Thesis (Ph.D.) - Carleton University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-203). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009. / Description based on contents viewed June 2, 2009; title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 48-49).

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of St Andrews, April 2006.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) based studies are rapidly expanding in the field of preclinical research. The majority of these studies use Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) to measure Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) signal contrasts in the brain. In such studies the magnitude and statistical significances of these contrasts are then related to brain function and cognition. It is assumed that any observed signal contrast is ultimately due to differences in biological state and that scanner performance is stable and repeatable between subjects and studies. However, due to confounding issues introduced by in vivo subjects, little work has been undertaken to test this basic assumption. As the BOLD signal contrasts generated in such experiments are often very low, even small changes in scanner performance may dominate the BOLD contrast, distorting any biological conclusions drawn. A series of fMRI phantoms were produced to measure scanner performance independent of biological subjects. These phantoms produce specified signal contrast levels on demand during an fMRI scan by means of current-induced magnetic field gradients. These were used to generate data sets that emulated the BOLD signal contrast of in vivo imaging. Two studies examining scanner performance were then conducted on high-field preclinical MRI scanners. Firstly, in a longitudinal study on a single scanner, measurements were taken over a number of days across a week long period and then every two months over a year long period. Secondly, the behaviour of four preclinical scanners (three at 7T, one at 9.4T) was comparatively assessed. Measurements of several imaging parameters including contrast generated and functional contrast to noise ratio (fCNR) were obtained in both studies. If the scanners involved are truly comparable then they should generate similar measurement values. Across both studies parameter measurements showed significant differences for identical contrast settings on the phantom. Although signal contrast itself proved very comparable across the studies fCNR proved to be highly variable. As well as these measurements of longer tem behaviour proving variable, short and mid-term signal stability displayed a wide range of variability. Variations in the level and quality of both signal and noise were observed. Modelling of signal changes based on fundamental physical principles was also performed for comparison. The impact of these behaviours and variations on in vivo studies could result in skewed biological conclusions at any single site, with some sites exhibiting greater problems than others. The multisite results suggest potential difficulties when comparing biological conclusions between sites, even when using identical imaging parameters. In summary, these results suggest that a cautious approach should be taken with the conclusions of both fMRI and associated resting state connectivity studies that use EPI as their acquisition sequence. Improvements to both the experimental design of studies and regular quality monitoring of scanners should be undertaken to minimise these effects. Clinical MRI scanners should also be assessed for similar aberrations in behaviour.

A Lagoa dos Patos, por sua importância e magnitude, é alvo de inúmeras pesquisas relacionadas ao seu contexto evolutivo geológico e paleogeográfico. Para a investigação das características de seu fundo e subfundo, foram executados, nos anos de 2002 e 2006, levantamentos de cerca de 700 Km de dados sísmicos de 3,5 kHz. O presente trabalho considerou aproximadamente 153 Km de registros sísmicos levantados na célula sul da Lagoa dos Patos, objetivando a identificação e mapeamento dos eco-caracteres da área. Para integração dos dados e visualização dos resultados finais, métodos de geoprocessamento foram aplicados. Os perfis sísmicos analisados permitiram a identificação de três principais eco-caracteres, que foram agrupados de acordo com o aspecto do refletor primário (fundo), ocorrência de refletores subsuperfície e geometria dos refletores de subsuperfície. O eco-caráter A se foi definido por refletor primário (fundo) plano e forte, seguido por refletores fortes e bem definidos; o eco-caráter B foi caracterizado a partir de refletor primário difuso e reflexões de subsuperfície pouco definidas, difusas ou com aspecto de manchas; o eco-caráter C consistiu em refletor primário plano e muito forte, seguido por sucessivas reflexões múltiplas de baixa perda. Estes eco-caracteres foram relacionados à batimetria da área e aos sedimentos de fundo do local, de forma observar a relação entre estes e a resposta acústica associada ao eco. Os eco-caracteres identificados foram correlacionáveis às características sedimentológicas da área e aos processos hidrodinâmicos atuantes na célula sul do sistema lagunar. Anomalias acústicas identificadas nos registros sonográficos evidenciaram a ocorrência de grande quantidade de gás raso, disseminado nos pacotes sedimentares intralagunares. Este trabalho confirma a importância de um melhor entendimento dos efeitos da hidrodinâmica nos processos de sedimentação e apresenta informações relevantes para o auxílio de estudos geomorfológicos e hidrodinâmicos a serem realizados na Lagoa dos Patos. / The Patos Lagoon, for its importance and magnitude, is the subject of numerous researches related to its geological and paleogeographic evolutionary context. For the investigation of its bottom and subbottom characteristics, about 700 km of seismic data of 3.5 kHz were surveyed in 2002 and 2006. This study considered nearly 153 Km of seismic records collected in the south of the Patos Lagoon cell, aiming to the identification and mapping of echo-character. For data integration and visualization of the results, geoprocessing methods were applied. The seismic profiles analyzed allowed the identification of three major echo-characters, which were grouped according to the aspect of the primary reflector (bottom), the occurrence of subbottom reflections, the geometry of the subbottom reflections. The echo-character A presented distinct and continuous surface (bottom) with well-defined subbottom reflections, generally parallel and continuous, which follow the topography of the surface; echo-character B was characterized by a diffuse primary reflector and poorly defined subbottom reflections, diffuse or blurry; echo-character C consisted of a plane and very strong well-defined first reflector and presents a series of low loss multiple reflections. These echo-characters were related to the bathymetry and the bottom sediments of the area, in order to observe the relationship between them and the acoustic response associated with the echo. The echo-characters identified presented good correlation to the sedimentological characteristics of the area and the hydrodynamic processes acting in the south cell of the lagoon system. Acoustic anomalies identified in ecograms indicate the occurrence of large amounts of shallow gas spread in intra-lagoon sedimentary packages. This study confirms the importance of a better understanding of the effects of hydrodynamics in sedimentation processes and presents relevant information to support geomorphological and hydrodynamics studies to be conducted in the Patos Lagoon.

Master of Science / Department of Geology / Abdelmoneam Raef / Matthew W. Totten / This study examines an ovoid drainage feature southwest of Topeka, Kansas, whose discovery sparked a flurry of activity. Geomicrobial and surface gamma ray surveys indicated possible vertical migration of hydrocarbons, and a ground magnetic survey produced anomalies that resemble the profile of a crater. The area was dubbed the Echo Cliff structure and considered analogous to the Ames structure in Oklahoma, an Ordovician impact structure remarkable for significant hydrocarbon recovery. However, four wells drilled in the area were dry and abandoned. The Echo Cliff structure did yield further indications of its origins by the discovery of possible shocked quartz in drill cuttings from the Ordovician Simpson Group. Our study integrated well log analysis, geophysical modeling, and petrographic analysis to verify or refute the proposed identity of the Echo Cliff structure. Well logs from the area were used to create a structural and stratigraphic cross-section in Petrel® 2016. A gravity survey was conducted in the study area and combined with an aeromagnetic survey, donated by Applied Geophyics, Inc., to use as the basis for geophysical modeling within GM-SYS®. Finally, drill cuttings from the Simpson Group of two wells in the study area were mounted for thin sectioning. These thin sections were examined for planar deformation features, which are indicative of an impact event. The structural and stratigraphic cross sections indicated minimal variation in the subsurface, which is uncharacteristic of an impact event. The GM-SYS® geophysical models seem to indicate that variations in the topography of the Precambrian basement and faulting from the Bolivar-Mansfield Tectonic Zone are responsible for the geophysical anomalies and possibly the current drainage pattern of the study area. Finally, no planar deformation features were observed in any of the examined thin sections. Therefore, there is currently no evidence in support of the claim that the Echo Cliff structure is an impact structure.

Eco em Horizonte é um ciclo de sete composições para conjunto de câmara formado por oboé, clarinete, piano, vibrafone, percussão, violino, viola e contrabaixo. O presente trabalho consiste em um memorial de composição no qual relações entre forma, estrutura e processo existentes nas peças são investigadas. Tomando por base o ponto de vista e as memórias do compositor, é estabelecida no texto uma reflexão sobre a abordagem processual em música, evidenciada na relação complementar entre a leitura dos exemplos musicais e textuais, a audição das peças e leitura das partituras que acompanham o trabalho. A existência de “ecos” de repertórios diversos e do próprio ciclo ao longo das peças é outro elemento central do presente memorial. / Eco em Horizonte (Echo In Horizon) is a seven-composition cycle for oboe, clarinet, piano, vibraphone, percussion, violin, viola, and double bass. This essay investigates relationships of form, structure and compositional process within the cycle. A procedural approach to music is the focus of the essay, taking the memories of the composer and his point of view as its starting point. This approach is made clear by the interweaving of musical and textual examples, as well as by the included scores and recordings. The aim of this essay is to focus on the identification of musical echoes from external repertoires within the cycle, as well as echoes of the seven compositions within themselves.

The objective of this study is to check the existent articulation between the institutional arrangement favorable to the echo-efficiency and the industrial MSCs (Micro and Small Companies) in the city of Maceió as a determinant to the use of echo-efficiency measures by these companies. The choice of the municipal district of Maceió as a case study is due to the importance of MSCs in the economy of Alagoas, which represents 98, 7% of the total existing companies in this state, where 54% of them are concentrated in Maceió. This research takes the hypothesis that the limitation of resources and knowledge in relation to environmentally correct manners of production are factors that hinder the echo-efficiency adoption in those companies. For this reason, the institutional support is fundamental so that industrial MSCs in Maceió adopt echo-efficiency measures. For that, a mapping of the main institutions was made with its actions related to the environmental subjects close to MSCs. It was verified that the institutional support is of fundamental importance to the MSCs echo-efficiency. Therefore, the institutional apparatus that works the echo-efficiency in those companies is insignificant. / O objetivo deste trabalho é verificar a articulação existente entre o arranjo institucional, favorável à ecoeficiência, e as MPEs (micro e pequenas empresas) industriais na cidade de Maceió como um determinante da adoção de medidas de ecoeficiência por parte destas empresas. A escolha do município de Maceió como estudo de caso deve-se ao fato da importância das MPEs na economia alagoana, representando 98,7% do total de empresas existentes no estado, onde 54% delas estão concentradas em Maceió. Toma-se por hipótese que a limitação de recursos e de conhecimento em relação a modos de produção ambientalmente corretos são fatores que dificultam a adoção de ecoeficiência nessas empresas e, por isso, o apoio institucional é fundamental para que MPEs industriais em Maceió adotem medidas de ecoeficiência. Para isso, foi feito um mapeamento das principais instituições e das suas ações relacionadas às questões ambientais junto à MPEs. Foi verificado que o apoio institucional é de fundamental importância para que MPEs busquem a ecoeficiência, porém o aparato institucional que trabalha a ecoeficiência nessas empresas tem uma abrangência insignificante.

A Lagoa dos Patos, por sua importância e magnitude, é alvo de inúmeras pesquisas relacionadas ao seu contexto evolutivo geológico e paleogeográfico. Para a investigação das características de seu fundo e subfundo, foram executados, nos anos de 2002 e 2006, levantamentos de cerca de 700 Km de dados sísmicos de 3,5 kHz. O presente trabalho considerou aproximadamente 153 Km de registros sísmicos levantados na célula sul da Lagoa dos Patos, objetivando a identificação e mapeamento dos eco-caracteres da área. Para integração dos dados e visualização dos resultados finais, métodos de geoprocessamento foram aplicados. Os perfis sísmicos analisados permitiram a identificação de três principais eco-caracteres, que foram agrupados de acordo com o aspecto do refletor primário (fundo), ocorrência de refletores subsuperfície e geometria dos refletores de subsuperfície. O eco-caráter A se foi definido por refletor primário (fundo) plano e forte, seguido por refletores fortes e bem definidos; o eco-caráter B foi caracterizado a partir de refletor primário difuso e reflexões de subsuperfície pouco definidas, difusas ou com aspecto de manchas; o eco-caráter C consistiu em refletor primário plano e muito forte, seguido por sucessivas reflexões múltiplas de baixa perda. Estes eco-caracteres foram relacionados à batimetria da área e aos sedimentos de fundo do local, de forma observar a relação entre estes e a resposta acústica associada ao eco. Os eco-caracteres identificados foram correlacionáveis às características sedimentológicas da área e aos processos hidrodinâmicos atuantes na célula sul do sistema lagunar. Anomalias acústicas identificadas nos registros sonográficos evidenciaram a ocorrência de grande quantidade de gás raso, disseminado nos pacotes sedimentares intralagunares. Este trabalho confirma a importância de um melhor entendimento dos efeitos da hidrodinâmica nos processos de sedimentação e apresenta informações relevantes para o auxílio de estudos geomorfológicos e hidrodinâmicos a serem realizados na Lagoa dos Patos. / The Patos Lagoon, for its importance and magnitude, is the subject of numerous researches related to its geological and paleogeographic evolutionary context. For the investigation of its bottom and subbottom characteristics, about 700 km of seismic data of 3.5 kHz were surveyed in 2002 and 2006. This study considered nearly 153 Km of seismic records collected in the south of the Patos Lagoon cell, aiming to the identification and mapping of echo-character. For data integration and visualization of the results, geoprocessing methods were applied. The seismic profiles analyzed allowed the identification of three major echo-characters, which were grouped according to the aspect of the primary reflector (bottom), the occurrence of subbottom reflections, the geometry of the subbottom reflections. The echo-character A presented distinct and continuous surface (bottom) with well-defined subbottom reflections, generally parallel and continuous, which follow the topography of the surface; echo-character B was characterized by a diffuse primary reflector and poorly defined subbottom reflections, diffuse or blurry; echo-character C consisted of a plane and very strong well-defined first reflector and presents a series of low loss multiple reflections. These echo-characters were related to the bathymetry and the bottom sediments of the area, in order to observe the relationship between them and the acoustic response associated with the echo. The echo-characters identified presented good correlation to the sedimentological characteristics of the area and the hydrodynamic processes acting in the south cell of the lagoon system. Acoustic anomalies identified in ecograms indicate the occurrence of large amounts of shallow gas spread in intra-lagoon sedimentary packages. This study confirms the importance of a better understanding of the effects of hydrodynamics in sedimentation processes and presents relevant information to support geomorphological and hydrodynamics studies to be conducted in the Patos Lagoon.

Os níveis de obesidade vêm aumentando, no Brasil e no mundo, de maneira exponencial. A condição de excesso de tecido adiposo pode gerar um prejuízo funcional, bem como alterações em uma série de parâmetros de saúde cardiovascular. A quantidade e qualidade muscular apresentada por um indivíduo obeso podem ser determinantes na maneira como o organismo lida com esses desafios. Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a existência de associação entre variáveis de força, qualidade e quantidade muscular, funcionalidade, saúde vascular e adiposidade em indivíduos obesos. Para isso, trinta e quatro indivíduos obesos, com idade entre 20-60 anos, sedentários, não fumantes e não diabéticos, se voluntariaram a participar do estudo. Após prévia familiarização, foram realizados testes de força nos extensores de joelho (contração isométrica voluntária máxima - CIVM ; 1 repetição máxima - 1RM; potência média) e funcionalidade (teste de caminhada de 6 minutos - TC6M; sentar e levantar em 30 segundos - SL30; get up and go). A massa muscular (EMQUA) e echo intensity do quadríceps femoral (EIQUA) foram medidas por ultrassonografia, bem como diferentes parâmetros de adiposidade e função endotelial (avaliada por dilatação mediada por fluxo - DMF). Foram verificados os coeficientes de correlação de pearson entre as variáveis acima citadas e adotou-se um p<0.05 para associação significativa. Foi encontrada uma associação negativa significativa entre a EIQUA e todos os testes de força analisados, bem como com os testes funcionais. A EMQUA também apresentou correlação significativa, porém positiva, com os testes de força e funcionalidade. A EIQUA apresentou uma associação significativa com a gordura visceral, bem como com a gordura subcutânea da coxa. Além disso, a gordura subcutânea abdominal apresentou associação significativa com a DMF. Os dados do presente estudo mostraram haver uma associação significativa entre a quantidade e qualidade muscular e o desempenho em testes de força e funcionais em indivíduos obesos. Ainda, importantes parâmetros de adiposidade se correlacionaram com a EIQUA e com a DMF, um importante marcador de saúde endotelial. Dessa forma, estartégias de intervenção (por exemplo, treinamento de força), que sejam capazes de modificar os parâmetros acima descritos, devem ser priorizadas quando o objetivo for uma melhora na qualidade de vida de indivíduos obesos. / Obesity levels are increasing in Brazil and all over the world in an exponential way. The adipose tissue excess may affect functionality, as well as another health parameters. The skeletal muscle quantity and quality in obese individual may be determinant in how that the organism deals with theses problems. Thus, the objective of the present study was to verify the association between strength, muscle quantity and quality, functionality, vascular health and adiposity in obese subjects. Thirty four obese subjects, aged 20-60 years, sedentary, non-smokers and non-diabetic, volunteered to participate in the study. After a familiartization session, the knee extensors strength (isometric maximal volunatry contraction - IMVC; on repetition maximum - 1RM ; average power) and functional (6 minutes walk test - TC6M; sit to stand up test - 30SL; get up and go) tests were performed. The quadriceps femoris muscle thickness (EMQUA) and echo intensity (EIQUA) were evaluated by ultrasonography, as well as different adiposty parameters and vascular function. The pearson correlation coefficent were verified between all variables cited above and a P<0.05 were adopted. There was found a negative significant association between the EIQUA and all the strength tests performed, as well as all functional tests. The EMQUA presented significant positive association with all strength and functional tests. Additionally, the EIQUA presented a significant negative association with the visceral adipose tissue, as well as the thigh subcutaneous adipose tissue. Besides that, the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue was associated positively with the vascular function. The data presented here have shown a significant association between the muscle quantity and quality and the performance in functional and strength tests in obese subjects. In addition, important adiposity parameters correlated with the EIQUA and vascular function. Thus, intervention strategies (such as strength training), that are capable of modifying these parameters, should be prioritized when the objective is to enhance the quality of life in an obese person.