Afin de fournir une meilleure prévision du mouvement du sol attendu dans la région de Port-au-Prince, ce travail de thèse propose de détecter et de quantifier les effets de site, d’analyser les caractéristiques des ondes sismiques piégées dans la couche meuble du bassin, et de simuler des accélérogrammes synthétiques réalistes que produirait un séisme futur. A cette fin, nous proposons d’analyser les signaux de 78 séismes qui ont eu lieu entre mars 2010 et février 2013 en appliquant les méthodes de rapports spectraux H/V séisme et SSR. Cette étude met en évidence une forte variabilité spatiale dans les amplifications mesurées, qui est tout à fait cohérente avec la géologie de surface très hétérogène de la zone. On note aussi des amplifications à basse fréquence sur les sédiments marins proches de la côte. Sur les contreforts du massif de la Selle, les réverbérations des ondes sismiques amplifient fortement le mouvement sismique au sommet de la colline. De plus, sur certaines stations nous mettons en évidence, un allongement du signal dû à la présence d’ondes de surface. Pour la génération des accélérogrammes synthétiques, nous utilisons d’abord la méthode des fonctions de Green empiriques. Les résultats obtenus montrent que les mouvements du sol les plus forts sont attendues dans les sédiments quaternaires près de la côte et sur les crêtes des collines du Sud de Port-au-Prince. Ensuite, une méthode hybride de simulation combinant fonctions de transfert complexes et simulations EGF au rocher a été mise en place, et validée à partir de test sur des sites instrumentés de la région métropolitaine de Port-au-Prince / In order to help estimating the seismic ground motion expected in the Port-au-Prince area (Haiti), we characterize local site effects, pointing out the seismic waves trapped in the loose layer of Cul-de-Sac basin, and provide realistic synthetic accelerograms for an hypothetical future earthquake.To this end, we propose to analyze signals from 78 earthquakes that occurred between March 2010and February 2013, by applying two methods of spectral ratios : The H/V earthquake method and the classical spectral ratio (SSR). A strong spatial variability was observed in the measured amplifications, which is quite consistent with the heterogeneous surface geology of the area. We notice in particular strong amplification on marine sediments close to the coast. In the foothills of the Massif de la Selle the reflection of the seismic waves lead to the concentration of the wave fields that strongly amplify seismic ground motion at the top of the hills. In addition, an increase of the signal duration due to the presence of surface waves was also highlighted on some stations of the plain. For the generation of synthetic accelerograms, we first use Empirical Green functions (EGF) method. The results show that the strongest acceleration is expected in Quaternary sediments near the coast and on the ridge of south hills of Port-au-Prince. Then, a hybrid simulation method combining complex transfer functions (amplitude and phase) and the EGF simulation on bedrock was set up and validated from testing on instrumented sites in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince

The purpose of this study is to assess the engineering geological and geotechnical characteristics and to perform seismic hazard studies of the Upper Pliocene and Quaternary deposits located towards the west of Ankara. Based on a general engineering geological and seismic characterization of the site, site classification systems are assigned for seismic hazard assessment studies. The objective of the research is to determine the regional and local seismic soil conditions, predominant periods and ground amplifications, and to idealize the soil profile of the sites by the aid of surface geophysical methods. These studies are combined and integrated with the geotechnical database from a variety of in-situ and laboratory studies that are compiled from present and previous studies regarding the project area and then transferred to an analytical environment for creating relevant information for our site. Then, engineering geological and geotechnical seismic characterization along with seismic zoning map preperation is accomplished. Finally, based on a general engineering geological and geotechnical site characterization, site classification systems are assigned to account for site effects in seismic hazard assessments along with the assessment of mitigation and remediation of seismic hazards.

No description available.

A detecção microscópica de gametócitos pode subestimar sua prevalência e induzir uma avaliação errônea do potencial de transmissão da malária em áreas endêmicas, mantendo desconhecida a proporção de indivíduos infectados que são potenciais transmissores da doença. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a padronização de métodos moleculares para detecção e quantificação de gametócitos de P. falciparum e P. vivax. Descrevemos um método de qRT-PCR, que tem como alvo transcritos do gene pvs25 e pfs25. Detectamos transcritos de pvs25 em 96,4% das amostras sanguíneas provenientes de indivíduos infectados por P. vivax. qRT-PCR foi mais sensível do que a RT-PCR convencional, que tem como alvo o mesmo gene. Descobrimos que a maioria (61,9%) dos portadores de gametócitos são assintomáticos ou tem parasitemias subpatentes e não teriam sido detectados pelas estratégias de controle de rotina da malária. Porém, esses portadores de gametócitos não identificados, geralmente possuem baixas densidades de gametócitos e contribuem com até 4% da carga global de gametócitos na comunidade. / The microscopic detection of gametocytes may underestimate their prevalence, leading to an inaccurate assessment of the potential for malaria transmission in receptive areas and a poor estimate of the proportion of infected individuals who are infectious. We aimed to standardize molecular methods for detection and quantification of gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Here, we describe a qRT-PCR that targets transcripts of the mature gametocyte-specific pvs25 gene. We found mature gametocytes in 53 of 55 (96.4%) P. vivax infections diagnosed during an ongoing cohort study in a farming settlement located in the southern of Amazonas state. SYBR green qRT-PCR was more sensitive than a conventional RT-PCR that targets the same gene. Most (61.9%) gametocyte carriers were either asymptomatic or had subpatent parasitemias, and would have been missed by routine malaria control strategies. However, potentially undiagnosed gametocyte carriers usually had low-density infections and contributed up to 4% to the overall gametocyte burden in the community.

Steel-deck composite floor systems are being increasingly used in high-rise building construction, especially in Australia, as they are economical and easy to construct. These composite floor systems use high strength materials to achieve longer spans and are thus slender. As a result, they are vulnerable to vibration induced under service loads. These floors are normally designed using static methods which will not reveal the true behaviour and miss the dynamic amplifications resulting in inappropriate designs, which ultimately cause vibration and discomfort to occupants. At present there is no adequate design guidance to address the vibration in these composite floors, due to a lack of research information, resulting in wasteful post event retrofits. To address this gap in knowledge, a comprehensive research project is presented in this thesis, which investigated the dynamic performance of composite floors under various human induced loads. A popular type of composite floor system was selected for this investigation and subjected to load models representing different human activities. These load models have variable parameters such as load intensity, activity type (contact ratio), activity frequency and damping and are applied as pattern loads to capture the maximum responses in terms of deflections and accelerations. Computer models calibrated against experimental results are used in the analysis to generate the required information. The dynamic responses of deflections and accelerations are compared with the serviceability deflection limits and human comfort levels (of accelerations) to assess these floor types. This thesis also treats the use of visco-elastic (VE) dampers to mitigate excessive vibrations in steel-deck composite floors. VE damper properties have been presented and their performances in reducing the excessive vibrations have been assessed this thesis. The results identified possible occupancies under different loading conditions that can be used in planning, design and evaluation. The findings can also be used to plan retrofitting measures in problematic floor systems.

A detecção microscópica de gametócitos pode subestimar sua prevalência e induzir uma avaliação errônea do potencial de transmissão da malária em áreas endêmicas, mantendo desconhecida a proporção de indivíduos infectados que são potenciais transmissores da doença. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a padronização de métodos moleculares para detecção e quantificação de gametócitos de P. falciparum e P. vivax. Descrevemos um método de qRT-PCR, que tem como alvo transcritos do gene pvs25 e pfs25. Detectamos transcritos de pvs25 em 96,4% das amostras sanguíneas provenientes de indivíduos infectados por P. vivax. qRT-PCR foi mais sensível do que a RT-PCR convencional, que tem como alvo o mesmo gene. Descobrimos que a maioria (61,9%) dos portadores de gametócitos são assintomáticos ou tem parasitemias subpatentes e não teriam sido detectados pelas estratégias de controle de rotina da malária. Porém, esses portadores de gametócitos não identificados, geralmente possuem baixas densidades de gametócitos e contribuem com até 4% da carga global de gametócitos na comunidade. / The microscopic detection of gametocytes may underestimate their prevalence, leading to an inaccurate assessment of the potential for malaria transmission in receptive areas and a poor estimate of the proportion of infected individuals who are infectious. We aimed to standardize molecular methods for detection and quantification of gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Here, we describe a qRT-PCR that targets transcripts of the mature gametocyte-specific pvs25 gene. We found mature gametocytes in 53 of 55 (96.4%) P. vivax infections diagnosed during an ongoing cohort study in a farming settlement located in the southern of Amazonas state. SYBR green qRT-PCR was more sensitive than a conventional RT-PCR that targets the same gene. Most (61.9%) gametocyte carriers were either asymptomatic or had subpatent parasitemias, and would have been missed by routine malaria control strategies. However, potentially undiagnosed gametocyte carriers usually had low-density infections and contributed up to 4% to the overall gametocyte burden in the community.

Une formulation détaillée de la méthode de représentation des champs d'ondes sismiques, est donnée dans les cas P, SV, et SH, pour des milieux 2D dont la stratification est formée de couches latéralement irrégulières. Cette représentation est basée sur l'échantillonnage de l'espace des nombres d'onde et sur la résolution des conditions aux limites des champs de contraintes et de déplacements aux différentes interfaces. Cette méthode est appliquée au calcul des mouvements du sol à des distances de quelques kilomètres de la source et, à l' aide du théorème de réciprocité, à la simulation de ces mouvements pour des distances télésismiques. L'influence des différentes structures géologiques (e .g. topographies irrégulières, bassins sédimentaires) est mise en évidence sur les amplifications ct les atténuations des déplacements du sol. Les effets produits sur les champs de déplacements sont analysés en fonction de la position de la source par rapport aux irrégularités du milieu de propagation. Les variations de ces effcets sont également étudiées lorsque l'on change la forme des hétérogénéités. Sont étudiés à distances régionales: un mécanisme de défocalisation de l'énergie sur une structure anticlinale, l'allongement de la durée des mouvements du sol par rétropropagation des champs d'ondes dans un bassin sédimentaire, l'influence de la raideur (Ides reliefs et de la profondeur de la source sur les champs d'ondes diffractés par une explosion. A distances télésismique, une étude est menée qui précise l'incidence des structures hétérogènes se trouvant dans la région de la source, sur l'estimation de la magnitude.