Optoelectronic devices operating in the mid-wave (3-5 Μm) and long-wave (8-12 Μm) infrared (IR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are of a great interest for academic and industrial applications. Due to the lack of atmospheric absorption, devices operating within these spectral bands are particularly useful for spectroscopy, imaging, and dynamic scene projection. Advanced IR imaging systems have created an intense need for laboratory-based infrared scene projector (IRSP) systems which can be used for accurate simulation of real-world phenomena occurring in the IR. These IRSP systems allow for reliable, reproducible, safe, and cost-effective calibration of IR detector arrays. The current state-of-the-art technology utilized for the emitter source of IRSP systems is thermal pixel arrays (TPAs) which are based on thin film resistor technology. Thermal pixel array technology has fundamental limitations related to response time and maximum simulated apparent temperature, making them unsuitable for emulation of very hot (> 700 K) and rapidly evolving scenes. Additionally, there exists a need for dual wavelength emitter arrays for IRSP systems dedicated to calibration of dual wavelength detector arrays. This need is currently met by combining the spectral output from two separate IRSP systems. This configuration requires precise alignment of the output from both systems and results in the maximum radiance being limited to approximately half that of the capability of a given emitter array due to the optics used to combine the outputs. The high switching speed inherent to IR light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and the potential for high power output makes them an appealing candidate to replace the thermal pixel arrays used for IRSP systems. To this end, research has been carried out to develop and improve the device performance of IR LEDs based on InAs/GaSb type-II superlattices (T2SLs). A common method employed to achieve high brightness from LEDs is to incorporate multiple active regions, coupled by tunnel junctions. Tunnel junctions must provide adequate barriers to prevent carrier leakage, while at the same time remain low in tunneling resistance to prevent unwanted heating. The performance of two tunnel junction designs are compared in otherwise identical four stage InAs/GaSb superlattice LED (SLED) devices for application in IRSP systems. This research culminated in the development of a 48 Μm pitch, 512$times512 individually addressable mid-wave IR LED array based on a sixteen stage, InAs/GaSb T2SL device design. This array was hybridized to a read-in integrated circuit and exhibited a pixel yield greater than 95 %. Projections based on single element emitter results predict this array will be able to achieve a peak apparent temperature of 1350 K within the entire 3-5 Μm band. These results demonstrate the feasibility of emitter arrays intended for IRSP systems based on InAs/GaSb SLED devices. Additionally, a dual wavelength 48 Μm pitch, 8x8 emitter array based on InAs/GaSb T2SL LEDs was developed and demonstrated. This design incorporates two separate, 16 stage InAs/GaSb SL active regions with varying InAs layer thicknesses built into a single vertical heterostructure. The device architecture is a three terminal device allowing for independent control of the intensity of each emission region. Each emitter region creates a contiguous pixel, capable of being planarized and mated to drive electronics.

The estimation of the Pareto distribution can be computationally expensive and the method is badly biased. In this work, an improved Least Squares derivation is used and the estimation will be less biased. Numerical examples and figures are provided so that one may observe the solution more clearly. Furthermore, by varying the different methods of estimation, a comparing of the estimators of the parameters is given. The improved Least Squares derivation is confidently employed for it is economic and efficient.

Photon detectors based on single-crystalline materials are of great interest for high performance imaging applications due to their low noise and fast response. The major detector materials for sensing in the long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) band (8-14 µm) are currently HgCdTe (MCT) and AlGaAs/GaAs quantum wells (QW) used in intraband-based quantum-well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs). These either suffer from compositional variations that are detrimental to the system performance as in the case of MCT, or, have an efficient dark current generation mechanism that limits the operating temperature as for QWIPs. The need for increased on-wafer uniformity and elevated operating temperatures has resulted in the development of various alternative approaches, such as type-II strained-layer superlattice detectors (SLSs) and intraband quantum-dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs). In this work, we mainly explore two self-assembled quantum-dot (QD) materials for use as the absorber material in photon detectors for the LWIR, with the aim to develop low-dark current devices that can allow for high operating temperatures and high manufacturability. The detection mechanism is here based on type-II interband transitions from bound hole states in the QDs to continuum states in the matrix material. Metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) was used to fabricate (Al)GaAs(Sb)/InAs and In(Ga)Sb/InAs QD structures for the development of an LWIR active material. A successive analysis of (Al)GaAs(Sb) QDs using absorption spectroscopy shows strong absorption in the range 6-12 µm interpreted to originate in intra-valence band transitions. Moreover, record-long photoluminescence (PL) wavelength up to 12 µm is demonstrated in InSb- and InGaSb QDs. Mesa-etched single-pixel photodiodes were fabricated in which photoresponse is demonstrated up to 8 µm at 230 K with 10 In0.5Ga0.5Sb QD layers as the active region. The photoresponse is observed to be strongly temperature-dependent which is explained by hole trapping in the QDs. In the current design, the photoresponse is thermally limited at typical LWIR sensor operating temperatures (60-120 K), which is detrimental to the imaging performance. This can potentially be resolved by selecting a matrix material with a smaller barrier for thermionic emission of photo-excited holes. If such an arrangement can be achieved, type-II interband InGaSb QD structures can turn out to be interesting as a high-operating-temperature sensor material for thermal imaging applications. / <p>QC 20130521</p>

The objective of this thesis was to study whether heterocyclic dicationic compounds that are minor groove binders have the ability to inhibit the digestive properties of type II restriction enzymes which bind to the major groove of the DNA. If these compounds do possess the ability to inhibit restriction enzymes, then what factors influence their ability to inhibit the restriction enzymes? The methods used to study the interactions of DNA, compounds, and enzymes are gel electrophoresis, DNA thermal melting, and circular dichroism. The results from this project reveal that the minor grove binding compounds are able to inhibition type II restriction enzymes. The inhibition is heavily influenced by compound structure and the DNA binding sequence of the enzyme.

In this thesis, we study an isolated vortex in an s-wave superconductor by solving the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations self-consistently on a disc. We calculate the order parameter and supercurrent profiles, as well as the distribution of quasiparticle states. In contrast to quasi-classical treatments, the ratio Δ∞/EF between the order parameter and the Fermi energy is not assumed negligible. We study a regime where this ratio is on the order of 10-1, relevant to high-temperature superconductors. In this regime, we find a Friedel-like oscillation in the order parameter profile at low temperatures. This oscillation is attributed to an increased level spacing of the quasiparticle states, causing a decrease of the number of states present inside the superconducting energy gap. The results are in good agreement with previously published works. In future studies, the method used in this thesis will be generalized to d-wave superconductors. / I detta examensarbete studeras en ensam virvel i en s-vågssupraledare genom att självkonsistent lösa Bogoliubov och de Gennes' ekvationer på en cylinderskiva. Vi beräknar ordningsparameter- och superströmsprofiler, samt fördelningen av kvasipartikeltillstånd. Till skillnad från i kvasiklassiska metoder så antas inte kvoten Δ∞/EF mellan ordningsparametern och Fermi-energin vara negligerbar. Vi studerar en regim där denna kvot är av storleksordningen 10-1, vilket är fallet i högtemperatur-supraledare. Vid låga temperaturer finner vi i denna regim en Friedelliknande oscillation i ordningsparameterprofilen. Denna oscillations förklaras genom att separationen mellan kvasipartikeltillstånd ökar, vilket får som effekt att färre tillstånd ryms innanför det supraledande energigapet. Våra resultat överensstämmer väl med tidigare publicerade artikler. I framtida studier kommer metoden vi använder i detta examensarbete att generaliseras till d-vågssupraledare.

Bakgrund: I Sverige finns det cirka 365 000 diabetiker. Diabetes typ II är en kronisk sjukdom som gör att de som har denna sjukdom behöver ha kontinuerlig kontakt med en sjuksköterska. I denna kontakt är det viktigt att sjuksköterskan ser alla patienter som individer med olika behov. Diabetes typ II uppkommer bland annat på grund av övervikt, matvanor, stillasittande livsstil samt rökning. Behandlingen består av ändrade kost- och motionsvanor, tabletter eller insulin. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att belysa hur patienter med diabetes typ II upplever sin sjukdom samt mötet med sjukvården. Metod: Studien är en allmän litteraturstudie baserad på 11 vetenskapliga artiklar som blev analyserade. Resultat: Efter analys av artiklar framkom tre centrala teman som utgör resultatet: Att få sjukdomsbeskedet, Rädsla för komplikationer och förnekelse, Att ta kontroll över sjukdomen och acceptera sjukdomen. Diskussion: De tre centrala fynd som presenteras i diskussionen är: Ett övergripande fynd om hälsa. Ett andra fynd om bristande information och ett sista fynd om skillnader mellan män och kvinnors syn på att leva med diabetes typ II. / Background: In Sweden there is about 365 000 diabetics. Type II diabetes is a chronic disease which makes this into a disease where the diabetic need to have a continues contact with a nurse. In this meeting it is important that the nurse sees the patients like individuals with a variation of needs. Type II diabetes occurs from various reasons like overweight, diet, sedentary lifestyle and smoking. The treatment consists of changed diet- and exercise habits, tablets or insulin. Aim: The aim of the studie was to enlight how patients with type II diabetes experience their disease and the meetings with the health care system. Method: A literature review based on 11 articles that got analysed. Results: The analysis of the articles resulted in three central themes that represents the results: To receive the diagnosis, fear of complications and denial, to take control of the disease and to accept the disease. Discussion: The three central findings that were represented in the discussion where: An overall finding about health. Another finding was lack of information and the last finding is about differences in men and women view of living with type II diabetes.

Due to its relative avascularity, low cellularity and lack of an undifferentiated cell reservoir, articular cartilage has a limited capacity for self-repair when damaged through trauma or disease. Articular cartilage impairment and the resultant reduced joint function affects millions of people at a substantial cost. In the U.S. alone, over 20 million adults are afflicted with osteoarthritis, costing more than $65 billion per year in health care and lost wages. Surgical techniques have been developed to address small, focal lesions, but more critical sized defects remain without a viable solution. Tissue engineering strategies produce cartilage-like constructs in vitro containing living cells in the hope of replacing damaged cartilage and restoring joint function. However, these constructs lack both sufficient integration into the surrounding tissue following implantation and the mechanical properties capable of withstanding the demanding and complex in vivo loading environment. Our central hypothesis is that exposure of engineered cartilage to fluid-induced shear stress increases the collagen content and mechanical properties (tensile and compressive). The overall objective of this project is to modulate the matrix composition and mechanical properties of engineered cartilage to be more like native tissue using a novel bioreactor. Improving the matrix components and mechanical stability of the tissue to be more similar to that of native tissue may aid in integration into a defect in vivo. The central hypothesis was proven in that shear stress potently altered the matrix composition, gene expression and mechanical properties of both thick and thin engineered cartilage. Modulation was found to be highly dependent on shear stress magnitude, duration, and waveform and affected different matrix constituents and mechanical properties in disparate ways. Our overall objective was satisfied on the basis that the bioreactor created stronger engineered tissues, but with the caveat that the tissues showed an increase in presence of type I collagen. Such an effect would be undesirable for articular cartilage engineered tissues, but could be very beneficial in fibrocartilaginous tissues such as that found in the temporomandibular joint. In conclusion, the novel bioreactor system provides a flexible platform technology for the study of three-dimensional engineered tissues, not just articular cartilage.

To maintain optimal cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations, cells employ three distinct strategies: 1) tightly regulated influx of Ca2+; 2) efficient efflux of Ca2+ from the cell; 3) sequestration of Ca2+ in organelles. Ca2+efflux and influx are mediated by diverse transporter systems, such as pumps, channels and antiporters. Vacuolar localized Ca2+/H+ exchangers such as Arabidopsis thaliana cation exchanger 1 (CAX1) play important roles in Ca2+ homeostasis. When expressed in yeast, CAX1 is regulated via an N-terminal autoinhibitory domain. I compared and contrasted the properties of Nterminal CAX1 variants in plants and yeast expression systems to determine if autoinhibition of CAX1 is occurring in planta. Although several plant transporters appear to contain N-terminal autoinhibitory domains, my work is the first to document clearly N-terminal-dependent regulation of a Ca2+ transporter in transgenic plants. In my second study, I characterized another Arabidopsis CAX, CAX4. CAX4 is expressed in the root apex and lateral root primordia and expression increased when Ni2+ or Mn2+ levels were elevated or Ca2+ was depleted. Transgenic plants expressing increased levels of CAX4 displayed symptoms consistent with increased sequestration of Ca2+ and Cd2+ into the vacuole. When CAX4 was highly expressed in an Arabidopsis cax1 mutant line with weak vacuolar Ca2+/H+ antiport activity, a 29% increase in Ca2+/H+ antiport was measured. A cax4 loss-of-function mutant and CAX4 RNA interference lines displayed altered root growth in response to Cd2+, Mn2+, and auxin. The DR5::GUS auxin reporter detected reduced auxin responses in the cax4 lines. My results indicate that CAX4 is a cation/H+ antiporter that plays an important function in root growth under heavy metal stress conditions. My third study is to characterize a zebrafish CAX. In this study, I have initiated characterization of a zebrafish CAX by initially expressing the open reading frame in yeast. Zebrafish Cax1 was localized on the yeast endomembranes and displayed Ca2+/H+ activity. In zebrafish embryos, Cax1 was specifically expressed in neural crest cells and morpholino knockdowns of cax1 caused defects in neural crest development as measured by alterations in pigmentation, defects in jaw development and reduction in expression of the neural crest marker, pax7. Collectively, our findings provide a previously unexpected role of CAX transporters in animal growth and development.

Des boîtes quantiques à fort confinement tridimensionnel et de très basse densité (106cm-2) ont été démontrées dans des structures qui ont été originellement développées comme des double puits quantique de GaAs/AlAs avec des barrières de GaAlAs. Le fait que ces structures soient de type II permet de détecter les boîtes quantiques très facilement grâce à la très longue durée de vie des excitons indirects (de l'ordre de quelques millisecondes) et à leur capacité à diffuser efficacement (jusqu'à 100mm) dans les pièges zéro dimensionnels. Cet effet est généralement difficile à obtenir dans les structures directes. Les boîtes quantiques peuvent donc être facilement remplies par des excitons, provoquant la formation, non seulement d'excitons, mais aussi d'excitons chargés et de biexcitons, et également de molécules excitoniques plus complexes montrant un caractère zéro dimensionnel.<br />Ce travail est consacré à l'étude des complexes excitoniques fortement confinés, à leur nature et aux processus permettant leur formation.<br />Nous présentons des études spectroscopiques de l'émission d'une boîte quantique unique sous différentes conditions d'excitation et détectée de différentes manières.<br /> La possibilité de contrôler optiquement le nombre d'électrons et de trous qui occupent les niveaux discrets des boîtes quantiques nous a permis d'étudier la formation de complexes multi-excitoniques en fonction de la densités d'excitons. Les effets observés sont décrits par le modèle de la normalisation des bandes d'énergie comprenant les effets multi-corps, les interactions d'échange et les effets de corrélation.<br />L'influence d'un champ magnétique sur les complexes multi-excitoniques est d'abord discutée. De manière générale, il est montré comment l'application d'un champ magnétique modifie la structure énergétique des transitions observées. Des propriétés typiques de boîtes quantiques telles que l'effet Zeeman, décalage diamagnétique et l'énergie de liaison excitonique sont discutées. Ces études ont permis une analyse de la symétrie et de la taille du potentiel de confinement des boîtes.<br />Ensuite, les mécanismes de capture d'excitons dans les boîtes sont considérés. Le rôle important des processus de diffusion contribuant au temps de relaxation de l'émission des boîtes quantiques uniques est discuté sur la base d'expériences de spectroscopie résolue en temps.<br />Le rôle des processus radiatifs et non radiatifs dans l'émission de complexes multi-excitoniques est montré dans l'émission thermiquement activée de boîtes quantiques uniques.<br />Les mesures de corrélation de photon ont permis la classification des différentes lignes d'émission des complexes multi-excitoniques, d'étude du caractère de mécanisme de capture des porteurs photo-créés et la dynamique des fluctuations de charge caractéristiques d'une boîte quantique unique.<br />L'approche expérimentale à un problème de boîte quantique unique est largement discutée et des modèles théoriques sont appliqués pour décrire les effets observés.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-88). Also available on the Internet.