This thesis addresses the organisation of drive to human upper airway and inspiratory pump muscles. The characterisation of single motor unit activity is important as the discharge frequency or timing of discharge of each motor unit directly reflects the output of single motoneurones. Thus, the firing properties of a population of motor units is indicative of the neural drive to the motoneurone pool. The experiments presented in Chapter 2 measured the recruitment time of five inspiratory pump muscles (diaphragm, scalene, second parasternal intercostal, and third and fifth dorsal external intercostal muscles) during normal quiet breathing and quantified the timing and magnitude of drive reaching each muscle. Chapter 3 examined the EMG activity of a major upper airway muscle (the genioglossus). The single motor units of the genioglossus display activity that can be grouped into six types based on its association or lack of association with respiration. The types of activity are termed: Inspiratory Phasic, Inspiratory Tonic, Expiratory Phasic, Expiratory Tonic, Tonic, and Tonic Other. A new method is presented in Chapter 4 to illustrate large amounts of data from single motor units recorded from respiratory muscles in a concise manner. This single figure displays for each motor unit, the recruitment time and firing frequency, the peak discharge frequency and its time, and the derecruitment time and its frequency. This method, termed the time-and-frequency plot, is used to demonstrate differences in behaviour between populations of diaphragm (Chapter 2) and genioglossus (Chapter 3) motoneurones. In Chapter 5, genioglossus activity during quiet breathing is compared between a group of patients with severe OSA and healthy control subjects. The distribution of central drive is identical between the OSA and control subjects with the same proportion of the six types of motor unit activity in both groups. However, there are alterations in the onset time of Inspiratory Phasic and Inspiratory Tonic motor units in OSA subjects and their peak discharge rates are also altered. Single motor unit action potentials in OSA subjects showed an increased area. This suggests the presence of neurogenic changes and may provide a pathophysiological explanation for the increased multiunit electromyographic activity reported in OSA subjects during wakefulness.

Abstract The quantitation of the variability in cardiovascular signals provides information about the autonomic neural regulation of the heart and the circulatory system. Several factors have an indirect effect on these signals as well as artifacts and several types of noise are contained in the recorded signal. The dynamics of RR and QT interval time series have also been analyzed in order to predict a risk of adverse cardiac events and to diagnose them. An ambulatory measurement setting is an important and demanding condition for the recording and analysis of these signals. Sophisticated and robust signal analysis schemes are thus increasingly needed. In this thesis, essential points related to ambulatory data acquisition and analysis of cardiovascular signals are discussed including the accuracy and reproducibility of the variability measurement. The origin of artifacts in RR interval time series is discussed, and consequently their effects and possible correction procedures are concidered. The time series including intervals differing from a normal sinus rhythm which sometimes carry important information, but may not be as such suitable for an analysis performed by all approaches. A significant variation in the results in either intra- or intersubject analysis is unavoidable and should be kept in mind when interpreting the results. In addition to heart rate variability (HRV) measurement using RR intervals, the dy- namics of ventricular repolarization duration (VRD) is considered using the invasively obtained action potential duration (APD) and different estimates for a QT interval taken from a surface electrocardiogram (ECG). Estimating the low quantity of the VRD vari- ability involves obviously potential errors and more strict requirements. In this study, the accuracy of VRD measurement was improved by a better time resolution obtained through interpolating the ECG. Furthermore, RTmax interval was chosen as the best QT interval estimate using simulated noise tests. A computer program was developed for the time interval measurement from ambulatory ECGs. This thesis reviews the most commonly used analysis methods for cardiovascular vari- ability signals including time and frequency domain approaches. The estimation of the power spectrum is presented on the approach using an autoregressive model (AR) of time series, and a method for estimating the powers and the spectra of components is also presented. Time-frequency and time-variant spectral analysis schemes with applica- tions to HRV analysis are presented. As a novel approach, wavelet and wavelet packet transforms and the theory of signal denoising with several principles for the threshold selection is examined. The wavelet packet based noise removal approach made use of an optimized signal decomposition scheme called best tree structure. Wavelet and wavelet packet transforms are further used to test their effciency in removing simulated noise from the ECG. The power spectrum analysis is examined by means of wavelet transforms, which are then applied to estimate the nonstationary RR interval variability. Chaotic modelling is discussed with important questions related to HRV analysis.ciency in removing simulated noise from the ECG. The power spectrum analysis is examined by means of wavelet transforms, which are then applied to estimate the nonstationary RR interval variability. Chaotic modelling is discussed with important questions related to HRV analysis.

No description available.

No description available.

Esta dissertação propõe o projeto e a implementação de um sintetizador de sinal pertencente à banda X, com frequência de 9.192 GHz, para promover a transição atômica do átomo de césio durante o ciclo de operação do padrão atômico de frequência do CePOF/IFSC. Diferente do sintetizador em uso, este provê duas fontes de sinais, a fim de realizar a alimentação simétrica da cavidade de micro-ondas. A alimentação simétrica apresenta uma melhoria em relação à montagem experimental atual e visa atenuar os efeitos de gradiente de potência ao quais os átomos estão expostos enquanto cruzam a cavidade de interrogação. O sintetizador também apresenta um controle de fase em um dos sinais, para que seja possível um ajuste de fase entre eles, permitindo que ambos cheguem à cavidade de interrogação em fase. O método utilizado para a síntese dos sinais é o indireto, onde o sinal de interesse é obtido por meio de osciladores e componentes que possibilitam a manipulação algébrica das frequências, aliados aos circuitos de travamento para controle dos osciladores / This text considers the design and implementation of an X-band signal synthesizer, with a 9.192 GHz frequency, to promote the atomic transition of cesium during the operation process of the CePOF/IFSCs atomic frequency standard. Unlike the current synthesizer, the present one provides two sources of signal, in order to perform the symmetrical feed of the microwave cavity. The symmetrical feed is an improvement compared to the current experimental set up and aims at reducing the power gradient effects to which the atoms are exposed when travelling throughout the interrogation cavity. The synthesizer also has a phase control in one of the signals, in order to ensure that both signals will get into the interrogation cavity in phase. The synthesis method used is the indirect one; the desired signal is formed by means of oscillators and devices that allow the algebraic manipulation of frequencies, combined with lock circuits to control the oscillators

Distributed fibre optic sensing (DFOS) is essential for structural health monitoring (SHM) of strain changes induced during the lifetime of a structure. Among different DFOS systems, the Brillouin Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (BOTDR) takes the advantages of obtaining full frequency spectrum to provide strain and temperature information along the optic fibre. The key parameters of distributed fibre optic sensors, spatial and frequency resolution, are strongly linked with the time-frequency (T-F) localisation in the system in three parts: pulse, hardware design and optical fibre. T-F localization is fundamentally important for the communication system, whereas in this study the importance of the T-F localisation to the spatial and frequency resolution, repeatability and the measurement speed are introduced in BOTDR. In this dissertation, the development of DFOS is first introduced, including both traditional methods and new developed designs. The literature review shows the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of BOTDR can be improved by investigating its T-F localisation. In the hardware design, in order to improve the T-F localisation in hardware architecture, a Short-Time Fourier Transform-Brillouin Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (STFT-BOTDR), which implements STFT over the full frequency spectrum to measure the distributed temperature and strain along the optic fibre, is applied so that the conventional frequency sweeping method can be replaced for high resolution and fast speed measurement, providing new research advances in dynamic distributed sensing. The STFT based BOTDR has better T-F localisation, which in turn provides an opportunity for off-line post signal processing that is more adaptable for fast speed measurements. The spatial and frequency resolution of dynamic BOTDR sensing is limited by the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and the T-F localization of the input pulse shape. The T-F localized input pulse shape can enhance the SNR and the spatial and frequency resolution in STFT-BOTDR. In this study, simulation and experiments of T-F localized different pulses shapes are conducted to examine the limitation of the system resolution. The result indicates that a rectangular pulse should be selected to optimize the spatial resolution and a Lorentzian pulse could be chosen to optimize the frequency resolution, while a Gaussian shape pulse can be used in general applications for its balanced performance in both spatial and frequency resolution. Meanwhile, T-F localization is used for pulse T-F localisation optimisation. A set of Kaiser-Bessel functions is used to simulate different pulse shapes and to compare their parameters in terms of T-F localisation and their Brillouin scattering spectrum. A method using an iterative filtering algorithm to achieve the optimised pulse in terms of T-F localisation is introduced to converge the Effective-pulse Width (TEW) in the time-domain and Effective-pulse Linewidth (FEL) in the frequency domain to identify the fundamental limitations. The optimised pulse can be fitted with a 7th order Gaussian (super-Gaussian) shape and it offers the best experimental performance compared to a Rectangular pulse. The sensitivity of a sensor to strain or temperature variations due to distributed Brillouin scattering is closely related to the power distribution on the Brillouin scattering spectrum which is related to the property of the optic fibre. The performance of a highly nonlinear fibre that can generate a higher Brillouin scattering signal is compared to that of a standard single mode fibre. The results show that much higher SNR of the Brillouin scattering spectrum and smaller frequency uncertainties in the sensing measurement can be achieved by using a highly nonlinear fibre for comparable launched powers. With a measurement speed of 4 Hz, the frequency uncertainty can be 0.43 MHz, corresponding to 10 με in strain or 0.43°C in temperature uncertainty for the tested highly nonlinear fibre. In contrast, for a standard single mode fibre, the value would increase to about 1.02 MHz (25 με or 1.02°C), demonstrating the advantage of the tested highly nonlinear fibre for distributed strain/temperature sensing. Results show that, by using a small effective area highly nonlinear fibre, the strain or temperature resolution can be improved because it generates stronger Brillouin scattering signal with high SNR and high Q factor spectrum, both of which determine the optimal averaging time in a single measurement. In general, the STFT-BOTDR can achieve 1 m spatial resolution, 10 με frequency resolution on a 10 km fibre with measurement speed at about 2.5 kHz.

Atualmente, a exigência da indústria na construção de estruturas complexas é consequência da acirrada concorrência, principalmente, entre empresas dos segmentos rodoviários. Com o auxílio de ferramentas computacionais, baseadas no Método de Elementos Finitos, é possível dimensionar essas estruturas submetidas a solicitações aleatórias variando no tempo. Nesse caso, é comum a realização de simulações dinâmicas no domínio do tempo que se empregue um modelo de Elementos Finitos de placa ou viga e, assim, obter as tensões nos locais críticos de interesse. Porém, análises no domínio do tempo capturam tensões e deformações com boa precisão, mas costumam ser caras computacionalmente. Na maioria dos casos estudados, a vida em fadiga é fundamental para prever falhas estruturais de elevadas proporções, como o colapso da viga principal da estrutura chassi de um implemento rodoviário. Diante disso, são de interesse tecnológico e industrial as análises no domínio da frequência, a fim de diminuir o custo computacional de simulação dinâmica independente do modelo de Elementos Finitos. Com esse propósito, o presente trabalho propõe uma comparação entre metodologias capazes em estimar a vida em fadiga no domínio do tempo e da frequência, de um caso simples e um segundo caso, mais complexo, que é o da indústria. Os diferentes modelos de Elementos Finitos e métodos de cálculos da vida em fadiga no domínio da frequência são comparados e discutidos, usando-se como referência o método clássico de cálculo da vida em fadiga, domínio do tempo. A metodologia leva em conta os diferentes Elementos Finitos empregados, as simplificações dos modelos estruturais usados e potenciais restrições cinemáticas aplicadas ao modelo. A comparação é feita com a ajuda de ferramentas comerciais que executam as análises modais, harmônicas, transientes, espectrais e rotinas de cálculos. Assim, o analista pode selecionar malhas com quantidade viável de graus de liberdade tornando possível as simulações dinâmicas e, além disso, prever a vida em fadiga no domínio do tempo para modelos simples e complexos. A partir dos resultados, verificou-se que as análises de estimativa da vida em fadiga no domínio da frequência, para modelos complexos, ainda não apresentam resultados confiáveis e, assim, são sugeridas recomendações. / Currently, the industry demand for the construction of complex structures is a consequence of the fierce competition, mainly between companies from semi-trailers segments. With the support of computational tools, based on the Finite Element Method, it is possible to size these structures submitted to random requests varying in time. In this case, it is common to perform dynamic simulations in the time domain to use a Finite Element model of plate or beam and thus obtain the stresses at the critical sites of interest. However, time domain analyses capture tensions and deformations with good accuracy, but they are often computationally expensive. In most of the studied cases, fatigue life is fundamental to predict structural failures of high proportions, such as main beam collapse of the chassis structure of a semi-trailer. Therefore, the semi-trailer industry segments is interested in the frequency domain, in order to reduce the computational cost of dynamic simulation no matter of the Finite Element model. With this purpose, the present work proposes a comparison between methodologies which are able to estimate the fatigue life in time domain and frequency, of a simple and second case, more complex, that of the industry. The different Finite Element models and methods of calculating fatigue life in frequency domain are compared and discussed using the classic time domain fatigue life calculation method as reference. The methodology takes into account the different Finite Elements are used, the simplifications of the structural models used and potential kinematic constraints applied to the model. The comparison is made with not only the following analyses: modal, harmonic, transient, spectral, but also computational routines. Thus, the analyst can select meshes with a viable amount of degrees of freedom making dynamic simulations possible, in addition, to its predict the fatigue life in time domain for simple and complex models. Based on the results, it was verified that the fatigue life estimates in frequency domain, for complex models, do not present reliable results yet. Therefore, recommendations are suggested.

Tendo por objetivo principal a implementação de um laboratório de pesquisa em tempo e freqüência, tomamos como primeiro alvo a ser alcançado a realização da definição primária do segundo, conforme estabelecido pelo BIPM, baseado no átomo de 133CS. Seguindo os passos nessa linha de pesquisa, o laboratório construiu um primeiro padrão baseado em feixe efusivo e operado opticamente. Atualmente, os sistemas com maior capacidade de determinação do segundo são os padrões de átomos frios, denominados chafarizes, dado o seu esquema de funcionamento. O objetivo principal desse trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de um padrão de tempo e freqüência baseado em um sistema de átomos frios, passando por todas as fases de sua implementação. Tais fases dizem respeito à construção de sistemas de controle de lasers de diodo, síntese de freqüências, avaliação de sinais de tempo e freqüência e controle e aquisição dos sinais de interrogação atômica. Adicionada a isso a necessidade de estabelecer um ambiente próprio ao desenvolvimento de tal experimento. Os resultados observados até aqui permitem que sejam estabelecidas novas metas, em busca do refinamento desse padrão. Além disso, os tipos de sistemas abordados são passíveis de utilização no desenvolvimento de outros padrões, tanto primários como secundários, sendo requisitos fundamentais no estabelecimento de metrologia científica de tempo e freqüência. / Having as a main goal the implementation of a research laboratory in time and frequency, we set the first target to be reached the realization of the primary definition of the second, as stated by BIPM, based on the 133CS atom. Following the steps in this research line our laboratory constructed a first standard based on an effusive beam optically operated. Nowadays, the most capable systems in the determination of the second are the cold atoms standards, called fountains, due to their operation mode. The main subject of this thesis is the development of a time and frequency standard based in cold atoms doing all the steps to implement it. These steps concern to the construction of diode lasers control systems, frequency synthesis, time and frequency signal characterization and atomic interrogation signal acquisition, added the need to the establishment of an appropriate environment to develop such experiment. The observed results until now allowed the determination of the new goals in the search of the standard refinement. Moreover, the kind of systems described here can be used in the development of other standards, either primary or secondary, being fundamental requisites in the establishment of time and frequency scientific metrology.

Atualmente, a exigência da indústria na construção de estruturas complexas é consequência da acirrada concorrência, principalmente, entre empresas dos segmentos rodoviários. Com o auxílio de ferramentas computacionais, baseadas no Método de Elementos Finitos, é possível dimensionar essas estruturas submetidas a solicitações aleatórias variando no tempo. Nesse caso, é comum a realização de simulações dinâmicas no domínio do tempo que se empregue um modelo de Elementos Finitos de placa ou viga e, assim, obter as tensões nos locais críticos de interesse. Porém, análises no domínio do tempo capturam tensões e deformações com boa precisão, mas costumam ser caras computacionalmente. Na maioria dos casos estudados, a vida em fadiga é fundamental para prever falhas estruturais de elevadas proporções, como o colapso da viga principal da estrutura chassi de um implemento rodoviário. Diante disso, são de interesse tecnológico e industrial as análises no domínio da frequência, a fim de diminuir o custo computacional de simulação dinâmica independente do modelo de Elementos Finitos. Com esse propósito, o presente trabalho propõe uma comparação entre metodologias capazes em estimar a vida em fadiga no domínio do tempo e da frequência, de um caso simples e um segundo caso, mais complexo, que é o da indústria. Os diferentes modelos de Elementos Finitos e métodos de cálculos da vida em fadiga no domínio da frequência são comparados e discutidos, usando-se como referência o método clássico de cálculo da vida em fadiga, domínio do tempo. A metodologia leva em conta os diferentes Elementos Finitos empregados, as simplificações dos modelos estruturais usados e potenciais restrições cinemáticas aplicadas ao modelo. A comparação é feita com a ajuda de ferramentas comerciais que executam as análises modais, harmônicas, transientes, espectrais e rotinas de cálculos. Assim, o analista pode selecionar malhas com quantidade viável de graus de liberdade tornando possível as simulações dinâmicas e, além disso, prever a vida em fadiga no domínio do tempo para modelos simples e complexos. A partir dos resultados, verificou-se que as análises de estimativa da vida em fadiga no domínio da frequência, para modelos complexos, ainda não apresentam resultados confiáveis e, assim, são sugeridas recomendações. / Currently, the industry demand for the construction of complex structures is a consequence of the fierce competition, mainly between companies from semi-trailers segments. With the support of computational tools, based on the Finite Element Method, it is possible to size these structures submitted to random requests varying in time. In this case, it is common to perform dynamic simulations in the time domain to use a Finite Element model of plate or beam and thus obtain the stresses at the critical sites of interest. However, time domain analyses capture tensions and deformations with good accuracy, but they are often computationally expensive. In most of the studied cases, fatigue life is fundamental to predict structural failures of high proportions, such as main beam collapse of the chassis structure of a semi-trailer. Therefore, the semi-trailer industry segments is interested in the frequency domain, in order to reduce the computational cost of dynamic simulation no matter of the Finite Element model. With this purpose, the present work proposes a comparison between methodologies which are able to estimate the fatigue life in time domain and frequency, of a simple and second case, more complex, that of the industry. The different Finite Element models and methods of calculating fatigue life in frequency domain are compared and discussed using the classic time domain fatigue life calculation method as reference. The methodology takes into account the different Finite Elements are used, the simplifications of the structural models used and potential kinematic constraints applied to the model. The comparison is made with not only the following analyses: modal, harmonic, transient, spectral, but also computational routines. Thus, the analyst can select meshes with a viable amount of degrees of freedom making dynamic simulations possible, in addition, to its predict the fatigue life in time domain for simple and complex models. Based on the results, it was verified that the fatigue life estimates in frequency domain, for complex models, do not present reliable results yet. Therefore, recommendations are suggested.

Atualmente, a exigência da indústria na construção de estruturas complexas é consequência da acirrada concorrência, principalmente, entre empresas dos segmentos rodoviários. Com o auxílio de ferramentas computacionais, baseadas no Método de Elementos Finitos, é possível dimensionar essas estruturas submetidas a solicitações aleatórias variando no tempo. Nesse caso, é comum a realização de simulações dinâmicas no domínio do tempo que se empregue um modelo de Elementos Finitos de placa ou viga e, assim, obter as tensões nos locais críticos de interesse. Porém, análises no domínio do tempo capturam tensões e deformações com boa precisão, mas costumam ser caras computacionalmente. Na maioria dos casos estudados, a vida em fadiga é fundamental para prever falhas estruturais de elevadas proporções, como o colapso da viga principal da estrutura chassi de um implemento rodoviário. Diante disso, são de interesse tecnológico e industrial as análises no domínio da frequência, a fim de diminuir o custo computacional de simulação dinâmica independente do modelo de Elementos Finitos. Com esse propósito, o presente trabalho propõe uma comparação entre metodologias capazes em estimar a vida em fadiga no domínio do tempo e da frequência, de um caso simples e um segundo caso, mais complexo, que é o da indústria. Os diferentes modelos de Elementos Finitos e métodos de cálculos da vida em fadiga no domínio da frequência são comparados e discutidos, usando-se como referência o método clássico de cálculo da vida em fadiga, domínio do tempo. A metodologia leva em conta os diferentes Elementos Finitos empregados, as simplificações dos modelos estruturais usados e potenciais restrições cinemáticas aplicadas ao modelo. A comparação é feita com a ajuda de ferramentas comerciais que executam as análises modais, harmônicas, transientes, espectrais e rotinas de cálculos. Assim, o analista pode selecionar malhas com quantidade viável de graus de liberdade tornando possível as simulações dinâmicas e, além disso, prever a vida em fadiga no domínio do tempo para modelos simples e complexos. A partir dos resultados, verificou-se que as análises de estimativa da vida em fadiga no domínio da frequência, para modelos complexos, ainda não apresentam resultados confiáveis e, assim, são sugeridas recomendações. / Currently, the industry demand for the construction of complex structures is a consequence of the fierce competition, mainly between companies from semi-trailers segments. With the support of computational tools, based on the Finite Element Method, it is possible to size these structures submitted to random requests varying in time. In this case, it is common to perform dynamic simulations in the time domain to use a Finite Element model of plate or beam and thus obtain the stresses at the critical sites of interest. However, time domain analyses capture tensions and deformations with good accuracy, but they are often computationally expensive. In most of the studied cases, fatigue life is fundamental to predict structural failures of high proportions, such as main beam collapse of the chassis structure of a semi-trailer. Therefore, the semi-trailer industry segments is interested in the frequency domain, in order to reduce the computational cost of dynamic simulation no matter of the Finite Element model. With this purpose, the present work proposes a comparison between methodologies which are able to estimate the fatigue life in time domain and frequency, of a simple and second case, more complex, that of the industry. The different Finite Element models and methods of calculating fatigue life in frequency domain are compared and discussed using the classic time domain fatigue life calculation method as reference. The methodology takes into account the different Finite Elements are used, the simplifications of the structural models used and potential kinematic constraints applied to the model. The comparison is made with not only the following analyses: modal, harmonic, transient, spectral, but also computational routines. Thus, the analyst can select meshes with a viable amount of degrees of freedom making dynamic simulations possible, in addition, to its predict the fatigue life in time domain for simple and complex models. Based on the results, it was verified that the fatigue life estimates in frequency domain, for complex models, do not present reliable results yet. Therefore, recommendations are suggested.