La coalescence intervient dans de nombreuses situations physiques, naturelles ou industrielles, de la microphysique des nuages à la stabilité des émulsions ou l’assèchement des pétroles. Dans toutes ces situations, il est crucial de comprendre les mécanismes physiques en jeu, de manière pouvoir influencer la coalescence, la favoriser ou au contraire l’inhiber, selon les besoins. Dans cette thèse, nous étudions la coalescence dans l’air entre deux gouttes attachées et décomposons le processus global en quatre étapes : l’approche avec drainage du film d’air entre les gouttes, le perçage des interfaces, l’ouverture du pont résultant de ce perçage, les oscillations amorties conduisant à l’équilibre de la goutte résultante. Les théories décrivant les étapes 1, 2 et 4 font intervenir des modèles hydrodynamiques continus, se plaçant à une échelle macroscopique. Cependant, à l’articulation entre les deux premières étapes, intervient le perçage des interfaces, processus gouverné par des forces dont la portée correspond à une échelle de quelques dizaines de nanomètres. Une des difficultés les plus importantes dans l’étude de la coalescence est celle de l’intégration des processus ayant lieu à un niveau moléculaire, dans une théorie du continuum dont l’échelle caractéristique est bien supérieure. L’objectif est de faire le lien entre les différentes échelles : y a-t-il des interactions entre les processus se produisant à ces différentes échelles ? Pour répondre à cette question, nous développons trois axes de travail, engageant chacun une échelle caractéristique. L’un est l’étude, au niveau macroscopique du micromètre, de l’ouverture du pont liquide. Grâce à une caméra rapide, plusieurs régimes d’écoulement sont mis en évidence. Les modèles théoriques existants concernent essentiellement le régime visqueux, et aucun modèle complet ne décrit le régime purement inertiel. Nous explorons expérimentalement ce régime et décrivons la forme et la longueur du pont, à l’aide d’ondes capillaires. Nous mettons en évidence l’existence de deux lignes de très forte courbure, que nous appelons singularités, qui naissent sur le lieu de perçage des interfaces et se propagent presque sans déformation de part et d’autre. Ces singularités, conditionnées par la tension superficielle, moteur de la coalescence, façonnent la forme du pont liquide et donc l’écoulement dans ce dernier. Nous proposons un modèle simple d’écoulement inertiel, basé sur la forme du pont liée à ces singularités. Ce modèle permet de mieux comprendre les rôles des forces hydrodynamiques et de la courbure dans l’évolution temporelle de la largeur du pont. Un autre axe est une étude expérimentale par Microscope à Force Atomique, qui permet de décrire les forces responsables de la coalescence à l’échelle nanométrique, les déformations des gouttes intervenant à cette échelle et leur rôle dans la rupture des interfaces. Les mesures de forces entre goutte et flaque, puis entre deux gouttes sont effectuées avec un AFM principalement en mode dynamique de Modulation de Fréquence. Elles permettent de mettre en évidence une distance seuil de déclenchement de l’instabilité hydrodynamique responsable de la coalescence et de mesurer cette distance en fonction des propriétés physiques du liquide et du rayon des gouttes. Un diagramme de coalescence est proposé, qui permet de prévoir la valeur de la distance de déclenchement de la coalescence et le rôle des déformations d’interfaces à l’échelle nanométrique. Enfin, les oscillations du pont liquide, générées par la coalescence, sont étudiées, les modes et fréquences propres sont calculés numériquement par la méthode des éléments finis, puis comparés aux valeurs expérimentales mesurées à partir des films acquis par caméra rapide. / Coalescence is involved in numerous natural or man-made processes, from microphysics of clouds to emulsions stability, or water-crude oil separation processes. In these situations, it is crucial to understand the physics of coalescence of drops or bubbles, in order to influence the phenomenon, to enhance or inhibit the coalescence rate, depending on the needs. In this thesis, we study coalescence in air of two attached drops. We separate the coalescence process into four stages : the approach and drainage of the film between coalescing bodies, the interfaces breaking, the opening of the bridge resulting from this breaking, and the damped oscillations, generated by coalescence, leading to the equilibrium state of the resulting drop. The theoretical description of the stages 1, 2 and 4 are based on continuous hydrodynamic models, at a macroscopic scale. However, the transition between the first two stages is the interfaces break-up, controlled by short range interactions, at a nanometer scale. One of the most difficult issues is the integration of these nanoscale processes into a continuum hydrodynamic theory which length scale is much bigger. The purpose of this work is understand how the phenomenons occurring at the different scales are linked. We first study, at a macroscopic scale, the opening of the liquid bridge between the drops. Thanks to the experimental set-up, involving a high-speed camera, we explore different regimes of flow, by studying the shape and dimensions of the bridge. The existing hydrodynamic models mostly describe the viscous regime, and there exist no complete modeling of the inertial regime. We explore specifically this regime. The bridge shape is described by the mean of capillary waves. We focus on two lines of extremely high curvature on the free surface, that we call singularities, generated in the initial site of interfaces break-up, and propagating merely without deformation towards the extremities of the drops. We propose a model of inertial flow in the opening bridge, whose shape is linked to these "singularities", due to surface tension. This model allows to have a better understanding of the contribution of the hydrodynamic forces and surface tension regarding the time evolution of the length and radius of the bridge. The second area of investigation is a study at a nanometer scale. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is used to measure van der Waals forces between the coalescing bodies and the nanoscale deformations leading to coalescence. We perform force measurements with an AFM, essentially in the Frequency Modulation Mode. Studying the interaction, first between a droplet and a bulk, then between two droplets, we measure the threshold distance below which the coalescence occurs, varying the physical properties of liquids and the drops radius. A coalescence diagram can be built, allowing to predict the threshold distance of coalescence and the part played by the nanoscale deformations in the process. The third point is the study of the weakly damped oscillations of the whole body, induced y coalescence. The eigen frequencies and modes are calculated using the finite elements method, and compared to the experimental results, measured by the mean of the high speed camera.

L'objectif de cette thèse est de mettre en évidence l'influence de la microstructure initiale sur le glissement intergranulaire lors du fluage à haute température d'un superalliage polycristallin à base de nickel. Dans ce but, plusieurs microstructures sont obtenues à partir de la microstructure de référence de l'alliage NR6, par application de traitements thermiques spécifiques. L'influence des paramètres microstructuraux sur les déformations locales est ensuite étudiée à l'aide d'une technique de microextensométrie couplée à une analyse par diffraction des électrons rétrodiffusés. Il est ainsi possible de relier microstructure, déformations locales et comportement macroscopique en fluage. Pour la microstructure de référence de l'alliage NR6, la déformation opère principalement par cisaillement des phases γ et γ'. Ce mécanisme est favorable au glissement intergranulaire. L'absence de précipités tertiaires de phase γ' favorise le contournement des précipités secondaires par les dislocations. Ceci permet de réduire le glissement intergranulaire mais est également néfaste pour la résistance à la déformation de l'alliage. La présence de joints de grains dentelés augmente la résistance au glissement intergranulaire mais diminue la résistance à la déformation intragranulaire en favorisant le contournement des précipités. Ainsi la résistance globale à la déformation n'est pas affectée. Enfin, l'augmentation de la taille de grains n'a d'influence ni sur les mécanismes de déformation mis en jeu ni sur l'amplitude du glissement. Cependant, la fraction moins élevée de joints de grains induit une diminution de la contribution du glissement intergranulaire à la déformation globale. / The aim of this study is to highlight the influence of initial microstructure on grain boundary sliding during high-temperature creep of a polycrystalline nickel-based superalloy. To reach this goal, several microstructures are produced from the reference microstructure of NR6 alloy by adequate heat treatments. The influence of microstructural parameters on local deformations is then studied thanks to a microextensometry technique coupled with an electron back-scattered diffraction analysis. It thereby enables linking microstructure, local deformations and macroscopic creep behaviour. In the case of NR6 alloy reference microstructure, deformation occurs mainly by γ and γ' phases cutting by dislocations. This mechanism is grain boundary sliding-favourable. The absence of tertiary γ' phase precipitates promotes secondary precipitates bypassing by dislocations. This results in a reduction of grain boundary sliding but is also harmful to the alloy creep resistance. Grain boundary serration improves grain boundary sliding resistance but diminishes intragranular deformation resistance by favouring precipitate bypassing. Then global deformation resistance is not changed. Finally, grain size increase has influence neither on activated deformation mechanisms nor on sliding amplitude. However, the decrease of grain boundary fraction leads to a reduction of grain boundary sliding contribution to overall strain.

CNPq / Materiais tixotrópicos possuem aplicações industriais economicamente importantes. Modelos constitutivos descrevendo seu comportamento, propostos recentemente, são formulados por meio de um sistema acoplado de duas equações: equação constitutiva (baseada em modelos viscoelásticos clássicos) e a equação de taxa (que descreve a evolução microestrutural do material). O módulo de cisalhamento e o(s) coeficiente(s) de viscosidade são considerados, nesta classe de modelos, funções do parâmetro estrutural. As expressões utilizadas para tais funções são definidas satisfazendo limites assintóticos, de tal forma que o modelo seja fisicamente consistente. Entretanto, não há consenso quanto a forma em que as expressões são formuladas. Objetivou-se determinar o formato da função associada ao módulo de cisalhamento, a partir de dados de testes reológicos, utilizando um modelo de Jeffreys modificado. A obtenção da expressão do módulo de cisalhamento foi definida como um problema inverso e, portanto, a teoria e algumas estratégias associadas foram discutidas. Utilizou-se uma estrutura multiobjetiva juntamente com o método de regularização de Tikhonov e o critério de escolha de parâmetro curva L, para a obtenção de soluções de problemas mal-postos associados. Os algoritmos formalizados no trabalho foram implementados por meio de um código desenvolvido no MATLAB. Como resultados, uma nova proposta para a função associada ao módulo de cisalhamento foi obtida e os parâmetros associados ao modelo constituído desta nova proposta foram ajustados a dados de testes reológicos. / Thixotropic materials have economically important industrial applications. Recently proposed constitutive models describing its behavior are formulated by means of a two coupled equations system: the constitutive equation (based on viscoelastic classic models) and the rate equation (in which the microstructural evolution is described). The shear modulus and the viscosity coefficient(s) are considered, in such a class of models, as functions of the structural parameter. The expressions used for such functions are defined by satisfying some asymptotic limits, in a way that the model is physically consistent. However, there is no agreement as to the form in which the expressions are formulated. It is aimed to determine the form of shear modulus function, from rheological tests data, using a modified Jeffreys model. The obtainment of an expression for the shear modulus function is defined as an inverse problem and therefore the theory and some strategies associated were discussed. It is used a multi-objective framework together with the Tikhonov regularization method and the L-curve parameter-choice criterion in order to get the solution for associated ill-posed problems. The algorithms formalized throughout the work were implemented through a MATLAB developed code. As results, a new proposal for the shear modulus function were obtained and the parameters associated with the model constituted of this new proposal are fitted to rheological tests data.

CNPq / Materiais tixotrópicos possuem aplicações industriais economicamente importantes. Modelos constitutivos descrevendo seu comportamento, propostos recentemente, são formulados por meio de um sistema acoplado de duas equações: equação constitutiva (baseada em modelos viscoelásticos clássicos) e a equação de taxa (que descreve a evolução microestrutural do material). O módulo de cisalhamento e o(s) coeficiente(s) de viscosidade são considerados, nesta classe de modelos, funções do parâmetro estrutural. As expressões utilizadas para tais funções são definidas satisfazendo limites assintóticos, de tal forma que o modelo seja fisicamente consistente. Entretanto, não há consenso quanto a forma em que as expressões são formuladas. Objetivou-se determinar o formato da função associada ao módulo de cisalhamento, a partir de dados de testes reológicos, utilizando um modelo de Jeffreys modificado. A obtenção da expressão do módulo de cisalhamento foi definida como um problema inverso e, portanto, a teoria e algumas estratégias associadas foram discutidas. Utilizou-se uma estrutura multiobjetiva juntamente com o método de regularização de Tikhonov e o critério de escolha de parâmetro curva L, para a obtenção de soluções de problemas mal-postos associados. Os algoritmos formalizados no trabalho foram implementados por meio de um código desenvolvido no MATLAB. Como resultados, uma nova proposta para a função associada ao módulo de cisalhamento foi obtida e os parâmetros associados ao modelo constituído desta nova proposta foram ajustados a dados de testes reológicos. / Thixotropic materials have economically important industrial applications. Recently proposed constitutive models describing its behavior are formulated by means of a two coupled equations system: the constitutive equation (based on viscoelastic classic models) and the rate equation (in which the microstructural evolution is described). The shear modulus and the viscosity coefficient(s) are considered, in such a class of models, as functions of the structural parameter. The expressions used for such functions are defined by satisfying some asymptotic limits, in a way that the model is physically consistent. However, there is no agreement as to the form in which the expressions are formulated. It is aimed to determine the form of shear modulus function, from rheological tests data, using a modified Jeffreys model. The obtainment of an expression for the shear modulus function is defined as an inverse problem and therefore the theory and some strategies associated were discussed. It is used a multi-objective framework together with the Tikhonov regularization method and the L-curve parameter-choice criterion in order to get the solution for associated ill-posed problems. The algorithms formalized throughout the work were implemented through a MATLAB developed code. As results, a new proposal for the shear modulus function were obtained and the parameters associated with the model constituted of this new proposal are fitted to rheological tests data.

Neste trabalho estudou-se o reforço de vigas T de concreto armado tanto por meio de adição de armadura longitudinal ao bordo tracionado envolvida por um material compósito (argamassa com fibras curtas de aço), quanto pela aplicação de uma capa de pequena espessura de microconcreto de alta resistência ao bordo comprimido. Para estudar as possibilidades da aplicação prática destas duas técnicas de reforço avaliou-se o comportamento das vigas reabilitadas verificando a influência: da atuação de um pré-carregamento durante a execução do reforço, das deformações diferidas diferenciais (fluência e retração) existentes entre os materiais novos e antigos e, dos mecanismos de resistência mobilizados na transmissão de esforços na junta - formada pela ligação do substrato ao concreto do reforço - ou entre as barras de aço tracionadas preexistentes e adicionadas em função da ausência de estribos envolvendo-as. Para redimensionar as peças reforçadas no bordo tracionado foram realizados ensaios complementares para identificar, dentre as várias fibras disponíveis comercialmente, qual a que proporcionaria ao material compósito, um confinamento suficiente que evitasse a ruptura prematura da viga pela tendência de deslizamento relativo entre as barras de aço tracionadas devida à ausência de estribos neste local. Para redimensionar as peças reforçadas no bordo comprimido realizou-se ensaios complementares para determinar as propriedades viscoelásticas dos materiais usados no substrato e no reforço, tornando possível estimar as descontinuidades geradas nos estados de tensão e deformação ao longo do tempo já que tais materiais são moldados e submetidos a carregamentos em idades distintas. Os resultados dos ensaios das vigas reforçadas de seção T foram analisados e comparados com previsões teóricas feitas a partir da adaptação de métodos analíticos convencionais recomendados por norma para estruturas novas, e a partir de simulações numéricas usando um programa computacional baseado no método dos elementos finitos. Do estudo realizado foi possível: comprovar a eficiência das técnicas de reforço propostas estando as peças submetidas ou não a um pré-carregamento durante a execução da intervenção, compatibilizar alguns dos conhecimentos teóricos existentes a fim de poder usá-los na análise teórica das vigas reabilitadas, além de reunir uma série de informações úteis que podem ser exploradas na definição de estratégias e procedimentos de projeto de estruturas reabilitadas semelhantes / This paper reports on the results of a study about the behavior of reinforced concrete T-beams rehabilitated using two different techniques. The first technique consists of the addition of longitudinal reinforcement embedded in a steel fiber reinforced highperformance mortar at the bottom face of the member. The second technique consists of rehabilitation by adding a thin overlay of high-strength concrete to the compression zone. The parameters analyzed to verify the possibilities of practical applications of these techniques were: the effect of a pre-loading acting on the beams during their rehabilitation, the differential time-dependent deformations (creep and shrinkage) between the new concrete and existing base, the mechanisms of resistance mobilized along the interface formed by old and new concrete or between pre-existent steel bars and added steel bars that are not involved by stirrups. Previous tests were carried out to make it possible to redesign the intervention adequately. Theses tests yield useful information about which type and volume of steel fibers need to be added to composite mortar to avoid the premature rupture of the strengthened beam caused by relative slipping between the layers of steel tensioned bars. These tests also give information about the viscoelastic properties of the materials used to manufacture the T-beams. The test results were analyzed and compared with the results of analytic models and numeric models based on the method of the finite elements. Based on this study, it can be stated that the proposed techniques are really efficient even if the beams are submitted to a pre-loading during the process of rehabilitation. Also, existing theoretical knowledge was organized to support the theoretical analysis of the rehabilitated beams, besides gathering useful information that can be explored in the definition of strategies and procedures of similar projects of rehabilitated structures

Abstract The use of 3D imaging of craniofacial soft tissue has increased in medical science, and imaging technology has been developed greatly in recent years. 3D models are quite accurate and with imaging devices based on stereophotogrammetry, capturing the data is a quick and easy operation for the subject. However, analyzing 3D models of the face or head can be challenging and there is a growing need for efficient quantitative methods. In this thesis, new mathematical methods and tools for measuring craniofacial structures are developed. The thesis is divided into three parts. In the first part, facial 3D data of Lithuanian twins are used for the determination of zygosity. Statistical pattern recognition methodology is used for classification and the results are compared with DNA testing. In the second part of the thesis, the distribution of surface normal vector directions of a 3D infant head model is used to analyze skull deformation. The level of flatness and asymmetry are quantified by functionals of the kernel density estimate of the normal vector directions. Using 3D models from infants at the age of three months and clinical ratings made by experts, this novel method is compared with some previously suggested approaches. The method is also applied to clinical longitudinal research in which 3D images from three different time points are analyzed to find the course of positional cranial deformation and associated risk factors. The final part of the thesis introduces a novel statistical scale space method, SphereSiZer, for exploring the structures of a probability density function defined on the unit sphere. The tools developed in the second part are used for the implementation of SphereSiZer. In SphereSiZer, the scale-dependent features of the density are visualized by projecting the statistically significant gradients onto a planar contour plot of the density function. The method is tested by analyzing samples of surface unit normal vector data of an infant head as well as data from generated simulated spherical densities. The results and examples of the study show that the proposed novel methods perform well. The methods can be extended and developed in further studies. Cranial and facial 3D models will offer many opportunities for the development of new and sophisticated analytical methods in the future. / Tiivistelmä Pään ja kasvojen pehmytkudoksen 3D-kuvantaminen on yleistynyt lääketieteessä, ja siihen tarvittava teknologia on kehittynyt huomattavasti viime vuosina. 3D-mallit ovat melko tarkkoja, ja kuvaus stereofotogrammetriaan perustuvalla laitteella on nopea ja helppo tilanne kuvattavalle. Kasvojen ja pään 3D-mallien analysointi voi kuitenkin olla haastavaa, ja tarve tehokkaille kvantitatiivisille menetelmille on kasvanut. Tässä väitöskirjassa kehitetään uusia matemaattisia kraniofakiaalisten rakenteiden mittausmenetelmiä ja -työkaluja. Työ on jaettu kolmeen osaan. Ensimmäisessä osassa pyritään määrittämään liettualaisten kaksosten tsygositeetti kasvojen 3D-datan perusteella. Luokituksessa hyödynnetään tilastollista hahmontunnistusta, ja tuloksia verrataan DNA-testituloksiin. Toisessa osassa analysoidaan pään epämuodostumia imeväisikäisten päiden 3D-kuvista laskettujen pintanormaalivektorien suuntiin perustuvan jakauman avulla. Tasaisuuden ja epäsymmetrian määrää mitataan normaalivektorien suuntakulmien ydinestimaatin funktionaalien avulla. Kehitettyä menetelmää verrataan joihinkin aiemmin ehdotettuihin lähestymistapoihin mittaamalla kolmen kuukauden ikäisten imeväisten 3D-malleja ja tarkastelemalla asiantuntijoiden tekemiä kliinisiä pisteytyksiä. Menetelmää sovelletaan myös kliiniseen pitkittäistutkimukseen, jossa tutkitaan pään epämuodostumien ja niihin liittyvien riskitekijöiden kehitystä kolmena eri ajankohtana otettujen 3D-kuvien perusteella. Viimeisessä osassa esitellään uusi tilastollinen skaala-avaruusmenetelmä SphereSiZer, jolla tutkitaan yksikköpallon tiheysfunktion rakenteita. Toisessa osassa kehitettyjä työkaluja sovelletaan SphereSiZerin toteutukseen. SphereSiZer-menetelmässä tiheysfunktion eri skaalojen piirteet visualisoidaan projisoimalla tilastollisesti merkitsevät gradientit tiheysfunktiota kuvaavalle isoviivakartalle. Menetelmää sovelletaan imeväisikäisen pään pintanormaalivektoridataan ja simuloituihin, pallotiheysfunktioihin perustuviin otoksiin. Tulosten ja esimerkkien perusteella väitöskirjassa esitetyt uudet menetelmät toimivat hyvin. Menetelmiä voidaan myös kehittää edelleen ja laajentaa jatkotutkimuksissa. Pään ja kasvojen 3D-mallit tarjoavat paljon mahdollisuuksia uusien ja laadukkaiden analyysityökalujen kehitykseen myöhemmissä tutkimuksissa.

Abstract The recommendation for infants to sleep supine has decreased the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome by more than a half, but as another consequence, a dramatic rise has been observed in the incidence of acquired cranial asymmetry (deformational plagiocephaly, DP). According to recent data, almost half of otherwise healthy infants are affected by some degree of DP at 7 to 12 weeks of age, and especially in the USA and some Central European countries, major effort is put into treatment of severe DP. However, little is known of the prognosis of DP in the absence of intervention, and although primary preventive strategies are often recommended, a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of such measures persists. Furthermore, although 3D imaging is nowadays frequently used on infants with DP, no data is available on the accuracy of the measurements used to quantify cranial asymmetry. In the present study, the efficacy of a primary preventive program in reducing the incidence of DP was tested in a randomized, controlled trial. The course of DP in the absence of active treatment was studied throughout the first year of life, and factors impacting the prognosis of DP were investigated. The diagnostic accuracy of four 3D stereophotogrammetry-based measurements was also analyzed and compared, with a goal of determining their optimal cut-off values for DP. DP was less prevalent and less severe in the intervention group infants at the end of the RCT (3 months). The point prevalence of DP peaked at 3 months, whereafter spontaneous improvement in DP was seen throughout the follow-up period until 12 months of age. A preferential infant head position at 3 months was the strongest predictor of a subsequently unfavorable course of DP. Cranial asymmetry seen at birth was transient, and none of the older infants with torticollis had presented neck imbalance at birth, but rather appeared to develop the condition postnatally concomitantly with DP. Although all studied asymmetry-related measurements performed well regarding diagnostic accuracy, OCLR produced the most accurate classification of DP. In conclusion, primary preventive guidelines would likely aid in reducing the burden from both DP itself and associated healthcare costs, although substantial spontaneous improvement from DP can usually be expected. The cut-off values defined for the asymmetry-related measurements have clinical implication in both making the diagnosis of DP and determining the target outcomes for treatment. / Tiivistelmä Imeväisten nukuttaminen selällään on vähentänyt kätkytkuolemien määrää alle puoleen aiemmasta, mutta käytäntö on myös huomattavasti lisännyt asentoperäisen, ei-synostoottisen vinokalloisuuden esiintyvyyttä; tuoreen tutkimustiedon mukaan jopa lähes joka toisella imeväisellä on nähtävissä jonkinasteista asentovinokalloisuutta 7–12 viikon iässä. Etenkin USA:ssa ja muutamissa Keski-Euroopan maissa vaikea-asteista asentovinokalloisuutta hoidetaan aktiivisesti kypäräortoosein, mutta samanaikaisesti tietämys tilan luonnollisesta kulusta on vähäistä. Vaikka riskitekijöitä tunnetaan ja ehkäiseviä toimenpiteitä usein suositellaan, ei niiden tehosta ole juuri näyttöä. Nykyään 3D-pintakuvantamista käytetään usein vinokalloisten imeväisten seurannassa, mutta epäsymmetrian mittaamiseen käytettyjen muuttujien osuvuudesta ei ole tietoa. Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli selvittää vastasyntyneiden vanhemmille annettavan vauvan käsittelyohjeistuksen vaikutusta asentovinokalloisuuden ilmaantuvuuteen satunnaistetussa, kontrolloidussa asetelmassa. Lisäksi pitkäaikaisseurannassa kartoitettiin asentovinokalloisuuden luonnollista kulkua ja ennusteeseen vaikuttavia tekijöitä suomalaisilla imeväisillä. Tutkimuksessa myös analysoitiin ja vertailtiin 3D-kuvista laskettavien epäsymmetriaa mittaavien muuttujien diagnostista osuvuutta. Käsittelyohjeita saaneiden lapsilla oli 3 kuukauden iässä merkittävästi vähemmän asentovinokalloisuutta ja kalloasymmetria oli lievempää kuin verrokkiryhmässä. Asentovinokalloisuuden esiintyvyys oli korkeimmillaan juuri 3 kuukauden iässä, jonka jälkeen merkittävää spontaania palautumista oli havaittavissa koko 12 kuukauden ikään jatkuneen seurannan ajan. Vastasyntyneillä nähty kalloasymmetria oli puolestaan ohimenevää, eikä myöskään vastasyntyneenä dokumentoitu kaulan liikerajoitus lisännyt myöhemmän vinokalloisuuden riskiä, vaan vinokalloisilla usein tavattava torticollis (kierokaula) näytti kehittyvän ensimmäisten elinviikkojen aikana yhdessä vinokalloisuuden kanssa. 3 kuukauden iässä havaittu imeväisen halu pitää päätään aina samaan suuntaan käännettynä oli yhteydessä kalloasymmetrian huonompaan spontaaniin palautumiseen. Tutkituista epäsymmetriaa mittaavista muuttujista OCLR erotteli vinokalloiset parhaiten. Yhteenvetona voidaan todeta, että ennaltaehkäisevä ohjeistus voisi vähentää vinokalloisuutta ja siitä aiheutuvia hoitokuluja kustannustehokkaasti, mutta vinokalloisuudelta on lupa odottaa myös merkittävää spontaania palautumista. Tutkimuksessa määritellyillä epäsymmetriaa mittaavien muuttujien raja-arvoilla on käyttöä sekä diagnostiikan että hoidon tavoitteiden määrittelemisen saroilla.

Dans ce travail, le concept d'approche mini-invasive est décrit dans sa globalité. Pour les chirurgiens pédiatres le concept a été analysé de manière systématique en répondant aux problématiques cliniques des patients dans tous les champs d'application. La somme de ce travail a le tour de force de répondre à toutes les grandes questions qui ont été posées lors des premiers temps de la coelioscopie pédiatrique, mais aussi de répondre, pour les plus récents, à des interrogations concernant les perspectives. Cette Thèse a donc pour objectif de développer l'évolution de la vidéochirurgie chez l'enfant et de mettre en valeur certaines applications que nous avons travaillées dans les différents domaines de la coelioscopie pédiatrique : tout d'abord dans la tolérance et la sécurité de la vidéochirurgie; puis ses applications en Chirurgie Digestive et Thoracique, en Rétropéritonéoscopie, en Oncologie et en Urologie ; mais aussi ses applications dans des techniques avancées de chirurgie néonatale ainsi que l'introduction de techniques encore moins invasives comme la chirurgie assistée par aimant ou des techniques non opératoires utilisées dans le traitement de certaines malformations de la paroi thoracique, en démontrant leurs bénéfices et leur efficacité / In this work, the concept of minimal invasive approach is described in its entirety. For pediatric surgeons, the concept was analyzed systematically meeting the clinical problems of patients in all fields of application. The result of this work is to answer all the big questions that were asked during the early days of the pediatric laparoscopy but also to respond to the latest questions about the perspectives. The goal of this thesis is to describe the evolution of laparoscopy in pediatric, and to report some applications. We have worked in several fields such as: Tolerance and safety of laparoscopy in advanced neonatal surgery, and its applications in Digestive Surgery, Thoracic, Retroperitoneoscopy, Oncology and Urology. This also introduces the use of less invasive techniques, such as magnet-assisted surgery of non-operative techniques in the correction on chest wall deformities, demonstrating their efficacity and efficiency

The goal of this thesis is to develop a hybrid _nite element formulation to carry out stress analysis of arteries. To the best of our knowledge, a hybrid _nite element impel mentation of the Holzapfel-Ogden artery model has not been carried out before. Since arteries are thin `shell-type' structures, they are subjected to membrane, shear and volumetric locking in case when standard _nite elements are used. Since hybrid _nite elements are known to overcome these problems, we develop hybrid hexahedral element formulations (both lower and higher-order) for artery analysis. We demonstrate The better coarse mesh accuracy of hybrid elements, which are based on a two-_eld variational formulation, over conventional displacement based elements. Typically, wend that three or four extra levels of renement are required with conventional elements to achieve the ame accuracy as hybrid elements. The recently proposed Holzapfel-Ogden constitutive model for the artery and its implementation both within the conventional and hybrid _nite element frameworks is discussed. The numerical implementation is particularly challenging due to the presence of _bers which can only take tensile loads. The mathematically exact tangent stiness matrix that we have derived in this work is crucial in ensuring convergence of the numerical strategy.

This dissertation desribes the behavior of cellulose fiber reinforced concrete. In the theoretical section one can find basic information on cellulose fiber and its methods of production and usage in concrete structures. One can find the information about the effect of high temperature on the mechanical and physical attributes of cellulose fiber reinforced concrete, and also a comparison with other fibers used in concrete based on the research done using scientific literature. Furthermore the details about particular cellulose fibers are provided. In the experimental section the formulas for CHRYSO and GREENCEL concrete are designed. The influence of the addition of various types of cellulose fibers into both liquid and solid states of concrete was researched. Tests were also done on the effect of high temperatures (600 °C and 800 °C) on the firmness and densitiy of concrete, its deformations and visual changes. Furthermore, the resistance of cellulose fibers was monitored by monitoring the development of the pH environment (from pH 4 to pH 12) with long-term deposition of different types of cellulose fibers in these environments.