be of utmost priority in future work within the field.

Les neutrophiles jouent un rôle central dans la défense de l'hôte contre les infections et les lésions tissulaires. Les neutrophiles intègrent des signaux opposés au sein du microenvironnement inflammatoire, qui convergent vers des récepteurs sélectionnés. Parmi ces récepteurs se trouve le récepteur pléiotrope, le récepteur du formyle peptide 2/récepteur de la lipoxine (FPR2/ALX) qui peut reconnaître plus de 20 ligands protéiques, peptidiques et lipidiques structurellement divers. Parmi ces ligands se trouvent des peptides N-formylés libérés par les mitochondries de cellules hôtes mourantes ou mortes. À l'heure actuelle, on sait peu de choses sur la base moléculaire de la façon dont FPR2/ALX intègre des signaux opposés et déclenche diverses réponses biologiques. Nous avons constaté que le récepteur pléiotrope FPR2/ALX intègre des signaux opposés qui régissent la phagocytose, la destruction bactérienne, le sort des neutrophiles et, finalement, le résultat de la réponse inflammatoire. Cette action des peptides N-formylés est médiée par l'induction de la libération d'élastase neutrophile à partir des granules primaires et la régulation négative subséquente du récepteur C5a du complément à la surface cellulaire, qui peut être inversée par des médiateurs lipidiques pro-résolvants, déclenchée par l'aspirine 15-épi- lipoxine A4 (15-epi-LXA4) et 17-épi-résolvine D1 (17-epi-RvD1). Cela peut contribuer au développement de nouvelles stratégies pharmacologiques visant à améliorer les mécanismes de protection médiés par FPR2/ALX qui peuvent limiter la réponse inflammatoire et favoriser la résolution de l'inflammation. / Neutrophils play a central role in host defense against infection and tissue injury. PMNs integrate opposing cues within the inflammatory microenvironment, which converge on selected receptors. Among these receptors is the pleiotropic receptor, formyl peptide receptor 2/lipoxin receptor (FPR2/ALX), which can recognize over 20 structurally diverse proteins, peptides, and lipid ligands. Among these ligands are N-formylated peptides released from mitochondria of dying or dead host cells. At present, little is known about the molecular basis for how FPR2/ALX integrates opposing cues and triggers diverse biological responses. We wanted to test the effect of N-formylated peptides on human neutrophils' functions in sepsis-like syndrome. We found that the pleiotropic receptor FPR2/ALX integrates opposing signals that govern phagocytosis, bacterial killing, the fate of neutrophils, and ultimately the outcome of the inflammatory response. This action of N-formylated peptides is mediated through induction of the release of neutrophil elastase from the primary granules and subsequent downregulation of complement C5a receptor on the cell surface. This effect can be reversed by pro-resolving lipid mediators, aspirin-triggered 15-epi-lipoxin A4 (15-epi-LXA4) and 17-epi-resolvin D1 (17-epi-RvD1). Our results could lead to the development of novel pharmacological strategies to enhance FPR2/ALX-mediated protective mechanisms that may limit the inflammatory response and promote the resolution of inflammation.

The quantum properties of matter waves, in particular quantum correlations and entanglement are an important frontier in atom optics with applications in quantum metrology and quantum information. In this thesis, we report the first observation of sub-Poissonian fluctuations in the magnetization of a spinor 87Rb condensate. The fluctuations in the magnetization are reduced up to 10 dB below the classical shot noise limit. This relative number squeezing is indicative of the predicted pair-correlations in a spinor condensate and lay the foundation for future experiments involving spin-squeezing and entanglement measurements. We have investigated the limits of the imaging techniques used in our lab, absorption and fluorescence imaging, and have developed the capability to measure atoms numbers with an uncertainly < 10 atoms. Condensates as small as ≈ 10 atoms were imaged and the measured fluctuations agree well with the theoretical predictions. Furthermore, we implement a reliable calibration method of our imaging system based on quantum projection noise measurements. We have resolved the individual lattice sites of a standing-wave potential created by a CO2 laser, which has a lattice spacing of 5.3 µm. Using microwaves, we site-selectively address and manipulate the condensate and therefore demonstrate the ability to perturb the lattice condensate of a local level. Interference between condensates in adjacent lattice sites and lattice sites separated by a lattice site are observed.