The volume of data acquired in production systems continues to expand. Emerging imaging technologies, such as machine vision systems (MVSs) and 3D surface scanners, diversify the types of data being collected, further pushing data collection beyond discrete dimensional data. These large and diverse datasets increase the challenge of extracting useful information. Unfortunately, industry still relies heavily on traditional quality methods that are limited to fault detection, which fails to consider important diagnostic information needed for process recovery. Modern measurement technologies should spur the transformation of statistical process control (SPC) to provide practitioners with additional diagnostic information. This dissertation focuses on how MVSs and 3D laser scanners can be further utilized to meet that goal. More specifically, this work: 1) reviews image-based control charts while highlighting their advantages and disadvantages; 2) integrates spatiotemporal methods with digital image processing to detect process faults and estimate their location, size, and time of occurrence; and 3) shows how point cloud data (3D laser scans) can be used to detect and locate unknown faults in complex geometries. Overall, the research goal is to create new quality control tools that utilize high density data available in manufacturing environments to generate knowledge that supports decision-making beyond just indicating the existence of a process issue. This allows industrial practitioners to have a rapid process recovery once a process issue has been detected, and consequently reduce the associated downtime. / Ph. D.

In recent decades the quality and safety of bottled water has come into question, while bottled water sales and demand have steadily grown. It is important that consumers as well as manufacturers are made aware of the microbial environment of bottled water. Many studies have been implemented to evaluate the microbiological content of bottled water. Although some laboratory studies have shown that microbial counts of bottled water can reach as high as 16^3 CFU/mL, few studies, if any, have studied the impact of storage location on bottled water microbial activity. This document reports on an investigation that evaluated the microbiological quality of bottled water relative to storage conditions and storage duration. Unlike previous studies that evaluated bottled water having been stored under the laboratory conditions, the work conducted in this study evaluated storage scenarios that included a car trunk, covered porch, indoor cabinet and refrigerator. These storage conditions allow for comparison of prior studies conducted in the laboratory to more realistic storage coniditions used by consumers. Analyses of bottled water under these alternative storage conditions indicated that microbial growth did occur in stored water and varied between lcoation and holding time. It was determined that heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) were greater in warmer storage environments as was exhibited by the refrigerated and indoor locations. Additionally, mathematical models were developed in this work that predicted the microbial growth rate in bottled water as a function of holding time, using commonly available statistical software that evaluated data predicted using an exponential model (R2 correlation of up to 0.84) for two different storage conditions. Although increased levels of HPC bacteria are generally safe for those in good health, they are used as an indicator test for microbial quality. Furthermore, higher levels of HPC have also been shown to pose some additional health risks to immunocomprimised individuals. Therefore, results from the study would indicate that it may be beneficial for consumers to store their bottled water indoors or in a refrigerator.

Les maladies cardiovasculaires (CV) représentent la première cause de mortalité lors de l'insuffisance rénale chronique (IRC). Cette morbidité apparat précocement lors de l'IRC et ne peut être explique par les facteurs de risque traditionnels. Le stress oxydant (SO), composante du cortège métabolique de l'IRC, représente un facteur de risque non traditionnel intriqué avec l'inflammation et la malnutrition. Le but de ce travail a été d'étudier la place du SO dans la survenue des complications CV au cours de l'IRC sur modale animal, puis de comparer le profil protéomique et la fonctionnalité des HDL in vitro entre sujets hémodialysés (HD) et témoins. Le SO au niveau CV a été étudié dans un modèle animal (adénine) d'IRC associé à la malnutrition. L'activité de la NADPH oxydase cardiaque est triple, alors que les activités des complexes de la chaîne respiratoire mitochondriale et de la SOD sont normales. Cette surproduction d'anion super oxyde est associé à une surexpression de l'ostéopontine et du pro-collagène de type I. L'étude protéomique des HDL de sujets HD et témoins a permis de préciser les anomalies qualitatives associées à la baisse des HDL induite par l'IRC. Les propriétés anti-oxydantes des HDL de ces mêmes sujets ont été étudiées in vitro sur un modèle d'oxydation des LDL au cuivre et sur un modèle cellulaire d'activation de la NADPH oxydase. En comparaison aux témoins, les HDL des sujets HD perdent leur capacité de protection des LDL contre l'oxydation. Par contre, la modulation de la NADPH oxydase sur modèle cellulaire est conservée avec les HDL de sujets HD mais serait moindre en présence d'une forte inflammation systémique. Ces résultats suggèrent que le SO est au cœur des complications cardiaques au cours de l'IRC. Parmi les mécanismes de défense endogènes, les propriétés anti-oxydantes des HDL sont en partie altérées chez le sujet HD. / Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are the first cause of mortality during chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cannot only be explained by traditional risk factors (age, gender, dyslipidemia, hypertension). Oxidative stress, which has been associated with CKD, appears as a non-traditional risk factor closely interconnected with inflammation and malnutrition.This study aimed at investigating oxidative stress in CV complications in uremic rats. Then, HDL proteomic profile and in vitro functionality of HDL were compared between hemodialyzed (HD) patients and control subjects.First, an animal model of CKD associated with malnutrition, the adenine-fed rats, was set up in order to study CV oxidative stress. NADPH oxidase activity was increased three-fold, but the maximal activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes and SOD were not different between groups. Superoxide anion output was associated with accumulation of osteopontin and of pro-collagen type I. In a second part, HDL proteomic study from HD and control subjects was performed to characterize qualitative modifications associated with the decrease in HDL observed in CKD. HDL anti-oxidative activities from these subjects were studied in vitro in a model of copper-induced LDL oxidation and in a cellular model of NADPH oxidase activation. Compared to control, HDL from HD patients failed to protect LDL oxidation. By contrast, HDL modulation of NADPH activity is maintained in HD patients but could be impaired by elevated inflammation.These results suggest that oxidative stress is a key event in cardiac complications during CKD. Among protective endogenous mechanisms, HDL anti-oxidative properties could be impaired in HD patients.

L’infertilité affecte jusqu’à 15-20% des couples en âge de se reproduire. C’est pourquoi, mieux comprendre les mécanismes à la base de la fécondation est essentiel pour l’identification de nouvelles causes d’infertilité et l’optimisation des techniques de reproduction assistée. La capacitation est une étape de la maturation des spermatozoïdes qui se déroule dans le tractus génital femelle. Elle est requise pour la fécondation d’un ovocyte. Notre laboratoire a démontré que des protéines du plasma séminal bovin, appelées protéines Binder of SPerm (BSP), se lient aux phospholipides portant des groupements choline à la surface de la membrane des spermatozoïdes lors de l’éjaculation et promeuvent la capacitation. Ces protéines exprimées par les vésicules séminales sont ubiquitaires chez les mammifères et ont été étudiées chez plusieurs espèces dont l’étalon, le porc, le bouc et le bélier. Récemment, l’expression de gènes homologues aux BSP a été découverte dans les épididymes d’humains (BSPH1) et de souris (Bsph1 et Bsph2). Notre hypothèse est que les BSP chez ces deux espèces sont ajoutées aux spermatozoïdes lors de la maturation épididymaire et ont des rôles dans les fonctions spermatiques, similaires à ceux des protéines BSP bovines. Les protéines BSP humaines et murines représentent une faible fraction des protéines totales du plasma séminal. Pour cette raison, afin d’étudier leurs caractéristiques biochimiques et fonctionnelles, des protéines recombinantes ont été produites. Les protéines recombinantes ont été exprimées dans des cellules Escherichia coli origami B(DE3)pLysS en utilisant un vecteur d’expression pET32a. Suivant la lyse cellulaire, les protéines ont été dénaturées avec de l’urée et purifiées par chromatographie d’affinité sur ions métalliques immobilisés. Une fois liées à la colonne, les protéines ont été repliées à l’aide d’un gradient d’urée décroissant avant d’être éluées. Cette méthode a mené à la production de trois protéines recombinantes (rec-BSPH1 humaine, rec-BSPH1 murine et rec-BSPH2 murine) pures et fonctionnelles. Des expériences de chromatographie d’affinité et de co-sédimentation nous ont permis de démontrer que les trois protéines peuvent se lier à des ligands connus des protéines BSP comme la gélatine et l’héparine en plus de pouvoir se lier aux spermatozoïdes. Nos études ont également révélées que les deux protéines rec-BSPH1 peuvent se lier aux liposomes de phosphatidylcholine (PC) et sont capable de promouvoir la capacitation des spermatozoïdes. À l’opposé, rec-BSPH2 ne peut ni se lier aux liposomes de PC, ni stimuler la capacitation. Finalement, les protéines recombinantes n’ont aucun effet sur la réaction acrosomique ou sur la motilité des spermatozoïdes. Chez les bovins, les protéines BSP induisent la capacitation grâce des interactions avec les lipoprotéines de haute densité (HDL) et les glycosaminoglycanes. Puisque le HDL est également un joueur important de la capacitation chez la souris, le rôle de la protéine native BSPH1 murine au niveau de la capacitation induite par le HDL a été étudié. Les résultats obtenus suggèrent que, in vivo, la protéine BSPH1 de souris serait impliquée dans la capacitation via une interaction directe avec le HDL. Comme les protéines BSPH1 humaines et murines sont orthologues, ces résultats pourraient aussi s’appliquer à la fertilité humaine. Les résultats présentés dans cette thèse pourraient mener à une meilleure compréhension de la fertilité masculine et aider à améliorer les techniques de reproduction assistée. Ils pourraient également mener au développement de nouveaux tests diagnostiques ou de contraceptifs masculins. / Infertility can affect as much as 15-20% of couples of reproductive age. Therefore, elucidating mechanisms occurring during fertilization is needed to resolve cases of infertility and optimize assisted reproductive technology procedures. Sperm capacitation is a maturation step that takes place in the female genital tract and is deemed to be essential for sperm to fertilize an oocyte. Our laboratory has demonstrated that proteins from bovine seminal plasma called Binder of SPerm (BSP) proteins bind to choline phospholipids on the sperm membrane upon ejaculation and promote capacitation. These proteins expressed in seminal vesicles are ubiquitous amongst mammals and have been studied in many species including stallion, boar, ram and goat. More recently, the expression of BSP-homologous genes has been discovered in the epididymis of humans (BSPH1) and in mice (Bsph1 and Bsph2). We hypothesized that the BSP homologs in these two species are added to sperm during epididymal maturation and play similar roles in sperm functions as bovine BSP proteins. BSP proteins in humans and mice constitute only a minute percentage of the seminal plasma proteins. Thus, to study their biochemical and functional characteristics recombinant proteins were produced. Recombinant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli origami B(DE3)pLysS cells using a pET32a expression vector. Following cell lysis, proteins were denatured using urea and purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. Once bound to the resin, proteins were refolded using a decreasing urea gradient after which they were eluted. This method led to the production of three pure, functional recombinant proteins (human rec-BSPH1, mouse rec-BSPH1 and mouse rec-BSPH2). Using affinity chromatography and co-sedimentation experiments, we were able to demonstrate that all three recombinant proteins bind known ligands of BSP proteins including gelatin, heparin and have the ability to bind to sperm. Studies also revealed that both rec-BSPH1 proteins bind to phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes and promote sperm capacitation. However, rec-BSPH2 neither binds to PC liposomes nor stimulates capacitation. Recombinant proteins had no effect on acrosome reaction or sperm motility. In bovine, BSP proteins promote sperm capacitation through interactions with high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and glycosaminoglycans. Since in mice HDL is also a major factor implicated in capacitation, the role of the native murine BSPH1 protein in HDL-induced capacitation was investigated. Results obtained suggest that, in vivo, murine BSPH1 protein could act in capacitation via a direct interaction with HDL. As human and murine BSPH1 are orthologs, these results could possibly also apply to human fertility. The results presented in this thesis could lead to a better understanding of male fertility and help improve assisted reproduction technology procedures. They could also lead to the development of diagnostic tests as well male contraceptives.

L’objectif de ce mémoire de thèse est de contribuer à la connaissance du comportement mécanique en grandes déformations du Polyéthylène à Haute Densité anisotrope obtenu par extrusion de plaques. Nous présentons le protocole et les résultats expérimentaux de traction séquencée, comportant des décharges, recharges et relaxations monotones et cycliques. Ces campagnes d’essais sont également centrées sur la mesure en temps réel de la variation de volume liée aux phénomènes d’endommagement. Les résultats sont présentés pour différentes orientations d’éprouvettes prélevées dans des plaques extrudées. La modélisation thermodynamique de l’ensemble des résultats, a fait l’objet d’un développement original conduisant à la prédiction unifiée de grandeurs en 3D : contrainte vraie axiale, déformations vraies transversales. Le modèle prévoit également le développement de l’endommagement et permet de mettre en évidence une variable tensorielle de dommage. L’identification des paramètres du modèle thermodynamique sur la base de données expérimentales conduit à des grandeurs physiques conformes aux caractéristiques de la microstructure. Ce travail ouvre la perspective d’un enrichissement de l’approche thermodynamique dans la direction de la prévision de l’anisotropie plastique induite des polymères semi-cristallins / The aim of this thesis is to contribute to the knowledge of the mechanical behavior in large strains of anisotropic High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE), obtained by extrusion of plates. We present the experimental procedure and the results for traction, with unloading, reloading and relaxation in monotonous and cyclic conditions. This work is also concerned with the measure in real time of the volume strain due to the phenomena of damage. The results are given for various orientations of specimen within the extruded plates. The thermodynamic modeling of the whole the results, is the subject of an original development leading to the unified prediction of measures in 3D: axial true stress, transverse true strains. The model also predicts the development of the damage and offer the possibility to introduce a tensorial damage variable. The identification of the model parameters on the basis of experimental data leads to physical quantities in conformity with the characteristics of the microstructure. This work opens the prospect for an enrichment of the thermodynamic approach in the direction of the prediction of the induced plastic anisotropy of semi-crystalline polymers

Cette thèse, qui s’intègre dans le cadre du projet européen EMCOMIT, a pour objectif de contribuer à l’étude des circuits imprimés haute densité d’intégration comportant un nombre de couches important et des composants enterrés. La qualification de cette technologie est effectuée en conduisant des simulations et des mesures électriques sur des véhicules de tests spécifiques. L’analyse des résultats électriques permet d’évaluer l’aptitude de ces matériaux à répondre aux exigences des applications de télécommunication et de technologie de l’information rapide. La fiabilité d’un assemblage de BGA de grande taille sur un circuit imprimé a été évaluée. Des simulations thermomécaniques ont été effectuées afin de calculer les contraintes résiduelles accumulées pendant le procédé d’assemblage puis l’énergie dépensée dans les parties critiques des joints au cours d’un cycle thermique. Simultanément, des BGA reportés sur des circuits imprimés ont été placés dans une chambre climatique et ont subi des variations de températures. / This thesis, which is part of the European EMCOMIT project, aims at contributing to the study of high density printed circuit board including a great number of internal layers and embedded components. The qualification of this technology is done by the way of simulations and electrical measurements on specific test vehicles. The electrical results allow estimating the performance of materials for telecommunication applications and speed data transfer. The reliability of the assembly of the large BGA on a printed circuit board has been evaluated. Thermomechanical simulations have been done in order to compute residual stresses stored during the assembly process and the deformation energy density in the solder joints during one thermal cycle. Simultaneously BGA soldered on printed circuits have been positioned in climatic chamber and have been subjected to temperature variations.

Master of Regional and Community Planning / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Jason Brody / Today, achieving higher residential densities is an integral part of most discussions on concepts such as sustainability, placemaking, smart growth and new urbanism. It is argued that high density environments can potentially improve quality of life through a range of social benefits. In attempting to achieve these benefits, often times, developments that provide more than a certain number of dwelling units are considered desirable and successful high-density developments. However, understanding high residential density merely in terms of an increase in the number of dwelling units over an area of development might not help realize meaningful social benefits; in fact it could result in problems such as parking constraints, increased vehicular traffic, crowding, and eventually abandonment. This implies a dilemma of understanding high density environments holistically. Using literature review and design exploration as two key research methods, this project aims at resolving this dilemma by presenting a holistic understanding of desirable high-density environments. The research works on the idea that high densities are a matter of design and performance. Through synthesis of literature review and explorative design findings, this research focuses on the qualitative aspects of high density environments that make them meaningful and desirable. Through synthesis of literature review and design findings, the research finds that desirable high density environments should (a) Be Physically Compact; (b) Support Urbanity; and (c) Offer Livability and Sense of Place. These three qualitative aspects of high density environments are critical in determining how well such environments perform. The research further proposes eight meaningful goals and seventeen specific guidelines to achieve aforementioned three qualities that influence the performance of high density developments. In addition to these principles and guidelines, opportunities and challenges posed by explorative design exercises also allows identifying certain supplementary guidelines necessary to strengthen the framework. Together, these findings result in a theoretical framework that may be used as an effective design and evaluation tool in considering high density environments. This framework is named “Density Dynamics” to signify various morphological and socio-economic dynamics involved in a holistic understanding of high density environments.

In den Industrieländern stellen arteriosklerotische Erkrankungen nach wie vor die häufigste Todesursache dar, noch vor den malignen Erkrankungen. Ziel dieser Studie war es auzuzeigen, in wie weit eine besonders intensive Betreuung und Aufklärung der Patienten bereits in der Akutphase während des stationären Aufenthaltes im Rahmen einer Herzbypass-Operation zu besseren Langzeitergebnissen (1-und 3-Jahres-follow-up) bezüglich der Reduktion von kardiovaskulären Risikofaktoren führt.

[pt] O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a influencia das condições da impressão 3D nas propriedades finais do polietileno de alta densidade usando a modelagem por fusão e deposição, FDM. Foram impressos protótipos com formato de corpos de prova para teste de tração tipo V segundo norma ASTM D638, a três temperaturas de processamento: 220, 240 e 260 Graus Celsius. Para a impressão das amostras foram mantidos constantes os parâmetros de controle, entre eles a espessura da camada de impressão. As amostras impressas foram caracterizadas por difração de raios X, espectroscopia infravermelha, calorimetria diferencial de varredura, análise termogravimétrica, ensaio de tração, índice de fluidez e teste de contração. Os resultados das caracterizações das amostras impressas foram comparados com os resultados do material sem processar, cujas propriedades foram obtidas usando os mesmo métodos de caracterização. Estes resultados demostraram que as condições de impressão por FDM empregadas neste trabalho causaram apenas uma leve mudança nas características estruturais das amostras processadas do PEAD em relação ao material original sem processamento. Houve um leve aumento da cristalinidade no PEAD impresso (em torno de 1,3 a 3 porcento). Além disso, foi comprovado que por causa do resfriamento desigual na superfície e no interior da amostra impressa, o grau de cristalinidade foi levemente maior no interior que na superfície do corpo de prova impresso. A leve mudança no grau de cristalinidade não foi suficiente para causar mudança no módulo de elasticidade e no limite de escoamento em relação ao PEAD original. Outros resultados demostraram que não houve mudança significativa envolvendo formação de ligações duplas, quebra de cadeias e degradação térmica por efeito da condição do processamento utilizada durante a impressão. / [en] The aim of this work was to study the influence of process conditions for 3D printing on the final properties of prototypes of high density polyethylene (HDPE) using the method of the fused deposition modeling. Prototypes for type-V tensile testing according to ASTM D 638 were printed; They were made to three processing temperatures: 220, 240 and 260 Celsius degree. Control parameters for printing were kept constant in all the samples. The printed samples were characterized by X – ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile test, melt flow index test, and, shrinkage test. The results of the characterization of the printed samples and of the original material were compared. These results demonstrated that the printing conditions employed in this study caused a slight change in the structural characteristics of the printed samples compared to the unprocessed original material, there being a slight increase in crystallinity (about 1,3 to 3 percent) for HDPE which was printed. In addition, it has been proven that the degree of crystallinity was slightly greater on the inside that on the surface of the printed samples, because of uneven cooling on the surface and inside of these samples. The slight change in the degree of crystallinity was not enough to cause change in the elastic modulus and yield strength compared to the original HDPE. Other results showed that there was not significant change involving bond formation, break chains, and, thermal degradation by the effect of the processing conditions used during printing.

A estimulação magnética transcraniana (EMT) aplicada com diferentes orientações da bobina causa variações na amplitude e na latência dos potenciais evocados motores (PEM) dos músculos da mão. No entanto, as propriedades dos PEM são afetadas também pelos sistemas de detecção, e.g. localização e tamanho dos eletrodos de aquisição, e pela anatomia do músculo analisado, e.g. arquitetura dos tecidos muscular e adiposo. Neste estudo, verificamos como variam a distribuição espacial, a amplitude pico a pico, a latência, a velocidade de condução da fibra muscular e a frequência mediana do espectro de potência dos PEM em função da orientação da bobina de EMT. Utilizamos uma matriz bidimensional de eletrodos de superfície (grade com 13 linhas e 5 colunas) para aquisição do sinal de eletromiografia de superfície (EMGs) do músculo abdutor curto do polegar (ACP) em oito orientações da bobina de EMT em relação à linha sagital, que conecta o ínio ao násio. Duas abordagens distintas foram adotadas para comparação da amplitude em função da orientação da bobina: na primeira abordagem, calculamos a amplitude pico a pico média dos PEM compreendidos em uma região ativa do músculo localizada espacialmente a partir da matriz de EMGs, na segunda abordagem extraímos a amplitude do PEM no sinal diferencial de dois grupos de eletrodos simulando um sistema de EMGs em configuração bipolar, comumente utilizado nos procedimentos em EMT. Em ambos os métodos, identificamos amplitudes máximas para orientações da bobina em ângulos de 45° e 90°, corroborando os achados da literatura. A latência, frequência mediana e velocidade de condução dos PEM não apresentaram variações significativas com a orientação da bobina. Os mapas de distribuição espacial dos PEM indicam uma atividade muscular localizada na porção distal do músculo ACP para todos os ângulos de aplicação da EMT, demonstrando que os eletrodos convencionais de EMGs podem não estar idealmente localizados sobre a região do músculo ativada pela EMT. Por fim, identificamos que um sistema de neuronavegação pode facilitar a localização da estrutura cerebral a ser estimulada e aumentar a precisão no posicionamento da bobina. Adicionamos uma ferramenta para cálculo da orientação da bobina em função da linha sagital média de cada sujeito ao neuronavegador InVesalius Navigator, a ser utilizado nos próximos experimentos. / Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pulses with different coil orientations causes changes in amplitudes and latencies of motor evoked potentials (MEP) in muscles of the hand. Nonetheless, the properties of MEP are also affected by the systems of detection, e.g. placement and size of acquisition electrodes; and by the target muscle anatomy, e.g. architecture of fat and muscles tissues. In this study, we assessed the effect of TMS coil orientation on MEP spatial distribution, peak-to-peak amplitude, latency, conduction velocity of muscle fiber and median frequency, from the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscle. A grid of electrodes (13 lines and 5 columns) was used to detect the surface electromyography (sEMG) signals from the APB at eight different TMS coil orientations in respect to the midsagital line, connecting the inium and nasium. Two distinct approaches were adopted to compare the amplitude according to the coil orientation: first, we calculated the mean amplitude of MEP in the electrodes of the matrix over an active region of the muscle. Second, we extracted the amplitude of MEP in a single differential signal from two groups of matrix electrodes simulating a conventional sEMG bipolar configuration, commonly used in TMS experiments. In both cases, the maximum MEP amplitudes were induced at coil orientations of 45° and 90°, confirming the past findings in literature. However, we could not identify significant differences in latency, median frequency and conduction velocity of MEP according to different stimulus orientation. Maps of spatial distribution showed a localized muscle activity at the distal portion of the APB muscle for all the coil orientations, indicating that conventional bipolar sEMG electrodes may not be rightly placed over the active portion of the muscle recruited by TMS. Finally, we considered that a neuronavigation system could facilitate the localization of brain internal structures to apply TMS stimulus and improve the accuracy of coil handling and positioning over the stimulation point. Thereafter, we developed a computational tool to the InVesalius Navigator, to track the TMS coil position and orientation in respect to the subjects midsagital line to be used in future experiments.