Neste trabalho os efeitos da soldagem por fricção e mistura na resistência à corrosão da liga 2098-T351 foram avaliados e correlacionados com sua microestrutura. Neste sentido, técnicas eletroquímicas convencionais e locais (EIS, curvas de polarização, SVET, SECM e LEIS) em conjunto com técnicas de caracterização microestrutural (XPS, SEM, TEM, DSC, microdureza, perfilometria ótica) foram utilizadas. Devido a pouca informação encontrada na literatura sobre este material, uma caracterização prévia da liga na condição como recebida pelo fabricante foi realizada. Com isso, observou-se a existência da influência da preparação da amostra na resistência à corrosão da liga. Amostras na condição como recebida apresentaram maior resistência à corrosão do que as amostras polidas. Em seguida, a liga 2098-T351 foi caracterizada e sua resistência à corrosão comparada com a da liga convencional 2024-T3, amplamente usada na indústria aeroespacial. Os resultados mostraram diferentes mecanismos de propagação da corrosão para as duas ligas. Em termos de resistência à corrosão, a liga 2098-T351 apresentou potencial para substituir a liga 2024-T3 em termos de resistência a penetração do ataque localizado. Por fim, a reatividade das diferentes zonas de soldagem foi correlacionada com as respectivas características microestruturais. Os resultados mostraram que a região da junta soldada, que compreende a região da zona misturada e zona termomecânicamente afetada, foi mais resistente à corrosão do que a zona termicamente afetada e o metal base. A alta densidade da fase T1 (Al2CuLi) nestas ultimas regiões, comparadas à junta soldada foi considerada responsável por esse comportamento. / In this work, the effects of friction stir welding on the corrosion resistance of the 2098-T351 alloy were evaluated and correlated with its microstructure. In this sense, conventional and local eletrochemical techniques (EIS, polarization curves, SVET, SECM e LEIS) together with microstructural characterization techniques (XPS, SEM, TEM, DSC, microhardness, optical profilometry) were used. Due to the little information found in the literature on the 2098-T351 alloy a prior characterization of the alloy in the as received condition by the manufacturer was carried out. Thus, the influence of sample preparation on the corrosion resistance of the alloy was observed. Samples in the as-received condition showed higher corrosion resistance than the polished ones. Next, the the 2098-T351 alloy was characterized and its corrosion resistance compared to that of the conventional 2024-T3, widely used in the aerospace industry. The results showed different mechanisms of corrosion propagation for the two alloys. In terms of corrosion resistance, the 2098-T351 alloy presents potential to replace the conventional 2024-T3 alloy due to its resistance to corrosion attack penetration. Finally, the reactivity of the different FSW welding zones was correlated with their microstructural features. The results showed that the weld joint, which comprises the stir zone and the thermomechanically affected zone, was more resistant to corrosion than the heat affected zone and base metal. The high density of T1 phase (Al2CuLi) in these last zones, compared to the weld joint was considered responsible for this behavior.

Les travaux présentés dans cette thèse concernent le développement d'une puce à cellules multiplexée pour l'étude de réponses cellulaires parallélisées. La lignée de cellules issues de cancer de la prostate, les cellules LNCaP, ont servi de modèle d'étude grâce à leur capacité à sécréter l'antigène prostate-spécifique (PSA) et la β-2-microglobuline (B2M) en réponse à l'induction par des hormones telles que la dihydrotestostérone (DHT). Nous avons ainsi pu détecter en temps réel et sans marquage ces molécules lors de leur sécrétion par de petites populations de cellules LNCaP adhérentes (de 1 à 100 cellules) à des positions déterminées sur une biopuce SPRi. Trois approches différentes ont été envisagées pour cette biopuce. La première consistait à microtexturer la surface d'or d'un support de SPRi afin d'obtenir des micropuits dont le fond révèle la surface d'or (région cytophile) et dont l'extérieur est composé de polystyrène (cytophobe) afin de créer un contraste d'adhésion pour la culture cellulaire. Des anticorps ont pu être immobilisés de façon contrôlée dans les micropuits grâce à un automate de micro-dépôt non contact. Dans ce système miniaturisé, différentes lignées cellulaires ont pu être co-cultivées sur une surface de 1 cm², ouvrant la voie au multiplexage. Une petite population de cellules (de 1 à 100) a été déposée de façon automatisée dans chaque micropuits. Afin de maintenir les cellules dans un milieu hydraté au cours du dépôt, un polymère d'alginate biocompatible a été utilisé. Cette méthode permet l'encapsulation de cellules dans un très petit volume (< 50 nL). La capacité de cet hydrogel à maintenir les cellules encapsulées à une position donnée sur le support a conduit à la conception d'une deuxième approche pour la fabrication de la biopuce. En effet dans cette approche la surface n'est pas modifiée et les composés biologiques (anticorps et cellules) sont directement déposés de façon automatisée sur la couche d'or. Enfin une dernière approche a été développée en immobilisant cette fois-ci les cellules sur un support microtexturé placé en face de la couche sensible de SPRi. Dans les trois approches, les cinétiques de sécrétion du PSA et de la B2M sécrétées ont pu être suivies par SPRi / The work reported in this thesis focuses on the development of a multiplexed cell chip for the study of parallelized cellular responses. The lineage of cells from Prostate cancer LNCaP cells, were used as a study model thanks to their ability to secrete prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and β-2-microglobulin (B2M) in response to induction by hormones such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). We were able to detect in real time these label-free molecules and their secretion by small populations of adherent LNCaP cells (from 1 to 100 cells) at specified positions on a SPRi biochip. Three different approaches were considered for this biochip. The first was to pattern the gold surface of a SPRi slide to obtain microwells whose bottom reveals the gold surface (cytophilic area) and an outer shell composed of polystyrene (cytophobe) to create an adhesive/non-adhesive surface for cell culture. Antibodies were immobilized in a controlled manner in the microwells using a piezo electric spotter. In this miniaturized system, different cell lines were co-cultured on a surface of 1 cm², paving the way for multiplexing. A small population of cells (1 to 100) was deposited in an automated manner into each microwell. In order to maintain the cells in a hydrated environment during deposition, a biocompatible alginate polymer was used. This method allows the encapsulation of cells in a very small volume (<50 nL). The ability of the hydrogel to maintain the encapsulated cells in a given position on the support led to the design of a second approach for the production of the biochip. In this second approach the surface is not altered and biological compounds (antibodies and cells) are directly deposited in an automated manner on the gold layer. Finally, a last approach was developed by immobilizing the cells on a patterned substrate placed in front of the sensitive layer SPRi. In all three approaches, the kinetics of PSA secretion and secreted B2M could be followed by SPRi

This thesis studies the generalization ability of machine learning algorithms in a statistical setting. It focuses on the data-dependent analysis of the generalization performance of learning algorithms in order to make full use of the potential of the actual training sample from which these algorithms learn.¶ First, we propose an extension of the standard framework for the derivation of generalization bounds for algorithms taking their hypotheses from random classes of functions. This approach is motivated by the fact that the function produced by a learning algorithm based on a random sample of data depends on this sample and is therefore a random function. Such an approach avoids the detour of the worst-case uniform bounds as done in the standard approach. We show that the mechanism which allows one to obtain generalization bounds for random classes in our framework is based on a “small complexity” of certain random coordinate projections. We demonstrate how this notion of complexity relates to learnability and how one can explore geometric properties of these projections in order to derive estimates of rates of convergence and good confidence interval estimates for the expected risk. We then demonstrate the generality of our new approach by presenting a range of examples, among them the algorithm-dependent compression schemes and the data-dependent luckiness frameworks, which fall into our random subclass framework.¶ Second, we study in more detail generalization bounds for a specific algorithm which is of central importance in learning theory, namely the Empirical Risk Minimization algorithm (ERM). Recent results show that one can significantly improve the high-probability estimates for the convergence rates for empirical minimizers by a direct analysis of the ERM algorithm. These results are based on a new localized notion of complexity of subsets of hypothesis functions with identical expected errors and are therefore dependent on the underlying unknown distribution. We investigate the extent to which one can estimate these high-probability convergence rates in a data-dependent manner. We provide an algorithm which computes a data-dependent upper bound for the expected error of empirical minimizers in terms of the “complexity” of data-dependent local subsets. These subsets are sets of functions of empirical errors of a given range and can be determined based solely on empirical data. We then show that recent direct estimates, which are essentially sharp estimates on the high-probability convergence rate for the ERM algorithm, can not be recovered universally from empirical data.

<p>Gold nanoparticles exhibit remarkable optical properties and could prove useful in sensitive biosensing applications. Upon illumination gold nanoparticles produce localized surface plasmons, which influence nearby fluorophores and an enhancement in their fluorescence intensity can be observed. This property makes gold nanoparticles attractive for enhancing optical signals.</p><p>In this project gold nanoparticles were functionalized with an antibody and immobilized to the surface of an existing biochip platform based on fluorescence. The aim was to investigate the possibility of obtaining an increased fluorescence signal from the gold nanoparticles. Two different conjugation procedures were investigated, direct physisorption and covalent attachment of the antibodies to the particles. Activity of bound antibodies was confirmed in both cases.</p><p>The on-chip fluorescence intensity produced by the different conjugates was monitored by use a specialized fluorescence reader designed for point-of-care use. AFM and SEM were used to determine the surface concentration of particles. A correlation between the produced fluorescence intensity and the surface concentration could be seen.</p>

No description available.

The purpose of this thesis is to explore how men experience living with localized prostate cancer. It includes four substudies carried out between 1997 and 2005. To gather data, the men were interviewed at home and the interviews were recorded. The men (n=27; ages 60-70) who participated in the substudies had a PSA ≤10 ng/ml at the time of diagnosis, and had what is known as low-risk prostate cancer. Seven of the men chose to “wait and see” how the disease would progress after receiving the diagnosis. Twenty men chose curative treatment (10 men external radiation therapy, 10 men radical surgery). The interviews were analyzed using a phenomenological hermeneutical method inspired by the philosophy of Paul Ricoeur, and qualitative content analysis. Men who live with localized prostate cancer perceive the disease as life-threatening, unpredictable, and without early symptoms, which creates a sense of uncertainty, worry, anxiety, despair, and fear of death. Men primarily share perceptions of the disease and treatment with their wives and relatives, as well as with other men in the same situation. They avoid talking about their illness, and keep their innermost thoughts about their disease, prognosis, and the future to themselves. The choice to share their thoughts and feelings only sparingly with others is related in part to the perceived stigmatization of the diagnosis, as well as to consideration for friends and family. The men report that external radiation therapy and radical surgery have negative side effects such as erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and intestinal leakage. They describe the side effects as socially isolating; for example, urinary leakage can require a change of incontinence pads and clothing, and they feel that they smell bad. Men with erectile dysfunction describe themselves as maimed, and their sex lives have changed or disappeared. They report a change in their self-esteem and identity as men and they long for life as it was before the diagnosis, when they felt they had control over their bodily functions. A few men describe a sense of being literally and figuratively “exposed” when they are undressed for examinations or participate in discussions with female doctors and nurses about their erectile dysfunction. They do not describe this perception in the same way with respect to contact with male personnel. In the new situation after treatment, men try to regain a perceived sense of control in their daily lives, over the disease and the effects of treatment. They experience a sense of control over the disease through regular PSA tests; the implications of regular PSA tests can be interpreted as a life preserver in an uncertain world, considering that at the time they were diagnosed they had no symptoms and only had a PSA elevation. The PSA is important for this sense of control, and each PSA test is preceded by tense expectation. The PSA level is described as a reliable expression of the medical condition. The men cannot trust that their own perception of feeling healthy means that the disease is under control. Low and stable PSA levels over a long period of time give a sense of safety, security, and control over the situation. If the PSA climbs, the men feel that despite everything, they have caught it in time for further treatment. Discussions with other men with prostate cancer are also described as a way of having control over the situation. The men's endeavor to reconcile themselves to the new situation can be understood as a process, where they describe various strategies which can be used to forget the “cancer perspective” and achieve a perception of safety and security. Reconciliation with a new situation can be interpreted as a reorientation after the trauma of the cancer diagnosis. The study results show that the men are restrained in communicating their needs to others, which can be interpreted as their having a greater need for support and information than indicated by their signals. Having an internal image of what a man should be like can be an obstacle to showing these needs.

Disturbances introduced in wall-bounded flows can grow and lead to transition from laminar to turbulent flow. In order to reduce losses or enhance mixing in energy systems, a fundamental understanding of the flow stability and transition mechanism is important. In the present thesis, the stability, transition mechanism and early turbulent evolution of wall-bounded flows are studied. The stability is investigated by means of linear stability equations and the transition mechanism and turbulence are studied using direct numerical simulations. Three base flows are considered, the Falkner-Skan boundary layer, boundary layers subjected to wall suction and the Blasius wall jet. The stability with respect to the exponential growth of waves and the algebraic growth of optimal streaks is studied for the Falkner-Skan boundary layer. For the algebraic growth, the optimal initial location, where the optimal disturbance is introduced in the boundary layer, is found to move downstream with decreased pressure gradient. A unified transition prediction method incorporating the influences of pressure gradient and free-stream turbulence is suggested. The algebraic growth of streaks in boundary layers subjected to wall suction is calculated. It is found that the spatial analysis gives larger optimal growth than temporal theory. Furthermore, it is found that the optimal growth is larger if the suction begins a distance downstream of the leading edge. Thresholds for transition of periodic and localized disturbances as well as the spreading of turbulent spots in the asymptotic suction boundary layer are investigated for Reynolds number Re=500, 800 and 1200 based on the displacement thickness and the free-stream velocity. It is found that the threshold amplitude scales like Re^-1.05 for transition initiated by streamwise vortices and random noise, like Re^-1.3 for oblique transition and like Re^-1.5 for the localized disturbance. The turbulent spot is found to take a bullet-shaped form that becomes more distinct and increases its spreading rate for higher Reynolds number. The Blasius wall jet is matched to the measured flow in an experimental wall-jet facility. Both the linear and nonlinear regime of introduced waves and streaks are investigated and compared to measurements. It is demonstrated that the streaks play an important role in the breakdown process where they suppress pairing and enhance breakdown to turbulence. Furthermore, statistics from the early turbulent regime are analyzed and reveal a reasonable self-similar behavior, which is most pronounced with inner scaling in the near-wall region. / QC 20101025

Gold nanoparticles exhibit remarkable optical properties and could prove useful in sensitive biosensing applications. Upon illumination gold nanoparticles produce localized surface plasmons, which influence nearby fluorophores and an enhancement in their fluorescence intensity can be observed. This property makes gold nanoparticles attractive for enhancing optical signals. In this project gold nanoparticles were functionalized with an antibody and immobilized to the surface of an existing biochip platform based on fluorescence. The aim was to investigate the possibility of obtaining an increased fluorescence signal from the gold nanoparticles. Two different conjugation procedures were investigated, direct physisorption and covalent attachment of the antibodies to the particles. Activity of bound antibodies was confirmed in both cases. The on-chip fluorescence intensity produced by the different conjugates was monitored by use a specialized fluorescence reader designed for point-of-care use. AFM and SEM were used to determine the surface concentration of particles. A correlation between the produced fluorescence intensity and the surface concentration could be seen.

This thesis deals with image segmentation problems that arise in various computer vision related fields such as medical imaging, satellite imaging, video surveillance, recognition and robotic vision. More specifically, this thesis deals with a special class of image segmentation technique called Snakes or Active Contour Models. In active contour models, image segmentation is posed as an energy minimization problem, where an objective energy function (based on certain image related features) is defined on the segmenting curve (contour). Typically, a gradient descent energy minimization approach is used to drive the initial contour towards a minimum for the defined energy. The drawback associated with this approach is that the contour has a tendency to get stuck at undesired local minima caused by subtle and undesired image features/edges. Thus, active contour based curve evolution approaches are very sensitive to initialization and noise. The central theme of this thesis is to develop techniques that can make active contour models robust against certain classes of local minima by incorporating global information in energy minimization. These techniques lead to energy minimization with global considerations; we call these models -- 'Non-local active contours'. In this thesis, we consider three widely used active contour models: 1) Edge- and region-based segmentation model, 2) Prior shape knowledge based segmentation model, and 3) Motion segmentation model. We analyze the traditional techniques used for these models and establish the need for robust models that avoid local minima. We address the local minima problem for each model by adding global image considerations.

No description available.