Reliable information about the micro-processes during filtration and dewatering of filter cakes allows more accurate statements about process development and design in any industrial application with solid-liquid separation units. Distributed particle properties such as shape, size, and material influence the formation of the porous network structure, which can show considerable local fluctuations in vertical and horizontal alignment in the cake forming apparatus. The present work relates to a wide range of particle sizes and particle shapes and presents their effects on integral, but preferably local, structural parameters of cake filtration. Current models for the relationship between particle properties and resulting porous structure remain inaccurate. Therefore, the central question focus on the model-based correlation between obtained tomographic 3D information and characteristic cake and process parameters. In combination with X-ray computed tomography and microscopy (ZEISS Xradia 510), data acquisition of the structural build-up of filter cakes is possible on a small scale (filter area 0.2 cm²) and a conventional laboratory scale (filter area 20 cm², VDI 2762 pressure nutsch). Thereby, the work focuses on structural parameters at the local level before, during, and after cake dewatering, such as porosity, coordination number, three-phase contact angle, characteristics of pores and isolated liquid regions, the liquid load of individual particles, tortuosity, and capillary length, and the corresponding spatial distributions. Seven different particle systems in the range of 20 and 500 µm, suspended in aqueous solutions with additives for contrast enhancement, served as raw materials for the filter cake formation. Image data processing from 16-bit greyscale images with a resolution of 2 to 4 µm/voxel edge length includes various operations with a two-stage segmentation to identify air, solid particles, and liquid phase, resulting in a machine learning-based automated approach. Subsequent modeling and correlation of measured parameters rely on experimentally verified quantities from mercury porosimetry, laser diffraction, dynamic image analysis, static and dynamic droplet contour analysis, as well as filtration and capillary pressure tests according to VDI guidelines. The tomography measurements provide microscopic information about the porous system, quantified using characteristic key parameters and distribution functions. By studying the cake structure concerning the local distribution of particle size and shape and the resulting porosity, segregation effects can be avoided by increasing the feed concentration of particles, whereby swarm inhibition of particles in the initial suspension strongly hinders or completely suppresses layer formation in the cake according to distributed particle properties (Publication A). In the subsequent dewatering of the filter cake to the irreducible saturation, the measurement of the local coordination number as well as the remaining liquid volumes at the particle contacts allows the determination of a discrete liquid load distribution by correlation with the respective particle volume (Publication B). The determination of the capillary length - shortest capillary for single-phase pore flow and capillary of least resistance for multiphase pore flow - provides modeling approaches for the cake formation from publication A as well as the dewatering process from publication B (Publication C). The parameter sets obtained also help to transfer and extend existing, theoretical models of multiphase pore flow to the application example of filter cake dewatering (Publication D). At the microscopic level, the measurement of the three-phase contact angle at isolated liquid volumes within the porous matrix provides a deeper understanding of the macroscopic models from publications C and D (Publication E).:List of Figures List of Tables Notation 1 Introduction 2 Multiphase Processes in Porous Media 2.1 Cake Filtration and Single Phase Porous Media Flow 2.2 Cake Dewatering 2.2.1 Particle Surface Wettability 2.2.2 Capillarity in Porous Media 2.2.3 Static Capillary Pressure 2.2.4 Dynamic Capillary Pressure 3 Acquisition of 3D Information of Porous Media 3.1 Absorption and Scattering of X-rays 3.2 X-ray Microscopy 3.2.1 Image Acquisition 3.2.2 Image Reconstruction 3.2.3 Image Quality and Artifacts 3.3 Image Post-Processing 3.3.1 Image Enhancement 3.3.2 Segmentation and Thresholding 3.3.3 Processing Binary Images 3.4 Image Measurement 4 Materials and Methods 4.1 The Solid Phase 4.2 The Liquid Phase 4.3 Suspension Stability 4.4 Experimental Design and Down-Scale for Tomography Measurements 4.5 Experimental Characterization of Filtration and Dewatering Properties 4.5.1 Cake Filtration 4.5.2 Cake Dewatering (Capillary Pressure Measurements) 5 Conclusion and Outlook Literature Publications A to E Appendix

<p>Uvod: Hronični subduralni hematom (HSDH) je učestala i nezanemarljiva traumatska/netraumatska intrakranijalna lezija, naročito kod pacijenata starije životne dobi. Simptomi pacijenata sa HSDH su raznovrsni i često pogre&scaron;no protumačeni i lečeni. Zbog navedenih činjenica, HSDH predstavlja veliki izazov u dijagnostici i terapiji. Različiti autori ističu značaj radiolo&scaron;kih parametara tokom dijagnostike ovog oboljenja i povezanost sa kliničkom slikom I neurolo&scaron;kim statusom pacijenta, pa je ovo istraživanje bilo usmereno u preciznoj evaluaciji pomenutih parametara, njihovoj prediktivnoj vrednosti i uticaju na prognozu ishoda lečenja. Cilj: Generalni cilj istraživanja je bio da se ispita učestalost pacijenata sa hroničnim subduralnim hematomom na teritoriji Vojvodine u periodu od tri godine; da se analizira starosna dob pacijenata, polna distribucija oboljenja, uticaj komorbiditeta ili faktora rizika na nastanak HSDH; prisustvo ili odsustvo traume koja je doprinela nastanku HSDH, vremenski interval od traume do pojave simpotoma ili znakova bolesti i da se omogući praćenje efekta terapije pacijenata sa ovim oboljenjem. Specifični ciljevi su obuhvatili: 1. Da se utvrde parametri kompjuterizovane tomografije koji imaju prediktivni značaj u pozitivnom ishodu lečenja pacijenata sa hroničnim subduralnim hematomom. 2. Da se utvrde klinički parametri koji imaju prediktivni značaj u pozitivnom ishodu lečenja pacijenata sa hroničnim subduralnim hematomom. 3. Da se dobije model sa najvećom specifično&scaron;ću i senzitivno&scaron;ću za predikciju ishoda lečenja, kombinacijom kliničkih i parametrara kompjuterizovane tomografije kod pacijenata sa hroničnim subduralnim hematomom. Materijal i metode: Istraživanje je obavljeno kao prospektivna trogodi&scaron;nja studija u periodu od aprila 2010. do aprila 2013. godine u Kliničkom Centru Vojvodine- Centru za radiologiju i Klinici za neurohirurgiju i obuvatila je 83 pacijenata sa dijagnozom hroničnog subduralnog hematoma. Svi ispitanici su dijagnostikovani upotrebom kompjuterizovane tomografije glave (CT) i lečeni na Klinici za neurohirurgiju KCV. Izvori podataka su celokupna medicinska dokumentacija svakog pacijenta od perioda prve hospitalizacije do njihovog otpusta, a uključuje i podatke vezane za subjektivni osećaj o zdravstvenom stanju koje su pacijenti usmeno izneli &scaron;est meseci nakon hospitalnog otpusta. Rezultati: Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da je Glasgow Coma Scala (GCS) tj. nivo svesti pacijenta na hospitalnom prijemu jedini parametar sa visokom prediktivnom vredno&scaron;ću za klinički ishod lečenja pacijenata sa HSDH procenjen preko Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Preostali radiolo&scaron;ki i klinički parametri (&scaron;irina hematoma, pomeraj mediosagitalne linije, denzitet hematoma, starost pacijenta) nemaju visoku prediktivnu vrednost za klinički ishod pacijenata sa hroničnim subduralnim hematomom. Zaključak: Na osnovu grupe analiziranih pacijenata sa HSDH nije bilo moguće napraviti optimalan model za predikciju ishoda lečenja kombinujući radiolo&scaron;ke i kliničke parametre. Pojedinačno posmatrani radiolo&scaron;ki parametri nisu imali visoku prediktivnu vrednost za ishod lečenja pacijenata sa HSDH. Izolovan klinički parametar- GCS- je jedini visoko prediktivni faktor za ishod lečenja pacijenata sa HSDH. Kombinacija kliničkih i radiolo&scaron;kih parametara daje visoku vrednost predviđanja kliničkog ishoda lečenja, ali samo zahvaljujući izrazito visokoj prediktivnoj vrednosti GCS. Iz svega navedenog, kompjuterizovana tomografija (CT) ima veliki značaj u ranoj dijagnostici i praćenju terapije pacijenata sa HSDH, ali CT parametri ponaosob nemaju značaj u predviđanju ishoda lečenja.</p> / <p>Introduction: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is common traumatic/no traumatic intracranial lesion, especially in older patients. Symptomatology of this disease is variable and often is misdiagnosed and treated with specially challenges in diagnostic and therapy. Different authors pointed on importance of radiological parameters during diagnostic of this disease and connections with clinic and neurological status in patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH), so this thesis was directed to evaluate radiological and clinical parameters of CSDHs and to show their predictive values and their significance on patient&rsquo;s outcome. Aim: General aim of this thesis was to examine frequency of patients with chronic subdural hematoma in Vojvodina, during the period of three years, to analyze the age of population with CSDHs, the gender distribution, an impact of comorbidity or risk factors for patients with CSDHs, the presence or absence of trauma which has contributed to CSDH, to determine time interval from trauma to appearance of symptoms and signs of disease, monitoring the effect of therapy. Specific aims were: 1. To determine clinical parameters with a positive predictive significance on patients outcome 2. To determine radiological parameters with a positive predictive significance on patients outcome 3. To determine optimal prognostic model with high specificity and sensitivity, using combination of radiological and clinical parameters for positive prediction outcome. Material and methods: The study was performed as three-year prospective study from April 2010 to April 2013 in Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Centre for Radiology and Clinic of Neurosurgery and includes 83 patients with chronic subdural hematoma. All patients were diagnosed using computed tomography of the brain (CT scan) and all were treated in Clinic of Neurosurgery (KCV). Data sources included the medical records of each patient from the time of first hospitalization to period of their discharge and included data related to the subjective feeling of the health that patients verbally present six months after hospital discharge. Results: The results showed that the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - a level of consciousness of the patient on the hospital admission was the only parameter with a high predictive value for clinical outcome of patients with CSDH assessed through Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Other evaluated radiological and clinical parameters (width of the CSDH, mediosagital line displacement, a density of the CSDH, the age of the patient) did not have high predictive values for the clinical outcome in patients with chronic subdural hematoma. Conclusion: Based on the analyzed group of patients with CSDH it was not possible to make optimal predictive model for outcome by combining radiological and clinical parameters. Radiographic parameters did not have high predictive values for treatment outcome in patients with CSDH. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the only highly predictive factor for treatment outcome in patients with CSDH. The combination of clinical and radiological parameters gives high predictive value for clinical outcome, but only because of extremely high predictive value of GCS. Therefore, computed tomography (CT) is of great importance in early diagnosis and therapy monitoring of patients with CSDH, but CT parameters did not have the high predictive values for the patient&rsquo;s clinical outcome.</p>

Asphalt joints are potentially weakest parts of every pavement. Despite of their importance, reliable tools for measuring their mechanical properties for design and performance assessments are still scarce. This is particularly true for cold joints when attaching a new hot pavement to a cold existing one as in case of large patches for pavement repair. In this study, three static fracture testing methods, i.e. indirect tensile test (IDT), direct tension test (DTT) and 4 point bending (4PB), were adapted and used for evaluating different laboratory made joints. The results suggested that joints with inclined interfaces and also the ones with combined interface treatments (preheated and sealed) seemed to show more promising behaviors than the vertical and untreated joints. It was also confirmed that compacting from the hot side towards the joint improved the joint properties due to imposing a different flow pattern as compared to the frequent compaction methods. The latter finding highlighted the importance of asphalt particle rearrangements and flow during the compaction phase as a very little known subject in asphalt industry. Studies on compaction are of special practical importance since they may also contribute to reducing the possibility of over-compaction and aggregate crushing. Therefore, in this study, a new test method, i.e. Flow Test (FT), was developed to simulate the material flow during compaction. Initially, asphalt materials were substituted by geometrically simple model materials to lower the level of complexity for checking the feasibility of the test method as well as modeling purposes. X-ray radiography images were also used for capturing the flow patterns during the test. Results of the FT on model materials showed the capability of the test method to clearly distinguish between specimens with different characteristics. In addition, a simple discrete element model was applied for a better understanding of the test results as a basis for further improvements when studying real mixtures. Then, real mixtures were prepared and tested under the same FT configuration and the results were found to support the findings from the feasibility tests. The test method also showed its potential for capturing flow pattern differences among different mixtures even without using the X-ray. Therefore, the FT was improved as an attempt towards developing a systematic workability test method focusing on the flow of particles at early stages of compaction and was called the Compaction Flow Test (CFT). The CFT was used for testing mixtures with different characteristics to identify the parameters with highest impact on the asphalt particle movements under compaction forces. X-ray investigations during the CFT underlined the reliability of the CFT results. In addition, simple discrete element models were successfully generated to justify some of the CFT results. / <p>QC 20151104</p>

This project is in collaboration with the Hydro-Quebec Research Institute (IREQ) and the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy (CCEM) on the mechanical test performance of miniature-scale micro-tensile specimens. The objective of the thesis project is to create an efficient and reliable fabrication route for producing micro-tensile specimens and to validate the accuracy of a newly custom-built micro-tensile bench at IREQ. The fabrication techniques developed and outlined in this thesis use the underlying fundamental physical mechanisms of secondary electron microscopy (SEM), focused-ion beam (FIB), and the femtosecond (fs)-laser machining for producing optimal quality micro-tensile specimens. The mechanical testing of the specimens is geared towards studying the localized deformation occurring in the microstructure when the size of the specimen only limits a number of grains and grain boundaries in order to target the specific detailed measurement of the mechanical behaviour of individual grains and interfaces. The goal for creating an optimal fabrication route for micro-tensile specimens is to carry out micro-mechanical testing of the primary turbine steels of 415 martensitic stainless steel used in the manufacture of Francis turbine components at Hydro-Quebec. The mechanical testing of single phase and interphase interface 415 steel micro-tensile specimens are considered building blocks to developing digital twin models of the steel microstructure. The experimental data from the mechanical tests would be fed into the crystal plasticity finite element models (CPFEM) that are currently being developed by researchers at IREQ. With the development of digital twin models, engineers at IREQ would be able to predict crack initiation at the microstructure level (prior to crack propagation into macro-scale cracks) by observing the evolution of the grain’s crystallographic orientation and morphology, as well as deformation mechanisms such as martensite formation and twinning produced from localized induced strains in the microstructure. In addition, self-organized dislocation processes such as dislocation nucleation and dislocation escape through the free surface can also be studied using the CPFEM models for size-limited mechanical deformation behaviour of miniature-scale mechanical test specimens. The fabrication routes studied in this thesis project use the combination of the fs-laser and plasma focused ion beam (PFIB) to machine the micro-tensile specimens. (100) single crystal copper was the ideal material chosen to validate the accuracy of the micro-tensile bench and quality of the fs-laser-machined tensile specimens, due to its ductile nature and well-characterized properties studied in literature. A mechanical size effect was studied for single crystal copper specimens with different gauge thicknesses. It was observed from the micro-tension testing that the strength of the specimens increased with decreasing gauge thickness occurring in the size-limited tensile gauges. In addition, it was determined there was negligible differences in the size effect seen between the PFIB-machined copper micro-tensile specimens and the fs-laser-machined micro-tensile specimens, demonstrating that the fs-laser is a reliable machining route for the micro-tensile specimens. X-ray computed tomography was used to validate the correct geometry of the machined gauge section produced from an innovative gauge thinning method adopted from IREQ’s research collaborator, Dr. Robert Wheeler. As well, finite-element analysis (FEA) was performed to determine the deformation behaviour under both linear-elastic and non-linear elastoplastic conditions of (100) copper and 415 steel models simulated in pure tension, prior to the fabrication of the micro-tensile specimens, respectively. Furthermore, significant progress has been made towards targeting martensite grains in the 415-steel microstructure using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis to produce single crystal and interphase interface micro-tensile specimens. A workflow towards grain targeting using EBSD analysis has been developed, as well as for the relocation of grains using reference fiducial marks for future fabrication of the single crystal and interphase interface 415 micro-tensile specimens. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc) / Hydro-Quebec is an energy utilities company that operates the design of Francis hydro-turbines to supply hydroelectric power across the province of Quebec. The hydro-turbines have an expected service life of 70 years. Unfortunately, the turbines can get replaced by new ones prior to reaching half of its service life, due to the development of severe fatigue crack growth in the primary components of the turbines. A solution proposed by the researchers at the Hydro-Quebec Research Institute (IREQ) is to determine a linkage between the turbine’s steel’s microstructure and the mechanical behaviour of the turbine steels. Deformation of the material starts at the microstructure level, where dislocations glide through the material lattice, causing both reversible (elastic) and irreversible (plastic) deformation. Therefore, a solution was proposed by the researchers at IREQ to create computational models of the steel microstructure to predict the deformation of the steel’s microstructure. Being able to predict the deformation mechanisms through the simulation models of the microstructures allows for engineers at Hydro-Quebec to schedule regular maintenance of the turbines more efficiently and provide metallurgists the knowledge on what is occurring at the microstructure level and what can be done to improve the chemical and physical composition of the steel. To develop the digital twin models, experimental data must be collected through mechanical testing of miniature mechanical test specimens of the turbine steels. The mechanical properties of the single phases and interphase interface specimens are fed into the models as building blocks to building a microstructure map of the turbine steels. Micro-tension testing of micro-tensile specimen provides direct information about the material’s mechanical properties. In this work, a reliable and efficient fabrication route for micro-tensile specimens was developed for the purpose of extracting mechanical properties of single phase and interphase interface turbine steel specimens using focused ion beam (FIB) and femtosecond laser machining.

In this contribution, a methodology for particle tracing based on computed tomography and digital image processing is presented. It enables the tracing of particles in opaque structures using laboratory X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT) systems that are not capable of time-resolved particle tracking. Through the development, it becomes apparent that an X-ray source with a cone beam geometry and the ability to perform fast, dynamic scans is a prerequisite for generating parabolic motion artefacts. Moreover, experimental tests are used to acquire data from simple particle sedimentations as well as from self-developed filter structures based on deep bed filtration. These experiments confirm that the particle position is located at the apex of the motion artefacts. Following the data assessment, multiple options for the particle coordinate extraction are discussed, and strategies thoroughly examined. A combination of random sample consensus (RANSAC) and the least squares method proves to be the most useful for determining the particle position. Besides, the developed methodology is validated using artificially generated data in which the motion artefact parameters of size, spatial orientation, and curvature, as well as noise, are varied. Supplementary, data is analysed manually in order to draw a comparison. In addition, to the presentation and discussion of the application of the methodology, a comparison with an artificial neural network (ANN) and the advantages and disadvantages of both methods are discussed. Finally, a first comparison of an extracted particle trace with a flow simulation through the complex structure is carried out, which shows that the particle trace follows the flow.:Table of Contents List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. i List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. vi List of Formula Symbols ......................................................................................................... vii List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................. x 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 2 Fundamentals .................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Methods for Particle Tracking and Tracing .............................................................. 5 2.2 Computed Tomography .......................................................................................... 10 2.2.1 Tomography Design and Functional Principle ................................................ 10 2.2.2 Data Reconstruction ......................................................................................... 15 2.3 Digital Image Processing .......................................................................................... 18 3 Material............................................................................................................................. 30 3.1 Laboratory X-ray Tomography System TomoTU ................................................... 30 3.2 Experimental Setup .................................................................................................. 33 3.3 Choice of Particles and Medium ............................................................................. 34 4 Method development ...................................................................................................... 36 4.1 Characterisation of the Motion Artefacts ............................................................... 38 4.2 Method Consideration ............................................................................................. 45 4.3 Pre-processing .......................................................................................................... 46 4.4 Combination of Random Sample Consensus and Least Squares Method.......... 48 4.5 Multiple Particle Tracing .......................................................................................... 51 4.6 Coordinate Processing ............................................................................................. 53 4.7 Method Validation .................................................................................................... 53 5 Results and Discussion .................................................................................................... 59 5.1 Evaluation experimental data ................................................................................. 59 5.2 Comparison with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) ....................................... 68 5.3 Comparison of Artificial Neural Networks with the Developed Classical Digital Image Processing Approach ............................................................................................... 70 6 Summary, Conclusion and Outlook ............................................................................... 74 7 References ........................................................................................................................ 76 / Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt eine auf Computertomografie und digitaler Bildverarbeitung basierte Methodik für die Partikelverfolgung dar. Diese ermöglicht es, mittels Labor- Microcomputertomografie (μCT) Anlagen, welche nicht dazu in der Lage sind, zeitaufgelöste Partikelverfolgung zu realisieren, Partikel in opaken Strukturen zu verfolgen. Durch die Methodenentwicklung ergibt sich, dass eine Röntgenquelle mit Kegelstrahlgeometrie sowie die Durchführungsmöglichkeit von schnellen, dynamischen Scans Voraussetzungen sind, um parabelförmige Bewegungsartefakte zu erzeugen. Dafür werden durch experimentelle Untersuchungen Daten erzeugt, die sowohl von einfachen Partikelsedimentationen als auch von eigens entwickelten Filterstrukturen, die sich an der Tiefenfiltration orientieren, abgeleitet werden. Diese Experimente bestätigen, dass sich die Partikelposition am Scheitelpunkt der Bewegungsartefakte befindet. Auf Grundlage der ersten Messungen werden verschiedene Möglichkeiten für die Partikelkoordinatenbestimmung diskutiert und Ansätze kritisch betrachtet. Dabei hat sich eine Kombination aus dem Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC) Algorithmus und der Methode der kleinsten Quadrate als am sinnvollsten für die Bestimmung der Partikelposition ergeben. Zudem wird die entwickelte Methodik anhand von künstlich erzeugten Daten validiert, bei welchen die Bewegungsartefakt-Parameter Größe, Raumorientierung und Krümmung sowie Rauschen variiert werden. Zusätzlich werden auch Daten manuell ausgewertet, um einen Vergleich ziehen zu können. Neben der Präsentation und Diskussion der Anwendung der Methodik wird außerdem ein Vergleich zu künstlichen neuronalen Netzen (KNNs) und die Vor- und Nachteile beider Methoden diskutiert. Abschließend wird ein erster Vergleich einer extrahierten Partikelspur mit einer Strömungssimulation durch die komplexe Struktur durchgeführt, welche zeigt, dass die Partikelspur der Strömung folgt.:Table of Contents List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. i List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. vi List of Formula Symbols ......................................................................................................... vii List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................. x 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 2 Fundamentals .................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Methods for Particle Tracking and Tracing .............................................................. 5 2.2 Computed Tomography .......................................................................................... 10 2.2.1 Tomography Design and Functional Principle ................................................ 10 2.2.2 Data Reconstruction ......................................................................................... 15 2.3 Digital Image Processing .......................................................................................... 18 3 Material............................................................................................................................. 30 3.1 Laboratory X-ray Tomography System TomoTU ................................................... 30 3.2 Experimental Setup .................................................................................................. 33 3.3 Choice of Particles and Medium ............................................................................. 34 4 Method development ...................................................................................................... 36 4.1 Characterisation of the Motion Artefacts ............................................................... 38 4.2 Method Consideration ............................................................................................. 45 4.3 Pre-processing .......................................................................................................... 46 4.4 Combination of Random Sample Consensus and Least Squares Method.......... 48 4.5 Multiple Particle Tracing .......................................................................................... 51 4.6 Coordinate Processing ............................................................................................. 53 4.7 Method Validation .................................................................................................... 53 5 Results and Discussion .................................................................................................... 59 5.1 Evaluation experimental data ................................................................................. 59 5.2 Comparison with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) ....................................... 68 5.3 Comparison of Artificial Neural Networks with the Developed Classical Digital Image Processing Approach ............................................................................................... 70 6 Summary, Conclusion and Outlook ............................................................................... 74 7 References ........................................................................................................................ 76

Yes / Previous studies have reported that the ageing method of Suchey-Brooks (pubic bone) and some of the features applied by Lovejoy et al. and Buckberry-Chamberlain (auricular surface) can be confidently performed on 3D visualizations from CT-scans. In this study, seven observers applied the Suchey-Brooks and the Buckberry-Chamberlain methods on 3D visualizations based on CT-scans and, for the first time, on 3D visualizations from laser scans. We examined how the bone features can be evaluated on 3D visualizations and whether the different modalities (direct observations of bones, 3D visualization from CT-scan and from laser scans) are alike to different observers. We found the best inter-observer agreement for the bones versus 3D visualizations, with the highest values for the auricular surface. Between the 3D modalities, less variability was obtained for the 3D laser visualizations. Fair inter-observer agreement was obtained in the evaluation of the pubic bone in all modalities. In 3D visualizations of the auricular surfaces, transverse organization and apical changes could be evaluated, although with high inter-observer variability; micro-, macroporosity and surface texture were very difficult to score. In conclusion, these methods were developed for dry bones, where they perform best. The Suchey-Brooks method can be applied on 3D visualizations from CT or laser, but with less accuracy than on dry bone. The Buckberry-Chamberlain method should be modified before application on 3D visualizations. Future investigation should focus on a different approach and different features: 3D laser scans could be analyzed with mathematical approaches and sub-surface features should be explored on CT-scans

INTRODUÇÃO: O uso de níveis elevados da pressão expiratória final positiva (PEEP) na Síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA), visando reduzir a quantidade de pulmão colapsado, tornando a ventilação mais homogênea, tem sido apontado por estudos clínicos randomizados e metaanálises como uma estratégia eficaz na melhora de alguns desfechos clínicos. Atualmente, não existe um método ideal para ajuste da PEEP na SDRA. Dois métodos distinguem-se pela racionalidade fisiológica e possibilidade de serem usados na prática clínica usual: ajuste da PEEP guiado por Pressão Esofágica (Pes) e ajuste da PEEP guiado por Tomografia de Impedância Elétrica (TIE). Os objetivos do estudo foram: (1) Avaliar, através de tomografia computadorizada de tórax (raios X), qual estratégia induz uma melhor aeração pulmonar: maior recrutamento pulmonar e menor hiperdistensão; (2) Avaliar as alterações da distribuição regional da ventilação, do volume pulmonar e da complacência regional medidos pela tomografia de impedância elétrica; (3) Avaliar as alterações na mecânica pulmonar e nas trocas gasosas produzidas por ambas as estratégias de titulação da PEEP. MÉTODOS: Dez porcos foram submetidos a um modelo de SDRA grave: depleção de surfactante mais lesão pulmonar induzida pelo ventilador. Após uma manobra de recrutamento (MR), duas estratégias de titulação da PEEP foram testadas em uma sequência aleatória: 1) Utilizando a tomografia por impedância elétrica para calcular a menor PEEP que mantem um colapso pulmonar menor de 1%; 2) Utilizando a pressão esofágica para calcular a PEEP necessária para atingir uma pressão transpulmonar final expiratória (PLexp) entre 5-6 cmH2O. Em seguida, os animais foram ventilados durante 1 hora com a PEEP ótima estimada por cada método. Foram registrados parâmetros fisiológicos e de tomografia computadorizada (TC) antes da MR (tempo basal) e após ventilação com a PEEP ótima (15 min e 60 min). RESULTADOS: Aos 60 min, ambas as estratégias reduziram o colapso pulmonar, mas com efeitos significativamente maiores (P < 0,05) no grupo TIE: tecido não-aerado (20,3 ± 11,8% vs. 38,6 ± 13,1%, TIE vs. Pes respectivamente), recrutamento cíclico (4,8 ± 3,7% vs. 8,7 ± 2,7%), PaO2/FIO2 (289 ± 78 vs. 209 ± 92 mmHg), pressão de distensão (14,5 ± 2,3 vs. 16,1 ± 2,3 cmH2O), e pressão de distensão transpulmonar (11,9 ± 1,7 vs. 13,6 ± 1,8 cmH2O). Apesar da escolha de uma maior PEEP ótima no grupo TIE, a pressão platô (33,2 ± 3,7 vs. 31,5 ± 3,1 cmH2O), a pressão transpulmonar inspiratória final (20,0 ± 2,8 vs. 19,2 ± 1,7 cm H2O) e a complacência das áreas não dependentes do pulmão medidas pela TIE (0,07 ± 0,04 vs 0,06 ± 0,05 unidades arbitrárias/cmH2O) ou TC (1,52 ± 0,90 vs. 1,41 ± 0,98 mL/cmH2O) variaram de forma semelhante nos dois grupos (P > 0,05). O tecido hiperaerado e a hipedistensão cíclica foram baixos em ambos os grupos. CONCLUSÕES: Neste modelo animal de SDRA grave o ajuste da PEEP guiado por TIE produz um maior recrutamento pulmonar e sinais fisiológicas de melhor proteção pulmonar quando comparado com o ajuste da PEEP guiado por Pes / INTRODUCTION: The use of higher levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), aimed at reducing the amount of lung collapse, making the ventilation more homogeneous, has been pointed out by randomized clinical trials and meta-analysis as an effective strategy to improve some clinical outcomes. Currently, there is no ideal method for adjustment PEEP in ARDS. Two methods are distinguished by their physiological rationality and the possibility of being used in the clinical practice: PEEP titration guided by Esophageal Pressure (Pes) and PEEP titration guided by Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT). The objectives of the study were: 1) To evaluate through computed tomography of thorax (X-ray), which strategy induces better pulmonary aeration: greater lung recruitment and less hyperdistension; (2) To evaluate changes in the regional distribution of ventilation, pulmonary volume and regional compliance, measured by electrical impedance tomography; (3) To assess changes in lung mechanics and gas exchange produced by both PEEP titration strategies. METHODS: Ten pigs were submitted to a two-hit model of severe ARDS: Surfactant depletion plus ventilator-induced lung injury. After a recruitment maneuver (RM), two strategies of PEEP titration were tested in a randomized sequence: 1) Using electric impedance tomography to calculate the lowest PEEP keeping recruitable-lungcollapse < 1%; 2) Using esophageal pressure to calculate the PEEP needed to achieve an end-expiratory transpulmonary pressure between 5-6 cmH2O. Then, animals were ventilated for 1 hour with the optimum-PEEP estimated by each method. Physiological and computed tomography (CT) parameters were recorded before RM (baseline) and after ventilation at optimum-PEEP (15 min and 60 min). RESULTS: At 60 min, both strategies reduced lung collapse but with significantly (P < 0.05) greater effects in EIT-group: nonaerated tissue (20.3 ± 11.8% vs 38.6 ± 13.1%, EIT vs. Pes, respectively), tidal recruitment (4.8 ± 3.7% vs 8.7 ± 2.7%), PaO2/FIO2 (289 ± 78 vs 209 ± 92 mmHg), driving-pressure (14.5 ± 2.3 vs 16.1 ± 2.3 cmH2O) and transpulmonary driving-pressure (11.9 ± 1.7 vs 13.6 ± 1.8 cmH2O). Despite the choice for a higher optimum-PEEP in the EIT-group; plateau pressure (33.2 ± 3.7 vs 31.5 ± 3.1 cmH2O), end-inspiratory transpulmonary pressure (20.0 ± 2.8 vs 19.2 ± 1.7 cmH2O) and compliance of non-dependent areas measured by EIT (0.07 ± 0.04 vs 0.06 ± 0.05 arbitrary units/cmH2O) or CT (1.52 ± 0.90 vs 1.41 ± 0.98 mL/cmH2O) varied similarly in both groups (P > 0.05). Hyperaerated tissue and tidal hyperinflation were very low in both groups. CONCLUSION: In this model, the choice of PEEP guided by EIT leads to higher lung recruitment and physiological signals of a better lung protection, when compared to the strategy guided by Pes

Introdução: A pressão crítica de fechamento da faringe (PCrit) é a pressão nasal em que há colapso da faringe. Conceitualmente a Pcrit reflete a contribuição anatômica na gênese da apnéia obstrutiva do sono (AOS). No entanto, a relação entre a PCrit e a anatomia das vias aéreas superiores (VAS) tem sido pouco estudada. A PCrit determinada durante o sono requer pesquisadores experientes durante a noite. A indução do sono com midazolam é usada na prática clínica para a realização de procedimentos ambulatoriais e poderia ser uma alternativa mais conveniente para se determinar a Pcrit. Porém, o midazolam pode provocar sedação além de simples indução do sono, reduzir a atividade muscular das VAS e aumentar a colapsabilidade quando comparado com o sono normal. Objetivos: 1. validar a determinação da PCrit durante o dia após a indução do sono com midazolam; 2. comparar a arquitetura do sono induzido com baixa dose de midazolam com o sono natural; 3. correlacionar a PCrit com a anatomia das VAS. Métodos: Homens com graus variados de sintomas sugestivos de AOS foram submetidos a polissonografia completa noturna, determinação da PCrit durante o sono natural e após a indução do sono com midazolam bem como tomografia computadorizada de cabeça e pescoço para avaliação das VAS. Resultados: Foram estudados 15 sujeitos com idade (média±DP) de 54 ± 10 anos, índice de massa corporal de 29,9 ± 3,9 kg/m2 e índice de apnéiahipopnéia (IAH) de 38 ± 22 (variação: 8-66 eventos/h). A indução do sono foi obtida em todos os sujeitos, utilizando doses mínimas de midazolam (mediana [intervalo interquartil]) (2,4 [2,0-4,4] mg). A PCrit durante o sono natural e induzido foram semelhantes (-0,82 ± 3,44 e -0,97 ± 3,21 cmH2O, P = 0,663) e se associaram (coeficiente de correlação intraclasse=0,92 (IC 95% 0,78-0,97 P<0,001). A distribuição das fases do sono durante sono natural e induzido foi similar, com excessão da fase 1 (10,5 ± 5,1% vs. 20,6 ± 8,1, respectivamente; P=0,001). A Pcrit determinada durante o sono natural e induzido se correlacionaram com o IAH (r=0,592, P=0,020 e r=0,576, P=0,025, respectivamente). Além disso tanto a Pcrit determinada por sono natural e induzido se correlacionaram com diversas variáveis tomográficas de VAS, incluindo a posição do osso hióide, ângulo da base do crânio e as áreas seccionais da velofaringe e hipofaringe (r variando de 0,577 a 0,686, P<0,05). A regressão linear múltipla revelou que o IAH foi independentemente associado com a Pcrit durante sono induzido, circunferência da cintura e idade (r2 = 0,785, P = 0,001). Conclusão: A PCrit determinada durante o dia com indução do sono é semelhante à determinada durante o sono natural e é um método alternativo promissor para determinar a PCrit. O sono induzido por doses baixas de midazolan promove um sono similar ao sono natural. A Pcrit determinada tanto durante o sono natural e induzido correlaciona-se com várias características anatômicas das VAS / Introduction: The pharyngeal critical closing pressure (Pcrit) is the nasal pressure at which the airway collapses. Pcrit is thought to reflect the anatomical contribution to the genesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the relationship between Pcrit and upper airway anatomy has been poorly investigated. Pcrit determined during sleep requires experienced investigators at night. Sleep induction with midazolam is frequently used in clinical practice during ambulatory procedure and could be a more convenient alternative to assess Pcrit. On the other hand, midazolam could induce sedation rather than sleep, decrease upper airway muscle activity and increase collapsibility compared with natural sleep. Objectives: 1. validate Pcrit determination during the day after sleep induction with midazolam; 2. compare the sleep architecture of induced sleep after low doses of midazolam with natural sleep; 3.correlate Pcrit with upper airway anatomy. Methods: Men with different severity of OSA symptoms underwent baseline full polysomnography, Pcrit determination during natural sleep and after sleep induction with midazolam and head and neck computed tomography. RESULTS: Fifteen men aged (mean±SD) 54±10ys, body mass index=29.9 ± 3.9 Kg/m2 and apnea hypopnea index=38±22, range: 8-66 events/h were studied. Sleep induction was obtained with minimum doses of midazolam (median[interquartile range] (2.4 [2.0-4.4] mg). Sleep phase distribution during natural and induced sleep was similar, except for stage 1 (10.5 ± 5.1% vs. 20.6 ± 8.1, respectively; P=0.001). Natural and induced sleep Pcrit were similar (-0.82 ± 3.44 and -0.97 ± 3.21 cmH2O, P=0.663) and closely associated (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.92 (95%CI 0.78-0.97, P<0.001). Natural and sleep induced Pcrit correlated with AHI (r=0.592, P=0.020; r=0.576, P=0.025, respectively). Pcrit determined both during natural and induced sleep were significantly associated with several tomographic variables, including hyoid position, cranial base angle and cross sectional areas of the velopharynx and hypopharynx (r range: 0.577 to 0.686, P<0.05). Multiple linear regression revealed that AHI was independently associated with induced sleep Pcrit, waist circumference and age (r2=0.785, P=0.001). Conclusion: Pcrit determined during the day with sleep induction is similar to natural sleep and is a promising alternative method to determine Pcrit. Sleep induction with small doses of midazolam promoted sleep similar to natural sleep. Pcrit determined both during natural and induced sleep correlates with several anatomical characteristics of the upper airway

O uso do agente embolizante Onyx na oclusão de vazamentos pós-tratamento endovascular de aneurisma da aorta abdominal. São Paulo, 2003. 125p. Tese (Doutorado) – Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Radiologia. Objetivos: Criar um modelo experimental para estudar os vazamentos de aneurisma da aorta abdominal (AAA) pós-tratamento endovascular, verificar a eficácia do agente embolizante Onyx na oclusão de vazamentos no modelo experimental, avaliar a oclusão do vazamento com Onyx após 5 semanas (fase tardia) e analisar a resposta tecidual e reação inflamatória local ao Onyx no modelo experimental. Materiais e métodos: Doze cães machos, provenientes do biotério da Cleveland Clinic Foundation, foram utilizados para criação de AAA, utilizando-se o stent Palmaz P4014. Endopróteses medindo 10 mm de diâmetro por 5 cm de comprimento e com orifício parietal de 4 mm no seu terço médio foram colocadas no interior da aorta abdominal (AA) com o intuito de criar um vazamento de endoprótese de aorta. Após uma semana foram realizadas tomografias e angiografias para constatação da presença de vazamento. Em seguida, os orifícios das endopróteses foram cateterizados e posteriormente Onyx foi injetado no interior do aneurisma e das artérias lombares. Após quatro semanas, todos os animais que sobreviveram ao procedimento foram submetidos a nova tomografia e angiografia para constatação da presença ou ausência de vazamento. Logo após, os cães foram sacrificados e tiveram suas aortas ressecadas e submetidas à análise histológica. Resultados: Três cães morreram por ruptura aórtica na criação do AAA Obteve-se sucesso na oclusão dos vazamentos em 9/12 cães. A oclusão foi confirmada através de angiografia realizada logo após a injeção de Onyx e pela tomografia a que os animais foram submetidos após uma semana da oclusão. A análise histológica revelou a presença de Onyx misturado com trombos em diferentes estágios de organização preenchendo o aneurisma e artérias lombares. Conclusão: Obteve-se sucesso na criação do modelo experimental em nove dos doze cães. A oclusão do vazamento com Onyx&#63194; foi efetiva e permaneceu durável durante o período de estudo. A análise histológica da AA demonstrou uma discreta reação inflamatória local à presença do Onyx. / Twelve mongrel dogs were used in this study to create abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with endoleak after endovascular treatment. The next step was seal this endoleak with an embolic material called Onyx(R) The presence or occlusion of the endoleaks was proved by computer tomography and angiography. Succeed in the creation of the experimental model was observed in 9/12 dogs. OnyxÒ was capable to seal endoleaks in all nine dogs that survived from AAA creation. The occlusion was stable until the end of the study and the histological analysis showed minimal inflammatory response to Onyx(R).

Introdução: A utilização da posição prona melhora significativamente a oxigenação de pacientes com síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA). Estudos prévios sugerem que o recrutamento das regiões pulmonares colapsadas e pobremente aeradas é um dos possíveis mecanismos responsáveis pela melhora da oxigenação, no entanto, os mesmos ainda não foram comprovados. Objetivos: Quantificar a distribuição regional da aeração e da perfusão pulmonar, em ambas as posições prona e supina, através da tomografia de impedância elétrica (TIE) e da tomografia computadorizada multislice (TC), correlacionando-as com as respectivas trocas gasosas. Métodos: Foram estudados 21 suínos, da raça Ladrasse anestesiados e em ventilação mecânica controlada. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com o método de imagem. 13 animais foram estudados com a TIE (grupo TIE) e 8 animais foram estudados com a TC (grupo TC). Após a indução do modelo de lesão pulmonar (infusão intermitente de solução salina e ventilação lesiva por 3 horas), os animais foram submetidos a uma manobra de recrutamento alveolar máxima (MR) seguida por uma manobra de titulação da PEEP (MTP), realizada em passos decrementais de 2 em 2 cmH2O PEEP. Onze animais (7 no grupo TIE e 4 no grupo TC) foram randomizados para iniciar o estudo na posição supina, seguida de uma segunda MR e MTP na posição prona. Dez animais (6 no grupo TIE e 4 no grupo TC) receberam as manobras na ordem inversa. Para o estudo da perfusão foram adicionados mais sete animais (2 no grupo TIE e 5 no grupo TC) que foram submetidos à injeção rápida de solução salina hipertônica e/ou de contraste iodado respectivamente. Resultados: Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas na quantidade de tecido pulmonar colapsado e hiperdistendido, entre as posições estudadas em ambos os grupos TIE e TC (p= 0.06). Entretanto, as trocas gasosas foram consistentemente melhores durante a posição prona (p<0.05), com shunt pulmonar significativamente menor (<55%, p<0.001) para níveis equivalentes de PEEP entre ambas as posições. A análise da perfusão pulmonar evidenciou a presença de grande fluxo sanguíneo pulmonar (2x mais perfusão específica) nas áreas de colapso pulmonar durante a posição supina, assim como a ausência de maiores efeitos gravitacionais na distribuição da perfusão entre as posturas. Conclusão: A análise quantitativa da TIE e da TC evidenciou que, para a mesma quantidade de tecido pulmonar colapsado, a oxigenação arterial foi sempre mais comprometida durante a posição supina, com aumento significativo do shunt pulmonar e com uma região de colapso pulmonar mais perfundida, sugerindo que a posição prona melhora a oxigenação e a relação ventilação perfusão, mas não atenua os efeitos gravitacionais sobre o parênquima pulmonar, o que não confirma os possíveis efeitos protetores associados à posição prona / Introduction: Prone position has been shown to consistently improve oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Previous studies suggested some improvement in lung recruitment or a better ventilation of poorly aerated areas as possible mechanisms for such oxygenation benefits. Objective: To quantify the regional distribution of aeration (collapse and hyperdistend lung tissue) and lung perfusion by Computer Tomography (CT) and electrical impedance tomography in supine and prone positions and to correlate them with pulmonary gas exchange. Methods: We studied 21 anesthetized Landrace pigs under controlled mechanical ventilation. These animals were divided in two groups: Thirteen (13) animals in the EIT group and eight (8) in the CT group. After lung injury (saline lavage + VILI during 3 hours), animals were recruited and submitted to two sequential PEEP trials, both consisting of decremental PEEP steps (2 cmH2O steps). Seven (n=7) animals in the EIT group and four (4) in the CT group were allocated to a PEEP trial under supine position, followed by a second PEEP trial in prone. Six (6) animals in the EIT group and four (4) in the CT group received PEEP trials in reverse order. Seven (7) additional animals were studied for lung perfusion distribution, by analyzing the first pass kinetics of hypertonic solution (2 animals - EIT group) and iodine contrast (5 animals - CT group). Results: No differences in the amount of collapsed and hyperdistended lung tissue were found between both postures (p= 0.12 vs. p = 0.41 respectively) in both the EIT and CT groups. However, the gas exchange was consistently better (p <0.05), with much lower (55% lower) pulmonary shunt during prone position (p=0.001), at equivalent PEEP levels in both groups. The perfusion studies confirmed a higher perfusion ( 2 times increment in specific perfusion) of the atelectatic lung tissue in supine position, without majors gravitational effects between both positions. Conclusions: The quantitative analysis of EIT and CT showed that for the same amount of collapsed lung tissue, the PaO2 was always lower in supine position, with higher pulmonary shunt and higher perfusion of the collapsed lung areas. We could not demonstrate any lung protective effect associated with prone positioning. Thus, these results suggest that prone position improves oxygenation and V/Q imbalances, but it does not attenuate the effects of gravity on the lung