Chapter one is an overall introduction reviewing the applications of compounds possessing rotational symmetry, in particular their role as asymmetric reagents/catalysts in various reactions. The attempted syntheses of two different types of C₃-symmetric homochiral triols are described in chapter two. Unfunctionalised and functionalised triamides were synthesised from the corresponding amine and 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl trichloride. Unfunctionalised N-substituted 1,3,5-triazacychlohexanes (triazines) were synthesised from the corresponding amine and formaldehyde, however reactions between chiral amino alcohols and formaldehyde failed to give the desired trihydroxy triazines. Chapter three describes the syntheses of a range of unfunctionalised chiral C₃-symmetric compounds, as well as a review of C₃-symmetric systems as host molecules. The successful synthesis of a range of unfunctionalised triethrs was carried out by reacting 1,3,5-tris(bromomehyl)mesitylene with some selected terpenes and other alcohols. Their role as host molecules was investigated, however they failed to bind with any of the various metals that were used. Their asymmetric induction capabilities were also tested when one of the triethers was used as a catalyst in the Et₂Zn/aldehyde reaction. The desired alcohol was indeed isolated, however it was found by ¹H nmr of the Mosher's ester to be a reacemic mixture. In chapter four the synthesis of the unfunctionalised triethers that was described in chapter three was extended to the synthesis of C₃-symmetric triethers containing functional groups. A range of tridentate ligands were synthesised containing either amino, ester, keto or hydroxyl terminal groups. In addition to these, trihydroxy ligands containing amino linkages in place of ethereal linkages were also synthesised. From these compounds three of the trihydroxy ligands were used in complexation reactions with Sn, Ti, Si, Ni, and Cu. The reactions using Si, Ni and Cu failed to give the desired complexes. However, strong evidence was obtained for the existence of the desired Sn and Ti complexes. Once again using the Et₂Zn/aldehyde reaction preliminary asymmetric induction studies were carried out using one of the Ti complexes. The reaction showed some selectivity in favour of the R enantiomer. Chapter four also describes the syntheses of some hexadentate ligands, in particular the synthesis of a chiral C₃-symmetric hexol, a C₃-symmetric ligand containing three β keto-ester groups, and also a 1,3-diketo derivative.

An n-Venn diagram is defined as a collection of n finitely intersecting closed curves dividing the plane into 2^n distinct regions, where each region is in the interior of a unique subset of the curves. A Venn diagram is simple if at most two curves intersect at any point, and it is monotone if it has some embedding on the plane in which all curves are convex. An n-Venn diagram has n-fold rotational symmetry if a rotation of 180 degrees about a centre point in the plane leaves the diagram unchanged, up to a relabeling of the curves. It has been known that rotationally symmetric Venn diagrams could exist only if the number of curves is prime. Moreover, non-simple Venn diagrams with rotational symmetry have been proven to exist for any prime number of curves. However, the largest prime for which a simple rotationally symmetric Venn diagram was known prior to this, was 7. In this thesis, we are concerned with generating simple monotone Venn diagrams, especially those that have some type(s) of symmetry. Several representations of these diagrams are introduced and different backtracking search algorithms are provided based on these representations. Using these algorithms we show that there are 39,020 non-isomorphic simple monotone 6-Venn diagrams in total. In the case of drawing Venn diagrams on a sphere, we prove that there exists a simple symmetric n-Venn diagram, for any n >= 6, with the following set(s) of isometries : (a) a 4-fold rotational symmetry about the polar axis, together with an additional involutional symmetry about an axis through the equator, or (b) an involutional symmetry about the polar axis together with two reflectional symmetries about orthogonal planes that intersect at the polar axis. Finally, we introduce a new type of symmetry of Venn diagrams which leads us to the discovery of the first simple rotationally symmetric Venn diagrams of 11 and 13 curves. / Graduate / 0984 / Khalegh@GMail.com

Magnetic films have gained great attention for decades because of their broad industrial application. Their modern functionality more and more relies on their domain structure. Magnetic films usually form complex domain patterns with unique structures at different length scales due to the competition between short range attractive and long range repulsive interactions. The ensemble of domains is topologically disordered, although each of them possesses orientational spin order. Since simplifying complexity is the key step to understand and transform nature, finding new orders from the ostensible disordered structures would be a fascinating topic. Scattering techniques are well-known powerful tools to detect orders. Coherent soft xray magnetic resonant scattering becomes accessible with the development of synchrotron radiation facilities. We applied the technique to study the domain structure of CoPd/MnIr multilayer films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. By tuning incident photon energy to Co 2p&rarr3d transition edge we collected small angle magnetic scattering patterns by a charged coupled device in transmission geometry. Each pattern is an unique fingerprint of the corresponding illuminated domain structure. The patterns were analyzed by an angular correlation method. A variety of striking rotational orders were discovered. Their evolution with applied fields was investigated. The sustainabilities of the orders under the room temperature, exchange biased (EB) state, and non-EB state were compared, which suggests that certain orders can be well manipulated under the EB condition. By simulating magnetic resonant scattering from domain patterns obtained by a direct imaging method, we probed the range of emerging orders and finite size effect. Our study provides a novel approach to characterizing magnetic films and potentially can be extended to any system with a complex microstructure. / 2015-07-11

The analytical solution of a given inhomogeneous boundary value problem of a linear, elliptic, inhomogeneous partial differential equation and a set of inhomogeneous mixed Dirichlet- and Neumann-type boundary conditions is derived in the present paper. In the context of elasticity theory, the problem arises for a non-conservative symmetric ansatz and an extended constitutive law shown earlier. For convenient user application, the scalar function expressed in cylindrical coordinates is primarily obtained for the general case before being expatiated on a special case of linear boundary conditions.

In addition to previous publications, the paper presents the analytical solution of a special boundary value problem which arises in the context of elasticity theory for an extended constitutive law and a non-conservative symmetric ansatz. Besides deriving the general analytical solution, a specific form for linear boundary conditions is given for user convenience.

The analytical solution of a given inhomogeneous boundary value problem of a linear, elliptic, inhomogeneous partial differential equation and a set of inhomogeneous mixed Dirichlet- and Neumann-type boundary conditions is derived in the present paper. In the context of elasticity theory, the problem arises for a non-conservative symmetric ansatz and an extended constitutive law shown earlier. For convenient user application, the scalar function expressed in cylindrical coordinates is primarily obtained for the general case before being expatiated on a special case of linear boundary conditions.

In addition to previous publications, the paper presents the analytical solution of a special boundary value problem which arises in the context of elasticity theory for an extended constitutive law and a non-conservative symmetric ansatz. Besides deriving the general analytical solution, a specific form for linear boundary conditions is given for user convenience.

Os caleidociclos têm sido utilizados como forma artística de apresentação de imagens, pinturas ou como parte de trabalhos artísticos, principalmente de imagens com simetrias; talvez os mais conhecidos sejam os trabalhos de M. C. Escher. As poucas publicações encontradas da teoria matemática envolvida nos caleidociclos dão base para imaginar e criar aplicações no desenvolvimento de habilidades e competências trabalhadas na escola. Para aumentar as possibilidades de aplicações de conceitos, teoremas e relações matemáticas estudadas no ensino básico, o presente trabalho apresenta algumas propostas de atividades utilizando os caleidociclos. As propostas foram elaboradas de acordo com o nível de ensino, ou seja, simetrias para o 7o ano, teorema de Pitágoras para os 8o e 9o anos do Ensino Fundamental, lei dos cossenos e relação fundamental da trigonometria para a 1a série e volume e área de superfície de sólidos geométricos para 2a série do Ensino Médio; algumas das propostas apresentam variações para se adequar ao nível de desenvolvimento em que a turma se encontra. Todos os moldes utilizados e outras possibilidades de caleidociclos, incluindo sólidos encaixantes aos caleidociclos, foram organizados ao final deste trabalho em um dos apêndices. Há também um apêndice com outros tipos de sólidos geométricos com movimentos, que podem ser usados no mesmo intuito de aplicação diferenciada da geometria espacial. / Kaleidocycles have been used asan artistic formof presentation of pictures, paintings or a part of artworks, especially images with symmetries; perhaps the best known works are M. C. Eschers. The few finded publications of the mathematical theory related to these three-dimensional rings give rise to imagine and create applications for developing skills to be worked in classroom. In order to increase the possibility of applications of concepts, theorems and mathematical relations, the present work proposes some activities dealing with kaleidocycles. The proposals were prepared in accordance with the students level of education, i.e., symmetries for the7th grade, the Pythagorean theorem for the 8th and 9th grades, law of cosines and the fundamental relation of trigonometry, volume and surface area of geometric solids for high school students; some of the proposals have variations to suit the level of development in which the class is at. All the molds used and other possibilities of kaleidocycles, including solids which fit into kaleidocycles, were organized at the end of this dissertation in one of the appendices. There is also an appendix with other types of mobile geometric solids that can be used in the same purpose in different applications of spatial geometry.

Os caleidociclos têm sido utilizados como forma artística de apresentação de imagens, pinturas ou como parte de trabalhos artísticos, principalmente de imagens com simetrias; talvez os mais conhecidos sejam os trabalhos de M. C. Escher. As poucas publicações encontradas da teoria matemática envolvida nos caleidociclos dão base para imaginar e criar aplicações no desenvolvimento de habilidades e competências trabalhadas na escola. Para aumentar as possibilidades de aplicações de conceitos, teoremas e relações matemáticas estudadas no ensino básico, o presente trabalho apresenta algumas propostas de atividades utilizando os caleidociclos. As propostas foram elaboradas de acordo com o nível de ensino, ou seja, simetrias para o 7o ano, teorema de Pitágoras para os 8o e 9o anos do Ensino Fundamental, lei dos cossenos e relação fundamental da trigonometria para a 1a série e volume e área de superfície de sólidos geométricos para 2a série do Ensino Médio; algumas das propostas apresentam variações para se adequar ao nível de desenvolvimento em que a turma se encontra. Todos os moldes utilizados e outras possibilidades de caleidociclos, incluindo sólidos encaixantes aos caleidociclos, foram organizados ao final deste trabalho em um dos apêndices. Há também um apêndice com outros tipos de sólidos geométricos com movimentos, que podem ser usados no mesmo intuito de aplicação diferenciada da geometria espacial. / Kaleidocycles have been used asan artistic formof presentation of pictures, paintings or a part of artworks, especially images with symmetries; perhaps the best known works are M. C. Eschers. The few finded publications of the mathematical theory related to these three-dimensional rings give rise to imagine and create applications for developing skills to be worked in classroom. In order to increase the possibility of applications of concepts, theorems and mathematical relations, the present work proposes some activities dealing with kaleidocycles. The proposals were prepared in accordance with the students level of education, i.e., symmetries for the7th grade, the Pythagorean theorem for the 8th and 9th grades, law of cosines and the fundamental relation of trigonometry, volume and surface area of geometric solids for high school students; some of the proposals have variations to suit the level of development in which the class is at. All the molds used and other possibilities of kaleidocycles, including solids which fit into kaleidocycles, were organized at the end of this dissertation in one of the appendices. There is also an appendix with other types of mobile geometric solids that can be used in the same purpose in different applications of spatial geometry.

Abstract Image acquisition devices are always subject to physical limitations that often manifest as distortions in the appearance of the captured image. The most common types of distortions can be divided into two categories: geometric and radiometric distortions. Examples of the latter ones are: changes in brightness, contrast, or illumination, sensor noise and blur. Since image blur can have many different causes, it is usually not convenient and also computationally expensive to develop ad hoc algorithms to correct each specific type of blur. Instead, it is often possible to extract a blur-invariant representation of the image, and utilize such information to make algorithms that are insensitive to blur. The work presented here mainly focuses on developing techniques for the extraction and the application of blur-invariant operators. This thesis contains several contributions. First, we propose a generalized framework based on group theory to constructively generate complete blur-invariants. We construct novel operators that are invariant to a large family of blurs occurring in real scenarios: namely, those blurs that can be modeled by a convolution with a point-spread function having rotational symmetry, or combined rotational and axial symmetry. A second important contribution is represented by the utilization of such operators to develop an algorithm for blur-invariant translational image registration. This algorithm is experimentally demonstrated to be more robust than other state-of-the-art registration techniques. The blur-invariant registration algorithm is then used as pre-processing steps to several restoration methods based on image fusion, like depth-of-field extension, and multi-channel blind deconvolution. All the described techniques are then re-interpreted as a particular instance of Wiener deconvolution filtering. Thus, the third main contribution is the generalization of the blur-invariants and the registration techniques to color images, by using respectively a representation of color images based on quaternions, and the quaternion Wiener filter. This leads to the development of a blur-and-noise-robust registration algorithm for color images. We observe experimentally a significant increase in performance in both color texture recognition, and in blurred color image registration. / Tiivistelmä Kuvauslaitteet ovat aina fyysisten olosuhteiden rajoittamia, mikä usein ilmenee tallennetun kuvan ilmiasun vääristyminä. Yleisimmät vääristymätyypit voidaan jakaa kahteen kategoriaan: geometrisiin ja radiometrisiin distortioihin. Jälkimmäisestä esimerkkejä ovat kirkkauden, kontrastin ja valon laadun muutokset sekä sensorin kohina ja kuvan sumeus. Koska kuvan sumeus voi johtua monista tekijöistä, yleensä ei ole tarkoitukseen sopivaa eikä laskennallisesti kannattavaa kehittää ad hoc algoritmeja erityyppisten sumeuksien korjaamiseen. Sitä vastoin on mahdollista erottaa kuvasta sumeuden invariantin edustuma ja käyttää tätä tietoa sumeudelle epäherkkien algoritmien tuottamiseen. Tässä väitöskirjassa keskitytään esittämään, millaisia eri tekniikoita voidaan käyttää sumeuden invarianttien operaattoreiden muodostamiseen ja sovellusten kehittämiseen. Tämä opinnäyte sisältää useammanlaista tieteellistä vaikuttavuutta. Ensiksi, väitöskirjassa esitellään ryhmäteoriaan perustuva yleinen viitekehys, jolla voidaan generoida sumeuden invariantteja. Konstruoimme uudentyyppisiä operaattoreita, jotka ovat monenlaiselle kuvaustilanteessa ilmenevälle sumeudelle invariantteja. Kyseessä ovat ne rotationaalisesti (ja/tai aksiaalisesti) symmetrisen sumeuden lajit, jotka voidaan mallintaa pistelähteen hajaantumisen funktion (PSF) konvoluutiolla. Toinen tämän väitöskirjan tärkeä tutkimuksellinen anti on esitettyjen sumeuden invarianttien operaattoreiden hyödyntäminen algoritmin kehittelyssä, joka on käytössä translatorisen kuvan rekisteröinnissä. Tällainen algoritmi on tässä tutkimuksessa osoitettu kokeellisesti johtavia kuvien rekisteröintitekniikoita robustimmaksi. Sumeuden invariantin rekisteröinnin algoritmia on käytetty esiprosessointina tässä tutkimuksessa useissa kuvien restaurointimenetelmissä, jotka perustuvat kuvan fuusioon, kuten syväterävyysaluelaajennus ja monikanavainen dekonvoluutio. Kaikki kuvatut tekniikat ovat lopulta uudelleen tulkittu erityistapauksena Wienerin dekonvoluution suodattimesta. Näin ollen tutkimuksen kolmas saavutus on sumeuden invarianttien ja rekisteröintiteknikoiden yleistäminen värikuviin käyttämällä värikuvien kvaternion edustumaa sekä Wienerin kvaternion suodatinta. Havaitsemme kokeellisesti merkittävän parannuksen sekä väritekstuurin tunnistuksessa että sumean kuvan rekisteröinnissä.