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Esta dissertação apresenta o método de análise espectral de ondas superficiais (SASW) para a obtenção das variações do módulo cisalhante (Gmáx) com a profundidade, no domínio das deformações muito pequenas (abaixo de 0,001%). O SASW é um método sísmico in situ, não destrutivo, baseado na geração e detecção de ondas Rayleigh e na natureza dispersiva desta onda. Pela aplicação de um impacto na superfície do solo e detecção da onda em vários pontos, através de dois receptores, é construída uma curva de dispersão (velocidade de fase versus comprimento de onda). Esta curva de dispersão é, então, invertida. A inversão é um processo analítico para a reconstrução do perfil de velocidade de onda de cisalhamento (VS), partindo-se da curva de dispersão experimental de campo. O módulo de cisalhamento máximo de cada camada é facilmente obtido a partir do perfil de VS. No conteúdo teórico da dissertação discutem-se propriedades dinâmicas dos solos e descrevem-se as equações que dominam a propagação das ondas elásticas, tanto em meios homogêneos como em meios estratificados. A metodologia desenvolvida para a obtenção das curvas de dispersão, através da realização de ensaios SASW, apresenta os resultados obtidos em ensaios realizados na Cidade Universitária em São Paulo, sendo esses resultados comparados com estimativas feitas a partir de correlações baseadas em ensaios SPT existentes. Essas comparações permitem concluir que a metodologia SASW é uma boa alternativa para a determinação do perfil de rigidez (Gmáx) do solo, concordando com o nível de deformação envolvido nos ensaios. São desenvolvidos estudos de sensibilidade do método para verificar a influência na mudança dos parâmetros assumidos (peso específico, coeficiente de Poisson e espessuras das camadas) no processo de redução de dados (inversão) sobre o perfil final de VS, concluindo-se que o parâmetro que apresenta maior influência é o coeficiente de Poisson. / This dissertation presents the spectral-analysis-of-surface-waves (SASW) method as a tool for obtaining the variations in the modulus shear (Gmax) with depth in the field of very small strains (below 0,001%). The SASW method is a nondestructive in situ seismic method, based on the generation and measurement of Rayleigh wave and on its dispersive characteristic nature. Throughout the implementation of an impact on the soil surface and the detection of the wave at various points by two receptors a dispersion curve is constructed (phase velocity versus wave-length). This dispersion curve is then inverted. Inversion is an analytical process for reconstructing the shear wave velocity profile from the experimental field. The shear modulus of each layer is readily obtained from the shear wave velocity profile. The theoretical content of the dissertation presents dynamic properties of the soils and is described in the equations that dominate the propagation of elastic waves, both in homogeneous media and in stratified media. The methodology developed to obtain the dispersion curves through the implementation of SASW test is defined, and results from tests carried out at the University Campus in São Paulo are presented and compared with values obtained from correlations based on SPT tests. These comparisons indicate that the SASW method is a good alternative to determine the profile of stiffness (Gmax) of the soil, agreeing with the level of deformation involved in the tests. Studies on the methods sensitivity are developed to verify the influence on the changing of the parameters given (natural unit weight, Poisson coefficient and thickness of layers) in reduction of data (inversion) on the final profile of VS. The conclusion is that the Poisson coefficient is the parameter with greater influence.

Thesis advisor: John E. Ebel / Thesis advisor: Alan L. Kafka / As the best seismic indicator of shear modulus, shear-wave velocity is an important property in engineering problems in near-surface site characterization. Several surface-wave methods have been developed to obtain the subsurface shear-wave velocity structure. This thesis compared three surface-wave methods, Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves (SASW) (Nazarian et al., 1983), Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) (Park et al., 1999), and Refraction Microtremor (ReMi) (Louie, 2001), to determine which method gives the best estimation of the 1-D shear-wave velocity profile of near-surface soils. We collected seismic data at three sites in the greater Boston area where there are direct measurements of shear-wave velocities for comparison. The three methods were compared in terms of accuracy and precision. Overall, the MASW and the ReMi methods have comparable quality of accuracy, whereas the SASW method is the least accurate method with the highest percentage differences with direct measurements. The MASW method is the most precise method among the three methods with the smallest standard deviations. In general, the MASW method is concluded to be the best surface-wave method in determining the shear-wave velocities of the subsurface structure in the greater Boston area.

Introdução: A rigidez arterial é um fenômeno complexo caracterizado pela diminuição da complacência vascular frente aos estímulos fisiológicos e patológicos. Semelhantemente a outros fenótipos cardiovasculares, a etiologia da rigidez arterial é modulada por fatores ambientais e genéticos. Levando em consideração a moderada herdabilidade e a característica poligênica do presente fenótipo, torna-se interessante a investigação de marcadores genéticos referentes aos diferentes sistemas envolvidos no remodelamento vascular. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto dos polimorfismos C242T da subunidade p22phox da NADPH oxidase, G1036C da TXNIP, C609T/T471C da APOE, G1355A da elastina, I/D da ECA e A855G da MMP-9 no fenótipo de rigidez arterial em uma população geral. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 1.663 indivíduos da população geral da cidade de Vitória-ES. O DNA foi extraído a partir de uma amostra de sangue venoso. Posteriormente foram realizadas as genotipagens para as variantes genéticas supracitadas. A rigidez arterial foi avaliada por meio do método da velocidade de onda de pulso (VOP). Resultados: Em relação à VOP, os polimorfismos C242T da subunidade p22phox da NADPH oxidase e G1036C da TXNIP foram signifcativamente associados. Os indivíduos portadores do genótipo TT do polimorfismo C242T da subunidade p22phox (CC+TC=9,8 m/s versus TT=10,1 m/s, p=0,02) e do alelo G do polimorfismo G1036C da TXNIP (CC=9,8 m/s versus CG+GG=10,0 m/s, p=0,03) apresentaram maiores valores da VOP. Entretanto os polimorfismos C609T/T471C da APOE (2=10,0 m/s, 3=9,8 m/s, 4=9,8 m/s, p=0,60), G1355A da elastina (AA=9,8 m/s, GA=9,9 m/s, GG=9,8 m/s, p=0,92), I/D da ECA (DD=9,8 m/s, DI=9,8 m/s, II=9,9 m/s, p=0,53) e A855G da MMP-9 (AA=9,8 m/s, GA=9,8 m/s, GG= 9,8 m/s, p=0,60) não demonstraram tal associação. Somente o genótipo TT do polimorfismo C242T da subunidade p22phox (OR=1,93, p=0,002) apresentou um risco significativamente aumentado para o fenótipo de rigidez arterial. Já os polimorfismos G1036C da TXNIP (OR=1,19, p=0,19), C609T/T471C da APOE (OR=1,14, p=0,33), G1355A da elastina (OR=0,81, p=0,28), I/D da ECA (OR=0,91, p=0,48) e A855G da MMP-9 (OR=1,01, p=0,95) não apresentaram risco. Conclusão: Os polimorfismos C242T da subunidade p22phox da NADPH oxidase e G1036C da TXNIP podem contribuir como moduladores genéticos no enrijecimento vascular / Introduction: Arterial stiffness is a complex phenomenon characterized by decreased vascular compliance during physiological and pathological stimuli. Similar to other cardiovascular phenotypes, arterial stiffness etiology is modulated by environmental and genetic factors. Considering the moderate heritability and its polygenic phenotype, genetic markers investigations related to different systems involved in vascular remodeling are interesting. Objectives: To assess the impact of the p22phox C242T, TXNIP G1036C, APOE C609T/T471C, elastin G1355A, ACE I/D and MMP-9 A855G polymorphisms on arterial stiffness phenotype in a general population. Methods: This study included 1,663 individuals of the general population from Vitória-ES. DNA was extracted from a venous blood sample and genotyping assays were performed for the genetic variants described above. Arterial stiffness was evaluated by pulse wave velocity (PWV). Results: Regarding PWV, p22phox C242T and TXNIP G1036C polymorphisms were significantly associated. Individuals carrying TT genotype of the p22phox C242T (CC + CT vs TT = 9.8 m/s = 10.1 m/s, p = 0.02) and individuals carrying G allele of the TXNIP G1036C polymorphisms (CG + CC = 9.8 m/s vs GG = 10.0 m/s, p = 0.03) had higher PWV values. However, APOE C609T/T471C (2=10.0 m/s, 3=9.8 m/s, 4=9.8 m/s, p=0.60), elastin G1355A (AA=9.8 m/s, GA=9.9 m/s, GG=9.8 m/s, p=0.92), ACE I/D (DD=9.8 m/s, DI=9.8 m/s, II=9.9 m/s, p=0.53) and MMP-9 A855G (AA=9.8 m/s, GA=9.8 m/s, GG= 9.8 m/s, p=0.60) polymorphisms did not present association. Only the TT genotype of the p22phox C242T polymorphism (OR = 1.93, p = 0.002) presented an increased risk for the arterial stiffness phenotype. Already TXNIP G1036C (OR=1.19, p=0.19), APOE C609T/T471C (OR=1.14, p=0.33), elastin G1355A (OR=0.81, p=0.28), ACE I/D (OR=0.91, p=0.48) and MMP-9 A855G (OR=1.01, p=0.95) polymorphisms did not present risk. Conclusion: The p22phox C242T and the TXNIP G1036C polymorphisms may contribute to genetic modulators in vascular stiffening

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among law enforcement officers (LEOs) is slightly higher than the general population. Furthermore, the prevalence of CVD doubles among LEOs following retirement compared to the general population. The measure of arterial stiffness serves as an independent risk factor that has prognostic value for future incidence of CVD. However, there is limited research on lifestyle, occupational, and demographic factors that may be associated with increased arterial stiffness in LEOs. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to compare the level of arterial stiffness among LEOs versus the general population and to identify lifestyle, occupational, and demographic predictors of arterial stiffness in LEOs. Seventy male career LEOs between the ages of 24 to 54 years from Kentucky and southwest Ohio participated in this study. LEOs completed a variety of questionnaires related to health/occupational histories, occupational stress, and diet. LEOs’ body composition (bioelectrical impedance), central and brachial blood pressures, and physical activity (triaxial accelerometers) were assessed. The dependent variable of arterial stiffness was measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). A variety of statistical techniques including 1 sample t-tests, Pearson product moment correlations, and multiple linear regression were utilized in study analyses, with a level of significance set at p < 0.05. Compared to the general population cfPWV was significantly lower among LEO’s under 30 years of age (mean difference = -0.6 m·s-1), but significantly higher among LEOs 50-55 years of age (mean difference = 1.1 m·s-1). Utilizing stepwise multiple linear regression, age, relative body fat, and diastolic blood pressure explained the most variance in LEO’s cfPWV (adj. R2 = 0.56, p < 0.001). The primary findings of this investigation demonstrate that arterial stiffness may progress more rapidly in LEOs compared to the general population and that LEOs should focus on maintaining appropriate levels of relative body fat and blood pressure to regulate arterial stiffness and risk of CVD.

<p>The aim of the work was to investigate the possibility to combine information from PPG and bio-acoustic technology to extract information that is related to the blood pressure. The measurements have been carried out with several different configurations. First the relation between arterial sounds and the PPG-signal was studied. After those measurements with both PPG and the bio- acoustic technique was concluded on people in different positions and after riding a bike. The goal was to vary the blood pressure. The conclusion that can be drawn in this report is that the bio-acoustic and the PPG-signal in peripheral arteries have the same source. That implies that arterial sounds are a product of turbulence when the pulse wave passes by. Further it can be assumed that it is the first heart sound that is represented in the arterial sounds. The time before and after the arterial sound in one heart cycle vary whit the blood pressure. There relationship seems also to vary with the bloodpressure but it vary differently under different conditions.</p>

Background Anthropometric measurements are useful in clinical practice since they are non-invasive and cheap. Previous studies suggest that sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) may be a better measure of visceral fat depots. The aim of this study was to prospectively explore and compare how laboratory and anthropometric risk markers predicted subclinical organ damage in 255 patients, with type 2 diabetes, after four years. Methods Baseline investigations were performed in 2006 and were repeated at follow-up in 2010. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was evaluated by ultrasonography and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured with applanation tonometry over the carotid and femoral arteries at baseline and at follow-up in a cohort of subjects with type 2 diabetes aged 55–65 years old. Results There were significant correlations between apolipoprotein B (apoB) (r = 0.144, p = 0.03), C - reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.172, p = 0.009) at baseline and IMT measured at follow-up. After adjustment for sex, age, treatment with statins and Hba1c, the associations remained statistically significant. HbA1c, total cholesterol or LDL-cholesterol did not correlate to IMT at follow-up. Baseline body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.130, p = 0.049), waist circumference (WC) (r = 0.147, p = 0.027) and sagittal Abdominal Diameter (SAD) (r = 0.184, p = 0.007) correlated to PWV at follow-up. Challenged with sex, SBP and HbA1c, the association between SAD, not WC nor BMI, and PWV remained statistically significant (p = 0.036). In a stepwise linear regression, entering both SAD and WC, the association between SAD and PWV was stronger than the association between WC and PWV. Conclusions We conclude that apoB and CRP, but not LDL-cholesterol predicted subclinical atherosclerosis. Furthermore, SAD was more independent in predicting arterial stiffness over time, compared with WC, in middle-aged men and women with type 2 diabetes. / <p>Funding Agencies|Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden||Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV)||Linkoping University||Futurum||King Gustaf V and Queen Victoria Freemason Foundation||GE Healthcare||Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation||Swedish Research Council Grant|12661|</p>

The aim of the work was to investigate the possibility to combine information from PPG and bio-acoustic technology to extract information that is related to the blood pressure. The measurements have been carried out with several different configurations. First the relation between arterial sounds and the PPG-signal was studied. After those measurements with both PPG and the bio- acoustic technique was concluded on people in different positions and after riding a bike. The goal was to vary the blood pressure. The conclusion that can be drawn in this report is that the bio-acoustic and the PPG-signal in peripheral arteries have the same source. That implies that arterial sounds are a product of turbulence when the pulse wave passes by. Further it can be assumed that it is the first heart sound that is represented in the arterial sounds. The time before and after the arterial sound in one heart cycle vary whit the blood pressure. There relationship seems also to vary with the bloodpressure but it vary differently under different conditions.

Soil properties (shear modulus and damping) are normally determined from laboratory tests. These tests provide both values of the shear modulus in the linear elastic range for very small levels of strain, and its variation with the level of strain. It has become more common to measure the maximum shear modulus at low levels of strain directly in the field, using geophysical techniques. The values obtained in situ can differ significantly in some cases from those determined in the laboratory, and a number of reasons and correction factors have been proposed in the literature to account for this variation. As a result, when in situ properties are available, it is normal to use these values for very low levels of strain, but still assume that the variation of the ratio G/Gmax (normalized shear modulus) with shear strain is the same as determined in the laboratory. Recently, tests have been performed using large vibrators (the Thumper and Tyrannosaurus Rex of the University of Texas at Austin) to determine soil properties in situ for larger strains, and the variation of G/Gmax obtained from these tests has been compared to that reported in the literature from lab tests. Observation indicates some generally good agreement, but also some minor variations. One must take into account, however, that in the determination of the shear modulus versus strain in the field from vibration records, a number of approximations are introduced. The objective of this work is to evaluate the accuracy of some the procedures used and to assess the validity of the simplifying assumptions which are made. For this purpose, a shear cone that would reproduce correctly the horizontal stiffness of a circular mat foundation on the surface of an elastic, homogeneous half space, was considered. The cone was discretized using both a system of lumped masses and springs and a finite difference, using second-order central difference formulation, verifying that in the linear elastic range the results were accurate. A number of studies were conducted next, increasing the level of the applied force and using nonlinear springs that would reproduce a specified G/Gmax vs. γ curve. Using a similar procedure to that used in the field tests, the shear wave velocity between hypothetical receivers and the levels of strain were determined. The resulting values of G/Gmax vs. γ were then compared with the assumed curve to assess the accuracy of the estimated values.

The objective of this research is to determine the longitudinal stress in rails by using the polarization of Rayleigh waves. Analytical models are developed to describe the effect of applied stress on wave speed and on the polarization of Rayleigh waves. A numerical simulation is performed to find the effect of applied stress on wave velocity and Rayleigh wave polarization. The effect of uncertainties in material properties on wave velocity and polarization of Rayleigh wave is also examined in the simulation. The experiment uses a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) to measure the particle velocities. The in-plane and out-of-plane velocity components are obtained from the measured particle velocities. The polarization of Rayleigh wave, which is defined as the ratio between the in-plane and out-of-plane displacements, is calculated. Furthermore, the polarization of the Rayleigh wave is considered as a measure to identify applied stress. The experiment is performed on unstressed and stressed rail specimen. Thus, Rayleigh wave polarization is obtained as a function of applied stress. The experimental results are compared with the analytical model. The result shows a good agreement with the theoretical values for unstressed rail.