Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-80).

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wyoming, 2007. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Dec. 5, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 33-42).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2007. / Title from title screen (site viewed Oct. 10, 2007). PDF text: viii, 178 p. UMI publication number: AAT 3258407. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

The ability of neurons to regulate their activity (homeostatic plasticity) is thought to be responsible for changes in neural responsiveness/gain induced by sensory deprivation, or augmented stimulation. For example, following auditory deprivation, excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission is strengthened and weakened, respectively. Abnormally high neural gain results in an 'over amplification' of spontaneous and stimulus-evoked firing rates, and may result in aberrant auditory perceptions including tinnitus and/or hyperacusis, respectively. The first manuscript in the thesis 'Pump up the Volume' (Chapter Three) provides a summary of the neural gain mechanism in the adult auditory system. Aspects of neural gain, including temporal characteristics and frequency specificity, had not been systematically investigated. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to investigate characteristics of the neural gain mechanism. The thesis comprises three related studies involving normal hearing adult listeners: two studies involved short term sensory deprivation and one study involved short term augmented stimulation. The main outcome measures were the acoustic reflex threshold (ART), auditory brainstem response (ABR) and loudness. In Study One, the time course, frequency specificity and anatomical location of changes in the ART, following 6 days of unilateral earplug use (ca 30 dB attenuation at 2-4 kHz), were investigated. The reduction in ART in the treatment ear was greatest at day 4 and at frequencies most attenuated by the earplug. Ipsilateral and contralateral ARTs were similar when stimuli were presented to the treatment ear. ARTs were not statistically significant from baseline when measured 4 and 24 hours after earplug removal. In Study Two, the ART and ABR were measured at baseline and after 7 days of unilateral and bilateral hearing aid use (13-17 dB real ear insertion gain), to compare the effect of symmetrical and asymmetrical inputs. There was no change in ART and ABR after treatment, suggesting that the augmented stimulation was insufficient to modify neural gain. In Study Three, ARTs, ABRs and loudness were investigated after 4 days of unilateral earplug use (30 dB attenuation at 2-4 kHz). There was a significant reduction in ART (ca 6 dB) in the treatment ear, which returned to baseline within 1-2 hours of earplug removal. There was an unexpected but significant 35 nV decrease in the ABR wave V peak-to-trough amplitude in the treatment ear, and a 12 nV increase in the control ear. The change in ABR was opposite in direction to the change in ART. There was no change in loudness. The thesis has provided information on the threshold of deprivation/stimulation required to elicit a change in neural gain, along with the frequency specificity and temporal characteristics of the gain control mechanism. The anatomical location for changes in neural gain is around the level of the cochlear nucleus. The change in ABR was in the opposite direction to those predicted, but could be due a difference in the compensatory changes of contralateral and ipsilateral inputs at the level of the inferior colliculus.

Cette thèse porte sur la conception d’une classe particulière d’estimateurs d'état, les observateurs intervalles. L’objectif est d’estimer de manière garantie, les bornes supérieure et inférieure de l’ensemble admissible de l'état d’un système, à chaque instant de temps. L’approche considérée repose sur la connaissance a priori du domaine d’appartenance, supposé borné, des incertitudes du système (incertitudes de modélisation, perturbations, bruits, etc). Une classe d'observateurs intervalles à entrées inconnues est proposée pour la classe des systèmes Linéaires à Paramètres Variants (LPV). La synthèse des paramètres de l’observateur repose sur la résolution d’un problème d’optimisation sous contraintes de type inégalités matricielles linéaires (LMI) permettant de garantir simultanément les conditions d’existence de l’observateur ainsi qu’un niveau de performance, soit dans un contexte énergie, soit dans un contexte amplitude ou soit dans un contexte mixte énergie/amplitude. Plus particulièrement, la performance de l'observateur repose sur une technique de découplage pour annuler les effets des entrées inconnues et une technique d’optimisation destinée à minimiser, au sens de critères de type gain L2et/ou gain L∞, les effets des perturbations sur la largeur totale de l’enveloppe de l'état du système LPV. La méthodologie de synthèse proposée est illustrée sur un exemple académique. Enfin, la méthodologie est appliquée au cas de la phase d’atterrissage du véhicule spatial HL20, sous des conditions de simulations réalistes. / This thesis addresses the design of a class of estimator, named interval obser-ver, which evaluates in a guaranteed way, a set for the state of the system at each instant of time. The proposed approach is based on a priori knowledge of bounded sets for the system uncertainties (modeling uncertainties, disturbances, noise, etc.). A methodology to design an interval observer is proposed for the class of Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) Systems. The feasibility of the latter is based on the resolution of linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI) constraints allowing to simultaneously get the existence conditions of the intervalobserver and a certain level of a priori given performance for the state estimation of the system. Specifically, the performance of the estimates is based on a decoupling technique to avoid the effects of unknown inputs and an optimization technique to minimize, in the L2 and/or L∞ gain sense, the effects of disturbances on the estimated interval length for the state of the LPV system. The design methodology is illustrated on academic examples.Finally, the methodology is applied on the landing phase of the HL20 shuttle.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-06-22Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:25:09Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 ribeiro_gm_dr_jabo.pdf: 260278 bytes, checksum: ef16146948d846457b4db45cd0ae660e (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / O experimento foi conduzido objetivando-se avaliar a substituição parcial da fração protéica do concentrado por subproduto da produção de lisina (SPL) sobre a composição corporal e exigências nutricionais de tourinhos Santa Gertrudes, terminados em confinamento. Foram utilizados 33 animais com idade média de 10 meses e peso médio inicial de 242 kg, confinados em baias individuais por 115 dias, após 56 dias de adaptação. Seis animais foram abatidos no início do período experimental e constituíram os animais-referência. Os animais receberam dietas contendo 80% de concentrado, sendo testados os níveis de 0; 4,5; e 9,0% de inclusão do SPL na matéria seca da dieta. Os tratamentos sem e com 4,5% de SPL não diferiram para nenhum dos parâmetros avaliados. Já os tratamentos sem e com 9,0% de SPL diferiram quanto ao ganho de peso do corpo vazio, composição final em água e taxas de deposição e composição do ganho de peso vazio em minerais. Os tratamentos com 4,5 e 9,0% de SPL diferiram entre si quanto ao peso de carcaça e de corpo vazio finais, ganho de peso de carcaça e de corpo vazio, composição do corpo vazio em proteína e em minerais, taxas de deposição e composições do ganho para proteína e minerais. Os valores observados foram 243,6; 247,3 e 226,5 kg para peso final de carcaça; 392,7; 398,7 e 365,7 kg para peso final de corpo vazio; 0,64; 0,69 e 0,51 kg/dia para ganho de peso de carcaça; e 1,03; 1,11 e 0,82 kg/ dia para ganho de peso do corpo vazio, respectivamente para os tratamentos sem, com 4,5 e 9,0% de SPL. vi Em relação às exigências, verificou-se que, a exigência de energia líquida encontrada para ganho de 1 kg foi de 3,65; 4,17 e 4,63 Mcal, e a exigência de proteína metabolizável foi de 218,55; 216,19 e 202,19 g, respectivamente para animais de 300, 400 e 500 kg de peso corporal. O valor de exigência líquida para mantença encontrada... / The objective was to evaluate the effects of replacing part of the protein fraction of the concentrate by concentrated lysine production byproduct (LBP) on body composition and nutritional requirements of Santa Gertrudis young bulls, fattened in feedlot. Thirty-three 10-month-year-old animals, with initial body weight of 242 kg, were kept in individual pens during 115 days after 56 days of adaptation. Six animals were slaughtered after adaptation and were considered reference-animals. The concentrate proportion on diet was 80%, on dry matter basis, and the levels of LBP studied were: 0, 4.5 or 9.0%. There were no significant differences among treatments without and with 4.5% of LBP on diet. Empty body daily weight gains, final body composition on water and daily rates of deposition and gain composition on ash were significant different among treatments without and with 9.0% of LBP. The treatments with 4.5 and 9.0% of LBP showed significant differences for final carcass and empty body weights, empty body and carcass daily gains, body chemical composition on protein and ash, daily rates of deposition and gain compositions on protein and ash. The LBP can be used as food for fattening bovines receiving diets with high concentrate proportion, substituting part of protein fraction, the level of 4.5% of LBP on dry matter diet was more indicated. In relation to the requirements it was verified that, the net energy requirement observed for weight gain of 1 kg was 3.65, 4.17 and 4.63 Mcal, and the metabolizable protein requirement was 218.55, 216.19 and 202.19 g, viii respectively to animals with 300, 400 and 500 kg of body weight. The estimated maintenance energy requirement observed was 75.6 kcal/ LW0.75/ day.

Resumo: O experimento foi conduzido objetivando-se avaliar a substituição parcial da fração protéica do concentrado por subproduto da produção de lisina (SPL) sobre a composição corporal e exigências nutricionais de tourinhos Santa Gertrudes, terminados em confinamento. Foram utilizados 33 animais com idade média de 10 meses e peso médio inicial de 242 kg, confinados em baias individuais por 115 dias, após 56 dias de adaptação. Seis animais foram abatidos no início do período experimental e constituíram os animais-referência. Os animais receberam dietas contendo 80% de concentrado, sendo testados os níveis de 0; 4,5; e 9,0% de inclusão do SPL na matéria seca da dieta. Os tratamentos sem e com 4,5% de SPL não diferiram para nenhum dos parâmetros avaliados. Já os tratamentos sem e com 9,0% de SPL diferiram quanto ao ganho de peso do corpo vazio, composição final em água e taxas de deposição e composição do ganho de peso vazio em minerais. Os tratamentos com 4,5 e 9,0% de SPL diferiram entre si quanto ao peso de carcaça e de corpo vazio finais, ganho de peso de carcaça e de corpo vazio, composição do corpo vazio em proteína e em minerais, taxas de deposição e composições do ganho para proteína e minerais. Os valores observados foram 243,6; 247,3 e 226,5 kg para peso final de carcaça; 392,7; 398,7 e 365,7 kg para peso final de corpo vazio; 0,64; 0,69 e 0,51 kg/dia para ganho de peso de carcaça; e 1,03; 1,11 e 0,82 kg/ dia para ganho de peso do corpo vazio, respectivamente para os tratamentos sem, com 4,5 e 9,0% de SPL. vi Em relação às exigências, verificou-se que, a exigência de energia líquida encontrada para ganho de 1 kg foi de 3,65; 4,17 e 4,63 Mcal, e a exigência de proteína metabolizável foi de 218,55; 216,19 e 202,19 g, respectivamente para animais de 300, 400 e 500 kg de peso corporal. O valor de exigência líquida para mantença encontrada... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective was to evaluate the effects of replacing part of the protein fraction of the concentrate by concentrated lysine production byproduct (LBP) on body composition and nutritional requirements of Santa Gertrudis young bulls, fattened in feedlot. Thirty-three 10-month-year-old animals, with initial body weight of 242 kg, were kept in individual pens during 115 days after 56 days of adaptation. Six animals were slaughtered after adaptation and were considered reference-animals. The concentrate proportion on diet was 80%, on dry matter basis, and the levels of LBP studied were: 0, 4.5 or 9.0%. There were no significant differences among treatments without and with 4.5% of LBP on diet. Empty body daily weight gains, final body composition on water and daily rates of deposition and gain composition on ash were significant different among treatments without and with 9.0% of LBP. The treatments with 4.5 and 9.0% of LBP showed significant differences for final carcass and empty body weights, empty body and carcass daily gains, body chemical composition on protein and ash, daily rates of deposition and gain compositions on protein and ash. The LBP can be used as food for fattening bovines receiving diets with high concentrate proportion, substituting part of protein fraction, the level of 4.5% of LBP on dry matter diet was more indicated. In relation to the requirements it was verified that, the net energy requirement observed for weight gain of 1 kg was 3.65, 4.17 and 4.63 Mcal, and the metabolizable protein requirement was 218.55, 216.19 and 202.19 g, viii respectively to animals with 300, 400 and 500 kg of body weight. The estimated maintenance energy requirement observed was 75.6 kcal/ LW0.75/ day. / Orientador: Alexandre Amstalden Moraes Sampaio / Coorientadora: Wignez Henrique / Banca: Guilherme Fernando Alleoni / Banca: Alexandre Rodrigo Mendes Fernandes / Banca: Mauro Dal Secco de Oliveira / Banca:Atushi Sugohara / Doutor

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Background: There is an increased interest in understanding the effects of severe tooth decay on the physical, anthropometric, psychosocial, functional, and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children. Children who have severe tooth decay are thought to have lower weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), Haemoglobin (Hb) levels and poorer OHRQoL compared to children who are caries free. Comprehensive dental treatment under general anaesthesia (GA) appears to significantly improve these variables to levels equivalent to healthy caries free children. However, there is a paucity of high quality evidence that has demonstrated these gains in the anthropometric (Height, Weight BMI), clinical and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) measures following extensive dental treatment under GA. This trial sought to determine the impact of the treatment of severe dental caries on weight, height, body mass index (BMI), Hb levels and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among a group of young children who had access to immediate care compared to a control group of children who waited 6 months before treatment. Methodology: This was a Community based prospective, randomized controlled intervention trial conducted in the peri-urban town of Worcester in the Western Cape Region of South Africa. The study population consisted of crèche going children, aged 2-6 years old who had severe tooth decay with a pufa score ≥ 1and attended public dental facilitates in the town. Simple random sampling using an existing lottery draw system at the clinic was used to divide the children into an immediate treatment group and a delayed treatment group (6 months later). Baseline height, weight, BMI, Hb levels were compared between treatment and no treatment groups at 6 months. OHRQol was measured from both the child and parent/caregiver perspective at baseline, 6 months later (in delayed group) and 6 months post treatment in both groups. Anthropometric variables were reported as unadjusted means and z-scores which were determined by transforming the unadjusted means against a reference group to determine the weight-for-height (WAH), weight-for-age (WAZ) and BMI-for –age (BAZ) in both groups after treatment. OHRQoL scores were dichotomized and/or categorized into high, low and no impacts. Descriptive statistics (means), correlation analyses (by age, gender) and multilevel mixed regression model analysis was undertaken to determine the effect of the treatment on the outcome variables using SPSS version 23. Results: 126 children in the immediate group (mean age 4.4 years, SD 1.2) and 125 children (mean age 3.75 years, SD 1.3) completed this trial. Comparative baseline measures significantly favoured children in the immediate group for age, height, and weight. The average number of teeth extracted under GA was 7.4 (SD 3.53) in the immediate group and 8.55 (SD 3.94) in the delayed group. Unadjusted mean scores for height, weight, BMI and Hb showed significant improvements within the groups at 6 months follow-up. When the group were compared (treatment vs. no treatment) using unadjusted or z-scores, statistically significant gains were noted for height and weight but not for BMI or Hb. Multilevel Regression modelling confirmed these findings implying that the intervention alone was not a factor in the improved Hb or BMI levels. OHRQoL significantly improved from both the child and parent/caregivers' perspective after treatment was received. In the delayed group, there was no improvement in OHRQoL scores during the 6 month waiting period but these significantly improved to comparable levels seen in the immediate group 6 months after treatment. Conclusion: This randomised controlled trial found that children with severe tooth decay who received treatment under general anaesthesia had significantly better height and weight gains than those children who has no treatment. Although gains were also noted in the BMI and Hb levels, these gains were not statically significant and their improvements could not be explained by the intervention alone (dental treatment under general anaesthesia). OHRQoL outcomes showed significant improvement from both the child and parental/caregiver perspective when comparing children who received treatment against those who did not have treatment. Children who had to wait for treatment had similar negative impacts on OHRQoL at 6 months follow-up compared to baseline. However, once they received treatment (delayed group), similar significant improvements for OHRQoL as reported in the immediate group was also found in the delayed group.

Abstract Previous observations have indicated that reproductive endocrine disorders are common among patients with epilepsy. Valproate (VPA) treatment is associated with hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries, and obesity in women. Carbamazepine (CBZ) may also induce endocrine disorders, while the hormonal effects of oxcarbazepine (OXC) are poorly known. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of antiepileptic drugs on reproductive hormones, linear growth and pubertal maturation in patients with epilepsy. Altogether 223 patients taking VPA, CBZ, or OXC monotherapy for epilepsy and 103 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers participated in the study. Seventy-eight girls and 90 men with epilepsy participated in the cross-sectional parts of the study. Thirty-nine adult patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy participated in a 3-month longitudinal study and VPA was replaced with lamotrigine (LTG) in 16 women with VPA-related endocrine disorders in a 1-year longitudinal study. The girls were between 8-18 years, the women 17-41 years and the men 17-51 years of age. None of the antiepileptic drugs studied significantly influenced linear growth or pubertal development in girls with epilepsy, but hyperandrogenemia, increased number of ovarian follicles, and weight gain were observed in prepubertal, pubertal and postpubertal girls taking VPA for epilepsy. Increased serum testosterone levels were observed in half of the women after the first 3 months of VPA medication, and high serum concentrations of androgens were common (prevalence 57 %, p < 0.001) in men taking long-term VPA treatment. The women with VPA-related hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries were also found to present other features of insulin resistance (i.e. hyperinsulinemia, centripetal obesity, and an unfavorable serum lipid profile). Reproductive endocrine disorders associated with VPA treatment in women began to normalize after VPA was replaced by LTG. CBZ reduced the bioactivity of androgens, whereas OXC did not have similar effects. Serum concentrations of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were increased and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate decreased already during the first months of CBZ treatment. Serum hormone levels were normal in patients with low OXC doses (< 900 mg/d), but serum concentrations of testosterone, gonadotropins and SHBG were high in men with a daily OXC dose ≥ 900 mg. The adverse reproductive endocrine effects of antiepileptic drugs should be considered at the beginning of and during antiepileptic medication.