In order to evaluate a biologically relevant measure of exposure, inhalable samplers are designed to match the aspiration efficiency of the human head. Human inhalability is evaluated in wind tunnel studies using mannequins as human surrogates or using numerical and computational methods. There has been differences between human aspiration efficiency estimates using wind tunnel studies and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, particularly for larger particle sizes (>68 µm). The objective of this dissertation was to evaluate biases in low velocity inhalability studies in an effort to explain the discrepancies in results between experimental and computational inhalability studies. This research addressed the phenomena of secondary aspiration on human facial skin, evaluated the appropriateness of mannequin surfaces as surrogates for humans, and evaluated the performance of the thin-walled reference sampler in low velocities to quantify potential biases in low velocity inhalability studies. The first study determined a realistic coefficient of restitution (CoR) for human facial skin over a range of ages under nine environmental conditions. This study found human facial skin is non-uniform across the face and identified significant interaction between age and sampling location, indicating that how CoR varies with age is dependent on the location sampled. The second study applied the average CoR values for forehead, cheeks and nose in CFD simulations to evaluate the effect of secondary aspiration on human aspiration efficiency estimates and determine how refined the CoR value needed to be to accurately model human aspiration efficiency. This study identified significant increases in aspiration when allowing for particle bounce, but no significant differences between uniform CoRs of 0.5, 0.8 and 1.0, indicating differences between different mannequin surfaces and particle interactions would have minimal effect on aspiration efficiency estimates. The third study evaluated the performance of a horizontally-aligned reference sampler in low wind speeds (0.1 to 0.4 m s-1). While significant differences from unity were identified, differences ranged from -1 to 6% and would have a negligible effect on sampler efficiency estimates. The use of a horizontally-aligned isokinetic reference sampler was found to be appropriate in freestream velocities ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 m s-1.

The aim of this work is to design digital synthesizer and modulator on embedded sys- tems. Work is exploring existing digital synthesizer and modulators in embedded systems and PC and with that gained knowledge is presenting possible solution of design on Field Programmable Gate Array.

This diploma thesis deals with pitch shifting methods of acoustical signals. The theoretic part of this thesis involves description of three different pitch shifting techniques, these are the method using a modulated delay line, PICOLA method and method using a phase vocoder. The first two methods represent the processing in time domain, the third method represents the processing in frequency domain. In relation with the PICOLA method, the thesis also mentions algorithms for pitch estimation. The practical part demonstrates the use of these methods. There is described a sampler virtual musical instrument based on the playback of the sounds stored in memory. In this part the particular units providing the required functionality are described. The generating of sounds is controlled by the MIDI protocol. In the sampler is implemented the PICOLA method.

Cette thèse, intégrée dans le projet Cosmet’eau et la phase 4 du programme OPUR, apporte de nouveaux éclairages sur la dynamique des parabènes, du triclosan et du triclocarban en milieu urbain sous forte pression anthropique. Ces molécules sont des biocides couramment utilisés en tant que conservateur dans de très nombreux produits de consommation courante comme les cosmétiques, les produits alimentaires ou pharmaceutiques, les textiles, les produits d’entretien. En dépit de leur toxicité, ces molécules ne font l’objet d’aucun suivi réglementaire dans l’environnement. Aussi, ce travail porte sur la dynamique de ces micropolluants en milieu urbain : de leurs sources (à savoir les eaux grises et eaux vannes) jusqu’au milieu récepteur (amont-aval de l’agglomération parisienne par échantillonnage ponctuel et passif) en intégrant leur comportement en station d’épuration à l’échelle de l’ouvrage.Au niveau des sources, cinq types d’eau grise issus de douche, lavabo, lave-linge, lave-vaisselle et vaisselle manuelle ont été considérés. Une variabilité importante des concentrations au sein de chacune des eaux grises et entre les différents types d’eau grise a été observée. Cette variabilité est le reflet des pratiques de consommation des différents volontaires. Au final, les eaux des lave-linge et douche sont les plus contaminées. Pour les parabènes, le linge est la source majoritaire de contamination des eaux de lave-linge, dans le cas des eaux de douche, les personnes et les produits de soins corporels sont les principales sources de contamination.Depuis 2010, les flux quotidiens par habitant de ces molécules ont diminué significativement (d’un facteur compris entre 2 et 7 suivant la molécule). Cette diminution s’explique par (i) les changements de formulation des produits cosmétiques et (ii) l’apparition de nouvelles réglementations plus contraignantes.Le suivi du devenir en station d’épuration (sur Seine Centre), à l’échelle de l’ouvrage, a montré que le traitement primaire (décantation physico-chimique lamellaire) permet un abattement quasi-total du triclosan, les parabènes sont majoritairement éliminés lors de la biofiltration notamment au niveau du premier étage (Biofor). La généralisation d’un traitement tertiaire (du type Carboplus® suivi lors de ce travail) permettrait de réduire ces rejets.Les rejets urbains par temps de pluie (ici les déversoirs d’orage) constituent une source importante de contamination pour le milieu récepteur au regard des niveaux que nous avons observé. La combinaison des rejets des stations d’épuration, par temps sec et par temps de pluie, et des déversoirs d’orage contribue à augmenter les niveaux en parabènes, triclosan et triclocarban de la Seine comme le suivi de deux stations de mesure en amont et aval de l’agglomération parisienne l’a mis en évidence. Les échantillonneurs passifs sont des outils prometteurs pour déterminer la fraction biodisponible du TCS et du TCC. En effet, la méthode développée dans le cadre du projet Cosmet’eau a été appliquée avec succès à la Seine. / This Phd thesis is part of both the Cosmet’Eau project and the OPUR programme. It provides new insights into the dynamics of parabens, triclosan and triclocarban in urban areas under strong human pressure. These molecules are biocides commonly used as preservatives in a wide range of consumer products, such as cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical products, textiles and cleaning products. Despite their toxicity, these molecules are not subject to any regulatory monitoring in the environment. Also, this work deals with the dynamics of these micropollutants in urban areas: from their sources (namely gray water and sewage) to the receiving environment (upstream-downstream of the Parisian conurbation with punctual and passive sampling) along with their behavior at different stages of a wastewater treatment plant.At the source level, five types of greywater from shower, washbasin, washing machine, dishwasher and manual dish washing were considered. Significant variability in concentrations within each greywater and between different types of greywater was observed. This variability reflects the consumption practices of the different volunteers. Besides, the waters from washing machines and showers are the most contaminated. For parabens, clothes are the main source of contamination of washing machine waters, while in shower waters, people and personal care products are the main sources of contamination.Since 2010, per capita daily flows of these molecules have decreased significantly (by a factor between 2 and 7 depending on the molecule). This decrease can be explained by (i) changes in the formulation of cosmetic products and (ii) the emergence of new, more restrictive regulations. The monitoring of the fate in wastewater treatment plant (Seine Centre), at the scale of the device, showed that primary treatment (lamellar physico-chemical decantation) allows a quasi-total removal of triclosan, while parabens are predominantly eliminated during the biofiltration, at the level of the first stage (Biofor). The general use of a tertiary treatment (like Carboplus®, studied during this work) would reduce discharges to receiving waters of parabens, triclosan and triclocarban.Urban discharges during wet weather period (here combined sewer overfows) constitute a major source of contamination for the receiving waters with respect to the measured levels. The combination of sewage treatment plant discharges, during dry and wet weather periods, and combined sewer overfows contributes to increasing levels of parabens, triclosan and triclocarban in the Seine River, as the monitoring of two sites, upstream and downstream of the Paris conurbation, has highlighted it. Passive samplers are promising tools for determining the bioavailable fraction of TCS and TCC. Indeed, the method developed within the framework of the Cosmet'eau project has been successfully applied to the Seine

One of the most significant changes in the evolution of modern business management is that organizations no longer compete as individual entities in the market, but as interlocking supply chains. Markets are no longer simply trading desks but dynamic ecosystems where people, organizations and the environment interact. Products and associated materials and resources are links that bridge supply chains from upstream (sourcing and manufacturing) to downstream (delivering and consuming). The lifecycle of a product plays a critical role in supply chains. Supply chains may be composed by, designed around, and modified for products. Product-related issues greatly impact supply chains. Existing studies have advanced product management and product lifecycle management literature through dimensions of product innovation, product growth, product line extensions, product efficiencies, and product acquisition. Product deletion, rationalization, or reduction research is limited but is a critical issue for many reasons. Sustainability is an important reason for this managerial decision. This study, grounded from multiple literature streams in both marketing and supply chain fields, identified relations and propositions to form a firm-level analysis on the role of supply chains in organizational product deletion decisions. Interviews, observational and archival data from international companies (i.e.: Australia, China, India, and Iran) contributed to the empirical support as case studies through a grounded theory approach. Bayesian analysis, an underused empirical analysis tool, was utilized to provide insights into this underdeveloped research stream; and its relationship to qualitative research enhances broader methodological understanding. Gibbs sampler and reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation were used for Bayesian analysis based on collected data. The integrative findings are exploratory but provide insights for a number of research propositions.

Fusarium is one of the most important genera of fungi on earth. Many species of Fusarium are well-suited for atmospheric dispersal, yet little is known about their aerobiology. Previous research has shown that large-scale features known as atmospheric transport barriers (Lagrangian coherent structures) guide the transport and mixing of atmospheric populations of Fusarium. The overall goal of this work is to expand our knowledge on the movement and structure of atmospheric populations of Fusarium. The first objective was to monitor changes in colony forming units (CFUs) in atmospheric populations of Fusarium over small time intervals (10 min to several hours). We hypothesized that consecutive collections of Fusarium with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) demonstrate small variations in colony counts. To test this hypothesis, sampling devices on UAVs were separated into two groups, four inner sampling devices opened during the first 10 minutes and four outer sampling devices opened during the second 10 minutes. Results indicated that (1) consecutive collections of Fusarium at 100 m demonstrated small variations in counts and (2) the similarity between collections decreased as the time between sampling intervals increased. The second objective was to determine the structure of atmospheric populations of Fusarium species and relate this to potential source regions. We hypothesized that diverse atmospheric populations of Fusarium are associated with multiple source regions. To test this hypothesis, Fusarium samples were collected with UAVs and identified to the level of species by sequencing a portion of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (TEF-1•). Potential source regions were identified using the atmospheric transport model HYSPLIT. Results indicated that (1) diverse atmospheric populations of Fusarium appeared to be associated with multiple source regions, and (2) the number of Fusarium species collected with UAVs increased with back-trajectory distance of the sampled air. The third objective was to examine the associations between concentrations of populations of Fusarium at ground level (1 m) and in the lower atmosphere (100 m). We hypothesized that concentrations of Fusarium in the atmosphere vary between 1m and 100m. To test this hypothesis, Fusarium was collected with a Burkard volumetric sampler (BVS) and UAVs. Colony counts were converted to spore concentrations (spores per cubic meter of air). Sampling efficiency was used to correct spore concentrations. Results indicated that (1) the distribution of spore concentrations was similar for both samplers over different times of the day, (2) spore concentrations were generally higher in the fall, spring, and summer, and lower in the winter, and (3) spore concentrations were generally higher with BVS samplers than those with UAVs for both hourly and seasonal data. The fourth objective was to assess the ability of strains of Fusarium collected in the lower atmosphere to cause plant disease. We hypothesized that certain isolates of Fusarium collected with UAVs cause plant diseases. To test this hypothesis, we randomly selected isolates of three different species (F. circinatum, F. avenaceum, and F. sporotrichioides) of Fusarium collected with UAVs to inoculate three different hosts (wheat, corn, and pine). Known Fusarium strains were obtained from J. Leslie at Kansas State University as controls. Results indicated showed that the three different isolates tested were able to cause plant diseases in three different hosts (wheat, corn, and pine), confirming that these were potential agents of disease. This work sets the stage for future work examining potential source regions, transport distances, and seasonal patterns of Fusarium. An increased understanding of the dynamics and population structure of plant pathogenic Fusarium in the lower atmosphere is essential for predicting the spread of plant disease and optimizing disease management strategies in the future. / Ph. D.

To date electric pianos and samplers tend to concentrate on authenticity in terms of temporal and spectral aspects of sound. However, they barely recreate the original sound radiation characteristics, which contribute to the perception of width and depth, vividness and voice separation, especially for instrumentalists, who are located near the instrument. To achieve this, a number of sound field measurement and synthesis techniques need to be applied and adequately combined. In this paper we present the theoretic foundation to combine so far isolated and fragmented sound field analysis and synthesis methods to realize a radiation keyboard, an electric harpsichord that approximates the sound of a real harpsichord precisely in time, frequency, and space domain. Potential applications for such a radiation keyboard are conservation of historic musical instruments, music performance, and psychoacoustic measurements for instrument and synthesizer building and for studies of music perception, cognition, and embodiment.

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