yes / To investigate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics in the aqueduct of Sylvius (AoS) in chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI)-positive and -negative healthy individuals using cine phase contrast imaging. Materials and Methods Fifty-one healthy individuals (32 CCSVI-negative and 19 age-matched CCSVI-positive subjects) were examined using Doppler sonography (DS). Diagnosis of CCSVI was established if subjects fulfilled ≥2 venous hemodynamic criteria on DS. CSF flow and velocity measures were quantified using a semiautomated method and compared with clinical and routine 3T MRI outcomes. Results CCSVI was associated with increased CSF pulsatility in the AoS. Net positive CSF flow was 32% greater in the CCSVI-positive group compared with the CCSVI-negative group (P = 0.008). This was accompanied by a 28% increase in the mean aqueductal characteristic signal (ie, the AoS cross-sectional area over the cardiac cycle) in the CCSVI-positive group compared with the CCSVI-negative group (P = 0.021). Conclusion CSF dynamics are altered in CCSVI-positive healthy individuals, as demonstrated by increased pulsatility. This is accompanied by enlargement of the AoS, suggesting that structural changes may be occurring in the brain parenchyma of CCSVI-positive healthy individuals

(1) Background: Hemodynamic assessment of prosthetic heart valves using conventional 2D transthoracic Echocardiography-Doppler (2D-TTE) has limitations. Of those, left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) area measurement is one of the major limitations of the continuity equation, which assumes a circular LVOT. (2) Methods: This study comprised 258 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), who were treated with the ACURATE neo2. The LVOT area and its dependent Dopplerderived parameters, including effective orifice area (EOA) and stroke volume (SV), in addition to their indexed values, were calculated from post-TAVI 2D-TTE. In addition, the 3D-LVOT area from pre-procedural MDCT scans was obtained and used to calculate corrected Doppler-derived parameters. The incidence rates of prosthesis patient mismatch (PPM) were compared between the 2D-TTE and MDCT-based methods (3) Results: The main results show that the 2D-TTE measured LVOT is significantly smaller than 3D-MDCT (350.4 62.04 mm2 vs. 405.22 81.32 mm2) (95% Credible interval (CrI) of differences: 55.15, 36.09), which resulted in smaller EOA (2.25 0.59 vs. 2.58 0.63 cm2) (Beta = 0.642 (95%CrI of differences: 0.85, 0.43), and lower SV (73.88 21.41 vs. 84.47 22.66 mL), (Beta = 7.29 (95% CrI: 14.45, 0.14)), respectively. PPM incidence appears more frequent with 2D-TTE- than 3D-MDCT-corrected measurements (based on the EOAi) 8.52% vs. 2.32%, respectively. In addition, significant differences regarding the EOA among the three valve sizes (S, M and L) were seen only with the MDCT, but not on 2D-TTE. (4) Conclusions: The corrected continuity equation by combining the 3D-LVOT area from MDCT with the TTE Doppler parameters might provide a more accurate assessment of hemodynamic parameters and PPM diagnosis in patients treated with TAVI. The ACURATE neo2 THV has a large EOA and low incidence of PPM using the 3D-corrected LVOT area than on 2D-TTE. These findings need further confirmation on long-term follow-up and in other studies.

Ventricular premature beats are ectopic changes in the ECG signal. Detection of ventricular extrasystoles on 12leads ECG was created in MATLAB. At first my work involves whether the ventricular premature beats comes from the right or the left ventricle. Another algorithm evaluates the incidence outflow tract of the chamber. If the previous algorithm shows signs of indecision, another algorithm is used for detection of ventricular extrasystoles at another location in the left ventricle. The last step is to narrow the area of detection which makes it easier to find the place of origin.

Le modèle numérique que nous avons développé au cours de cette thèse présente deux caractéristiques principales : un modèle dilatable pour l'eau et la prise en compte de domaines ouverts. Les difficultés associées au premier aspect concernent l'adaptation de la loi d'état de l’eau au modèle dilatable sous l’approximation à faibles nombres de Mach, tandis que celles associées au second sont relatives à la mise en œuvre de conditions aux limites numériques de sortie compatibles avec l'algorithme de projection utilisé. Les résultats de simulations d'écoulement de convection mixte en canal horizontal chauffé par le bas ont été confrontés à celles utilisant l'approximation de Boussinesq et aux expériences. / The 3D numerical model which we developed in this thesis presents two main features: a Low-Mach-Number approximation for water along with an open boundary condition formulation. Indeed, the difficulties related to the former point stand in a computationally efficient adaptation of the water equation of state in the framework of Low Mach number approximation, whereas the difficulties related to the latter concern the introduction of Open Boundary Conditions in the projection algorithm used. We have computed a mixed convection flow in a horizontal channel uniformly heated from below and compared the results obtained with both the Boussinesq approximation and experimental results.

本研究主要以Cox 迴歸模型為主軸，以1995年7月1日至1999年5月7日公務人員退撫基金成員:公務人員及教育人員為研究對象，分析影響基金成員各項脫退的個別變數，並量化所擇取之變數的影響，以估計各個基金成員的脫退率。同時針對現有基金成員，評估退撫基金短期現金支出並分析之。實證結果發現：藉由Cox迴歸模型之分析可知，相異的脫退因素，被不同的迴歸變數所影響著，且各個變數對各項脫退的影響程度亦存在著差異。短期現金支出的評估結果顯示，各項給付支出，以退休給付的支出佔最大的比例，次為資遣、死亡及離職給付。而人數比例較少的教育人員，其脫退給付支出金額，高於公務人員之給付支出。 略 / Cox regression model is proposed in this study to investigate the demographic factors (i.e., gender, age, seniority, salary scale and the entry date) that influence the turnover pattern of the plan members. This research has focused on the government employees and public school teachers in Taiwan Public Employees Retirement System (Tai-PERS). Quantitative analyses on turnover are performed through monitoring and selecting the significant factors in Cox regression model. Finally based on the current members in Tai-PERS, the short-term cash outflow is projected. Based on the empirical results, different causes of turnover (i.e., death, withdrawal, layoff and retirernent) are influenced by the selected factors. Significant differences have been found within the various causes of decrements. Result from the short-term cash outflow shows that the payment due to retirement has the largest proportion. Then follows the payment amount due to payoff, death and withdrawal if we rank them in order. In additions, the total payments of the public school teachers are larger than those of the government employees, while the plan members of the public school teachers are comparatively less.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is still a syndrome generating more questions than answers. Today, research focuses mainly on two areas: understanding the pathophysiology – especially how the malfunctioning CSF system affects the brain parenchyma – and finding better methods to select patients benefiting from a shunt operation. This thesis targets the aspect of finding better selection methods by investigating the measurability of intracranial pressure via lumbar space, and determining if intraparenchymal measurement of long-term ICP-oscillations (B-waves) could be replaced by short-term measurements of CSF pulse pressure waves via lumbar space. Furthermore, I look into the interaction between the CSF system and the parenchyma itself by investigating how the cortical activity of the brain changes after long-term CSF drainage, and if there is any regress in the suggested ischemia after this intervention. Finally, I examine if the neuronal integrity in the INPH brain is impaired, and if this feature is relevant for the likeliness of improvement after CSF diversion. METHODS: The comparison of intracranial and lumbar pressure was made over a vast pressure interval using our unique CSF infusion technique, and it included ten INPH patients. Pressure was measured via lumbar space and in brain tissue, and the pressures were compared using a general linear model. Short-term lumbar pressure waves were quantified by determining the slope between CSF pulse pressure and mean pressure, defined as the relative pulse pressure coefficient (RPPC). The correlation between RPPC, B-waves and CSF outflow resistance was investigated. In a prospective study, functional MRI was used to assess brain activity before and after long-term CSF drainage of 400 ml of CSF in eleven INPH patients. The functionalities tested included finger movement, memory, and attention. The results were benchmarked against the activity in ten healthy controls to identify the brain areas improving after drainage. The ischemia (Lactate) and neuronal integrity (NAA and Choline) were measured in a similar manner in 16 patients using proton MR spectroscopy, and the improvement of the patients after CSF drainage was based on assessment of their gait. RESULTS: There was excellent agreement between ICP measured in brain tissue and via lumbar space (regression coefficient = 0.98, absolute difference < 1 mm Hg). Adjusting for the separation distance between the measuring devices slightly worsened the agreement, indicating other factors influencing the measured difference as well. RPPC measured via lumbar space significantly correlated to the presence of B-waves, but not to outflow resistance. In the prospective study, controls outperformed patients on clinical tests as well as tasks related to the experiments. Improved behaviour after CSF drainage was found for motor function only, and it was accompanied by increased activation in the supplementary motor area (SMA). No lactate was detected, either before or after CSF drainage. NAA was decreased in INPH patients compared to controls, and the NAA levels were higher in the patients improving after drainage. CONCLUSIONS: ICP can be accurately measured via lumbar space in patients with communicating CSF systems. The close relation between RPPC and B-waves indicates that B-waves are primarily related to intracranial compliance, and that measurement of RPPC via lumbar space could possibly substitute B-wave assessment as selection method for finding suitable patients for shunt surgery. Improvement in motor function after CSF drainage was associated to enhanced activity in SMA, supporting the involvement of the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical loop in the pathophysiology of INPH. There was no evidence indicating a widespread low-graded ischemia in INPH; however, there was a neuronal dysfunction in frontal white matter as indicated by the reduced levels of NAA. In addition, the level of neuronal dysfunction was related to the likeliness of improvement after CSF removal, normal levels of NAA predisposing for recovery.

隨著經貿全球化與自由化，各項商業活動漸無國界概念，跨國企業遊走各國，善用全球生產要素，但資源有限，企業永續經營與成長，不能只靠有限的土地、勞動力與資本等傳統生產要素，創新研發與知識累積能力成為比傳統生產要素更重要的關鍵，研發國際化更是全球經貿發展不可逆的趨勢。 本研究以2007年臺灣1,770家製造業廠商為對象，運用Probit及Tobit二種模型，分別探討在不同技術來源下，海外投資廠商決定投入海外研發以及投入資源多寡的決定因素。研究結果發現，「廠商規模」、「行業別」、「進入模式」、「國際化深度」、「投資地區」、「市場考量」以及「母國提供技術」為臺灣對外投資廠商決定投入海外研發與否之重要影響因素。一旦決定投入海外研發後，研發資源投入多寡的決定因素則有所變化，廠商規模大小與投資行業、獨資或合夥、市場夠不夠大等重要性降低成不顯著，相對的盈利與否影響性提升，但卻是負向影響關係。同時，本研究參考社會心理學領域的「調節變數」概念，探討「技術來源」是否具有調節效果，實證結果也證實不同的技術來源，確實會影響解釋變數與被解釋變數（海外研發配置）之間的因果關係，具備調節效果，這也表示技術來源對於海外研發配置確實扮演重要的關鍵角色。 / Along with globalization and liberalization, the trade goes around the world borderlessly. In order to take advantage of relatively cheap land and labor, multinational corporations extend business worldwide. However, due to the limitation of natural endowments and human resource, Innovation becomes the key factor, which plays a more-important-than-ever role for business sustainable development. This paper examines the determinants of overseas R&D of Taiwanese multinationals; including whether to invest in R&D and how to allocate. Our empirical results indicate that the firm size, IT industry, entry mode, internationalization level, investment location, market motivations and technology acquisition are the determinants of overseas R&D investment. Furthermore, whether above determinants remain significant when Dependent Variable turns to be overseas R&D allocation? The empirical results suggest that firm size, industry category, entry mode and market motivations are no more significant. Instead, profitability becomes significant with negative affect. Besides, we also found the strong effect of technology acquisition on overseas R&D investment and allocation. Different technology source acquired does play a moderating role in the relationship between independent variables and overseas R&D.

This thesis is focused on the selected methods of calculating basic runoff on a small catchment basin known as the P6, which belongs to the basin Kopaninsky flow and assess the impact on the basic runoff concentration of nitrate nitrogen in the total runoff. The thesis also analyzes the total, surface and subsurface runoff with its detailed division. There are also described in detail the chosen methods used for the separation of basic drainage. There is shown their mutual comparison too. We dealt with the nitrogen in groundwater. The methods for separation of basic runoff are described with regard to the content of nitrogen compounds, which are practically the most common type of pollution of groundwater used as drinking water sources.

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La marge de l’Algarve est un système contouritique principalement construit par l'action de la Veine d'Eau Méditerranéenne (MOW) et dont l'évolution est fortement influencée par les processus gravitaires, comme l'atteste les nombreux canyons et chenaux qui entaillent la pente continentale. A partir de l’analyse et de l’interprétation de données acoustiques haute résolution, cette thèse propose une reconstruction du fonctionnement du système contouritique de l’Algarve sur l’ensemble du Quaternaire. Ce travail améliore la compréhension des interactions existant entre les processus gravitaires et contouritiques ainsi que les connaissances concernant leurs facteurs de contrôle. Le schéma de circulation actuelle est conforme à la distribution des faciès sédimentaire et à l’architecture des drifts. La morphologie du fond marin, et notamment la présence de canyons, exercent un contrôle important sur l’orientation et l’intensité de la branche supérieure de la MOW (MUW). Les variations spatiales de la circulation océanique, comme celle induite par la capture du courant par un canyon, se traduisent directement par des différences géométriques et morphologiques au sein des dépôts sédimentaires. D’autre part, la présence de paléochenaux sous les drifts révèle l’existence d’un ancien système gravitaire fossilisé par la construction contouritique. La géométrie interne de ces paléochenaux montre que leur évolution temporelle est étroitement liée à l’interaction entre les écoulements gravitaires et l’hydrodynamique régionale. L’étude sismique met en évidence la présence de corps sédimentaires lenticulaires et sableux, intercalés dans les drifts et interprétés comme des « lobes perchés ». La granularité grossière de ces dépôts ainsi que leur fossilisation rapide et leur préservation par la croissance des drifts font de ces corps sédimentaires particuliers de potentiels réservoirs pour les hydrocarbures, et leur confère ainsi un intérêt industriel important. La mise en place des dépôts au cours des deux derniers millions d'années révèle que la construction de la marge de l’Algarve s’effectue sous l’action indépendante ou conjointe des processus gravitaires et des processus contouritiques. La sédimentation de cette marge est essentiellement contrôlée par les fluctuations climato-eustatiques : (1) en haut niveau marin relatif, les processus contouritiques dominent et les drifts croissent sous l’action d’une MUW intense; (2) en bas niveau marin relatif, la MUW est affaiblit et la croissance des drifts est réduite ; les processus gravitaires deviennent dominants et permettent la mise en place de lobes perchés sur la pente. / The Algarve Margin is a contourite system principally built under the action of the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW). The margin evolution is strongly influenced by gravity processes as attested by the presence of numerous canyons and channel that incise continental slope. Based on analysis and interpretation of high resolution acoustic data, this thesis proposes a reconstruction of sedimentary history of Algarve Margin during Quaternary. This work improves the understanding of the interactions existing between gravity processes and contourite processes, and their forcing parameters. The present circulation pattern reflects the sedimentary facies distribution and the drift geometry. The seafloor morphology and notably presence of canyons play an important role on the orientation and intensity of the MOW upper branch (MUW). Spatial variations of oceanic circulation, such as induced by current capture by a canyon, generate differences in geometry and morphology in sedimentary deposits. Furthermore, the presence of paleochannels under the drifts underlines the existence of ancient gravity system buried by contourite construction. The filling geometry of paleochannels shows that their temporal evolution is strongly linked to the interaction between gravity currents and regional hydrodynamics. Seismic data analyse emphasizes the presence of sandy lenticular sedimentary bodies intercalated in drifts. They are interpreted as “perched lobes”. Their sand content and their rapid fossilization and preservation by drift construction, confer them an important industrial interest. During the two last million years, sedimentary deposits show that Algarve Margin developed under the action of contourite processes, gravity processes and their interactions. On this margin, the sedimentation is principally controlled by climato-eustatic variations: (1) during high sea level, contourite processes are dominant and drifts grow under the influence of intense MUW; (2) during sea level lowstand MUW decrease and drifts growth decreases; gravity processes become dominant and generate the formation of perched lobes on the slope.