TSDC (thermally stimulated depolarization current) is one of the most important and popular technique for investigating electret materials. TSDC technique can indicate the magnitude of polarization and depolarization, relaxation time, charge-storage, glass transition, and activation energy. To fully investigate polarization and relaxation for pure epoxy and filled epoxy materials, a TSDC system was built and verified by the research. The article describes the building processes and verification of the TSDC system. TSDC, TSPC, and TWC tests data for epoxy and filled epoxy samples are presented in the article. To compare TSDC technique with other related techniques, DEA (dielectric analysis), DMA (dynamic mechanical analysis), and DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) tests are introduced.

This work reports on the construction of a 408 nm laser system designed to drive stimulated Raman transitions between the F = 4 and F = 5 2 S 1/2 states of 87 Sr + using the 2 P 3/2 state as the intermediate state. This laser system will be used as part of a 87 Sr + ion interferometer. This work also includes a discussion of relevant theory describing the interaction of the ions and laser, along with a calculation of the transition rates as a function of laser power and detuning.

This study used OSL dating to examine the chronological relationship between two adjacent archaeological sites at the Hare Hammock complex in northwest Florida. High-resolution vertical sampling was performed at 10cm intervals in profiles, one corresponding to a Swift Creek burial mound, and the other to a Weeden Island ring midden. This was done in order to determine the timing of occupations at the sites and look for patterns in radiation dosimetry. The Swift Creek mound was found to have a mean OSL age of 1835 +/- 68 years, consistent with archaeological expectations of the site and the accepted range of Swift Creek culture. The subsequent Weeden Island occupation was also found to have OSL ages within expectations, with a mean age of 1049 +/- 43 years that overlies a single age of 1511 +/- 372 years, corresponding to the Late and Early Weeden Island periods, respectively. The general coherence with radiocarbon dates and ceramic chronologies affirms the veracity of these OSL ages, which were obtained using a very recently developed dosimetric technique that applies Al2O3:C cylinders as in-situ dosimeters. These dosimeters indicated that the sediments at Hare Hammock contain significant heterogeneity in beta dose rates. This study finds that, under these circumstances, the best age results are obtained when applying the refined dosimetric technique which combines the beta dose rate from NAA/DNC and gamma dose rate from Al2O3:C dosimetry. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

No description available.

The interaction of a high power, high frequency (HF) pump/electromagnetic (EM) wave transmitted from a ground-based station with the ionosphere, experiments which have been termed "ionospheric heating", produces secondary radiation known as stimulated electromagnetic emissions (SEEs). SEEs have been developed into powerful diagnostics yielding information such as electron temperature, ion species and hydrodynamic evolution of the modified ionospheric plasma. Classic SEEs which exist outside ±1 kHz of the pump wave frequency (ω0) have recently been classified into wideband SEEs (PW-WSEEs) and distinguished from narrowband SEEs (PW-NSEEs) which exist within ±1 kHz of ω0, where the "PW" prefix has been used to indicate that the frequency regimes in the aforementioned classification are relative to the pump wave (PW) frequency. The occurrence of SEEs near 2ω0 is known as second harmonic generation (SHG). SHG is longstanding and well-established in the field of Laser Plasma Interactions (LPI) where SHG has been harnessed to yield diagnostics such as the velocity of the critical region of the plasma, inference of the region in the plasma where the interaction that results in SHG occurs, plasma turbulence and density scale lengths. Past studies of ionospheric heating SHG were limited by the effective radiated power (ERP) available at ionospheric heating facilities and the frequency resolution of receivers/spectrum analyzers of the time. Experimental observations from these past studies reported either SEEs produced as a result of SHG in isolation or compared these SEEs with PW- WSEEs. Moreover, these experiments did not evaluate effects such as transmit ERP, tilt of the transmit antenna beam from the geomagnetic field (B0) and the offset of ω0 from harmonics of the electron gyrofrequency (ωce) on SEEs within a narrowband of twice the pump wave frequency produced as a result of SHG. Also, these studies did not attempt to draw from the knowledge-base on SHG from LPI. The novelty of the experimental observations in this dissertation is the juxtaposition of PW-NSEEs and second harmonic narrowband SEEs (SH-NSEEs), which are SEEs within kHz of 2ω0, measured at the same time. The heating experiments were all performed at HAARP using an O-mode polarized EM pump wave. Additionally, these measurements evaluate the effects on SHG of the transmit ERP, tilt of the transmit station antenna beam from the geomagnetic field (B0) and the offset of ω0 from nωce, n = 2, 3. The experimental observations show, for the first time, a clear association between PW-NSEEs and SH-NSEEs. This association is subsequently used, in conjunction with theories from LPI to propose the non-linear wave-mixing mechanisms responsible for the SH-NSEEs. As a prelude to harnessing the wealth of diagnostics that can be obtained from SHG, initial diagnostics of the velocity of the critical region and the interaction region where SHG occurs are determined using theories from LPI. With the association between PW-NSEEs and SH-NSEEs established, Particle- In-Cell (PIC) simulations are used to investigate the characteristics of a PW- NSEE herein referred to as the "SBS line", produced as a result of stimulated Brillouin scatter (SBS) instability in which the pump EM wave decays into a backscattered EM wave and an ion acoustic wave. The PIC simulations reveal that for high pump powers, the SBS line, which is intense at the onset of the heating experiment, is suppressed within 3 seconds due to the development of cavities in the ionospheric plasma (density) in which the pump wave depletes its energy in heating up electrons. Although, no PIC simulation results of SHG have been presented in this work, the association between PW-NSEEs and SH-NSEEs shown in this work is used to propose that similar mechanisms are responsible for the suppression the SBS line and its associated SH-NSEE for high pump powers. Results from ionospheric heating experiments presented in this dissertation show a rapid suppression of both the SBS line and its associated SH-NSEE for high pump powers. The attribution of the suppression of SH-NSEEs to the development of artificial field-aligned irregularities (AFAIs) in a past study fails to explain the rapid suppression in the experimental observations contained herein since the suppression occurs on a much faster timescale than the development of AFAIs. Thus, the PIC model results have led to a more feasible interpretation of the observed rapid suppression. To re-iterate, the contributions of this dissertation are as follows: 1. First observations of an SH-NSEE named "SH decay line" within 2ω0±30 Hz. The SH decay line occurs at the same transmit power as the SBS line within ω0±30 Hz and both of these SEEs are suppressed for ω0 ≈ 3ωce. Offset of the SH decay line from 2ω0 is twice the offset of the SBS line from ω0. 2. First experimental evaluation of the impact of B0 assessed by stepping the transmit beam offset from B0 and stepping ω0 near 2ωce shows contemporaneous SH-NSEEs and PW-NSEEs both ordered by the O+ ion cyclotron frequency. 3. First experimental observations of suppression of SBS line and SH decay line for high pump powers, which unlike a past study cannot be attributed to AFAIs. 4. First PIC simulation investigation of suppression of SBS line observed during high pump power ionospheric heating, revealing depletion of pump energy in heating electrons in cavities created in the plasma (density) as the mechanism responsible for the suppression. Broadening of SBS line observed in ionospheric heating with high power is also observed in PIC simulation results. This work has laid the foundations to develop SHG into powerful ionospheric diagnostics. / Doctor of Philosophy / When a high power, high frequency radio wave is injected from a ground-based transmit station into the ionosphere, a region of Earth's atmosphere containing charged particles in addition some neutral atoms and molecules, the frequency spectrum measured at a location removed from the transmit station shows emissions at other frequencies in addition to an emission at the transmit frequency. The emissions at these other frequencies are known as stimulated electromagnetic emissions (SEEs). The frequency offsets of SEEs contain information such as the average kinetic energy associated with random motion of electrons, a parameter known as electron temperature and the ion species present in the region of the ionosphere the radio wave is injected into. The occurrence of SEEs near twice the pump wave frequency is known as second harmonic generation. This dissertation presents experimental observations that compare SEEs which exist within ±1 kHz of the transmit frequency with SEEs which exist within a similar frequency range of twice the transmit frequency unlike past studies. This dissertation also investigates effects of varying the transmit frequency, power and the direction of the transmit station antenna beam relative to the local direction of the magnetic field of the Earth. These new studies reveal, for the first time, a similarity in characteristics of the SEEs near the transmit frequency and two times the transmit frequency. This similarity is used in conjunction with theories from studies of Laser Plasma Interaction (LPI), which have corollaries with high power radio wave-ionosphere interaction, to propose the processes that underlie the occurrence of SEEs near twice the transmit frequency. Methods from LPI have also been used for the first time to obtain measurements of some parameters of the ionosphere. High power radio wave-ionosphere interaction experiments are very expensive and moreover, direct measurement of ionospheric parameters/processes require radar facilities which may not be available or sounding rockets or satellites which increase the cost of experiments. Computer simulations offer a facile and an inexpensive means to investigate SEEs and processes internal to the ionosphere. Computer simulations have been used for the first time in this dissertation to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the characteristics of SEEs near the transmit frequency for low and high transmit powers. Since an association has been established in this dissertation between SEEs near the transmit frequency and SEEs near twice the transmit frequency, the mechanisms responsible for the characteristics for the SEEs near the transmit frequency for high transmit power, have been proposed to be the same mechanisms responsible for the characteristics of SEEs near twice the transmit frequency for a similar transmit power regime. The experimental results, computer simulation results and the corollaries drawn between high power radio wave-ionosphere interaction and LPI detailed in this dissertation have opened new doors to develop SEEs near twice the transmit frequency into a powerful tool to study the ionosphere.

The objective of this study is to perform Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating on the ceramic samples from different parts of the Laodikeia by using Infra Red Stimulated Luminescence (IRSL) on polyminerals. As a first step, a literature survey has been done about the dating system and the methodology of dating. The calibration of the system was done before carrying out the experiments. The six ceramic samples were collected from the site and dated. The mineral compositions of the samples were examined by X-ray Diffraction Analysis, which showed that all samples contain quartz, feldspars, calcites and together with other minerals. The equivalent dose was found by using Multiple Aliquot Additive Dose (MAAD) and Multiple Aliquot Regenerative Dose (MARD) techniques using Infra Red diode array of the system that gave the IRSL ages for samples. Alpha counter measured the dose components of uranium and thorium contributions to the annual dose. The potassium concentration was determined by Atomic Emission Spectrometry. The cosmic ray component of annual dose was evaluated by the Al2O3:C Thermoluminescence Dosimeter (TLD) discs which have been placed and kept for 8 and 11 months in the site. From the data the IRSL ages were calculated for six ceramic samples LDKY-1, LDKY-2, LDKY-3, LDKY-4, LDKY-5 and LDKY-6 with the help of the OSL system software. The IRSL ages for these samples, in the given order, are 737 &plusmn / 60, 1563 &plusmn / 120, 1445 &plusmn / 110, 1602 &plusmn / 120, 1034 &plusmn / 80 and 1034 &plusmn / 80 years by using MAAD technique. The IRSL ages for the same samples are 870 &plusmn / 60, 1550 &plusmn / 120, 1440 &plusmn / 110, 1600 &plusmn / 120, 1030 &plusmn / 80 and 1030 &plusmn / 70 years by using MARD technique.

Upon viral infection, host cells produce type I interferon (IFN), which activates the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and induces the expression of hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) to establish an antiviral state. In West Nile virus (WNV)-infected cells, the JAK-STAT signaling pathway is blocked by viral proteins. However, the expression of a subset of ISGs, which includes 2¢-5¢-oligoadenylate synthetase 1a (Oas1a), Oas1b, interferon regulatory factor 7 (Irf7), Mx1, and interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (Ifit1), is still upregulated by an IFN-independent mechanism in WNV-infected mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Studies in cells with one or more components of RNA-sensing pathway knocked out showed that the alternative ISG upregulation is activated through RIG-I or MDA5, and the downstream adaptor IPS-1. In cells with IRF3, 5 and 7 knocked out, the alternative ISG upregulation by WNV infection is reduced but not eliminated. As an initial means of discovering the transcription factors involved in this non-canonical ISG upregulation, the critical regulatory regions in the promoters of two representative ISGs, Oas1b and Ifit1, were mapped using a dual luciferase assay system with a NanoLuc luciferase promoter reporter in WNV-infected Ifnar1-/- MEFs. The region from -299 to -28 in the Oas1b promoter, and the region from -192 to -50 in the Ifit1 promoter were identified as being important for upregulating non-canonical gene expression after WNV infection. Fine mapping identified enhancer and repressor sub-regions as well as transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) putatively involved in the IFN-independent antiviral mechanism. Mutation of one identified TFBS in the ISG promoters reduced Oas1b and Ifit1 promoter activities. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs), a unique band, which was detected in WNV-infected but not in mock-infected Ifnar1-/- MEF nuclear extracts, was not observed when a probe with the identified TFBS mutated was used, suggesting that a unique complex forms at the identified TFBS when it is in the context of the adjacent flanking regions. The unique complex appears to contain NF-κB components and IRF3, IRF5 or IRF7. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanism involved in non-canonical upregulation of ISGs after WNV infection.

Studiens syfte är att få insikt i och identifiera lärares arbete kring rytmik och hur det inkluderas i individuell tvärflöjtsundervisning på musikskolan. I bakgrundskapitlet beskrivs Dalcroze-metoden och tidigare forskning om rytmik. Som teoretisk utgångspunkt används ett designteoretiskt perspektiv där lärande och meningsskapande via semiotiska resurser som står i fokus. Studien är kvalitativ, och stimulated-recall-intervjuer används som metod. Fyra tvärflöjtslärare har videofilmats när de undervisar. Dessa videofilmer har legat till grund för intervjuerna. Intervjuerna har sedan transkriberats med fokus på de resurser och undervisningsdesigner som lärarna använder sig av i undervisningen. Resultatet visar lärarnas undervisningsdesigner, vilka bygger på deras förhållningssätt till samt genomförande och utvärdering av användningen av rytmikinspirerad undervisning. I resultatet framkommer också att lärarna använder sig av kroppsligt baserade notblad, kroppen, spelandet och talet som resurs för lärande. I diskussionen lyfts fyra övergripande mönster i lärarnas undervisning: medvetet och omedvetet arbete samt flöjtistiskt och musiskt arbete med rytmikinspirerad undervisning. / The purpose of the study is to gain insight into and identify teachers' work with eurhythmics, and how it is included in individual flute lessons at the music school. The background chapter describes the Dalcroze method and previous research on eurhythmics. As a theoretical basis the design theory perspective is used, where focus on learning and meaning making through semiotic resources are in focus. The study is qualitative, and stimulated-recall interviews are used as a method. Four flute teachers have been video documented when they teach. These videos have been the basis for the interviews. The interviews have been transcribed with focus on the resources and teaching designs the teachers use in their teaching. The result shows the teachers´ teaching designs, based on their approach to, implementation and evaluation of the use of rhythmically inspired teaching. The results also show that the teachers use a bodily based sheet of music, the body, playing and speaking as learning resources. In the discussion, four overall patterns are raised in the teachers' work: aware and unaware work, as well as education that aims to learning how to play the flute and general musical knowledge learning with rhythmically inspired teaching.

This research paper aimed to study how to make a scary horror game and what in turn makes these games scary. This study utilizes an original game called The House specifically designed and created by us. This is done in order to study the effects of implementing level design and navigation patterns and horror game design theories in an original horror game on player behaviour and reaction in relation to these theories. The study was done with the use of 10 participants, who each took part in a 15 minute play session, and were later interviewed using the data gathering method stimulated recall. The result of the study shows that level design had no significant effect on the amount of fear that the participants expressed. The implementation of proven horror game design theories proved successful at contributing to the general horror experience, and combining elements of level design and horror game theories in horror game design proved successful at scaring the participants. / Denna forskningsstudie syftade till att studera hur man skapar och designar ett skrämmande skräckspel och vad som gör ett skräckspel skräckinjagande. Denna studie använder ett originellt spel vid namn The House som var specifikt utformat och skapat av oss. Detta gjordes för att studera effekterna av implementering av nivå design och navigationsmönster samt skräckspelsteorier på spelarens beteende och reaktion i relation till dessa teorier. Studien gjordes med användning av 10 deltagare, som var och en deltog i en 15-minuters spelsession och intervjuades senare med hjälp av datainsamlingsmetoden stimulated recall. Resultatet av studien visar att nivådesign inte hade någon signifikant effekt på mängden rädsla som deltagarna uttryckte. Implementeringen av beprövade teorier om skräckspelsdesign visade sig framgångsrika då de bidrog till den allmänna skräckupplevelsen, och att kombinera element av nivådesign och skräckspelsteorier i skräckspelsdesign visade sig mycket framgångsrika att skrämma deltagarna.

Colour coding is seen in various forms throughout different types of media and in reallife. This study focuses on what effect colour coded visuals can have on a player in avideo game, using lights and environments deliberately coloured in a specific way togain the players attention. Results suggest that colour coding aids the player inunderstanding where to go in the game and what something means. Participantsexpressing their ability to traverse levels in the game with ease thanks to theirunderstanding of what a colour may imply. The participants selected for the test havevaried in skill, age and gender to avoid any form of bias. Further prevention of biaswas done through the between-subjects method where the subjects always started on arandom level. / Färgkodning ses i olika former inom media och verkliga livet. Denna studie fokuserarpå vad för effekt färgkodade visuella element kan ha på en spelare i ett videospel, medhjälp av ljus och miljö i ett videospel med avsiktlig färgkodning för att vägledaspelaren och fånga dennes uppmärksamhet. Resultaten föreslår att färgkodning hjälperspelaren att förstå vart de ska gå i datorspelet, samt vad något betyder. Deltagare anseratt deras förmåga att ta sig igenom spelets nivåer var enkelt tack vare deras förståelseav vad en färg kan antyda. Deltagarna valda för studien varierade i förmåga, ålder ochkön för att förhindra någon form av partiskhet. Vidare förebyggande av partiskhetgjordes via mellan-deltagare metoden, där deltagare startade på en slumpad nivå.