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Articles 1 - 14 of 14

Full-Text Articles in Physics

Practical Sensor For Measurement Of Nitrogen, Dusan Popovic, Vladimir Milosavljevic, Steven Daniels Nov 2007

Practical Sensor For Measurement Of Nitrogen, Dusan Popovic, Vladimir Milosavljevic, Steven Daniels

Articles

This paper presents a method for precise measurement of atomic and molecular nitrogen in an oxygen-nitrogen dc plasma. This is achieved by monitoring the intensities of the atomic nitrogen spectral line at 821.6 nm and the molecular nitrogen bandhead at 337.1 nm, relative to the atomic oxygen spectral line at 844.7 nm. Oxygen is one of the most frequently used gases for surface chemical treatment, including deposition and etching, therefore the ability to measure and control the process and chemical composition of the process is essential. To validate this oxygen actimometry method for N2-xO2 (where x varies from 0 to …


How Fat Layers Affect The Clinical Diagnosis From Doppler Data, Deirdre King, Carmel Moran, Matt Hussey, Jacinta Browne Oct 2007

How Fat Layers Affect The Clinical Diagnosis From Doppler Data, Deirdre King, Carmel Moran, Matt Hussey, Jacinta Browne

Conference Papers

Ultrasound Doppler data are routinely used in the clinical diagnosis of degree of stenosis in the renal artery. In this study the effect of fat layers on maximum velocity estimations was determined using both a Doppler string and flow phantom. Using an ATL HDI 3000 with two broadband transducers (C4-2 and L12-5), the maximum velocity was estimated for a range of velocities with and without the presence of a fat layer. The results indicate that the introduction of a fat layer has a significant effect on the overestimation of the maximum velocity when the string phantom is used. However, in …


The Development Of A Quantum Dot Solar Concentrator, Brenda Rowan Sep 2007

The Development Of A Quantum Dot Solar Concentrator, Brenda Rowan

Doctoral

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of Quantum Dot Solar Concentrators (QDSCs). Quantum Dots offer the advantages of having broad absorption specr4a, tunable emission and improved stability. A range of Cadmium Selenide/|Zince Sulphide Quantum Dots were characterized in solution and composite form using time-resolved and steady state spectroscopie techniques and the stability of the composite samples was investigated over a 6 month period. A number of matrix materials were compared and the most suitable type for fabrication of QDSCs were identified. Techniques for fabrication and characterization of QDSCs were developed and a range of different QDSC …


Effects Of Htert On Genomic Instability Caused By Either Metals Or Radiation Or Combined Exposure, Antonino Glaviano Jul 2007

Effects Of Htert On Genomic Instability Caused By Either Metals Or Radiation Or Combined Exposure, Antonino Glaviano

Doctoral

There is currently a great interest in delayed chromosomal damage and other damaging effects of low-dose exposure to a variety of agents, which appear collectively to act through induction of stress-response pathways related to oxidative stress (and aging). These agents have been studied mostly in the radiation field but evidence is accumulating that chemicals, especially heavy metals, can also act in the same manner. Therefore, this work investigated the effects of metals and/or radiation in human fibroblasts in vitro. Humans are exposed to metals, including chromium (CR) VI) and vanadium (V) (V) from the environment, industry and surgical implants. Thus …


An Investigation Of Introductory Physics Students’ Approaches To Problem Solving, Laura Walsh, Robert Howard, Brian Bowe Jun 2007

An Investigation Of Introductory Physics Students’ Approaches To Problem Solving, Laura Walsh, Robert Howard, Brian Bowe

Articles

This paper outlines ongoing research investigating students’ approaches to quantitative and qualitative problem solving in physics. This is an empirical study, which was conducted using a phenomenographic approach to analyse and interpret data from individual semi-structured interviews with students from introductory physics courses. The result of the study thus far is a preliminary set of hierarchical categories that describe the students’ problem-solving approaches when faced with various physics problems. The findings from the research presented here indicate that many introductory students in higher education do not approach problem solving in a strategic manner and many do not try to link …


An Approach To Unification Using A Linear Systems Model For The Propagation Of Broad-Band Signals, Jonathan Blackledge Jan 2007

An Approach To Unification Using A Linear Systems Model For The Propagation Of Broad-Band Signals, Jonathan Blackledge

Articles

We review the inhomogeneous scalar Helmholtz equation in three-dimensions and the scattering of scalar wavefields from a scatterer of compact support. An asymptotic solution is then considered representing the effect of the frequency approaching zero when a ‘wavefield’ reduces to a ‘field’. The characteristics of ultra-low frequency Helmholtz scattering are then considered and the physical significance discussed of a model that is based on the scattering of Helmholtz wavefields over a broad frequency spectrum. This is equivalent to using a linear systems approach for modelling the propagation, interaction and detection of broad-band signals and provides an approach to the classification …


Growth Substrate Induced Functional Changes Elucidated By Ftir And Raman Spectroscopy In In-Vitro Cultured Human Keratinocytes., Aidan Meade, Fiona Lyng, Peter Knief, Hugh Byrne Jan 2007

Growth Substrate Induced Functional Changes Elucidated By Ftir And Raman Spectroscopy In In-Vitro Cultured Human Keratinocytes., Aidan Meade, Fiona Lyng, Peter Knief, Hugh Byrne

Articles

Non-invasive measurements of cellular function in in-vitro cultured cell lines using vibrational spectroscopy require the use of spectroscopic substrates such as quartz, ZnSe and MirrIR etc. These substrates are generally dissimilar to the original in-vivo extracellular environment of a given cell line and are often tolerated poorly by cultured cell lines resulting in morphological and functional changes in the cell. The present study demonstrates various correlations between vibrational spectroscopic analyses and biochemical analyses in the evaluation of the interaction of a normal human epithelial keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) with MirrIR and quartz substrates coated with fibronectin, laminin and gelatin. The …


Diffusion And Fractional Diffusion Based Models For Multiple Light Scattering And Image Analysis, Jonathan Blackledge Jan 2007

Diffusion And Fractional Diffusion Based Models For Multiple Light Scattering And Image Analysis, Jonathan Blackledge

Articles

This paper considers a fractional light diffusion model as an approach to characterizing the case when intermediate scattering processes are present, i.e. the scattering regime is neither strong nor weak. In order to introduce the basis for this approach, we revisit the elements of formal scattering theory and the classical diffusion problem in terms of solutions to the inhomogeneous wave and diffusion equations respectively. We then address the significance of these equations in terms of a random walk model for multiple scattering. This leads to the proposition of a fractional diffusion equation for modelling intermediate strength scattering that is based …


Development Of A Novel Modular Mid-Infrared Sensor For The In-Situ Detection Of The Btex Compounds In Water, Raymond Mccue Jan 2007

Development Of A Novel Modular Mid-Infrared Sensor For The In-Situ Detection Of The Btex Compounds In Water, Raymond Mccue

Doctoral

This research thesis describes the design, construction and testing of a novel modular mid-infrared fibre optic sensing system for the detection of hydrocarbons in water. It is the adverse effects to these hydrocarbon pollutants on flora and fauna that has led to the development of sensing systems for their detection and quantification. The key sensor design feature, its modularity, utilises simple low cost commercially available optical components, which are inherently suited to construct compact rugged sensing systems to perform in-situ measurements which are ideally preferred for environmental sensing. The various laboratory-based prototypes constructed weee calibrated for two target analytes over …


Colour Doppler Spatial Resolution Performance Testing, Jacinta Browne, Ian Brown, Peter Hoskins, Amanda Watson, Alex Elliott Jan 2007

Colour Doppler Spatial Resolution Performance Testing, Jacinta Browne, Ian Brown, Peter Hoskins, Amanda Watson, Alex Elliott

Articles

No abstract available


A New Approach To The Toxicity Testing Of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials: The Clonogenic Assay, Eva Herzog, Alan Casey, Fiona Lyng, Gordon Chambers, Hugh Byrne, Maria Davoren Jan 2007

A New Approach To The Toxicity Testing Of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials: The Clonogenic Assay, Eva Herzog, Alan Casey, Fiona Lyng, Gordon Chambers, Hugh Byrne, Maria Davoren

Articles

The cellular toxicity of three types of carbon nanoparticles, namely HiPco® single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), arc dischargeSWCNTand Printex 90 carbon black nanoparticles,was studied on three different cell models including the human alveolar carcinoma epithelial cell line (A549), the normal human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) and the human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) using the clonogenic assay. Carbon nanomaterials are known to interact with colorimetric indicator dyes frequently used in cytotoxicity assays. By employing the clonogenic assay, any such interactions could be avoided, allowing a more reliable method for the in vitro toxicity assessment of carbon-based nanoparticles. It could be shown …


Slow Flow Between Concentric Cones, O. Hall, C. P. Hills, A. D. Gilbert Jan 2007

Slow Flow Between Concentric Cones, O. Hall, C. P. Hills, A. D. Gilbert

Articles

This paper considers the low-Reynolds-number flow of an incompressible fluid contained in the gap between two coaxial cones with coincident apices and bounded by a spherical lid. The two cones and the lid are allowed to rotate independently about their common axis, generating a swirling motion. The swirl induces a secondary, meridional circulation through inertial effects. For specific configurations complex eigenmodes representing an infinite sequence of eddies, analogous to those found in two-dimensional corner flows and some three-dimensional geometries, form a component of this secondary circulation. When the cones rotate these eigenmodes, arising from the geometry, compete with the forced …


Phenomenographic Study Of Students’ Problem Solving Approaches In Physics, Laura Walsh, Robert Howard, Brian Bowe Jan 2007

Phenomenographic Study Of Students’ Problem Solving Approaches In Physics, Laura Walsh, Robert Howard, Brian Bowe

Articles

This paper describes ongoing research investigating student approaches to quantitative and qualitative problem solving in physics. This empirical study was conducted using a phenomenographic approach to analyze data from individual semistructured problem solving interviews with 22 introductory college physics students. The main result of the study is a hierarchical set of categories that describe the students’ problem solving approaches in the context of introductory physics.


Hologram-Based Humidity Indicator For Domestic And Packaging Applications, Izabela Naydenova, Raghavendra Jallapuram, Vincent Toal, Suzanne Martin Jan 2007

Hologram-Based Humidity Indicator For Domestic And Packaging Applications, Izabela Naydenova, Raghavendra Jallapuram, Vincent Toal, Suzanne Martin

Conference Papers

A passive indicator for Relative Humidity based on a photopolymer recorded hologram has been developed. The indicator works on the principle that the wavelength reconstructed by a reflection hologram is dependent on the spacing between the fringe planes of the hologram. As the Relative Humidity changes, the hologram swells or shrinks and the apparent colour of the reconstructed image changes. The response time, operational range and reversibility of the indicator have been studied in a controlled humidity environment. Response times from less than a minute to tens of minutes depending on the holograms physical properties have been measured. Indicators with …