Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Substrate mapping'

Permafrost thaw is likely to create a substantial positive feedback to climate change, as previously frozen organic carbon (OC) becomes available for biological metabolism and is released to the atmosphere. Microbes mediate transformation and release of formerly stored C, while also consuming recently fixed plant C and age stored C in the seasonally-thawed peat active layer. This biological activity releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) to the atmosphere. To investigate microbial C cycling changes with permafrost thaw, we examined how microbial community C substrate degradation differed between two thaw features in Stordalen Mire, Sweden, located at the discontinuous southern edge of the permafrost zone. The progression of thaw results in increasing organic matter lability, shifting microbial community composition, and changing C gas emissions. However, the interrelationship of the population metabolism with the gas release remains unclear. We analyzed microbial C substrate utilization in bog and fen sites using Biolog Ecoplates and measurements of CH4 and CO2 production in anaerobic incubations of peat with select C substrate amendments. Overall, the results suggest that, with permafrost thaw, substrates for microbial carbon processing diversify, utilization of these substrates reaches a greater extent, and pathways of carbon degradation shift towards methanogenesis.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia that affects an estimated 33.5 million people worldwide. Despite its prevalence and economic burden, treatments remain relatively ineffective. Interventional treatments using catheter ablation have shown more success in cure rates than pharmacologic methods for AF. However, success rates diminish drastically in patients with more advanced forms of the disease. The focus of this research is to develop a mapping strategy to improve the success of ablation. To achieve this goal, I used a computational model of excitation in order to simulate atrial fibrillation and evaluate mapping strategies that could guide ablation. I first propose a substrate guided mapping strategy to allow patient-specific treatment rather than a one size fits all approach. Ablation guided by this method reduced AF episode durations compared to baseline durations and an equal amount of random ablation in computational simulations. Because the accuracy of electrogram mapping is dependent upon catheter-tissue contact, I then provide a method to identify the distance between the electrode recording sites and the tissue surface using only the electrogram signal. The algorithm was validated both in silico and in vivo. Finally, I develop a classification algorithm for the identification of activation patterns using simultaneous, multi-site electrode recordings to aid in the development of an appropriate ablation strategy during AF. These findings provide a framework for future mapping and ablation studies in humans and assist in the development of individualized ablation strategies for patients with higher disease burden.

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FACEPE
The wireless technologies are progressing at a rapid pace such that the future of digital communication will be dominated by a dense, ubiquitous and heterogeneous wireless network. Along with this, there is a growing demand for wireless services with different requirements. In this respect, the management of this complex wireless ecosystem becomes challenging, and the wireless virtualization is pointed as an efficient solution to perform it, where different virtual wireless networks can be created, sharing and running on the same wireless infrastructure, and providing differentiated services to users. However, to satisfy the high demand for mobile communications, it is necessary the availability of a natural and scarce resource, the electromagnetic spectrum. Although the insertion of virtualization in wireless networks provides better resources utilization, the current approaches to employ the wireless virtualization can cause resource underutilization. To overcome this underutilization and enable that new wireless virtual networks can be deployed, the wireless virtualization can be combined with the cognitive radio technology and dynamic spectrum access (DSA) techniques in order to achieve the deepest level of wireless virtualization and to improve the resource utilization through the deployment of opportunistic resource sharing. Thus, virtual wireless networks with different access priorities to the resources (e.g. primary and secondary) can be deployed in an overlay form, sharing the same substrate wireless network, where the secondary virtual network (SVN) accesses the resources only when the primary one (PVN) is not using them. However, this new scenario brings new challenges: from the mapping to operation of these networks. The SVN mapping is a NP-hard problem and presents some constraints and objectives related to both PVNs and SVNs. Achieving all objectives simultaneously is a challenging process. This thesis addresses the SVNs mapping problem onto substrate network considering the existence of the PVNs on the same substrate network. It discloses the environment composed by these networks, denoted as cognitive radio virtual network environment (CRVNE), models this environment by using a M/M/N/N queue with preemptive and priority service, and delineates a multi-objective problem formulation for the SVNs mapping. Moreover, a scheme based on Genetic Algorithms to solve the SVNs mapping problem is proposed and evaluated in terms of collision, secondary user (SU) dropping, and SU blocking probabilities, and joint utilization, achieving better results than other based on the First-Fit strategy.
Recentemente, as tecnologias sem fio estão progredindo rapidamente de modo que o futuro da comunicação digital será dominado por uma rede sem fio densa, ubíqua e heterogênea. Adicionado a isso, existe uma demanda crescente por serviços sem fio com diferentes requisitos. Neste aspecto, o gerenciamento deste ecossistema complexo se tona desafiador e a virtualização sem fio é apontada como uma solução eficiente para realizá-lo, onde redes virtuais sem fio diferentes podem ser criadas, compartilhando e executando sobre a mesma infraestrutura de rede sem fio e provendo serviços diferenciados aos usuários. Entretanto, para satisfazer à alta demanda por comunicação móvel é necessária a disponibilidade de um recurso natural e escasso, o espectro eletromagnético. Embora a inserção de virtualização em redes sem fio forneça maior utilização dos recursos, as abordagens atuais para empregar a virtualização sem fio podem causar subutilização de recursos. Para superar esta subutilização, a virtualização sem fio pode ser combinada com a tecnologia de rádio cognitivo e técnicas de acesso dinâmico ao espectro (DSA) para alcançar o mais profundo nível de virtualização sem fio e melhorar a utilização de recursos através do compartilhamento oportunista deles. Assim, redes virtuais sem fio com diferentes prioridades de acesso aos recursos (ex. primária e secundária) podem ser implantadas sobrepostas, compartilhando a mesma infraestrutura de rede sem fio, onde as redes virtuais secundárias (SVNs) acessam os recursos somente quando as redes virtuais primárias (PVNs) não os estiverem utilizando. Entretanto, este novo cenário traz novos desafios, desde o mapeamento até a operação destas redes. O mapeamento de SVNs é um problema NP-difícil e apresenta restrições e objetivos relacionados tanto às PVNs quanto às SVNs. Alcançar todos os objetivos simultaneamente é um processo desafiador. Esta tese aborda o problema de mapeamento de SVNs em redes de substrato considerando a existência de PVNs na mesma rede de substrato. Ela apresenta o ambiente de redes virtuais de rádio cognitivo (CRVNE), modela este ambiente utilizando uma fila M/M/N/N preemptiva e com prioridade e delineia uma formulação multiobjetivo para o mapeamento de SVNs. Além disso, um esquema baseado em Algoritmos Genéticos (GA) para resolver o problema de mapeamento de SVNs é proposto e avaliado em termos das probabilidades de colisão, descarte de usuário secundário (US), bloqueio de US e utilização conjunta, alcançando melhores resultados do que um esquema baseado na estratégia First-Fit.

L'ablation par radiofréquence constitue un des traitements des tachycardies ventriculaires, en association avec les drogues anti-arythmiques et l’implantation d'un défibrillateur. L’objectif principal de cette thèse est de mieux comprendre le substrat arythmogène non seulement à l’aide d'imagerie cardiaque (IRM et scanner) de haute résolution et de cartographie de haute densité, en utilisant des cathéters multipolaires. Cela nous permettra d'analyser la relation structure-fonction. Nous avons étudié cette relation sur différents types de substrats (ICM, NICM, DAVD, et myocardites). Nous avons ainsi prouvé la supériorité de la cartographie de haute densité obtenue à partir de cathéters multipolaires, comparativement aux données recueillies par l’imagerie, dans l’identification de la cicatrice arythmogène et la détection des LAVA. La deuxième partie de cette thèse concerne l’étude du substrat arythmogène épicardique. Nous avons ainsi décrit la technique de cartographie par voie percutanée antérieure, puis démontré l'efficacité des procédures uniquement avec abord épicardique. La segmentation du nerf phrénique et des artères coronaires ont permis de diminuer le taux de complications théoriquement liés à cet abord. Nous avons poursuivi ce travail avec l’analyse des sites d'intérêt de l'ablation des TV: les LAVA. Après une description de la stratégie d’élimination des LAVA, nous avons tenté de trouver des prédicteurs permettant de localiser les sites de LAVA, à partir des données d'imagerie. Quand l'imagerie montre une cicatrice intraseptale ou intramurale, les LAVA ne peuvent pas être enregistrés avec la cartographie et des alternative techniques d'ablation sont nécessaires comme une ablation bipolaire, l'alcoolisation intra coronaire et l'ablation avec l'aiguille irriguée. Le dernier chapitre est une revue sur le futur de l'imagerie, de la cartographie et de l’ablation des tachycardies ventriculaires. Une meilleure compréhension du substrat arythmogène pourrait améliorer l'efficacité et la sécurité des ablations de tachycardie ventriculaire
Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is an effective treatment strategy for scar-related ventricular tachycardia (VT), resistant to anti-arrhythmic drugs and intracardiac defibrillator (ICD) placement. The goal of this thesis was to better understand and characterize the arrhythmogenic VT substrate in different cardiomyopathic processes: ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and myocarditis. For this purpose, we combined high resolution imaging including different modalities and high resolution electrical mapping to better understand the structure-function relationship. We focused on multiple different aspects of VT ablation as outlined below. The first part of this thesis focuses on the role of multipolar mapping catheters and imaging to analyze their structural and functional relationship. We demonstrated superiority of high density mapping with multipolar mapping on conventional mapping in detection of scar, channels, local abnormal ventricular activity (LAVA) and sensitivity for near field signals. The second part of this thesis focuses on ablation of epicardial VT substrate. We demonstrated the efficacy and safety of epicardial only procedures in a highly selected population. We used imaging to have access to the exact anatomy of the heart, to image the substrate but also to increase the safety of ablation procedures by imaging the phrenic nerve and the coronary artery system. The third part of this thesis focuses on analysis of the mapping and ablation of potential targets for scar-related VT ablation. Within this context, we identified predictors of interesting ablation (LAVA) sites based on preprocedural imaging. We also analyzed the role of alternative strategies such as bipolar ablation, ethanol ablation and irrigated needle ablation to ablate intramural and intraseptal substrate, 18 often resistant ablation targets. Overall, we demonstrate that novel imaging, mapping and ablation techniques potentially improve the outcome of VT ablation

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005.
Madhavan Swaminathan, Committee Chair ; Sung Kyu Lim, Committee Member ; Abhijit Chatterjee, Committee Member ; David C. Keezer, Committee Member ; C. P. Wong, Committee Member. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Cette thèse s'inscrit dans le projet FUI-2011 BELOCOPA (Bouée Éjectable pour la LOcalisation et la COllecte des Paramètres de vol d'un Aéronef abîmé en mer). Il s'agissait de concevoir et de développer un équipement embarqué, extractible et autonome pour localiser rapidement et avec précision un aéronef abîmé en mer et récupérer par liaisons radio les principales données de vol à partir d'un patrouilleur maritime. Le but de cette thèse, au sein de l'Institut Fresnel, concernait l'étude et la réalisation de l'antenne principale de la balise. Cette antenne devait être très flexible et de petites dimensions pour être pliée et insérée dans un espace réduit de la balise et résistante lors son déploiement après son éjection de l'avion. La première partie du travail a eu pour objectif de caractériser en terme de permittivité les différents matériaux diélectriques entrant dans la constitution de la balise, à savoir les substrats sur lesquels sont fixées les antennes et le radôme. La deuxième partie de la thèse porte sur la conception d'antennes multi-bandes fonctionnant en modes dipolaires sur le plan de fréquences du cahier des charges du projet. Ces antennes ont la particularité d'être extrêmement souples. Cette souplesse a été obtenue en réalisant des motifs métalliques rayonnants sur une toile polyamide. Plusieurs motifs ont été étudiés et testés pour converger vers une antenne méandre fonctionnant à trois fréquences distinctes. A l'issue de cette étude, un prototype de l'antenne finale positionnée dans son radôme constitue le dernier maillon du prototype de la balise de détresse du projet BELOCOPA
This thesis is part of the BELOCOPA project FUI-2011 (BELOCOPA means Ejected Buoy to LOcalize and COllect the data of a crashed plane in sea). It was about designing and developing an on-board, removable and autonomous, equipment to localize quickly and precisely an aircraft crashed in the sea, and to collect by telecommunication the main flight data from a patrol boat. The aim of this thesis, in the Fresnel Institute, was the study and the realization of the main antenna of the beacon. This antenna had to be very flexible with small dimensions to be folded and integrated in a reduced space of the beacon, and had to be strong during its deployment after the ejection of the plane. The aim of the first part of the work was to characterize in term of permittivity the different dielectric materials included in the composition of the beacon, namely the substrates of the antennas and the radome. The second part of the thesis was on the design of multi-band antennas working in dipolar modes on the frequency plan of the specification of the project. The characteristic of these antennas is to be very flexible. This flexibility was obtained realizing metal radiating pattern on a polyamide material. Several patterns have been studied and tested to get the final antenna with meander working at three different resonance frequencies. Following this study, a prototype of the final antenna integrated in the radome is the last link of the prototype of the distress beacon BELOCOPA

Les arythmies ventriculaires conduisant à la mort subite ont été précédemment associées àun type de cellules spécialisées, les fibres de Purkinje (FP). Elles font partie du systèmede conduction cardiaque, et possèdent un rôle majeur dans l’impulsion électrique et l’activationsynchrone des ventricules. Néanmoins, elles peuvent être impliquées dans des phénomènespro-arythmogéniques à l’origine de l’initiation ou du maintien de la fibrillation ventriculaire(FV) au sein de structures normales ou dans le cas d’un large spectre de maladies cardiaques.Cependant, les caractéristiques électrophysiologiques et structurelles des FP etles mécanismes sous-jacents des arythmies liées au Purkinje restent inconnus. Le systèmePurkinje semblerait jouer un rôle important de substrat de l’arythmie en raison de son impactsur l’hétérogénéité transmurale de repolarisation.Six études décrivant les propriétés électrophysiologiques et les propriétés macro/microstructurellesde ventricules gauches de brebis et de ventricules gauches humains ont étédéveloppées en utilisant une combinaison de méthodes classiques et innovantes.Les résultats ont permis de montrer que les FP, à travers leurs jonctions avec le myocarde,modulaient localement la durée du potentiel d'action et jouaient un rôle dans la dispersionde la repolarisation, révélant ainsi le rôle potentiel des FP dans le déclenchement etle maintien de la FV.Ce travail ouvre de nouvelles perspectives thérapeutiques dans le traitement préventifde l'arythmie ventriculaire afin de lutter contre la mort subite d'origine cardiaque
Arrhythmias that lead to sudden death have previously been associated with a specializedcell type, the Purkinje fibers (PF). They form the cardiac conduction system, and have a majorrole in the electrical impulse and synchronous activation of the ventricles. However, they maybe involved in pro-arrhythmic phenomena causing the initiation or maintenance of ventricularfibrillation (VF) in structurally normal and a broad spectrum of cardiac diseases.Nevertheless, electrophysiological and structural characteristics of PF and mechanismsunderlying Purkinje-related arrhythmias are poorly understood. It is hypothesized thatthe Purkinje system plays an important role as a substrate for arrhythmias due to, in part,its impact on transmural repolarization heterogeneity.Here within are six studies describing electrophysiological and macro/micro structuralproperties of sheep and human left ventricles using a combination of conventional andinnovative methods.Results showed that PF, through junctions with the myocardium, locally modulatedthe action potential duration and played a role in the dispersion of repolarization. Therefore,revealing a potential role for PF in both, trigger and maintenance of VF.This work opens new therapeutic perspectives in preventive treatment of ventriculararrhythmia to fight against sudden cardiac death

El present treball de recerca s'emmarca en un projecte Europeu anomenat E.D.E.N. (Enzyme Discovery in hybrid aspen for fibre ENgineering, QLK5-CT-2001-00443), l'objectiu del qual és la identificació de nous enzims vegetals per entendre amb major profunditat els processos de formació i modificació de les fibres vegetals per abordar en el futur la millora dels paràmetres de qualitat d'aquestes fibres, mitjançant la generació de línies transgèniques de plantes. En el present projecte es pretén aprofundir en el coneixement de les xiloglucà endotransglicosilases (XET), enzims claus en la construcció i modificació controlada de la xarxa de xiloglucà cel·lulosa, estudiant el seu mecanisme d'acció i la seva especificitat per substrat. En aquest treball s'estudia una XET de Populus tremula x tremuloides, concretament la XET16A (Ptt-XET16A).
Es dissenya i es valida un nou assaig enzimàtic mitjançant electroforesis capil·lar (HPCE), que permet l'estudi cinètic de les XET, emprant oligosacàrids de baix pes molecular de xiloglucà amb una estructura coneguda. Aquest substrats han estat sintetitzats en el present treball i també per l'equip del Dr. Driguez en el CERMAV-CNRS.
Es determina que el màxim d'activitat de la Ptt-XET16A es dóna entre pH 5 i 5.5 i entre 30 i 40 ºC. Es demostra que aquest enzim actua mitjançant un mecanisme cinètic bi-bi ping-pong, en el que l'acceptor actua com a inhibidor competitiu del donador unint-se a l'enzim lliure i en el que, depenent del donador emprat, aquest també poc actuar com a inhibidor competitiu de l'acceptor, unint-se als subsetis positius de l'intermedi glicosil-enzim i donant diferent reaccions secundàries com són la polimerització del donador o l'elongació del producte, només en el cas que el donador presenti un grup glucosil en l'extrem no reductor.
S'avalua un llibreria de xilogluco-oligosacàrids sintetitzada per l'equip del Dr. Driguez al CERMAV-CNRS com a donadors de la Ptt-XET16A. D'aquesta forma s'aprofundeix en el coneixement de l'activitat de les XTH, en el coneixement de la seva especificitat per substrat i es realitza un mapeig del centre actiu, obtenint la contribució dels diferents subsetis de la Ptt-XET16A en l'estabilització de l'estat de transició de la reacció de transglicosidació catalitzada per l'enzim estudiat.
Finalment, s'ha dissenyat un substrat bifluorogènic derivat del tetradecasacàrid emprat com a substrat estàndard en el present treball, per mesurar les activitats hidrolasa i transglicosilasa de les XETs mitjançant fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). El substrat bifluorogènic ha estat obtingut i caracteritzat, tanmateix, no s'ha pogut demostrar si aquest substrat és adequat per mesurar les activitats hidrolasa i transglicosilasa de les XETs ja que les propietats fluorescents del marcador s'han perdut en el procés de síntesis del substrat.
El presente trabajo de investigación se enmarca en un proyecto Europeo llamado E.D.E.N. (Enzyme Discovery in hybrid aspen for fibre ENgineering, QLK5-CT-2001-00443), el objetivo del cual es la identificación de nuevos enzimas vegetales para entender con mayor profundidad los procesos de formación y modificación de las fibras vegetales para abordar en el futuro la mejora de los parámetros de calidad de estas fibras, mediante la generación de líneas transgénicas de plantas. En el presente proyecto se pretende profundizar en el conocimiento de las xiloglucano endotransglicosilasas (XET), enzimas claves en la construcción y modificación controlada de la red de xiloglucano-celulosa, estudiando su mecanismo de acción y su especificidad por sustrato. En este trabajo se estudia una XET de Populus tremula x tremuloides, concretamente la XET16A (Ptt-XET16A).
Se diseña y se valida un nuevo ensayo enzimático mediante electroforesis capilar (HPCE), que permite el estudio cinético de las XET, utilizando oligosacáridos de xiloglucano de bajo peso molecular y de estructura conocida como sustratos. Estos sustratos han estado sintetizados en el presente trabajo y también por el equipo del Dr. Driguez en el CERMAV-CNRS.
Se determina que el máximo de actividad de la Ptt-XET16A se da entre pH 5 y 5.5 y entre 30 y 40 ºC. Se demuestra que este enzima actúa mediante un mecanismo cinético bi-bi ping-pong, en el que el aceptor actúa como inhibidor competitivo del dador uniéndose al enzima libre y en el que, dependiendo del dador utilizado , éste también puede actuar como inhibidor competitivo del aceptor uniéndose en los subsitios positivos del intermedio glicosilo-enzima y dando diferentes reacciones secundarias como son la polimerización del dador o la elongación del producto, solamente si el dador presenta un grupo glucosilo en el extremo no reductor.
Se evalúa una librería de xilogluco-oligosacáridos sintetizada por el equipo del Dr. Driguez en el CERMAV-CNRS como dadores de la Ptt-XET16A. De esta forma se profundiza en el conocimiento de la actividad de las XTHs, en el conocimiento de su especificidad por sustrato y se realiza un mapeo del centro activo del enzima, obteniéndose la contribución de los diferentes subsitios de la Ptt-XET16A en la estabilización del estado de transición de la reacción de transglicosidación catalizada por el enzima estudiado.
Finalmente, se ha diseñado un sustrato bifuorogénico derivado del tetradecasacárido utilizado como sustrato estándar en el presente trabajo para medir las actividades hidrolasa y transglicosilasa de las XETs mediante fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). El sustrato biofluorogénico ha sido obtenido y caracterizado, sin embargo no se ha podido demostrar si este sustrato es adecuado para medir las actividades hidrolasa y transglicosilasas de las XETs, ya que las propiedades fluorescentes del marcador se han perdido durante la síntesis del sustrato.
The present work is part of an European project named E.D.E.N. (Enzyme Discovery in hybrid aspen for fibre ENgineering, QLK5-CT-2001-00443). The general objective of the project is to identify novel plant enzymes for deeper understanding of the process of fiber formation and modification for future improvement of the quality parameters of wood fibers. The present project pretends to increase the knowledge about xyloglucan endotransglycosylases (XET), which are thought to be key enzymes in the construction and controlled modification of the xyloglucan¬cellulose network. It is pretended to study the mechanism of action and the substrate specificity of a XET from Populus tremula x tremuloides, concretely XET16A (Ptt-XET16A).
A new enzymatic assay based on capillary electrophoresis is designed and validated. This assay allows the kinetic study of XETs using as substrates, low molecular mass xyloglucan oligosaccharides with defined structures. These substrates have been synthesized in the present work and also in collaboration with Dr. Driguez team from CERMAV-CNRS.
It is concluded that the maximum of activity of Ptt-XET16A is between pH 5 and 5.5 and 30 and 40 ºC. It is demonstrated that Ptt-XET16A follows a bi-bi ping-pong kinetic mechanism, in which the acceptor acts as competitive inhibitor of the donor binding to the free enzyme and depending on the donor used, this one can act also as competitive inhibitor of the acceptor binding to the acceptor subsites of the glycosyl-enzyme intermediate giving rise to side reaction such as donor polymerization and product elongation only in case that the donor shows a glucosyl residue in the non reducing end.
A library of xylogluco-oligosaccharides, synthesized in CERMAV-CNRS by Dr. Driguez team, is evaluated as Ptt-XET16A donors. With this studies we are able to deeper understand the activity of XETs, their substrate specificity and a subsite maping of the binding cleft is done, obtaining the contribution of different subsites of Ptt-XET16A to the stabilization of the transition state of the transglycosylation reaction catalyzed by the studied enzyme.
Finally, a bifluorogenic substrate derived from the tetradecasacharide used as standard substrate in this project has been designed to measure hydrolase and transferase activities of XET enzymes by fluorescense resonance energy transfer (FRET). The bifluorogenic substrate was obtained, however, it could not be demonstrated if it is an adequate substrate to measure hydrolase and transferase activities because the fluorescent properties of the label were lost during substrate synthesis.

L'objectif de ce travail était de mieux appréhender les mécanismes impliqués dans la réponse à la resynchronisation biventriculaire (BIV) en insistant sur la caractérisation du substrat électrique éligible à la thérapie et l'intérêt de la resynchronisation électrique. Nous avons démontré qu'il existe une relation forte entre l'asynchronisme électrique de base défini tant par l'ECG de surface que par cartographie détaillée de l'activation ventriculaire (ECM) et la réponse hémodynamique à la stimulation BIV. Par rapport à l'ECG de surface, l'ECM permet une caractérisation plus fine de l'asynchronisme électrique ventriculaire avec une meilleure prédiction de la réponse clinique à la stimulation BIV. La présence d'un asynchronisme de base minimum, en particulier d'un retard d'activation ventriculaire gauche (VG) par rapport au ventricule droit (typiquement >SOms), est un prérequis à l'efficacité de la thérapie. Les patients avec bloc de branche gauche présentent un haut degré d'asynchronisme et la stimulation BIV agit sur ce substrat par resynchronisation de l'activation électrique. A contrario, la stimulation BIV dégrade la séquence d'activation ainsi que l'hémodynamique des patients à QRS fins (dyssynchronie iatrogène). Les patients présentant un trouble de conduction aspécifique présentent des degrés variables d'asynchronie électrique et en conséquence des réponses contrastées à la stimulation BIV. De même, l'analyse ECM de l'asynchronisme des patients chroniquement stimulés sur le ventricule droit a permis de mettre en évidence des degrés variables de retard d'activation du VG. Si la resynchronisation électrique est garante d'une amélioration de la fonction cardiaque, d'autres mécanismes sont impliqués telle la redistribution du travail segmentaire au sein du myocarde ventriculaire. L'efficacité de la stimulation mono-VG implique une participation accrue du ventricule droit au travail global (interaction ventriculaire)
We aimed to characterize the electrical substrate amenable to biventricular pacing (BVP) and to assess the actual value of electrical resynchronization. We showed, both with respect to surface ECG and detailed ventricular electrocardiographic mapping (ECM), a strong relationship between the baseline electrical dyssnchrony and the hemodynamic response to BIV pacing. Compared with standard ECG, ECM allows a more detailed analysis of the ventricular dyssynchrony and better predicts clinical outcomes after BVP. A minimal amount of electrical dyssynchrony, in particular a sufficient LV activation delay relative to right ventricular activation, is a prerequisite to the hemodynamic response to BVP. Due to their advanced electrical dyssynchrony, patients with left bundle branch block present potential for BVP positive response which acts by electrical resynchronization. Conversely, BVP worsens the electrical activation (iatrogenic dyssynchrony) and hemodynamics in patients with narrow QRS suffering from insufficient electrical dyssynchrony at baseline. Patients with unspecified conduction disorders show variable levels of electrical dyssynchrony and as a consequence mixed results to BVP. Similarly, ECM reveals a variable degree of left ventricular activation delay in patients chronically paced in the right ventricle. Beside the electrical resynchronization, other mechanisms are involved in the cardiac pump function improvement such as the redistribution of the mechanical work over the right and left ventricles. Through ventricular interaction, the RV myocardium importantly contributes to the improvement in LV pump function induced by single site LV pacing

The cross-sectional form of semi-alluvial bedrock channels was investigated. Channel geometry data were collected from a variety of streams in Ontario and Québec, Canada to develop empirical downstream scaling relationships. The relationships revealed that bedrock, mixed, and alluvial channels scale at similar rates with respect to discharge. The widest channels were formed in low-relief sedimentary bedrock with minimal alluvial cover. Channels influenced by resistant igneous/metamorphic bedrock produced a strong scaling relationship, whereas channels influenced by weak sedimentary bedrock produced a weak scaling relationship. Alluvial cover appeared to exhibit more control on channel width in low-relief settings in comparison to high-relief settings, with increased alluvial cover promoting channel narrowing. Channels influenced by igneous/metamorphic bedrock produced identifiable thalwegs, presumably due to well-defined bedload transport pathways. Channels influenced by sedimentary bedrock tended to have planar beds. Additionally, fish habitat was investigated at one semi-alluvial bedrock stream in Ontario, Canada. Fish sampling was conducted at proximate bedrock and alluvial sections followed by a survey of physical habitat parameters to evaluate habitat preferences. Adult logperch (Percina caprodes), juvenile white sucker (Catostomus commersonii), adult round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), and adult longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) demonstrated preference toward alluvial substrate, whereas juvenile logperch and adult banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus) demonstrated preference toward bedrock. Juvenile silver shiner (Notropis photogenis) and juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were indifferent to substrate type. Empirical depth and flow velocity habitat suitability indices (HSIs) were developed for each fish species. This study presents the first fish habitat suitability criteria developed from a small semi-alluvial bedrock stream and may provide valuable information for fisheries management endeavours in such environments.

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O presente estudo versa sobre os fatores tecnológicos e ambientais que vêm resultando no crescimento da produção de gás natural não convencional nos EUA. Os objetos de analise principais serão as políticas públicas, assim como a dinâmica entre os atores sociais e o ambiente propício que fora criado para que houvesse o adensamento do fomento e do estímulo às inovações tecnológicas sucedidas no setor.
The present study deals with the technological and environmental factors that have resulted in increased of production of unconventional natural gas in the U.S.. The objects of analysis will be the public policies, as well as the dynamics between social actors and enabling environment which was created to promote and the encourage the successful technological innovations in the industry.

A major goal for research on brain stimulation reward (BSR) is the identification of the directly-activated ("first-stage") neurons subserving the powerfully rewarding effect produced by electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). This objective was addressed by combining immunohistochemical, lesion, and behavioral methods. Immunohistochemical staining of the immediate early gene product, Fos, was used to visualize neurons activated by rewarding stimulation of the lateral hypothalamic (LH) level of the MFB. Production of Fos protein was increased ipsilateral to the stimulation electrode in subjects that had previously self-stimulated. Among the caudal diencephalic, midbrain and hindbrain structures with pronounced increases in Fos-like immunoreactivity ipsilateral to the site of stimulation were the arcuate nucleus, ventral tegmental area (VTA), central gray, pedunculopontine area (PPTg), parabrachial nucleus, and locus coeruleus. Among the forebrain structures showing a greater density of labeled neurons ipsilateral to the stimulating electrode were the septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), medial preoptic area (MPO), substantia innominata (SI), lateral preoptic area (LPO), and LH. Several of these structures, the VTA, PPTg, LPO, SI, and LH, have been implicated in MFB self-stimulation by the results of pharmacological, psychophysical, electrophysiological, and lesion studies. To complement previous lesion studies implicating the LPO, SI, and LH in BSR, changes in selfstimulation of the LH and VTA were assessed following excitotoxic lesions of more medial structures, including the MPO and BST. Damage centered in the MEW had little or no effect on the rewarding efficacy of more caudal stimulation. Thus, neurons with cell bodies in the medial portion of the basal forebrain may make a smaller contribution to the rewarding effect of MFB stimulation than neurons in the lateral portion. To further probe the role that basal forebrain neurons play in self-stimulation I describe and test an extension of the matching law to relate behavioral performance to the intensity and rate of reinforcement. Analyzing performance in this three-dimensional space provides a means of distinguishing lesion-induced changes that are due to damage in the first-stage neurons and/or their efferents from changes that result from damage in neurons that modulate the rewarding effect of the stimulation.

Ventricular tachyarrhythmias related to structural heart disease are the most common cause of sudden cardiac death. Many of these occur in patients with ventricular scarring, related predominantly to coronary artery disease or dilated cardiomyopathies. These regions of scarring remodel over time with ongoing collagen turnover and do not stay stable, such that patients are often subject to repeated episodes of the arrhythmia. Ventricular scars are composed of variable regions of dense interstitial fibrosis that create conduction block, interspersed with viable myocyte channels with diminished coupling which produce substrate for circuitous slow conduction pathways that promote reentry. During sinus rhythm, these channels can be identified by the presence of late potentials and long stimulus to QRS intervals during pacing in the channel. A high density of sampling in the left ventricle allows recording of small amplitude electrograms that are of fundamental emphasis in ventricular substrate mapping. Several studies have characterized channels in patients with ventricular scar and ventricular tachycardia (VT). However, there has been no assessment on the functional characteristics of these channels and whether channels that are critical to the VT circuit differ from non-VT channels. Chapter 1 reviews literature on arrhythmic burden and epidemiology of scar related VT, its cellular mechanisms, substrate characterization, techniques of VT mapping and gaps in the current knowledge. Chapter 2 presents the high density characterization of substrate in ischemic cardiomyopathy (lCM) patients with W and compares the features of VT supporting channels with channels that do not support VT. This study showed that compared to non-VT channels, VT channels are more often located in the dense scar, longer in length, have long stimulus to QRS latencies and slower conduction velocity. Chapter 3 describes the electrogram properties in regions of VT channels, and development of a stepwise model from multiple electrogram properties to ensemble regions supporting VT(s) during sinus rhythm. It also discusses the application of Shannon entropy, a fundamental measure of information content in signals, to map VT channels in sinus rhythm. This system of ablation along with high density mapping will significantly advance VT mapping and help individualize substrate based ablation. Chapter 4 presents data on high density characterization of substrate in ICM patients with W and compares with those who do not have spontaneous VT. It showed that patients without spontaneous VT have fewer channels with shorter lengths and faster conduction, compared to VT patients. These observations partly explain the relative higher predilection of few selected surviving myocyte channels in the post infarct ventricles to sustain VT. Structural heterogeneity in the scar produces spatial and temporal disturbances in ventricular repolarization over multiple time scales. Chapter 5 evaluates the role of acute autonomic modulation on beat-to-beat QT variability in patients with heart failure with and without VT and contrasts it with patients without structural heart disease. It showed that acute pacing and humoral modulation including beta-blockade fail to bring down high repolarization instability in heart failure patients and VT. Catheter ablation is the mainstay for treatment of recurrent ventricular arrhythmias in patients with structural heart disease. Chapter 6 analyses published literature on ventricular arrhythmia storm ablation in a systematic review and meta-analysis. It showed that the interventions are safe and patients often need multiple procedures including non-radiofrequency ablation measures. Although patients who had successful ablation had good long-term outcomes, a failed procedure portended an early and high rate of mortality compared with medically managed historic controls. It raised a pertinent concern of possible harmful effects of catheter ablation in a high risk patient population. In summary, this thesis has developed innovative insights into the surviving myocyte channels in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. It describes a novel tool for ventricular substrate mapping that is readily applicable in the clinical laboratory. The repolarization instability is elevated in these patients and is resistant to modulation by acute beta-blocker treatment. Finally, catheter ablation is safe and should be advised in most patients with ventricular arrhythmia storm.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Medicine, 2014

碩士
元智大學
工業工程與管理學系
105
Lean Production emphasizes customer value orientation while conducting a series of improvement activities on production or operation processes in order to transcend the service quality requirements beyond customer expectations, to improve business productivity and increase industrial competitiveness. Value Stream Mapping reflects the overall operating process of the current situation and is widely used in various industries of production, operations, service processes. In Make-To-Order production environment, companies must have superior productivity, timely response to the demand of market, in order to stand out from the competitive market. The study assists the case company to solve the current problem at low cost and suggests the direction of improvement. It provides the company with the reference for initial improvement so as to realize the possibility of productivity enhancement. In this study, Value Stream Mapping analysis is applied to the case-by-case production process, and the seven criteria of value flow are used to re-integrate the production process. The results of the study indicated that the company's total lead time can be improved by 96.68%, processing time by 12.80%, the annual personnel costs can be reduced by NT $ 1.92 million. A significant gap was also shown between the improved process cycle efficiency of 87.65% and the original 3.33%. Although the estimated improvement serves as a reference, Value Stream Mapping analysis can undoubtedly improve productive. Keywords：Lean Production, Value Stream Mapping, Make-To-Order production.

Atrial fibrillation is the most prevalent arrhythmia worldwide and remains one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia that has a various etiology and takes number of clinical forms. Due to the heterogenity of atrial fibrillation, it is necessary to individualize the optimal treatment strategy, ie conservative pharmacological therapy or interventional therapy as catheter ablation. Inncorrect indication of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation leads to low success rate of the procedure and increases the risk of the procedure. The success rate of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation depends on many clinical parameters, including the size and volume of the left atrium and the presence of pathological tissue in the atrial myocardium. In everyday practice, echocardiography (2D-echocardiography) is the most dominant method in estimation of the left atrial parameters, for it's simplicity, non- invasiveness, financial costs and the absence of ionizing radiation. Different methods for assesment of left atrial parameters are cardiac CT, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and methods of 3-D echocardiography or 3-D angiography. The results of the present studies show that in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who are indicated for catheter...

Rift Valley Fever Virus is a plebovirus that causes epidemics and epizootics in sub-Saharan African countries but has expanded to Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula. The laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus) is susceptible to RVFV and has been shown to manifest the characteristic responses of humans and livestock. The rat has frequently been used as a model to study RVFV pathogenesis. Several strains have been infected and some found to be resistant to hepatic disease while others were not. This resistance was found to be associated with a dominant gene inherited in Mendelian fashion. The congenic rat strain WF.LEW and several substrains of the parental strains were used to try and locate the resistance gene. Microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms were used to characterize the genomes of various rat substrains in an attempt to map the gene. Breeding and viral challenge experiments were used to further characterize the strains and assign a location to the resistance gene. The LEW/SsNHsd rats showed approximately 37% genomic difference as compared with LEW/MolTac rats, and 8% difference as compared with LEW/Crl rats. WF/NHsd rats demonstrated a difference of approximately 8% as compared with WF/CrCrl rats. Genotyping of the congenic WF.LEW revealed Lewis markers on RNO3 and RNO9. Subsequent backcross experiments and viral challenge experiments assigned the resistance gene to the distal end of RNO3.