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<p>Salivary cortisol and electrocardiogram data was collected at baseline and after a stress-anticipation task in extremely low birth weight (ELBW; < 1000 grams) survivors and normal birth weight (NBW) controls, in order to examine the moderating influence of emotion regulation on the relationship between being born at ELBW and internalizing problems in adulthood. The stress manipulation was an adapted Trier Social Stress Task. The participants were told they would have three minutes to create a speech on one of three predetermined topics (i.e., gun control, same sex marriage, or abortion). After three minutes passed, the particpants were told that there would be no speech. All participants showed a decrease in salivary cortisol levels throughout the day, and an increase in heart rate during the stress anticipation task. When a median split was used to create high and low stress reactive cortisol and heart rate groups, an interaction was found between birth status (ELBW vs. NBW) and group (High vs. Low Stress Reactive Cortisol) on self-reported internalizing problems (anxiety, depression, withdrawal). Those born at ELBW who had high stress reactive cortisol self-reported significantly higher levels of internalizing problems compared to ELBWs with low stress reactive cortisol. Those born at NBW did not differ on self-reported internalizing problems based on their stress reactive cortisol levels. When the moderating effect was probed with a linear regression analysis, the ELBW group was driving the relation between stress reactive cortisol levels and internalizing problems. Taken together, the results suggest that emotion regulation, as indexed by the neuroendocrine system, is moderating the relation between being born at ELBW and internalizing problems in adulthood. This is indicative of a differential susceptibility of risk and resilency in ELBW survivors depending on their ability to regulate their emotions, specifically during periods of stress.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)

Mechanical instabilities such as wrinkling and buckling-driven delamination in thin film-substrate systems have historically been considered as one of structural failure mechanisms, which should be avoided. The past decade has witnesssed rapid growth in harnessing such surface instabilities for a wide range of tunable surface related properties and functionalities, especially in soft materials on small scales. Compared to extensively studied wrinkling on soft substrates and localized buckling driven delamination on stiff substrates, the fundamental mechanics underpinning ordered buckle-delamination on soft substrate over large area and its guidance for potential implications in engineering innovation remain largely to be explored. This thesis aims to partially bridging such a knowledge gap. In this thesis, I exploit how to generate the controllable and globally periodic delaminated buckling patterns in thin films on highly prestrained elastomeric substrates, and then explore the fundamental mechanics of this spontaneous extreme buckling driven periodic delamination, as well as its implications in design of extremely stretchable electronics and interfacial mechanical properties measurement. Compared to wrinkling, one of the benefits of extremely buckling driven delamination is the extraordinarily high aspect ratio of buckles. The large surface roughness and high local curvature could potentially enable extreme surface topographies related properties, such as adhesion, wetting, friction, and optics, as well as augment the extreme stretchability in stretchable optical and electronic devices. In the aim of harnessing this extreme buckling driven delamination, I first explore the formation and evolution of extraordinarily high-aspect-ratio delaminated buckles of thin films on 400% pre-strained elastomers, as well as uncovered the underlying deformation mechanism through combining quantitative theoretical analysis and experimental and numerical approaches. A theoretical framework is developed to describe the formation and evolution process of periodic delaminated buckles, which includes three deformation stages, i.e. onset of localized blisters (Stage I), growth and propagation of delamination (Stage II), and post-buckling after delamination arrest (Stage III). I show that under extreme large compressive strain, the profile of periodic blisters changes from sinusoidal shape to jig-saw-like shape with relative high aspect ratio, which have potential applications for design of extremely stretchable electronics. Equipped with the fundamental mechanics of buckle-delamination in thin films, I then exploit harnessing the spontaneous buckling driven periodic delamination to achieve high stretchability in both metal and silicon films. Experimentally I observe periodic buckle-delaminated patterns over large area, accompanied by highly ordered transversely cracking patterns, which can be theoretically predicted by simple crack fragments model. I hypothesize that when the width of ribbons is set to be equal or smaller than the theoretically predicted crack fragment width, there would be no cracking fragmentation. This criteria for designing crack-free micro-ribbons is further validated by related experiments. Guided by the validated criteria, I successfully design crack-free and spontaneous delaminated ribbons on highly prestrained elastomer substrates, which provides a high stretchability of about 120% and 400% in Si and Au ribbons, respectively. I further extend the buckling instability-based metrology to systematically measure the mechanical properties of 2D organic conjugated polymer nano-films, which have tremendous promising applications in organic integrated circuits, solar cells, and stretchable devices. I develop a new fabrication strategy to generate buckle-delaminated free-standing organic conjugated polymeric (P3BT/C60) nanosheets. Through both experiments and theoretical analysis, I show that the free-standing buckle-delaminated organic P3BT/C60 nanosheets have significant advantages over the traditional spin-coated wrinkled nanosheets, including the enhanced mechanical properties, a higher level of stretchability with lower electrical resistance, and a wider range of controllable wettability modulation. / Mechanical Engineering

Background Modern neonatal care has improved the survival rate of extremely preterm infants. These infants are at high risk of malnutrition and growth failure during 3-4 months of hospital care. The objectives of this study was to investigate nutritional intakes during hospitalization and explore associations between nutritional intakes, postnatal growth and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Perioperative nutrition in infants undergoing surgery for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was also investigated. Methods This is a population-based study of Swedish extremely preterm infants (&lt;27 weeks) born during 2004-2007 (n=602). Detailed data on nutritional supply and anthropometric measurements during hospitalization were retrospectively retrieved from hospital records. Comprehensive data on cohort characteristics, neonatal morbidity and infant mortality were obtained from the Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study (EXPRESS). Results During the first 70 days of life, intakes of energy, protein and several micronutrients, with the exception of iron and some vitamins, were less than estimated requirements, and infants showed severe postnatal growth failure. Energy and protein intake predicted growth in all anthropometric outcomes even when adjusting for severity of illness, and fat intake was positively associated with head growth. Low folate intake was positively correlated with poor weight and length gain while high iron intake, mainly explained by blood transfusions, was negatively associated with poor length gain. Furthermore, a low energy intake was associated with severe ROP (stage 3-5). An increased energy intake of 10 kcal/kg/d was associated with 24% decrease in severe ROP (p=0.01). During the first month, 99% of the infants were exclusively fed human milk. Infants who underwent surgery for PDA (n=140) were malnourished, with energy and macronutrient intakes below minimum estimated requirements before, during and after surgery. Conclusions The severe postnatal growth failure observed in Swedish extremely preterm infants may be prevented by improved intakes of energy, protein, fat and folate and a reduction of the number of blood transfusions. Human milk is the main enteral food source and analyses of human milk macronutrient contents facilitates individualized fortification. Provision of adequate energy intakes during the first four weeks of life may be an effective way to reduce the risk of severe ROP. Perioperative nutrition in infants undergoing PDA surgery needs to be improved. The study results have important implications for nutritional regimens, postnatal growth and health outcome in this new generation of survivors.

This study employed multiple assessments, including sleep/resting waking EEG (visual scoring and power spectral analysis) and psychomotor vigilance task, to access effects of varying pulse-modulated microwaves (such as: 'talk', 'listen' and 'standby' mode signals) emitted from a standard mobile phone. The idea was prompted by a finding that the pulse modulation frequencies of mobile phone signals correspond to the frequencies of brain delta and alpha waves. Thereby it is possible the brain is able to recognize and respond to the low-frequency components of the mobile phone signals. Supporting evidence comes from repetitively reported EEG alpha and spindle effects of the 2, 8 and 217-Hz pulsed microwave exposure. Furthermore, brain imaging (EEG and PET) studies reveal 'low-frequency pulse-modulated waves' rather than the 'microwave frequency carrier waves' is the sine qua non for inducing these brain physiological effects [Huber et al., 2002, 2005; Regel et al., 2007a]. On the other hand, recent converging evidence, from molecular, behavioural and electrophysiological level, have shown that brain plasticity is a continuous process from waking to sleep and, sleep, a well-defined physiological condition, is 'shaped' by the waking experiences. The latter findings suggest certain sleep EEG features may characterize levels of cortical plasticity during wakefulness. The work presented in this thesis was inspired by these studies and aimed to understand how the real mobile phone signals with different low-frequency pulsing components [such as 'talk' (8, 217 Hz pulsed), 'listen' (2, 8, 217 Hz pulsed) and 'stand by' mode < 2 Hz pulsed)] change human brain electrical activities from waking to sleep. We approached this question based on EEG analysis in two domains: (1) EEG visual scoring; (2) EEG spectral analysis from relaxed waking to the deeper stages of non-NREM sleep. We also looked at the effects on the psychomotor vigilance performance. Results suggest 'talk' and 'Iisten/standby' modes have inverse effects on the distinctive thalamo-cortical oscillation modes and may thus impart inverse effects on their sleep structures. The implications of this study are of practical importance as it suggests the thalamo-cortical oscillations can be modulated by synchronizing rTMS/tDCS/DBS and sleeplwaking EEG. This concept may be applied to modulate the brain oscillation modes for enhancing sleep-dependent brain plastiCity or information processing.

The Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer (KPIC) is a cost-effective upgrade path to the W.M. Keck observatory (WMKO) adaptive optics (AO) system, building on the lessons learned from first and second-generation extreme AO (ExA0) coronagraphs. KPIC will explore new scientific niches in exoplanet science, while maturing critical technologies and systems for future ground-based (TMT, FELT, GMT) and space-based planet imagers (HabEx, LUVOIR). The advent of fast low-noise IR cameras (IR-APD, MKIDS, electron injectors), the rapid maturing of efficient wavefront sensing (WFS) techniques (Pyramid, Zernike), small inner working angle (IWA) coronagraphs (e.g., vortex) and associated low-order wavefront sensors (LOWFS), as well as recent breakthroughs in high contrast high resolution spectroscopy, open new direct exoplanet exploration avenues that are complementary to planet imagers such as VLT-SPHERE and the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI). For instance, the search and detailed characterization of planetary systems on solar-system scales around late-type stars, mostly beyond SPHERE and GPI's reaches, can be initiated now at WMKO.

This essay examines Jonathan Safran Foer’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close through an application of a theoretical framework of trauma studies, aiming to showcase the elements of personal trauma displayed in the novel. Moreover, it wishes to discern the mental and physical sufferings and working through of the trauma through a thematic analysis aimed at the concepts of loss, vicarious trauma and isolation. The study’s results indicate that trauma is inexplicably linked to the individual, demonstrating that prior trauma has a substantial impact on how one deals with more recent trauma. They also suggest that it is impossible to distinguish between first-hand trauma and second-hand trauma, instead focusing on the term vicarious trauma to describe the elements of personal trauma in a better way. Although Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a work of fiction, this essay argues that it is valid in its portraying of trauma as it showcases the complex nature of trauma and its different aspects. In terms of the pedagogical implications of trauma, the essay suggests ways in which one can utilize and address fictional works in the Swedish EFL classroom supported by suggestions articulated by the Swedish National Agency for Education. It is done by raising students’ awareness for the elements of personal trauma, while at the same time improving their all-round communicative skills enabling them to discuss these issues at length.

A extrêmement hautes fréquences, les applications électroniques vont être confrontées à des challenges liés à la réduction des dimensions et la compacité des systèmes. Les limites physiques des matériaux conventionnels étant atteintes, de nouvelles alternatives sont nécessaires dans le domaine du nano-packaging. De nouveaux matériaux ont été étudiés pour remplacer les matériaux conventionnels. Parmi eux, le nanotube de carbone démontre une excellente conductivité électrique et thermique ainsi qu’une résistance physique extraordinaire. Il est donc un candidat de choix pour des applications comme les interconnexions, l’évacuation de chaleur, le blindage électromagnétique ou encore le renforcement structurel. Autant de points capitaux pour le nano-packaging moderne. Dans ce manuscrit, les nanotubes de carbone vont être étudiés en profondeur pour réaffirmer leurs propriétés électroniques et thermiques hors du commun. Nous nous concentrerons ensuite sur l’étude de deux types d’interconnexions à base de nanotubes de carbone : des interconnexions à base de plot en nanotubes de carbone utilisant la technologie Flip-Chip et des interconnexions sans-fil à base de monopole composé de nanotubes de carbone. Enfin, nous étudierons la possibilité de créer des composants passifs Radio-Fréquence à l’aide de structures en nanotubes de carbone. De nouvelles méthodes de fabrication des structures en CNT ont été utilisées au cours de ces travaux de thèse afin d’obtenir une compatibilité avec les technologies CMOS. / At extremely high frequency, electronic applications will have to challenge problems born from the size reduction and compactification of the systems. Physical limits of conventional materials will be reached and so new alternatives are necessary in the nano-packaging field. New materials have been studied to replace conventional materials. Among them, carbon nanotubes have shown extremely high electrical and thermal conductivity as well as extraordinary physical resistance. And so carbon nanotubes are a good candidate for applications such as interconnects, thermal management, electromagnetic shielding or structural reinforcement. All of those applications are capital for modern nano-packaging. In this manuscript, carbon nanotubes will be studied in depths to demonstrate again their incredible electronic and thermal properties. We will then focus on the study of two types of carbon nanotubes based interconnects: carbon nanotubes bumps based interconnects for Flip-Chip applications and wireless interconnects based on carbon nanotubes monopole antenna. Finally, we will study the possibility of creating passive RF components using carbon nanotubes structures. New ways of fabricating the carbon nanotubes structure were used in order to get a fabrication process of the prototype completely compatible with CMOS technologies.

Darbe atlikta teorinė žemesniųjų lavinamųjų klasių mokinių psichosocialinės raidos, veiklos ypatumų, veiklos priemonių – žaislų bei elektronikos ugdymo svarbos ir turinio parinkimo ypatumų analizė. Iškelta hipotezė, kad mokinių gebėjimas saugiai eksploatuoti jų aplinkoje sutinkamus elektroninius prietaisus bei prietaisus su elektronikos elementais sudaro optimalias prielaidas vaikų psichosocialinei raidai, o dažniausiai vaikų aplinkoje sutinkami elektroniniai daiktai yra žaislai bei buitiniai prietaisai. Anketinės apklausos metodu buvo atliktas tyrimas, kurio tikslas - ištirti ko ir kaip pedagogai moko ketvirtų lavinamųjų klasių mokinius ugdydami jų elektronikos pradmenų gebėjimus. Parengtos darbų programos plėtotei rekomendacinės elektronikos pradmenų ugdymo temos, pravestas eksperimentinis mokymas, įvertinti mokinių gebėjimai tinkamai eksploatuoti elektronikos prietaisus iki eksperimentinio mokymo ir po jo. Tyrime dalyvavo 30 specialiosios mokyklos žemesniųjų lavinamųjų klasių mokinių technologijų mokytojų ir 50 ketvirtų lavinamųjų klasių mokinių. Empirinėje dalyje nagrinėjamas mokytojų suvokimas apie lavinamųjų klasių mokinių gebėjimą tinkamai eksploatuoti elektronikos prietaisus, nustatomi trys mokinių gebėjimų lygiai: gebančių naudoti elektronikos prietaisus savarankiškai, gebančių naudoti su pagalba ir negebančių naudoti. Nustatomi gebėjimų skirtumai tarp berniukų ir mergaičių. Svarbiausios empirinio tyrimo išvados: 1. Pedagogai nurodo ugdantys mokinių... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Analysis of scientific literature reveals that scientists actively discuss issues, regarding what electronic means and devices should children be familiar with, teach how to use them, so that there would be optimal possibilities for their adaptation in society. This motivates to change task program for schoolchildren with extensive and extremely extensive educational needs of fourth grade by including topics, regarding formation of this skills in this field. It is possible to hypothesize that ability to safely behave with electronic toys and house appliances could increase children motivation to play social roles’ games and the suggested topics for development of a program, regarding involvement of basics of electronics into the program, will not only meet children needs, wishes and interests, but will also allow for adequate communication with social environment. Research participants constituted of 30 crafts teachers of lower training grades in special schools and 50 schoolchildren with extensive and extremely extensive educational needs in specials schools. Most significant conclusions from empirical research are: ● Data from teachers’ questionnaire reveal that all of them follow the task program prepared by Kaukenaite for children with extensive and extremely extensive educational needs and two thirds of respondents indicate that they introduce these students to electronic devices and methods, even though these topics are not included into the program. ● Research on... [to full text]

This thesis presents a simulation of the control system for Laser Guide Star (LGS) wavefront sensing of the Narrow Field Infrared Adaptive Optics System (NFIRAOS) which will be the Adaptive Optics (AO) system on the Thirty Meter Telescope. The control system is multirate and combines data from multiple sources, both natural and artificial, to provide wavefront correction. Artificial guide stars are generated by exciting atoms in the mesospheric sodium (Na) layer. The characteristics of the Na layer have been examined; its variability, altitude and thickness will lead to false atmospheric turbulence measurements by AO systems integrated with Extremely Large Telescopes. A periodically updated constrained matched filter algorithm has been implemented in the control system simulation in order to gauge its ability to mitigate these effects. The control system has also been implemented on the University of Victoria LGS Test Bench which reproduces wavefront measurements as they will be made by several of the wavefront sensors of NFIRAOS. The simulation has provided insight into the stability of the proposed control system and allowed necessary improvements to be made. It has been shown to meet the requirements of stability over long term with fast convergence. The matched filter algorithm has been shown to effectively reject the Na layer fluctuations both in simulation and on the test bench.