The purpose of this study is to find the design tool to create a soft tissue 3D model able to be used for finite element analysis to simulate the facial soft tissue deformation under g-loading and the helmet and mask/tissue interaction. Such a model will be of value in the design of new helmets and oxygen mask system, to reduce the effects of inertia, to provide improved fit, to minimise oxygen leakage especially when deformed under high g-loading. This work is concerned with the creation of a 3D geometric model. Further work may involve the measurement of mechanical properties of the facial soft tissue, finite element analysis and validation of the model. Using high frequency A-scan ultrasound allows the superficial tissue to be measured on volunteers without risk. The investigation covers 112 points on half of the face, linked to 11 defined morphological zones. The zonal boundaries are based on previous research and are initially identified by inspection and palpation of the face. There is large thickness range difference (30%) over the face in most zones defined in an individual. The iso-thickness zone hypothesis is not valid if the 'constant' thickness criterion is set to be 10% for all zones. Software algorithm for automatically detecting the facial soft tissue thickness is developed and validated to be effective (5% fail rate). Thickness data is acquired from European white males, females and Chinese males. The data collected in this study is also useful in forensic science for facial reconstruction purpose. Laser scanning method has been used to obtain the facial surface profile to create a surface model into which the soft tissue layer thickness distribution around the face can be incorporated. The surface model is exported in IGES format and can be imported in CAD software. Electromagnetic space locating method is used to acquire the ultrasound probe position so as to find the position of the tissue thickness. Point-based registration method is used to integrate the ultrasound thickness data into the laser scanned surface model to create a soft tissue shell solid model. The model is exported in IGES data format so that it can be imported into a finite element analysis package for further processing.

M.Tech.

Background: Muscle thickness, pennation angle, and fascicle length describe the architecture of a muscle. These properties can be observed alongside subcutaneous fat thickness using ultrasonography; however, measurement is sensitive to the angle of the transducer against the skin. Typically, the transducer is held perpendicular to skin for imaging. Nonetheless, a convenient, reliable method to ensure transducer angle consistency has not been reported. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of transducer angle on muscle architecture and subcutaneous fat measurements of quadriceps muscles (vastus lateralis and rectus femoris) in healthy young adults. A secondary objective was to determine intra- and inter-rater reliability. Methods: Thirty men and women were recruited (25±2.5 years; BMI: 22.6±3.0 kg/m2). Ultrasound images were acquired from two muscles. An image was taken at an estimated perpendicular angle to the skin. Then, using a 3D-printed device with a protractor that attached to the ultrasound transducer, images were taken at measured angles 5-10˚ medial and lateral to perpendicular. Agreement and error were determined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and standard error measurements (SEMs). Results: Good to excellent agreement was demonstrated for muscle and fat thicknesses regardless of transducer angle (ICC >0.66). Intra-rater reliability was excellent for all outcomes within both muscles (ICC >0.89). Inter-rater reliability for the rectus femoris was good to excellent for all transducer angles except for measurements of fascicle lengths at 85° (ICC: 0.33–0.99). Inter-rater reliability improved >20% for the vastus lateralis with the device. Conclusion: Measurements of muscle pennation angle and fascicle lengths, but not muscle or subcutaneous fat thicknesses, were sensitive to transducer angle. Reliability of pennation angle and fascicle lengths improved with the use of our device. Using our device, reliable muscle architecture measures can be made for the rectus femoris and the vastus lateralis in healthy young adults. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / The arrangement of small muscle components, known as fascicles, can be observed in humans using ultrasound imaging. These fascicle arrangements can be measured to improve understanding of muscle function and disease processes. A potential problem of viewing muscle with ultrasound is that the angle of the probe head against the skin can alter the appearance of the muscle fascicles. The goal of this research was to improve current methods of ultrasound imaging of two thigh muscles. We have created a novel 3D-printed device to attach to the existing ultrasound probe. This 3D-printed device stabilizes the ultrasound probe head; and accurately determines the angles between the ultrasound probe head and the surface of the skin. In this study, the use of this device improved reliability of our ultrasound images by >20%. Future use of this device may improve measurements of muscle fascicles acquired with ultrasound imaging.

Natural groundwater storage can be improved by constructing a subsurface barrier that is a subsurface dam, in order to capture the subsurface flows and raise the groundwater levels (GWLs) in the sediment layers. Subsurface dams are preferable to surface dams because of lower evaporation, higher functionality, lower cost of construction, lessened risk for contamination and the possibility of utilizing land over the dam. Therefore subsurface dams constitute an affordable and effective method for the sustainable development and management of groundwater resources. The aim of this research project was to develop and test methods for the assessment and location of subsurface dams in water resources management. From previous experiences it has been established that locating suitable sites for construction of subsurface dams plays an important role in the overall success of these dams. Therefore, in order to locate suitable sites, two approaches were followed. The first was the Boolean approach using topographical, geological and landcover data in a geographic information system (GIS) environment for a previously glaciated terrain near Stockholm. The results of the Boolean approach were complemented by a groundwater balance model and a topographic wetness index (TWI). The second approach involved spatial multi-criteria analysis (SMCA) applied to a region with different geological and hydrological conditions. SMCA was applied in Northern Pakistan using factors such as topography, geology, landcover, soil thickness and TWI. Two weighting techniques, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the factor interaction method (FIM), were employed and compared. The Factor removal technique was employed to assess the sensitivity of the model for each factor. Aquifer thickness is an important factor while planning subsurface dams and data regarding the soil thickness is often not available at larger scale. Therefore a simplified regolith model (SRM) was developed for estimating the regolith thickness in previously glaciated terrain with a high frequency of rock outcrops, based on a digital elevation model (DEM) and an optimized outcrop search algorithm. In order to analyse the dynamics of the groundwater flow, a transient 3D groundwater flow model was developed for a subsurface dam. Methods applied to locate suitable sites for the construction of subsurface dams showed some promising results and need to be applied and tested in areas with different hydrological and geological conditions. The Boolean approach is a simple method that could be used during early planning stages for locating suitable sites for the construction of subsurface dams. The SMCA framework enabled the integration of knowledge for decision making, where the weights had a more significant influence on the results than the choice of the weighting method. AHP was considered to be the more robust model for assigning weights in this study. The factor removal technique showed that the modeling results were least sensitive to soil depth and most sensitive to land cover for the construction of subsurface dams. SRM showed reasonable results and could be used in engineering projects prior to detailed field investigations in formally glaciated terrain when borehole data is not available. The groundwater flow modelling results helped to develop some sustainable pumping scenarios to demonstrate the benefits of the subsurface dam. Groundwater flow model results also facilitated the selection of a suitable site for placing a subsurface dam in order to maximize the groundwater storage upstream. It was concluded in this project that the subsurface dams could sustainably be used to mitigate the water supply issues in formerly glaciated humid terrain such as in Sweden and dry climatic areas such as in Pakistan. Moreover, subsurface dams can play an important role in water resources management in coastal areas of formerly glaciated terrain, where saltwater intrusion is a rising environmental issue. Also in dry climatic areas like in Pakistan, methods such as SMCA could make the planning step more robust before the actual construction of dams. Themethods and findings presented in this thesis can be considered to be one tentative step of scientific contribution for better analysis, assessment and the location of subsurface dams. / <p>QC 20160210</p>

We report a large enhancement of thermally injected spin current in normal metal (NM)/antiferromagnet (AF)/yttrium iron garnet (YIG), where a thin AF insulating layer of NiO or CoO can enhance the spin current from YIG to a NM by up to a factor of 10. The spin current enhancement in NM/AF/YIG, with a pronounced maximum near the Neel temperature of the thin AF layer, has been found to scale linearly with the spin-mixing conductance at the NM/YIG interface for NM = 3d, 4d, and 5d metals. Calculations of spin current enhancement and spin mixing conductance are qualitatively consistent with the experimental results.

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Today it is possible to create veneers that are aesthetically and functionally satisfying, but there are some factors that may compromise the aesthetic results.  The aim of this study was to investigate influence of cement shades and ceramic thickness on the colour of ceramic veneers, but also to study how well try-in pastes match with their corresponding cements. PubMed was used to search for papers using MeSH-terms and keywords. 144 titles and abstracts were read, 29 full texts were read and 24 papers were used in the analysis. All of the studies were in vitro. In 20 studies, it was found that the cement shade influences the colour of the ceramic veneer. Two studies reported that the cement shade had no influence on the colour of ceramic veneers, and two did not draw any conclusions regarding the influence of cement shade. Twelve studies compared different thicknesses of the veneers; all of them found that the thicknesses had an influence on the colour of the veneers. Two out of four studies found no compatibility between try-in pastes and their corresponding cements, while two studies found compatibility for some try-in pastes. The shades of cement and thicknesses of ceramic veneers can influence the colour of the ceramics. The colour of try-in pastes does not always show a similarity with their corresponding cement.

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