Introduction: Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has deleterious effects on one's overall health. Recent literature suggests that craniofacial abnormalities, as noted on a lateral cephalometric radiograph (ceph) or clinically by the presence of a posterior crossbite, may be associated with OSA. Literature also suggests that if abnormal ceph measurements are noted or if a patient presents with a posterior crossbite, then further questioning about that patients sleep habits and snoring should be addressed. The primary purpose of this study is to explore any possible associations between ceph measurements, and/or presence of a posterior crossbite with OSA, as determined by the Berlin sleep questionnaire, in the orthodontic population. The second purpose of this research is to outline a part 2 follow-up study through administration of an at home sleep test, the Nox-T3 sleep monitor, to further validate presence of OSA. The overall goal is to see if the combined data from the Berlin score, the clinical presence or absence of a posterior crossbite, and standard orthodontic ceph measurements can increase the predictive value of patients in the orthodontic office who might be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. Methods: A total of 85 consecutive subjects who were already undergoing records in 5 private practice orthodontic offices around the greater Philadelphia area were recruited for voluntary participation in the study. A Berlin questionnaire, lateral ceph, and any noted presence of a posterior crossbite were collected on all subjects. 12 ceph measurements (SNA, SNB, ANB, Co-A, Co-Gn, A-Na perp, Pg-Na perp, SN-MP, FH-MP, Ba-SN, Wits, and MP-Hyoid) were traced by a second year orthodontic resident. 5 subjects were then selected using a random numbers table and given the Nox-T3 sleep monitor for self-administration to record their sleep for one night. Statistical analyses were run using SAS version 9.2 to evaluate any associations. Results: A total of 76 subjects completed data collection, whereas 9 subjects either failed to report their height, and/or weight, and/or failed to complete the Berlin questionnaire in its entirety thus excluding them from the study. A total of 11, or 14% of subjects scored high on the Berlin, meaning a high risk of suffering from OSA. Of all ceph measurements, the only one that showed a statistically significant association with the high Berlin score was MP-Hyoid (p=0.0033). BMI alone was not found to be associated with the Berlin score (p=0.3712). Presence of a posterior crossbite also did not show any correlation with the Berlin score (p= 0.1000). Conclusions: 1) BMI was not found to be associated with the Berlin score among the orthodontic subject population. 2) MP-hyoid was found to be associated with the Berlin score, at a high level of statistical significance. 3) All other cephalometric measurements, including SNA, SNB, ANB, Co-A, Co-Gn, A-Na perp, Pg-Na perp, SN-MP, FH-MP, Ba-SN, and Wits, failed to show any statistically significant correlation to the Berlin score. 4) Posterior crossbite was not found to be associated with the Berlin Score among the orthodontic subject population. Key words: Obstructive sleep apnea, Berlin sleep questionnaire, cephalometric, posterior crossbite, Nox-T3 sleep monitor, orthodontic population / Oral Biology

The purpose of this thesis is to examine applications of thermal and laser-based methods to monitor airborne particulates in underground coal mines. Specifically, coal and mixed mineral mine dust, as well as, diesel particulate matter (DPM). These particulates have historically, and continue to have, significant health impacts on underground miners. Chapters 1 and 2 of this thesis concentrate on using a novel method of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to characterize respirable coal and mixed mineral mine dust and presents the results of this method being applied to samples collected in Appalachia coal mines. Appalachia has been a geographic "hotspot" for the rise in occupational lung disease amongst underground coal miners, which began in 1990's after decades of steady decline. This has led researchers to propose there could be something unique about the respirable dust composition in Appalachia coal mines, which resulted in the surge of lung disease cases; however, the knowledge base regarding the actual composition of respirable coal mine dust is limited. The results of this thesis show that most of the mass fraction of respirable Appalachia coal mine dust is not coal, but rather carbonates and non-carbonate minerals (i.e. silica and silicates). These findings are significant as many researchers now suspect silica and silicates to be the true culprit in the occupational lung disease of coal miners. DPM presents an additional occupational health hazard to underground coal miners where diesel equipment is used and is difficult to monitor due to its complex nature. In underground metal/non-metal mines, airborne DPM is regulated and monitored using carbon surrogates. However, due to the potential interference from coal-sourced carbon, DPM in coal mines is monitored only by taking samples at the tailpipe of each piece of equipment. This thesis aims to investigate the potential for a laser-based instrument, the FLIR Airtec, to be used in underground coal mines. In particular, what effect the coal dust will have on the instrument, as it measures DPM by way of elemental carbon (EC). The results of this study show that while the Airtec will not over-estimate coal-sourced EC, there could be some sampling artifacts associated with its operation in coal mines, which may inhibit its effectiveness. / Master of Science

Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) remain the focus of research efforts as costs associated with these disorders range from 13 to 54 billion dollars annually. WMSDs associated with the back and neck compromise almost 27% of all reported WMSDs. Approximately 1/3 of visual display terminal (VDT) operators report back and neck pain annually (BLS, 1998). Physical risk factors of VDTs associated with low back and neck WMSDs include static work postures and workstation design. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of monitor height, chair type and their interaction on task performance, back/neck electromyography (EMG), perceived discomfort, and number of posture shifts. Both monitor height and chair type were assessed using two levels (high and low). Participants, four male and four female college age students, performed two data entry tasks using a standard keyboard and monitor and a fully adjustable bi-level table. In addition to the experimenter defined workstation configurations, participants were allowed to adjust their workstation to their preferred settings. Analysis of variance was performed to assess differences in task performance, perceived level of discomfort, number of posture shifts, and EMG data associated with various combinations of monitor height and chair type. Correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between participant's perceived discomfort and measured muscle activity to help determine if these two measurements could be used interchangeably to assess workstation design. No effect of workstation configuration (monitor height/chair type) was found for the majority of dependent variables. An exception was that configuration of low monitor, high chair, and their interaction generated significantly more muscle activity for the low back. User preferred settings were not found to differ significantly from those investigated with respect to muscle activity, perceived discomfort, posture shifts, and performance. Additionally, it was found the participants chose to position the iii workstation according to guidelines suggested in the literature for reducing WMSD discomfort. Task effects were found for performance, posture shifts, and perceived level of discomfort. Higher levels of performance and posture shifts for the neck were associated with the typing task, as opposed to the math task. Higher levels of neck discomfort, posture shifts of the feet and posture shifts of the back were associated with the math task. Correlation analysis provided evidence that perceived discomfort reported by participants and muscle activity for job tasks may not be related. Observed muscle activity for the tasks investigated in this study was low and in some instances, close to resting activity. Due to low levels of EMG, participants may not have been cognizant of their back and neck muscle activity, offering an explanation for why participants experience a cumulative effect of workstation design and seated postures, but linking particular causal factors to the development of LBP and NP is difficult. The findings of this study suggest that there are no gross physical differences between the chair types or monitor heights as defined in this study. Other factors (such as user preferences, job task demands, specific chair parameters, etc.) may significantly effect chair selection. This study found that task was a significant effect for the majority of dependent variables, and therefore may need to be a major factor driving workstation design. Workstation configuration will help determine the type of static posture assumed at a workstation, but the "discomfort or number of posture shifts" associated with that workstation and posture might be more a result of the job task requirements. / Master of Science

For precise measurement of new TeV-scale physics and precision studies of the Higgs Boson, a new lepton collider is required. To enable meaningful analysis, a centre of mass energy of 500GeV and luminosity of 10³⁴cm^-2s^-1 is needed. The planned 31km long International Linear Collider is capable of meeting these targets, requiring a final emittance of 10 micro-radians horizontally and 35nmrad vertically. To achieve these demanding emittance values, the accelerator components in the main linacs must be aligned against an accurately mapped network of reference markers along the entire tunnel. An automated system could map this tunnel network quickly, accurately, safely and repeatedly; the Linear Collider Alignment and Survey (LiCAS) Rapid Tunnel Reference Surveyor (RTRS) is a working prototype of such a system. The LiCAS RTRS is a train of measurement units that accurately locate regularly spaced retro-reflector markers using Frequency Scanning Interferometry (FSI). The unit locations with respect to each other are precisely reconstructed using a Laser Straightness Monitor (LSM) and tilt sensor system, along with a system of internal FSI lines. The design, commissioning, practical usage, calibration, and reconstruction performance of the LSM is addressed in this work. The commissioned RTRS is described and the properties of the LSM components are investigated in detail. A method of finding the position of laser beam spots on the LSM cameras is developed, along with a process of combining individual spot positions into a more robust measurement compatible with the data from other sub-systems. Laser beam propagation along the LSM is modelled and a robust method of reconstructing CCD beam spot position measurements into positions and orientations of the LSM units is described. A method of calibrating LSM units using an external witness system is presented, along with a way of using the overdetermined nature of the LSM to improve calibration constant errors by including data taken from unwitnessed runs. The reconstruction uncertainty, inclusive of both statistical and systematic effects, of the LSM system is found to be of 5.8 microns × 5.3 microns in lateral translations and 27.6 microradians × 34.1 microradians in rotations perpendicular to the beam, with an uncertainty of 51.1 microradians in rotations around the beam coming from a tilt-sensor arrangement.

Les particules d'aérosol sont importantes en raison de leurs impacts directs et indirects sur le climat. Dans la couche limite (CL), ces particules ont une durée de vie relativement courte en raison de leur élimination fréquente par dépôt humide. En revanche, lorsque les aérosols sont transportés dans la troposphère libre (TL), leur durée de vie dans l'atmosphère augmente de manière significative, ce qui les rend représentatifs de vastes zones spatiales. Dans le cadre de ces travaux de thèse, nous avons utilisé une combinaison de mesures in situ effectuées à la station PUY (Puy de Dôme, 45 ° 46 'N, 2 ° 57'E, 1465 m d'altitude), ainsi que des profils LIDAR obtenus depuis Clermont-Ferrand pour identifier les conditions de TL et caractériser davantage les propriétés physiques et chimiques des aérosols dans cette zone de l'atmosphère peu documentée. Dans un premier temps, une combinaison de quatre critères a été utilisée pour déterminer le positionnement de la station PUY en TL ou en CL. Les résultats montrent que la station est située en CL avec des fréquences allant de 50% en hiver à 97% en été. Cette classification a ensuite été utilisée pour évaluer, sur un an de mesures, les différences qui existent entre la TL et la CL en termes de caractéristiques physique (distribution en taille) et chimique (fraction non réfractaire) de l’aérosol, et vis-à-vis des concentrations en carbone suie (BC). Sur la base de cette ségrégation, nous avons observé pour la plupart des saisons que les concentrations en particules des modes Aitken et accumulation ainsi que la concentration en BC sont plus élevées dans la CL que dans la TL. Cette observation est cohérente avec le fait que la majorité des sources d’aérosol sont situées dans la CL. Au contraire, des concentrations plus élevées en particules dans les modes Aitken et accumulation (notamment organiques) et en BC sont observées en TL au printemps. Ces aérosols organiques ont été identifiés comme étant âgés / moins âgés ; ils coïncident avec la présence de fortes concentrations en sulfate et en BC et sont probablement originaires de processus de combustion de biomasse, à la suite desquels ils sont directement injectés en TL sous l’effet d’une convection thermique intense. Aucune différence significative entre les concentrations de CL et de TL n'a été observée pour les particules du mode nucléation, et ce quelle que soit la saison, ce qui suggère une source supplémentaire continue de particules du mode nucléation dans la TL en hiver et en automne. Les concentrations en particules du mode grossier sont en revanche plus élevées dans la TL que dans la CL pour toutes les saisons, et en particulier en été. Cela indique un transport longue distance efficace des grosses particules dans la TL depuis des sources lointaines (marines et désertiques), probablement favorisé par les vitesses de vent accrues dans la TL par rapport à la CL. Nous avons ensuite calculé les rétro-trajectoires des masses d'air que nous avons combinées aux estimations de hauteur de couche limite du modèle ECMWF ERA-Interim pour estimer le temps passé par les masses d’air dans la TL depuis leur dernier contact avec la CL, et pour évaluer l'impact de ce paramètre sur les propriétés des aérosols. Nous avons observé que même après 75 heures sans aucun contact avec la CL, les aérosols de la TL conservent les propriétés spécifiques du type de masse d'air auquel ils appartiennent. Ce manuscrit présente également une étude des mesures simultanées au PUY et à une station urbaine à basse altitude, AtmoAura. Les résultats montrent que lorsque le PUY est en TL, les concentrations des PM1 (particules de diamètre inférieur à 1 µm) sont plus faibles au PUY qu’à AtmoAura, ce qui confirme notre classification. Lorsque le PUY est en CL, la composition en aérosol est similaire pour les deux sites, ce qui a permis de quantifier la contribution de la pollution urbaine locale issue de la ville de Clermont-Ferrand. / Aerosol particles are important due to their direct and indirect impacts on climate. Within the planetary boundary layer (BL), these particles have a relatively short lifetime due to their frequent removal process by wet deposition. When aerosols are transported into the free troposphere (FT), their atmospheric lifetime increases significantly, making them representative of large spatial areas. In this work, we use a combination of in situ measurements performed at the high altitude PUY (Puy de Dôme, 45°46’ N, 2°57’E, 1465 m asl) station, together with LIDAR profiles at Clermont-Ferrand for characterizing FT conditions, and further characterize the physical and chemical properties of aerosol in this poorly documented area of the atmosphere. First, a combination of four criteria was used to identify whether the PUY station lies within the FT or within the BL. Results show that the PUY station is located in BL with frequencies ranging from 50% during the winter, up to 97% during the summer. Then, the classification is applied to a year-long dataset of particle size distribution and NR-PM1 data’s to study the differences in particle physical and chemical characteristics and BC concentrations between the FT and the BL. Based on this segregation, we observed higher concentrations in the BL compared to FT for BC, Aitken and accumulation mode particle concentrations for most seasons, as expected from larger sources originating from the surface. However, BC, Aitken mode, accumulation mode and organic aerosols concentrations were higher in the FT compared to BL during spring. These organic aerosols were identified as aged/less aged, and were correlated with sulphate and BC and we suspect that the higher concentrations of particles observed in the FT compared to BL during spring originate from direct injection of BB aerosols in the FT through strong heat convection. No significant difference between the BL and the FT concentrations was observed for the nucleation mode particles for all seasons, suggesting a continuous additional source of nucleation mode particles in the FT during winter and autumn. Coarse mode particle concentrations were found higher in the FT than in the BL for all seasons and especially during summer. This indicates an efficient long-range transport of large particles in the FT from distant sources (marine and desert) due to higher wind speeds in the FT compared to BL. For FT air masses, we used 204-h air mass back-trajectories combined with boundary layer height estimations from ECMWF ERA-Interim to assess the time they spent in the FT since their last contact with the BL and to evaluate the impact of this parameter on the aerosol properties. We observed that even after 75 h without any contact with the BL, FT aerosols preserve specific properties of their air mass type. This manuscript is also presenting a study of simultaneous measurements at PUY and an urban low altitude station AtmoAura. Results show that when the PUY is influenced by FT air masses, the PM1 species are lower at the PUY compared to AtmoAura confirming our classification. When the PUY is predicted to lay within the BL, the aerosol composition was similar among the two sites for several species, which allowed for a quantification of the local urban pollution contribution for the species enhanced within the city of Clermont-Ferrand.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:36:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2004014 bytes, checksum: 3d8ca87826ca89996bb9c71a82501746 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-04 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In this work, we present the development of an embedded system prototyping with soft-core Nios II and FPGA for a holter monitor that implements data compression, using the PPM Algorithm, and simulate ECG signals through the implementation of the Fourier series. Through a holter monitor, cardiologists can obtain ECG signals, serving as the basis for the perception of symptoms and activities of patients. These signals are captured and recorded by monitors in periods greater than or equal to 24 hours, requiring large storage size to store them, therefore increasing cost of the monitor. Using the PPM algorithm, a monitor holter can considerably reduce the size of the signals stored, thus reducing storage space and cost of device, addition to allow rapid transmission of the data. Integrating the ECG signal simulator to the device, is possible to generate samples of ECG via the embedded system, saving time and eliminating difficulties in obtaining signals, compared with the capture of real ECG signals by invasive and noninvasive methods. It enables the analysis and study of normal and abnormal ECGs. An embedded system on programmable chip (SOPC) was prototyped with a development kit containing peripherals and FPGA chip compatible with the Nios II. Architecture soft-core was set to compact operating system and software modules have been successfully developed, ported and validated on this platform. / Neste trabalho, é apresentado o desenvolvimento de um sistema embarcado com prototipagem em FPGA contendo instanciação do processador soft-core Nios II (SOPC System on a Programmable Chip), para um monitor holter que implementa compressão de dados, utilizando o algoritmo PPM, e simula sinais ECG através da implementação das Séries de Fourier. Através de um monitor holter, cardiologistas podem obter sinais ECG, que servem de base para a percepção de sintomas e atividades em pacientes, captados e armazenados pelos monitores em períodos maiores ou iguais a 24 horas, requisitando grandes espaços de armazenamento, aumentando, assim, o custo deste monitor. Utilizando o PPM, o dispositivo desenvolvido poderá reduzir consideravelmente a quantidade de dados armazenados, reduzindo, portanto, o espaço de armazenamento e o custo do dispositivo, permitindo ainda a rápida transmissão dos dados. Integrando o simulador de sinais ECG ao dispositivo, possibilita-se a geração de amostras de sinais eletrocardiográficos através do sistema embarcado, economizando tempo e eliminando dificuldades na obtenção de sinais, em comparação com a captação real de sinais ECG através de métodos invasivos e nãoinvasivos. O mesmo permite a análise e o estudo de sinais ECG normais e anormais. Um sistema embarcado em chip programável (SOPC) foi prototipado com uma placa contendo periféricos e uma pastilha FPGA dotada de compatibilidade com o Nios II; a arquitetura do soft-core foi configurada em sistema operacional compacto e módulos de software foram exitosamente desenvolvidos, portados e validados sobre essa plataforma.

The subject of the thesis is using information from the accountancy during controls 3E type (stands for economy, efficiency and effectiveness) by the subsidies aimed at subsidies from European Union funds. Thesis deals with the possibilities of subsidies from the EU through the. ESI (acronym for European structural and investment funds) funds and then how the Czech Republic fulfills the EU regional policy, including the system of applying for subsidies in the Czech Republic. A relatively large part of the thesis consists of the control system of subsidies from EU in the Czech Republic and in connection with this is generally described the principle 3E. For control purposes is as a source of input data used monitor of the state treasury as a result of state accounting reform. This topic is covered in the next chapter, focusing on requirements in accounting for selected accounting units, including the using of information from financial statements published in the monitor of state treasury, is public sector entities and in this chapter is also formulated a hypothesis to determine the details and the useability of this information for control type 3E by the subsidies. The result was a disproving of the hypothesis that the data from the financial statements of the selected accounting units are useful in controlling type 3E and then efforts to custom design the structure of financial statements.

This work deals with problems of EEG biofeedback and possibilities of its use in therapy. The method of EEG biofeedback helps patients to achieve the state of relaxation. It is a noninvasive treatment modality. The paper also discussed the requirements for each component unit. The main point of a design and construction of Alpha activity monitor, a device implementing EEG biofeedback focused on sensing electrical activity of the brain, specifically alpha waves. Alpha activity is specific and their parameters are taken into account when selecting components and construction equipment. Custom feedback is then for the appearance of alpha activity mediated by the headphones in acoustic form. The work also includes design of electrical circuits and electrical diagram of the overall apparatus including a list of used parts. Electrical diagrams are formed in the EAGLE 6.1.0.

LKAB Mekaniska i Kiruna, Sverige är en ståltillverkare som bland annat producerar avropsartikeln lingenomföring till moderbolaget LKAB. Målet med detta examensarbete är att minska på leveranstiden för sistnämnda artikel. För att åstadkomma detta undersöktes produktionsflödet i affärssystemet Monitor. Därtill genomfördes en litteraturstudie och intervjuer hölls med avdelningschefer och operatörer från LKAB Mekaniska. Utifrån detta identifierades tre faktorer som påverkar leveranstiden negativt. Dessa är kötiderna mellan operationerna, den bristfälliga planeringen som skedde vid skär- och maskinavdelningen, samt begränsningarna som höll upp produktionen i maskinavdelningen Vi hävdar att leveranstiden minskar om följande åtgärder genomförs: eliminera kötiderna mellan tillverkningsprocesserna, öka beläggningen och kapaciteten på tillverkningsmaskinen, implementera ett kanbansystem, ändra ordningsföljden i tillverkningsprocessen och slutligen införa ett säkerhetslager med färdigsvarvade stänger. / LKAB Mekaniska in Kiruna, Sweden is a steel-manufacturer that, among other things, produces lingenomföring for its parent company LKAB. The aim of this thesis is to decrease the delivery time of the aforementioned product. In order to achieve this, production flow in the business system Monitor ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) was examined. In addition to this a literature study was conducted and interviews were held with department heads and machine operators from LKAB Mekaniska. Based on data collected, three factors were identified as negatively affecting the delivery time. These are queue times between operations, inadequate planning for the cutting and machinery department, as well as the limitations that kept the production back in the machinery department. We claim that the delivery time decreases if the following measures are realized: eliminate queue times between stages in the manufacturing process, increase personnel capacity related to the manufacturing machine, implement a kanban system, change the order of the manufacturing process and lastly to introduce a storage of ready-turned bars.

The complexity of the software behind autonomous systems is rapidly growing, as are the applications of what they can do. It is not unusual for the lines of code to reach the millions, which adds to the verification challenge. The machine learning algorithms involved are often "black boxes" where the precise workings are not known by the developer applying them, and their behavior is undefined when encountering an untrained scenario. With so much code, the possibility of bugs or malicious code is considerable. An approach is developed to monitor and possibly override the behavior of autonomous systems independent of the software controlling them. Application-isolated safety monitors are implemented in configurable hardware to ensure that the behavior of an autonomous system is limited to what is intended. The sensor inputs may be shared with the software, but the output from the monitors is only engaged when the system violates its prescribed behavior. For each specific rule the system is expected to follow, a monitor is present processing the relevant sensor information. The behavior is defined in linear temporal logic (LTL) and the associated monitors are implemented in a field programmable gate array (FPGA). An off-the-shelf drone is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the monitors without any physical modifications to the drone. Upon detection of a violation, appropriate corrective actions are persistently enforced on the autonomous system. / Master of Science / Autonomous systems are surprisingly vulnerable, not just from malicious hackers, but from design errors and oversights. The lines of code required can quickly climb into the millions, and the artificial decision algorithms can be inscrutable and fully dependent upon the information they are trained on. These factors cause the verification of the core software running our autonomous cars, drones, and everything else to be prohibitively difficult by traditional means. Independent safety monitors are implemented to provide internal oversight for these autonomous systems. A semi-automatic design process efficiently creates error-free monitors from safety rules drones need to follow. These monitors remain separate and isolated from the software typically controlling the system, but use the same sensor information. They are embedded in the circuitry and act as their own small, task-specific processors watching to make sure a particular rule is not violated; otherwise, they take control of the system and force corrective behavior. The monitors are added to a consumer off-the-shelf (COTS) drone to demonstrate their effectiveness. For every rule monitored, an override is triggered when they are violated. Their effectiveness depends on reliable sensor information as with any electronic component, and the completeness of the rules detailing these monitors.