This thesis primarily focused on the development of novel composite tubes by braiding. The objective was to use hierarchical scale technique, i.e., micro, meso and macro scales, with the transfer of information from one scale to another to develop novel braided composite tubes. This research was conducted and reported in three journal papers. The aim of the first paper was to predict plane elastic properties for E-glass/epoxy braided composite structures at different braid orientations, by analytical and finite element techniques. The lenticular shape has been used to describe the geometry of the tow. Modified lenticular geometric model was developed to improve an existing geometric model, in terms of tow parameters, thereafter, plane elastic properties from Chamis micromechanical model for E-glass fibre and epoxy matrix without any knockdown effects were used as benchmark to develop predictive models, namely; Lekhnitskii's methodology and braided unit cell meso-scale finite element model to account for the effects of tow geometry, undulations/crimp, cross-over and braid orientations on the plane elastic properties of E-glass/epoxy composite. The results showed agreement in trend between the predictive models, Chamis micromechanical model, and a similar existing model. However, the plane elastic properties were knocked down in predictive models by 30% in the E11 direction and 32% in the E22 direction, when compared with Chamis micro-mechanical model for largest ±65° braid angle, among the braid angles, considered. The aim of the second paper was to manufacture E-glass/epoxy braided tubes at different braid orientations by vacuum bag infusion technique, conduct internal pressure tests, and determine the hoop and axial moduli of the infused tubes. Lekhnitskii's methodology was also used to develop plane elastic moduli by experiment using microscopy results, and by calculation. The experimental elastic moduli of the infused tubes and the experimental elastic moduli from Lekhnitskii's methodology were used to compare the predictive elastic moduli for E-glass/epoxy braided structures by Chamis micro-mechanical model, and the braided unit cell meso-scale finite element model. The two were from another paper. Results showed a perfect agreement in trend between the experimental results and the predictive results. However, the values of the experimental results were close but lower than the predicted results. Optical microscopy was performed on braided tube cross-section to evaluate the level of crimp or undulation. This was done by the determination of tow centreline crimp angle and aspect ratio. Results show that when compared with the predicted crimp, there was an agreement in trend, although the experimental results were lower than the predicted. Also, the knockdown factor was evaluated and used to quantify the reduction in experimental elastic moduli when compared with the predicted. Results showed that the absences of crimp in the Chamis model caused a tremendous difference between it, other predicted models and the experiment results. The elastic moduli of Chamis were by far higher than all others, including other predictive models. The purpose of the third paper was to manufacture E-glass/epoxy braided tube at ±31°, ±45°, ±55°, ±65° braid orientations using vacuum bagging and resin infusion technique, to design and manufacture a rig for tube internal pressures experiment, to determine the hoop and axial stress performances of the tubes by internal pressure experiment, to compare experimental results with laminate analysis predictions to evaluate the effect of crimp on the internal pressure performance of the braided tubes. To use E-glass braided tow meso-scale unit cell finite element model to predict the tow critical stresses, and the optimum braided tube architecture, using tube hoop and axial failure stresses or strains. The tubes were manufactured and subjected to internal pressure test (2:1), to failure. Failure mode was by weeping and bursting. Hoop stress was twice the axial stress. The highest value of hoop stress was at the ±65° braid angle, higher than the hoop stresses at the ±31°, ±45°, and ±55 ° braid angles by 50%, 39%, and 28% respectively. Hoop stress increased with increase in braid angle. The experimental results were validated by laminate analysis predictions by Chamis micro-mechanical model and Lekhnitskii's methodology, and the trend of the laminate analysis prediction matched that of the experimental results. However, the predicted values were higher than the experimental results by 21%, 14%, 11%, 10% for the ±31°, ±45°, ±55°, ±65° braid angles for the Chamis micro-mechanical model and 5%, 7%, 7%, 5% for the ±31°, ±45°, ±55°, ±65 braid angles respectively for the Lekhnitskii's model, showing the severe effect of crimp in the experimental tube, mostly when compared with Chamis micro-mechanical model. Braided tow unit cell finite element model prediction, showed that tow axial stresses increased with increase in braid angle, while the tow transverse stresses decreased with increase in braid angle. The predictions showed that the tow critical stresses and the tube optimum braided architecture lie between the ±65° and 90° braid angles. The tow critical stresses are the stresses at which the tow decreasing transverse stress and the tow increasing axial stress causes the tube to fail.

[pt] A difusão seletiva e os recentes avanços na tecnologia de transmissão óptica, mais especificamente na multiplexação por comprimento de onda (Wavelength Division Multiplexing- WDM), aliados à consolidação do IP como protocolo dominante das redes convergentes, vêm oferecendo novas perspectivas para as futuras gerações de inter-redes. Este trabalho faz uso da evolução dessas tecnologias para propor um conjunto de adaptações à difusão seletiva, em especial ao IP Multicast, denominado MIRROR (Multicast IP para Redes baseadas em Rajadas Ópticas Rotuladas). A proposta MIRROR sugere modificações e adequações para tornar o IP Multicast menos complexo, mais escalável em relação ao número de grupos ativos simultaneamente e mais adequado às redes baseadas em comutação óptica. Basicamente, MIRROR revê a necessidade de todos os roteadores ao longo da árvore de distribuição multiponto manterem informações de estado relacionadas a esta, bem como sugere adequações na forma como os caminhos multiponto são estabelecidos quando se emprega comutação baseada em rótulos na difusão seletiva. Para avaliar a proposta MIRROR, investiu-se em duas frentes distintas, uma baseada na análise comparativa entre a MIRROR e algumas alternativas ao IP Multicast apresentadas na literatura, e outra baseada no desenvolvimento de um protótipo da proposta no simulador NS (Network Simulator), com o intuito de referendar os resultados da análise comparativa. Na análise comparativa, confronta-se parâmetros como: requisitos de informações de estado, custo com informações de controle, custo de encaminhamento dos pacotes e custo da árvore de multiponto. O desenvolvimento do protótipo envolveu a criação de uma nova estrutura de nó e a alteração de módulos já existentes no NS, para tornar possível a simulação de redes comutadas por rajadas ópticas rotuladas no contexto da difusão seletiva. / [en] Multicast communication and recent advances in optical technology, most specifically in Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), allied with the consolidation of IP as the dominant protocol of convergent networks, offer new perspectives for the next generation Internet. This thesis utilises these technologies to propose a set of adaptations, called MIRROR, to multicast communication, specifically IP Multicast, in labelled burst-switched optical networks. MIRROR proposes modifications to traditional IP Multicast in order to improve its scalability as a function of the number of simultaneously active groups, as well as making it more appropriate for use in optically switched networks. Basically, MIRROR includes new proposals for handling state information about the multicast distribution tree, as well as for the establishment of label-based multicast paths. In order to evaluate this proposal, two approaches are followed, one based on a comparative analysis between MIRROR and a number of other alternatives to IP Multicast proposed in the literature, and the other based on the implementation of a prototype in the simulation environment provided by NS (Network Simulator). The comparative analysis evaluates such parameters as: state requirement information, control overhead, packet processing efficiency and tree cost. The prototype implementation implements a new node structure and alters existing NS modules (OBS e MPLS), to make possible the simulation of labelled burst-switched optical networks in the multicast context.

Les fonctions D-finies (ou holonomes) à une variable sont les solutions d'équations différentielles linéaires à coefficients polynomiaux. En calcul formel, il s'est avéré fructueux depuis une vingtaine d'années d'en développer un traitement algorithmique unifié. Cette thèse s'inscrit dans cette optique, et s'intéresse à l'évaluation numérique des fonctions D-finies ainsi qu'à quelques problèmes apparentés. Elle explore trois grandes directions. La première concerne la majoration des coefficients des développements en série de fonctions D-finies. On aboutit à un algorithme de calcul automatique de majorants accompagné d'un résultat de finesse des bornes obtenues. Une seconde direction est la mise en pratique de l'algorithme " bit burst " de Chudnovsky et Chudnovsky pour le prolongement analytique numérique à précision arbitraire des fonctions D-finies. Son implémentation est l'occasion de diverses améliorations techniques. Ici comme pour le calcul de bornes, on s'attache par ailleurs à couvrir le cas des points singuliers réguliers des équations différentielles. Enfin, la dernière partie de la thèse développe une méthode pour calculer une approximation polynomiale de degré imposé d'une fonction D-finie sur un intervalle, via l'étude des développements en série de Tchebycheff de ces fonctions. Toutes les questions sont abordées avec un triple objectif de rigueur (résultats numériques garantis), de généralité (traiter toute la classe des fonctions D-finies) et d'efficacité. Pratiquement tous les algorithmes étudiés s'accompagnent d'implémentations disponibles publiquement.

Recently there is an emergence of many Internet applications such as multimedia, video conferencing, distributed interactive simulations (DIS), and high-performance scientific computations like Grid computing. These applications require huge amount of bandwidth and a viable communication paradigm to coordinate with multiple sources and destinations. Optical networks are the potential candidates for providing high bandwidth requirement. Existing communication paradigms include broadcast, and multicast. Hence supporting these paradigms over optical networks is necessary. Multicasting over optical networks has been well investigated in the literature. QoS policies implemented in IP does not apply for Wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) or optical burst switched (OBS) networks, as the optical counterpart for store-and-forward model does not exist. Hence there is a need to provision QoS over optical networks. These QoS requirements can include contention, optical signal quality, reliability and delay. To support these diverse requirements, optical networks must be able to manage the available resources effectively. Destinations participating in the multicast session are fixed (or rather static). Due to the random contention in the network, if at least one or more destination(s) is not reachable, requested multicast session cannot be established. This results in loss of multicast request with high probability of blocking. Incorporating wavelength converters (WCs) at the core nodes can decrease the contention loss, however WCs require optical-electrical-optical (O/E/O) conversion. This increases the delay incurred by optical signal. On the other hand all-optical WCs are expensive and increase the cost of the network if deployed. Goal of this thesis is, to provide hop-to-hop QoS on an existing all-optical network (AON) with no WC and optical regeneration capability. In order to minimize the request vi Abstract vii lost due to contention in AON, we propose a variation of multicasting called Quorumcasting or Manycasting. In Quorumcasting destinations can join (or leave) to (or from) the group depending on whether they are reachable or not. In other words destinations have to be determined rather than knowing them prior, as in the case of multicasting. Quorum pool is minimum number of destinations that are required to be participated in the session for successful accomplishment of the job (k be the size of quorum pool). Providing QoS for manycasting over OBS has not been addressed in the literature. Given the multicast group (with cardinality m > k) and the number of destinations required to be participated, the contribution of this work is based on providing necessary QoS. In this thesis we study the behavior of manycasting over OBS networks. In OBS networks, packets from the upper-layer (such as IP, ATM, STM) are assembled and a burst is created at the edge router. By using O/E/O conversion at the edge nodes, these optical bursts are scheduled to the core node. Control header packet or burst header packet (BHP) is sent to prior to the transmission of burst. The BHP configures the core nodes and the burst is scheduled on the channel after certain offset time. In the first part of the thesis, we explain the different distributed applications with primary focus on Grid over OBS (GoOBS). We study the loss scenario due contention and inadequate signal quality for an unicast case in OBS network. We further extend this to manycasting. We modify the BHP header fields to make the burst aware of not only contention on the next-hop link, but also bit-error rate (BER). By using recursive signal and noise power relations, we calculate the BER (or q-factor) of the link and schedule the burst only if the required BER threshold is met. Thus all the bursts that reach the next-hop node ensure that contention and BER constraint are met. This are called “Impairment-Aware (IA) Scheduling”. Burst loss in the network increases due to BER constraint. Hence we propose algorithms to decrease the burst loss and simultaneously providing the sufficient optical signal quality. We propose three algorithms called IA-shortest path tree (IA-SPT), IA-static over provisioning (IA-SOP), and IA-dynamic membership (IA-DM). In IA-SPT destination set is sorted in the non-decreasing order of the hop-distance from source. First k of them are selected and bursts are scheduled to Abstract viii these destinations along the shortest path. In IA-SOP we select additional k0(_ m − k) destinations where k0 is the over provisioning factor. Over provisioning ensures that burst at least reach k of them, decreasing the contention blocking. However as the burst has to span more destinations, the fan-out of the multicast capable switch will be more and the BER could be high. In IA-DM destinations are dynamically added or removed, depending on contention and BER. Destination is removed and new destination is added based on the two constraints. Our simulation results shows that IA-DM out performs the other two algorithms in terms of request blocking. We show that IP-based many casting has poor performance and hence there is a need for supporting many casting over OBS networks. We verify our simulation results with the proposed analytical method. In the next part, we focus on provisioning QoS in many casting. QoS parameters considered for analysis include, signal quality i.e., optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR), reliability of the link and, propagation delay. In this work we consider application based QoS provisioning. In other words, given the threshold requirements of an application, our aim is to successfully schedule the burst to the quorum pool satisfying the threshold conditions. We use a de-centralized way of the scheduling the burst, using BHP. With the help of local-network state information, the burst is scheduled only if it satisfies multiple set of constraints. Corresponding reception of burst at the node ensures that all the QoS constraints are met and burst is forwarded to the next hop. QoS attributes are either multiplicative or additive. Noise factor of the optical signal and reliability factor are multiplicative constraints, where as propagation delay is additive. We define a path information vector, which provides the QoS information of the burst at every node. Using lattice theory we define an ordering, such that noise factor and propagation delay are minimum and reliability is maximum. Using path algebra we compute the overall QoS attributes. Due to multiple set of constraints, the request blocking could be high. We propose algorithms to minimize request blocking for Multiple Constrained Many cast Problem (MCMP). We propose two algorithms MCM-SPT and MCM-DM. We consider different set of service thresholds, such as real time and data service thresholds. Real time services impose restriction on signal quality and the propagation delay. On the other hand Abstract ix data services require high reliability and signal quality. Our simulation study shows that MCM-SPT performs better than MCM-DM for real-time services and the data services can be provisioned using MCM-DM.

A series of experiments was performed with the Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center Reactor (NSCR) to verify ²³⁵U delayed neutron emission rates. A custom device was created to accurately measure a sample's pneumatic flight time and the Nuclear Science Center's (NSC's) pneumatic transfer system (PTS) was redesigned to reduce a sample's pneumatic flight time from over 1,600 milliseconds to less than 450 milliseconds. Four saturation irradiations were performed at reactor powers of 100 and 200 kW for 300 seconds and one burst irradiation was performed using a $1.61 pulse producing 19.11 MW-s of energy. Experimental results agreed extremely well with those of Keepin. By comparing the first ten seconds of collected data, the first saturation irradiation deviated ~1.869% with a dead time of 2 microseconds, while the burst irradiation deviated ~0.303% with a dead time of 5 microseconds. Saturation irradiations one, three and four were normalized to the initial count rate of saturation irradiation two to determine the system reproducibility, and deviated ~0.449%, ~0.343% and ~0.389%, respectively.

Résumé L’objectif de cette étude était de déterminer les effets de la source de sélénium sur les concentrations de Se et de GSH-Px des vaches de boucherie (n =33) et leurs veaux et sur des paramètres immunitaires des veaux. Deux groupes de vaches ont reçu 3 mg/j/animal de Se organique ou inorganique dans le minéral. Le troisième groupe n'a pas été supplémenté en Se et leurs veaux ont été divisés en deux sous-groupes, l’un des deux a reçu une injection de sélénite de sodium (0,087 mg/Kg) à la naissance. Le Se et la GSH-Px ont été respectivement mesurés par HPLC-UV et par cinétique enzymatique. La phagocytose, la flambée respiratoire et le ratio CD4:CD8ont été évalués par des kits commerciaux et les IgG totales ont été mesurés par immunodiffusion radiale. La supplémentation de Se a augmenté significativement le Se sérique et colostral (P<0,02) et la GSH-Px(P≤0,04) pour les vaches et leurs veaux avec un effet significativement plus élevé pour le Se organique. Le Se du lait a augmenté de façon significative uniquement avec la source organique du Se (P≤0,0007). L’injection du Se chez les veaux a permis une augmentation significative mais temporaire (P<0,0001) du Se sérique. La supplémentation en Se n’a pas influencé les paramètres immunitaires mesurés (P>0,01, non significatif après correction de Bonferroni). Nous concluons que la supplémentation en Se améliore le niveau du Se colostral, lacté et sérique ainsi que la GSH-Px pour les vaches et leurs veaux sans effet sur les paramètres immunitaires mesurés des veaux. Mots clés: Sélénium, veaux de boucherie, phagocytose, flambée respiratoire, anticorps, ratio CD4:CD8, GSH-Px. / Abstract The aims of this study were to determine the effects of selenium (Se) supplementation sources (organic and inorganic) on Se and GSH-Px concentrations of beef cows (n=33) and their calves and on immune parameters of the calves. Two groups of cows were given daily 3 mg of either organic or inorganic Se in mineral supplement starting from 12 weeks before calving until weaning. The third group had no Se added into the diet and their calves were divided into two subgroups either injected or not with 0.087 mg/kg of sodium selenite after birth. Serum Se and whole blood GSH-Px were respectively measured by HPLC-UV and by kinetic-enzymatic technique. Calves immune parameters were evaluated using commercial kits for phagocytosis, respiratory burst and CD4:CD8 ratio and radial immunodiffusion for total IgG concentrations. In cows and calves, Se supplementation increased significantly serum and colostrum Se concentrations (P<.02) with significant higher effect for organic source. However, milk Se concentrations increased significantly only with the organic source (P≤.0007). Se supplementation increased GSH-Px concentrations in cows (P≤.04) and their calves (P≤.0004); organic source induced a higher effect than inorganic one in calves (P≤.0004). Se injection in calves allowed a temporary increase (P<.0001) of serum Se concentrations. No significant differences were noticed throughout the experiment for all of the immune parameters measured (P>.01, not significant after Bonferroni adjustment). Our results showed that Se supplementation improved colostrum, milk and serum Se and GSH-Px concentrations in cows and their calves without effect on the measured immune parameters in calves. Key words: selenium, beef calves, phagocytosis, respiratory burst, antibodies, CD4:CD8 ratio, GSH-Px.

Dopamine (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) have a key role in regulation of voluntary movement control. Their death is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, characterised by inhibited motor control, including muscle rigidity and tremor. Excitatory input to SNc-DA neurons is primarily from the subthalamic nucleus, and in PD these afferents display a higher frequency firing, as well as increased burst firing, which could cause increased excitatory activity in SNc-DA neurons. NMDA receptors (NMDARs) bind the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, and are essential for learning and memory. In SNc-DA neurons, NMDARs have a putative triheteromeric subunit arrangement of GluN1 plus GluN2B and/or GluN2D. Wild type (WT) mice, and those lacking the gene for GluN2D (Grin2D-null), were used to explore its role in various aspects of DA neuronal function and dysfunction using patch-clamp electrophysiology, viability assaying, and immunofluorescence. Pharmacological intervention using subunit-specific inhibitors ifenprodil and DQP-1105 on elicited NMDAR-EPSCs suggested a developmental shift from primarily GluN2B to GluN2B/D. Activity dependent regulation was assessed by high frequency burst stimulation of glutamatergic afferents: in comparison to controls, significant downregulation of NMDARs was observed in SNc-DA neurons, though no differences were observed based on genotype. This regulatory function may be a neuroprotective or homeostatic response. Ambient extracellular glutamate elicits tonic NMDAR activity in SNc-DA neurons, which may be important for maintaining basal levels of excitability: the role of GluN2D was assessed by recording the deflection in baseline current caused by application of competitive NMDAR antagonist D-AP5. There was a significantly larger NMDAR-mediated current in WT vs Grin2D-null mice, indicating that GluN2D has a role in binding ambient glutamate. Dysfunction of glutamate uptake could be a secondary pathophysiological occurrence in the SNc, leading to increased ambient glutamate: the effect of this was explored by application of the competitive glutamate transporter blocker TBOA. Here, the NMDAR-mediated portion of this current was significantly higher in WT mice in comparison to Grin2D-null. Interestingly, dose-response data obtained from bath application of NMDA showed significantly larger currents in Grin2D-null animals vs WT, but only at the top of the response curve (~1-10 mM), which may indicate a capability for larger conductance in Grin2D-null animals at high NMDAR saturation due to replacement of GluN2D with GluN2B. GluN2D may therefore be neuroprotective, by attenuating peak current flow in response to very high agonist concentrations. Lastly, GluN2D has been found to decrease NMDAR open probability under hypoxic conditions, potentially conferring resistance to hypoxia / ischemia related excitotoxicity. Therefore, low (15% O2 / 80% N2 / 5% CO2) vs high (95% O2 / 5% CO2) oxygen conditions were used along with immunofluorescent propidium iodide cell death assaying and immunofluorescent labeling for DA neurons in order to compare levels of DA neuronal death in the SNc based on oxygen status and genotype. Whilst there was a significant submaximal effect based on O2 status, genotype did not confer a practical resistance under these conditions. In summary, NMDARs have diverse roles in SNc-DA neurons which may both serve to maintain normal function and protect the cell against potentially pathological conditions.

This diploma thesis deals with the technology of noncontact hot plate welding and hot gas welding and with the optimizing of welding parameters of the chosen thermoplastics, especially of POM and PPA. The individual chapters in the theoretical part focus on following topics: technology of noncontact hot plate welding, technology of noncontact hot gas welding, description of the test welding machines and tools, main process parameters and evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of each technology. In the practical part the welding parameters are optimized by the Design of Experiment systematic, the short-term capability machine and the microtome analysis are evaluated. In the end there are the results of the welding parameters optimization and comparison of noncontact welding technologies.

The subiculum is a structure that forms a bridge between the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex (EC) in the brain, and plays a major role in the memory consolidation process. It consists of different types of pyramidal neurons. Based on their firing behavior, these excitatory neurons are classified into strong burst firing (SBF), weak burst firing (WBF) and regular firing (RF) neurons. In the first part of the work, morphological differences in the different neuronal subtypes was explored by biocytin staining after classifying the neurons based on the differences in electrophysiological properties. Detailed morphological properties of these three neuronal subtypes were analyzed using Neurolucida neuron reconstruction method. Unlike the differences in their electrophysiological properties, no difference was found in the morphometric properties of these neuronal subtypes. In the second part of the thesis, experimental results on spike- timing- dependent plasticity (STDP) at the proximal excitatory inputs on the subicular pyramidal neurons of the juvenile (P15-P19) rat are described. The STDP was studied in the WBF and RF neurons. Causal pairing of a single EPSP with a single back propagating action potential (bAP) at a time interval of 10 ms failed to induce plasticity. However, increasing the number of bAPs in such EPSP-bAP pair to three at 50 Hz (bAP burst) induced LTD in both, the RF, as well as the WBF neurons. Increasing the frequency of action potentials to 150 Hz in the bAP burst during causal pairing also induced LTD in both the neuronal subtypes. However, all other STDP related experiments were performed only with the bAP bursts consisting of 3 bAPs evoked at 50 Hz. Amplitude of the causal pairing induced LTD decreased with increasing time interval between EPSP and the bAP burst. Reversing the order of the EPSP and the bAP burst in the pair induced LTP only with a short time interval of 10 ms. This finding is in contrast to most of the reports on excitatory synapses, wherein the pre-before post (causal) pairing induced LTP and vice-versa. The results of causal and anti-causal pairing were used to plot the STDP curve for the WBF neurons. In the STDP curve observed in these synapses, LTD was observed upto a causal time interval of 30 ms, while LTP was limited to 10 ms time interval. Hence, the STDP curve was biased towards LTD. These results reaffirm the earlier observations that the relative timing of the pre- and postsynaptic activities can lead to multiple types of STDP curves. Next, the mechanism of non-Hebbian LTD was studied in both, the RF and WBF neurons. The involvement of calcium in the postsynaptic neuron in plasticity induction was studied by chelating intracellular calcium with BAPTA. The results indicate that the LTD induction in WBF neurons required postsynaptic calcium, while LTD induction in the RF neurons was independent of postsynaptic calcium. Paired pulse ratio (PPR) experiments suggested the involvement of a presynaptic mechanism in the induction of LTD in the RF neurons, and not in the WBF neurons since the PPR was unaffected by the induction protocol only in the WBF neurons. LTD induction in the WBF neurons required activity of the NMDA receptors since LTD was not observed in the presence of the NMDA receptor blocker in the WBF neurons, while it was unaffected in the RF neurons. However, the RF neurons required the activity of L-type calcium channels for plasticity induction, since LTD was affected in the presence of the L-type calcium channel blockers, although the WBF neurons did not require the L-type calcium channel activity for plasticity induction. Hence, in addition to a non-Hebbian STDP curve, a novel mechanism of LTD induction has been reported, where L-type calcium channels are involved in a synaptic plasticity that is expressed via change in the release probability. The findings on the STDP in subicular pyramidal neurons may have strong implications in the memory consolidation process owing to the central role of the subiculum and LTD in it.

Abstract Several anaesthetics are able to induce a burst-suppression (B-S) pattern in the electroencephalogram (EEG) during deep levels of anaesthesia. A burst-suppression pattern consists of alternating high amplitude bursts and periods of suppressed background activity. All monitors measuring the adequacy of anaesthesia recognize the EEG B-S as one criterion. A better understanding of EEG burst-suppression is important in understanding the mechanisms of anaesthesia. The aim of the study was to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the function of neural pathways during deep anaesthesia. The thesis is comprised of four prospective clinical studies with EEG recordings from 64 patients, and of one experimental study of a porcine model of epilepsy with EEG registrations together with BOLD fMRI during isoflurane anaesthesia (II). In study I, somatosensory cortical evoked responses to median nerve stimulation were studied under sevoflurane anaesthesia at EEG B-S levels. In study III, The EEGs of three Parkinson`s patients were observed to describe the characteristics of B-S during propofol anaesthesia using scalp electrodes and depth electrodes in the subthalamic nucleus. In study IV, EEG topography was observed in 20 healthy children under anaesthesia mask induction with sevoflurane. Twenty male patients were randomized to either controlled hyperventilation or spontaneous breathing groups for anaesthesia mask induction with sevoflurane in study V. EEG alterations in relation to haemodynamic responses were examined in studies IV and V. Somatosensory information reached the cortex even during deep anaesthesia at EEG burst-suppression level. Further processing of these impulses in the cortex was suppressed. The EEG slow wave oscillations were synchronous over the entire cerebral cortex, while spindles and sharp waves were produced by the sensorimotor cortex. The development of focal epileptic activity could be detected as a BOLD signal increase, which preceded the EEG spike activity. The epileptogenic property of sevoflurane used at high concentrations especially during hyperventilation but also during spontaneous breathing together with heart rate increase, was confirmed in healthy children and male. Spike- and polyspike waveforms concentrated in a multifocal manner frontocentrally. / Tiivistelmä Useat anestesia-aineet pystyvät aiheuttamaan aivosähkökäyrän (EEG) purskevaimentuman syvän anestesian aikana. Purskevaimentuma koostuu EEG:n suuriamplitudisten purskeiden sekä vaimentuneen taustatoiminnan vaihtelusta. Kaikkien anestesian syvyyttä mittaavien valvontalaitteiden toiminta perustuu osaltaan EEG:n purskevaimentuman tunnistamiseen. Tämän ilmiön parempi tunteminen on tärkeää anestesiamekanismien ymmärtämiseksi. Tutkimuksen päämääränä oli saada kattavampi käsitys hermoratojen toiminnasta syvässä anestesiassa. Väitöskirjatyö koostuu neljästä prospektiivisesta yhteensä 64 potilaan EEG-rekisteröinnit sisältävästä tutkimuksesta sekä yhdestä kokeellisen epilepsiatutkimuksen koe-eläintyöstä, jossa porsailla käytettiin isofluraanianestesiassa sekä EEG-rekisteröintejä sekä että magneettikuvantamista (fMRI) samanaikaisesti (II). Ensimmäisessä osatyössä tutkittiin keskihermon stimulaation aiheuttamia somatosensorisia herätepotentiaaleja aivokuorella EEG:n purskevaimentumatasolla sevofluraanianestesian aikana. Kolmannessa osatyössä selvitettiin propofolianestesian aiheuttamaa EEG:n purskevaimentumaa kolmelta Parkinsonin tautia sairastavalta potilaalta käyttäen sekä pintaelektrodien että subtalamisen aivotumakkeen syväelektrodien rekisteröintejä. Neljännessä osatyössä tutkittiin EEG:n topografiaa 20:llä terveeellä lapsella indusoimalla anestesia sevofluraanilla. Kaksikymmentä miespotilasta nukutettiin sevofluraanilla ja heidät satunnaistettiin joko kontrolloidun hyperventilaation tai spontaanin hengityksen ryhmiin osatyössä V. EEG-muutoksia sekä niiden yhteyttä verenkiertovasteisiin selviteltiin molemmissa osatöissä IV ja V. Omasta kehosta tuleviin tuntoärsykkeisiin liittyvä somatosensorinen informaatio saavutti aivokuoren myös syvässä EEG:n purskevaimentumatasoisessa anestesiassa. Impulssien jatkokäsittely aivokuorella oli kuitenkin estynyt. EEG:n hidasaaltotoiminta oli synkronista koko aivokuoren alueella, sen sijaan unisukkulat ja terävät aallot paikantuivat sensorimotoriselle aivokuorelle. Paikallisen epileptisen toiminnan kehittyminen oli mahdollista havaita jo ennen piikikkäiden EEG:n aaltomuotojen ilmaantumista edeltävänä BOLD-ilmiöön liittyvänä aivoverenkierron lisääntymisenä. Sevofluraanin epileptogeenisyys varmistui erityisesti hyperventilaation, mutta myös spontaanin hengityksen yhteydessä ja näihin liittyi sykkeen nousu sekä terveillä lapsilla että miehillä. Piikkejä ja monipiikkejä käsittävien aaltomuotojen keskittymistä esiintyi otsalohkon keskialueilla.