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The latest evidence indicates that 50,000 Canadians will experience a stroke in 2013. The hospital care, rehabilitation, and long term care associated with a stroke places a significant burden on our health care system. Lost productivity and premature death have an immeasurable impact on communities in our province as well as the rest of the country. Small, less populated regions such as Saskatchewan may be underrepresented in national data utilized in the development of national prevention and treatment strategies across the country. The absence of local research has necessitated the use of national information to guide prevention, treatment education and programming in Saskatchewan. The goals of this study was to provide a descriptive profile of stroke and transient ischemic attack cases admitted to Royal University Hospital over the period of April 1, 2009 to March 31st, 2010 and to assess the acute management of these cases as defined in the Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care (Strategy, 2010). A randomized sample of 200 cases 55 years and older was selected for a retrospective descriptive study involving review of adult stroke case records. Personal demographics and healthcare performance through the use of measures provided in The Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care (Canadian Stroke Network (CSN) and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC), 2010) were evaluated. The results indicated many similarities to available national information on type of stroke, risk factors, gender, and age. Hospital adherence to national guidelines comparing selected indicators was exceeded in some areas, and met in most. The remaining indicators provide an opportunity for improvement and possibly more research. This regional information supplements the available Canadian information and could be used to guide planning and care strategically targeting Saskatchewan residents and increasing their potential for success.

The contious reduction in size and work voltage of the new generation integrated circuits (ICs) requires the reducction of the thickness of the different layers that make up (especially the gate oxides and levels of isolation between conductors), in order to increase its density and speed of integration, reducing its energy consumption. However, these improvements involve an increase in their sensitivity to external perturbations such as fluctuations in the electricity network, capacitive coupling or electrostatic discharge (ESD). Although there is a wide range of electronic devices designed to protect ICs from such disturbances avoiding destruction (Zener diodes, thyristors, etc.), The continuous reduction of voltage operation and increasing the frequency of work has required a major research effort to adapt the protective devices to the new conditions of operation. The main features that should satisfy any device designed to protect an electronic system are: fast response, low parasitic capacity, driving in low resistance, high absorption capacity of current, low leakage current in reverse, minimum size, low cost, should not interfere in the normal mode of operation of the system that protects and must maintain unchanged its electrical characteristics over time. In high voltage applications, Zener diodes and thyristors are the most used, both in format as a discreet way to the monolithic IC, for protection against ESD phenomena. However, new generations of ICs for mobile applications (portable computers, telecommunications, remote control systems, etc.) Require devices capable of working at low voltage and low energy consumption (in order to maximize the life of batteries ). Under these conditions, the protection of traditional elements are not optimal, so that further protection devices with low voltage and low shooting leakage current in his block state. In this situation, the use of new protective structures based on a process of rupture by emptying (punch-through) improves the characteristics of those based on a break by avalanche (base of the traditional components). Thus, this study aims to analyze, optimize, design and produce new elements of protection by breaking with punch-through, known as Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS), which improve the performance of Zener diodes in applications from low tension (less than 3 V). Thus, Chapter 1 describes the main electric perturbation and sources that originated, along with a description of its effect on the CIs. It also provides a description of the different existing devices suppressors, with special emphasis on TVS, the main topic for this work. In Chapter 2 presents a study of the vertical TVS based in the punch-through effect, which analyzes the electrical characteristics of its two configurations (TVS 3 layers, TVS 4 layers). It also presents the theoretical model of rupture developed for this type of structures as well as the verification of it through numerical simulations and experimental data. Chapter 3 deals with the design, fabrication and characterization of vertical TVS. We show the technological processes done and the improvements are detailed, demonstrating the superiority of TVS 4 layers respect to the TVS 3 layers and Zener diodes. Chapter 4 presents the first study published on lateral punch-through TVS devices intended to be integrated with the circuitry to protect. The study was conducted for different configurations proposed in technology Bulk Silicon, compared among themselves and choose the configuration that shows better characteristics. This chapter also presents a novel way of using the field plate to reduce the breakdown voltage into the lateral TVS. Finally, and as a line of the future, assessing the feasibility of integrating lateral TVS devices in SOI (Silicon-On-Insulator) substrates. Finally, Chapter 5 shows the manufacturing of lateral TVS. Details the technological process, the design of masks, clean room manufacturing in the characterization and finally, whether technological, using techniques of Reverse Engineering, as electric.

This is a M. Eng. degree project at Uppsala University carried out at the Forsmark nuclear power plant in Sweden. The purpose of it is to compare the two codes RELAP5 and TRACE during transient changes in mass flow against experiment. The change in mass flow will create a pressure wave and generate pipe loads. RELAP5 is a transient analysis code used to model thermal hydraulic systems. TRACE is an effort to combine the previous codes TRAC-B, TRAC-P, RAMONA and RELAP5. Both RELAP5 and TRACE has been compared to experiments. These comprise two abrupt valve closures, the closure of an inertial swing check valve (a flapper disc which closes when the flow is reversed) and a pump start and stop. Both RELAP5 and TRACE conforms well to the experiments with the abrupt valve closures. The check valve closes faster in the calculations compared to the experiment, both for RELAP5 as with TRACE. The amplitude of the pressure wave from the closure of the inertial swing check valve is lower compared to the experiment in both RELAP5 and TRACE. Numerical disturbances become visual as very high amplitudes in the time history diagram of the force in TRACE. The check valve oscillates between its open and closed position in RELAP5, but not in TRACE. Both RELAP5 and TRACE conforms well to the pump start. The mass flow decreases faster in both RELAP5 and TRACE compared to the pump stop.

In this study, we have considered the modal and non-modal stability of fluids with shear-dependent viscosity flowing in a rigid straight pipe. A second order finite-difference code is used for the simulation of pipe flow in the cylindrical coordinate system. The Carreau-Yasuda model where the rheological parameters vary in the range of 0.3 < n < 1.5 and 0.1 < λ < 100 is represents the viscosity of shear- thinning and shear thickening fluids. Variation of the periodic pulsatile forcing is obtained via the ratio Kω/Kο and set between 0.2 and 20. Zero and non-zero streamwise wavenumber have been considered separately in this study. For the axially invariant mode, energy growth maxima occur for unity azimuthal wave number, whereas for the axially non-invariant mode, maximum energy growth can be observed for azimuthal wave number of two for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. Modal and non-modal analysis for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids show that the flow is asymptotically stable for any configuration and the pulsatile flow is slightly more stable than steady flow. Increasing the maximum velocity for shear-thinning fluids caused by reducing power-low index n is more evident than shear-thickening fluids. Moreover, rheological parameters of Carreau-Yasuda model have ignored the effect on the peak velocity of the oscillatory components. Increasing Reynolds number will enhance the maximum energy growth while a revers behavior is observed by increasing Womersley number.

Numerical relays are the result of the application of microprocessor technology in relay industry. Numerical relays have the ability to communicate with its peers, are economical and are easy to operate, adjust and repair. Modeling of digital and numerical relays is important to adjust and settle protection equipment in electrical facilities and to train protection personnel. Designing of numerical relays is employed to produce new prototypes and protection algorithms. Computer models of numerical relays for the study of protection systems are greatly enhanced when working along with an electromagnetic transient program (emtp). A literature survey has revealed that previous modeling techniques presented a lack of automation in the generation of relay models, or show high complexity in linking the numerical relay models with the power system modeled in the emtp. <p> This thesis describes a new approach of modeling and designing of numerical relays. The proposed methodology employs a Visual C++-based program (PLSA) to obtain from the user the specifications of the relay to be designed, and to process this information to generate the FORTRAN code that represents the functional blocks of the relay. This generated code is incorporated in a PSCAD/EMTDC case using a resource called component, which facilitates the creation of user-custom models in PSCAD/EMTDC. Convenient electrical and logical signals are connected to the inputs and outputs of the PSCAD/EMTDC component. Further additions of digital relay models into the PSCAD/EMTDC case constitute the protection system model. The thesis describes a procedure for designing distance and differential relay models, but the methodology may be extended to design models of other relay elements. <p> A number of protection system studies were performed with the structure created with the proposed methodology. Adjustment of distance and differential relays were studied. Relay performance under CT saturation and the effects of the removal of anti-aliasing analog filter were investigated. Local and remote backup distance protection of transmission lines was simulated. The adjustment of differential protection of power transformer to overcome the effects of inrush current was performed. Power transformer differential protection responses to internal and external faults were considered. <p>Additionally, a set of tests were performed to investigate the consistency of the relay models generated with the proposed methodology. The results showed that the numerical relay models respond satisfactorily according with the expected results of the tests.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how patients who had undergone Hallberg's  TIA-school at Enköpings Lasarett rate their physical and mental health 18 months after participation. Another purpose was to examine whether they re-diagnosed with a TIA or suffered a stroke. The design of the quantitative study was longitudinal and descriptive. In the study 16 patients participated and to measure their mental and physical health the questionnaire SF36 was used. The results showed that none of the participants suffered a new TIA or stroke since participation in the TIA-school. The participants' self-rated health measured with SF36 showed the highest values ​​in the areas of social function, emotional role function and physical role function. Which indicates a good self-rated health in these areas. Participants were asked how their physical and mental health limited them in everyday life. The majority of participants was not limited at all during the day, either physically (50%) or psychologically (62.5%). Our results demonstrate that a TIA-school like the one at Enköpings Lasarett may have long-term effects on an individual basis, but this effect can not be demonstrated in all off the patients.

The effects of actively pulsing reactant flow rates into solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells were investigated in this thesis. First, work was conducted to determine the magnitude of voltage response to pulsed reactant flow on a direct hydrogen proton exchange membrane (PEM) cell. The effects of pulsed reactant flow into a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) were then considered. The PEM work showed substantially greater response to pulsed air flow than to pulsed fuel flow. It was found that several parameters affect the magnitude of cell response to active flow control (AFC). Increasing current load, increasing the magnitude of flow oscillation, decreasing the frequency of oscillation, and decreasing the average level of excess reactant supplied were found to maximize both the level of voltage oscillations and the decrease in cell power from steady state performance. Greater response to pulsed oxidant flow is believed to have been observed due to effects brought about by changes in membrane humidity. In contrast, pulsed fuel flow showed the greatest response in the study of DMFC technology. In this case, time averaged cell voltage was found to increase as the time averaged fuel flow rate was reduced. The increase in average cell power is the result of a reduction in methanol crossover; sustainable increases of up to 6% in power output were measured. The parameters found to effect the increase in cell power observed include the frequency of oscillation and the time-averaged NOSfuel. Pulsed air flow on the DMFC did not show any such rise in voltage, supporting the hypothesis that a reduction in methanol crossover is the phenomenon which brings about enhanced performance.

This thesis describes a method developed to quickly measure the Rayleigh wave Q for a test material using a minimally invasive laser probe. The probe was donated to our lab by Dr. Alex Maznev at Phillips AMS in Natick, Ma. The machine was originally used to measure ultra thin film metal thicknesses; however we have utilized it to suit our needs. The optics head relies on a technique known as the transient grating method to generate a dispersion curve. This dispersion curve is then operated on by a local approximation for the Kramers-Kronig relations. The Kramers-Kronig relations for acoustic waves relate the real and imaginary parts of the dynamic compressibility to one another. The real part of the compressibility relates to the phase velocity of the wave and the imaginary part relates to the attenuation. Once the attenuation for the corresponding range of frequencies is determined the last step is to apply both the dispersion data and the attenuation data to the material Q equation to find Q over a range of frequencies. This thesis discusses the design of the machine, the theory behind the Kramers-Kronig relations and surface acoustic waves, the experimental procedure, and lastly results generated by the technique.

This research conducted exhaust tests in an HDDE (heavy-duty diesel engine) using pure diesel fuel mixed with 10 to 30% isobutanol under the condition of U.S. Transient Cycle. Characteristics of 18 carbonyls emissions were investigated and compared with those using pure diesel. Results showed that the brake power (BP) and brake thermal efficiency (BTE) were decreased with increasing isobutanol mixtures (10 to 30%). Brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was increased for isubutanol ¡Ø 10%, but was decreased for isubutanol above 10%. The regulated emissions of CO, PM and NOx were decreased, but CO2 and THC were increased, due to variations of cetane number and heating value. Total carbonyls emission concentrations with pure diesel fuel were 893.25 £gg/m3, with emission factors being 52.57 mg/bhp-hr or 218.44 mg/L-fuel. When 10 to 30% isobutanol mixture was added, total carbonyls concentrations ranged from 1108.21 to 2622.27 £gg/m3, with emission factors being 268.83 to 610.94 mg/L-fuel, or 68.93 to 175.25 mg/bhp-hr. The ozone formation potential of diesel engine with pure diesel fuel was 7132.72 g-O3/m3.When 10 to 30% isobutanol mixture was used, total ozone formation potential ranged from 8764.39 to 20168.73 g-O3/m3. Total carbonyls emissions were increased with increasing isobutanol contents. In summary, addition 10% isobutanol was an optimal blend, since both fuel saving and reductions of pollutant emissions can be achieved.