Umbilical flow velocity waveforms (FVW' s) can be measured non-invasively using Doppler ultrasound. Changes in the FVW's occur long before the warning signs from other conventional monitoring methods. Correct interpretation of the changes in the FVW has the potential of providing the clinician with an early warning of foetal distress. A number of indices have been described in the literature to characterise the FVW including the Pulsatility Index (PI), the Resistance Index (RI) and more recently, the High Resistance State Index (HRSI). Researchers have shown a dependence of the FVW, and thus the indices which describe it, on factors such as the placental resistance (Muijsers et al 1990a) blood pressure pulsatility (Mulders et al 1986), and the foetal heart rate (Downing et al 1991). In order to model the foetal circulation, the dimensions of the foetal vessels were required. These were taken from the literature when available, but had to be supplemented by measurements on post mortem specimens. This information, together with blood pressures and flow rates taken from the literature, was used to design electrical analogous models of the foetal arterial circulation (model 1 and model 2), which were implemented using PSpice, which is an electronic circuit simulator package. The Flow Velocity Waveforms (FVW's) simulated were stored and then analyzed using MATLAB, which is a mathematical package to calculate the waveform indices and both the blood pressure and percentage blood flow to the different anatomical regions of the foetus. Model 1 is a simple model of the umbilical placental unit only, which assumes a rectified sine wave with a D.C. offset as an input waveform while Model 2 is a distributed element model of the complete foetal arterial system, including a realistic representation of the foetal heart. AIM: Simulations of the FVW were used to examine the effects of placental obliteration (raised placental resistance), placental size, foetal heart rate (FHR), blood pressure pulsatility (BPPI), mean blood pressure (BP), and site of measurement of the FVW along the umbilical artery and thus on the waveform indices which are used to describe it (RI, PI and HRSI). RESULTS/ DISCUSSION: The investigations using models 1 and 2 showed that the indices were significantly dependent on the placental resistance, the size of the placenta and the type of placental obliteration. Model 1 was also used to investigate the effect of FHR variations on the indices under the original assumption that the input waveform to the umbilical/placental unit was a rectified sinusoid offset by a constant voltage (D.C.) (Thompson and Trudinger 1990). The result obtained, that is, the FHR does not affect the indices (in particular the PI) needed further investigation because the assumption for the input waveform is not true under all conditions. For this reason, the simulations were repeated using model 2, with the interesting result that there is a difference between short term FHR variations and long-term FHR variation. Short term FHR variations had a pronounced effect on the indices. The blood pressure pulsatility and the indices concerned varied by large amounts in this case, which indicated a link between the blood pressure pulsatility and all the indices. Long term FHR variations had an inconsistent but small effect on the blood pressure pulsatility and in turn had a small effect on the RI and PI. The mean blood pressure in these simulations decreased with increasing FHR which resulted in a pronounced increase in the HRSI which indicated the dependency of this index on the mean blood pressure rather than on the blood pressure pulsatility. It was found that the HRSI is a good index of placental resistance and may be particularly useful in evaluating high placental resistance in cases of absent flow during diastole, since, in these cases it is only slightly affected by the FHR. A value of greater than 34 percent is the recommended HRSI value to indicate severe foetal distress. The results also indicate that the FVW shape varies along the umbilical artery and is far more pulsatile at the aortic (proximal) end than the placental end. This is reflected in the indices which thus have worst case values at the placental end. It is thus recommended that, where possible, the indices are measured at the placental end of the umbilical artery.

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本研究採用結紮眼血管的方法誘發短暫性視網膜缺血，針對同缺血時間同存活時間化成年金黄地鼠中視網膜節細胞的存活和小型膠質細胞的激活。首先，我們的據顯示，和假缺血手術組相對應的存活時間比較，暫時性視網膜缺血10分鐘或30分鐘沒有導致視網膜節細胞的存活明顯下。暫時性視網膜缺血60分鐘再灌注後7天，視網膜節細胞的存活下至58%，14後為51%，28後為44%。暫時性視網膜缺血120分鐘之後再灌注7天，視網膜節細胞的存活急劇下，僅保22%，至14天，僅剩17%, 之後節細胞的死亡速減緩，至28天時，仍由18%存活。視網膜缺血10分鐘、30分鐘、60分鐘和120分鐘均引起大小型膠質細胞激活，激活在第七天達到頂峰，之後在14天和28天顯著並逐步下。相關性分析發現損傷後7天，視網膜節細胞的死亡和視網膜節細胞層中的小型膠質細胞存在緊密的相關性。 / 其次，我們首次證實缺血性預處僅有於提高視網膜節細胞對抗視網膜缺血/再灌注損傷，還對視神經斷後的視網膜節細胞同樣具有保護作用。結果顯示無是5分鐘還是10分鐘的缺血性預處，無是軸突橫斷術前1天還是前3天實施預處，都對視網膜節細胞有明顯的保護作用。在缺血性預處對抗神經橫斷損傷的實驗組, 的表達只表現在陽性細胞上的明顯優勢，但占全部存活細胞的百分比存在差；而缺血性預處對抗視網膜缺血再灌注損傷的實驗組，的陽性節細胞的無論還是存活百分比都存在差。在預處組和假處組的比較中， 的表達也只是陽性細胞上較多，占全部存活細胞的百分比存在差。在缺血性預處加視網膜缺血分鐘的實驗組中，我們測視網膜矢片中各層的厚。結果顯示，缺血性預處組中，視網膜的整體厚和節細胞層的厚都與正常組相當，而假處組中，這層的厚明顯減少。 / 進一步地，我們研究遠端缺血性後處對視網膜節細胞對抗視神經軸突橫斷術的保護作用。我們選用鉗夾右股動脈作為遠端缺血性後處的方法，鉗夾股動脈分鐘，之後放開，再鉗夾再放開，共個循環。結果顯示，軸突橫斷術后分鐘實施缺血性后處組，視網膜節細胞的存活較假處組明顯增加，包括術後天和天；軸突橫斷術后小時實施缺血性後處組，視網膜節細胞的存活只在術後天較假處組明顯較多，但在天的實驗組，者的差消失；軸突橫斷術小時實施缺血性後處組，視網膜節細胞的存活比假處組多。在缺血性後處的實驗中，視神經橫斷術后分鐘實施遠端缺血性後處的實驗組與假處組比較，的表達僅表現在陽性細胞上的明顯增加，而且占全部存活細胞的百分比也明顯增加。的表達與預處實驗組的結果相似，只存在上的優勢。 / 我们的實驗證明，缺血性預處在對抗視神經橫斷和視網膜缺血的損傷中，可以為節細胞提供有效的保護作用，遠端缺血性後處可以對抗視神經橫斷損傷提高節細胞的存活。陽性節細胞在三個同條件的實驗中，表現出同的結果，这可能暗示遠端缺血性後處對抗視神經橫斷術的損傷，節細胞的再生能較優，與遠端缺血性後處對抗視神經橫斷術的神經保護作用有一定關。的表達在三個實驗組中，處組與假處組比較，均只表現出陽性細胞上的優勢，占存活細胞的百分比就存在差，可能意味著與缺血性預處和後處的保護作用關係不大。 / Ligature of the ophthalmic vessels (LOV) was used as an animal model to study transient retinal ischemia/reperfusion in adult hamsters. Firstly, we quantified the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and activation of microglia after10 min, 30 min, 60 min or 120 min retinal ischemia at 7, 14 and 28 days post-ischemia. The results showed that after 10-min or 30-min retinal ischemia, the number of RGCs had no significant decrease compared to sham LOV group at 7 days. In the retinal ischemia 60 min group, there were 58% of the RGCs population remained alive at 7 days, 51% at 14 days and 44% at 28 days post-ischemia, respectively. In the retinal ischemia 120 min group, the number of RGCs was reduced to 22% at 7 days and 17% at 14 days, but cell death slowed down from 14 to 28 days. Meanwhile, the number of microglia was increased sharply at 7 days and decreased gradually from 7 to 28 days. At the same time, it was found that the loss of RGCs and activation of microglia in the ganglion cell layer at 7 days post-insult existed strong positive correlation. / Secondly, the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) were proved to promote RGCs survival after axotomy or retinal ischemia 120 min. It was presented firstly that a 5 or 10 min brief IPC which performed 1 or 3 days prior to axotomy enhanced the RGCs survival at 7 days and 14 days post-axotomy. The number of HSP27-positive RGCs was significantly higher in the IPC plus axotomy subgroup compared with the sham-operated subgroup, while the percentage of HSP27-positive RGCs did not show significant difference between subgroups. For the IPC plus retinal ischemia 60 min group, both the number and the percentage of HSP27-positive RGCs had no significant difference between IPC and sham-operated subgroups. The number of HSP70-positive RGCs exhibited significant difference but not the percentage in IPC plus axotomy or retinal ischemia 60 min experimental groups. The thicknesses of the whole retina and GCL were similar to the normal value in the IPC plus ischemia 60 min subgroup, while in the sham-operated subgroup, these two values decreased significantly. / Consequently, the effect of remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) was also explored to promote RGCs survival after axotomy. Four cycles of 10 min occlusion and 10 min release of the right femoral artery were initiated on animals at 10 min, 6 h or 24 h after axotomy. In the10 min group, the effect of RIPostC on promoting RGCs survival was significant at both 7 and 14 days post-injury. In the 6 h group, the survival of RGCs was more in the RIPostC treatment subgroup at 7 days, while there was no significant difference at 14 days post-axotomy. In the 24 h group, RGC survival was not significantly different at 7 days post-axotomy. Both the number and the percentage of HSP27-positive RGCs were significantly higher in the RIPostC treatment subgroup. The results of the induction of HSP70 only showed a priority in absolute number of the HSP70-positive RGCs in the RIPostC treatment subgroup. / In summary, the effect of IPC has been proved that it could protect RGCs against axotomy and retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury, in addition, the application of RIPostC also protected RGCs from axotomy. The proportion of HSP27-positive RGCs increased significantly in the process of RIPostC against axotomy, which may clue that the ability of axonal regeneration is stronger which induced by the RIPostC intervention. The upregulation of HSP27 might play a role in the neuroprotection of the RIPostC against axotomy. The expression of HSP70 maybe plays a little role in the neuroprotection of the IPC and RIPostC. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Liu, Xia. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 182-196). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Abstract in Chinese --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vii / Table of Abbreviations --- p.viii / Table of Contents --- p.ix / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Changes of retinal ganglion cells and microglia after different types of injuries / Introduction --- p.38 / Materials and Methods --- p.43 / Results --- p.49 / Discussion --- p.57 / Figures and tables --- p.71 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Ischemic preconditioning protect retinal ganglion cells against axotomy and retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury and expression of heat shock protein 27 and 70 / Introduction --- p.93 / Materials and Methods --- p.98 / Results --- p.103 / Discussion --- p.109 / Figures and tables --- p.116 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Remote ischemic postconditioning protect retinal ganglion cells against axotomy and expression of heat shock protein 27 and 70 / Introduction --- p.143 / Materials and Methods --- p.147 / Results --- p.150 / Discussion --- p.154 / Figures and tables --- p.161 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- General Discussion --- p.175 / References --- p.182

O objetivo é comparar o fluxo sanguíneo total (FS) e a reserva de fluxo coronariano (RFC) aos ramos revascularizados pelas artérias torácica interna esquerda (ATIE) e radial (AR) nos enxertos compostos com os enxertos isolados. Foi realizado um ensaio clínico randomizado de 42 pacientes que foram distribuídos em grupo A ou ATIE e AR composta em Y(n=14), grupo B ou ATIE e AR composta modificada(n=14) e grupo C ou ATIE pediculada para DA e AR aorto-coronariana(n=14). Os pacientes foram submetidos a fluxometria no pós-operatório imediato. A RFC foi de 2,1 ± 0,44, 1,96 ± 0,3 e 2,06±0,42 nos grupos A,B e C, (p=0.7208 A, B x C) e o FS, em ml/min, foi 110±30, 145±59 e 136±58, respectivamente (p=0.3232 A,B x C). Concluindo, não houve diferença significativa do FS total e nem da RFC nos grupos estudados / The objective is to compare the total blood flow (Bf) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) to the left coronary branches that were revascularized with left internal thoracic (LITA) and radial artery (RA) in composite and independent arterial grafts. A randomized trial was realized and 42 patients assigned in group A or composite LITA-RA in a Y configuration (n=14), group B or modified composite LITA-RA(n=14) and group C or pedicled LITA to LAD and aorto-coronary RA (n=14). Patients were submitted to postoperative Bf velocity analysis. CFR was 2,1 ± 0,44, 1,96 ± 0,3 e 2,06±0,42 in groups A,B and C (p=0.7208 A, B x C) and Bf, in ml/min, was 110±30, 145±59 and 136±58, respectively (p=0.3232 A, B x C). In conclusion there was no difference in Bf and CFR in the groups studied

The Oregon State University (OSU), Hydro Mechanical Fuel test Facility (HMFTF) is designed to hydro-mechanically test prototypical plate type fuel. OSU's fuel test program is a part of the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI), formerly known as the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor program. One of the GTRI's goals is to convert all civilian research, and test reactors in the United State from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to a low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel in an effort to reduce nuclear proliferation. An analytical model has been developed and is described in detail which complements the experimental work being performed by the OSU HMFTF, and advances the science of hydro-mechanics. This study investigates two methods for determining the critical flow velocity for a pair of laminated plates. The objective is accomplished by incorporating a flexural rigidity term into the formulation of critical flow velocity originally derived by Miller, and employing sandwich structure theory to determine the rigidity term. The final outcome of this study results in the developing of a single equation for each of three different edge boundary conditions which reliably and comprehensively predicts the onset of plate collapse. The two models developed and presented, are termed the monocoque analogy and the ideal laminate model. / Graduation date: 2013

At the Torpshammar dam two rectangular beams are situated upstream of the spillway gates to stabilize the sidewalls holding the embankment of the dam. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the dam with the bottom outlets open was made to investigate how the flow and discharge capacity is affected by the beams. The results can be used to avoid unexpected consequences due to turbulence caused by the beams, make the beams strong enough to hold the pressure from the flow and get an estimation of the discharge capacity with the beams. Turbulence is one of the hardest things to simulate so the results were compared with previous simulation work made without the beams and physical model tests to validate the results. Also, a sensitivity analysis was made to investigate the method used. The beams lowered the velocity (to 17 m/s) and the discharge capacity (to 255 m3/s) compared to the previous work. The force on the beams was directed upward and downstream. The beams increased the turbulence and the vortex shedding frequency was higher for the beam closest to the outlet. The velocity and discharge capacity differed with 6 % compared to model test results. The results can therefore only be used as an estimation, a more detailed computational model and more computational cells are needed to get a better result. The sensitivity analysis showed that the velocity and turbulence depend on the method and further studies need to be made to decide which method gives the closest similarity with reality.

O objetivo é comparar o fluxo sanguíneo total (FS) e a reserva de fluxo coronariano (RFC) aos ramos revascularizados pelas artérias torácica interna esquerda (ATIE) e radial (AR) nos enxertos compostos com os enxertos isolados. Foi realizado um ensaio clínico randomizado de 42 pacientes que foram distribuídos em grupo A ou ATIE e AR composta em Y(n=14), grupo B ou ATIE e AR composta modificada(n=14) e grupo C ou ATIE pediculada para DA e AR aorto-coronariana(n=14). Os pacientes foram submetidos a fluxometria no pós-operatório imediato. A RFC foi de 2,1 ± 0,44, 1,96 ± 0,3 e 2,06±0,42 nos grupos A,B e C, (p=0.7208 A, B x C) e o FS, em ml/min, foi 110±30, 145±59 e 136±58, respectivamente (p=0.3232 A,B x C). Concluindo, não houve diferença significativa do FS total e nem da RFC nos grupos estudados / The objective is to compare the total blood flow (Bf) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) to the left coronary branches that were revascularized with left internal thoracic (LITA) and radial artery (RA) in composite and independent arterial grafts. A randomized trial was realized and 42 patients assigned in group A or composite LITA-RA in a Y configuration (n=14), group B or modified composite LITA-RA(n=14) and group C or pedicled LITA to LAD and aorto-coronary RA (n=14). Patients were submitted to postoperative Bf velocity analysis. CFR was 2,1 ± 0,44, 1,96 ± 0,3 e 2,06±0,42 in groups A,B and C (p=0.7208 A, B x C) and Bf, in ml/min, was 110±30, 145±59 and 136±58, respectively (p=0.3232 A, B x C). In conclusion there was no difference in Bf and CFR in the groups studied