<p> Experimental and theoretical investigations on charge dependence and charge asymmetry in N-N and λ-N interactions are reviewed. The γ-π-exchange N-N and λ-N potentials are derived and calculated in the static limit. The γ-π-exchange charge dependent component of the N-N potential is found to be larger than the charge dependent part of OPEP due to pion mass difference up to 3 fm and is of opposite sign, making the explanation of the splitting between p-n and p-p scattering lengths more difficult than was previously thought. Except at very short distances, this potential is of the order of only a few percent of the OPEP. In the light of this result, it is concluded that the very large charge-dependent correction at large distances required by Noyes' phenomenological analysis on the splitting of rpn and rpp is inexplicable as an electromagnetic correction. The γ-π exchange charge asymmetric components of both N-N and λ-N interactions are found to be much weaker than the charge dependent one for the N-N case.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

<p> In this thesis, the standard perturbation theory is applied to nuclear matter. The second order term is simplified by the introduction of the K(k,k',q) function which takes care of the Pauli Exclusion Principle. Various potentials are used in the calculation of the first and second order term of the perturbation expansion. The results are then discussed.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

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No description available.

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<p> The purpose of this thesis was to design, build and test a prototype artifact suppressing electroencephalogram data acquisition system (AS-EEG-DAQ-S) to collect electroencephalogram (EEG) evoked potential (EP) data during repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) without the EEG signal being masked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) artifact. A functional AS-EEG-DAQ-S capable of blocking TMS artifact would provide for the first time a quantitative measurement system to assist in optimal TMS coil positioning during the rTMS treatment of depression, an alternative to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This thesis provides the details for an AS-EEGDAQ-S. Preliminary TMS EP results on a human subject were collected. Results showed transcallosal conduction times of 12ms to 31ms, which are consistent with those predicted and collected by other researchers in the TMS field. </p> <p> The first portion of this work provides electrode heating data for modem rTMS Paradigms for the recording ofEEG during rTMS. The concern is that during rTMS EEG electrodes can heat to an unsafe temperature. Seven electrode types were tested: silver/silver chloride, silver cup, gold cup, notched gold cup, notched silver cup, notched gold-plated silver cup, and carbon. All electrodes tested are commercially available, including the carbon electrodes designed for MRI use. The three notched electrodes tested were standard electrodes notched using metal clippers to reduce induced currents. Induced currents are responsible for electrode heating during rTMS and can cause burns to the skin. The results ,of this study show that electrode heating is a concern when collecting BEG during rTMS. However, a number of standard electrodes or slightly modified standard electrodes are suitable for recording BEG during rTMS if certain stimulating parameters are adhered to. </p> <p> The second portion of this work provides the detailed development and design of the AS-EEG-DAQ-S. Four different approaches were tested and their ability to withstand a TMS pulse compared. </p> <p> Short circuiting the input pins of a commercially available EEG amplifier was the first approach tried and yielded only marginal results due to the switches used being designed for digital logic, transistor built, and creating an undesirable offset between input pins. </p> <p> The second approach tested involved continuing to work with a commercially available EEG amplifier and implementing a sample-and-hold circuit between the patient and the EEG machine inputs. This approach had the drawback of requiring that the BEG signal be attenuated back to EEG signal levels, which are near noise amplitude levels. </p> <p> The third approach involved using a high bandwidth amplification circuit to recover quicker from the baseline voltage offset created by the TMS artifact. However, increasing the bandwidth also allows the artifact to saturate the input amplifiers, which then require on the order of 500ms to recover fully. </p> <p> The fourth approach involved combining the second and third approaches to create a high bandwidth amplifier that incorporates a sample-and-hold circuit to prevent amplifier saturation when gain is increased. The fourth approach provide the high bandwidth and artifact blocking behavior desired. </p> / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

This thesis is missing page 18, the other copies of the thesis are missing it as well. - Digitization Centre / The work reported in this thesis concerns a possible quantitative relationship between two bioelectric phenomena of the cat cerebral cortex: neuronal discharge and slow potentials. A review of literature dealing with research related to the present topic is given. This is followed by descriptions of the experimental procedure employed and the results obtained. A subsequent discussion in terms of current neurophysiological concepts relates present findings with those of other known research. The accompanying bibliography represents a fairly complete coverage of contemporary and recent experimental and theoretical work related to the present topic. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

Since the use of epoxy coated steel has become mandatory starting in the 1980s, recent studies have shown that epoxy coating does not prevent corrosion, but instead will debond from the steel reinforcement in as little as 4 years (Weyers RE et al, 1998) allowing instead a much more insidious form of corrosion to take place known as crevice corrosion. Therefore, it is important to determine if the nondestructive corrosion activity detection methods are applicable to ECR as well as institute guidelines for interpreting the results. Since the corrosion of reinforcing steel is directly responsible for damage to concrete structures, it is surprising that nondestructive corrosion assessment methods are not part of regular bridge inspection programs such as PONTIS and NBIS. Instead, the inspection and bridge rating guidelines of federally mandated programs such as NBIS are so vague as to allow for a relatively subjective application by the field inspectors. Clear cover depths, resistance, corrosion potentials, linear polarization data, as well as environmental exposure and structural data were collected from a sample of 38 bridge decks in the Commonwealth of Virginia. These structures were further divided in three subsets: bridge decks with a specified w/c ratio of 0.47, bridge decks with a specified w/c ratio of 0.45 and bridge decks with a specified w/cm ratio of 0.45. This data was then correlated to determine which parameters are the most influential in the assignment of NBIS condition rating. Relationships between the non-destructive test parameters were also examined to determine if corrosion potentials and linear polarization are applicable to epoxy coated steel. Based on comparisons of measurements distributions, there is an indication that corrosion potential tests may be applicable to structures reinforced with epoxy coated steel. Furthermore, these conclusions are supported by statistical correlations between resistivity, half cell potentials and linear polarization measurements. Unfortunately, although apparently applicable, as of now there are no guidelines to interpret the results. Based on the linear corrosion current density data collected, no conclusion can be drawn regarding the applicability of the linear polarization test. As far as the NBIS deck rating is concerned, since the inspection guidelines are so vague, age becomes a very easy and attractive factor to the field personnel to rely on. However, this conclusion is far from definitive since the very large majority of structures used in this particular study had only two rating values out of theoretically ten and realistically five possible rating values. / Master of Science

Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) testing is widely used in the assessment of vestibular disorders in clinical practice (Welgampola & Colebatch, 2003). Ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs) are similar to the cervical VEMPs in that the vestibular system is also stimulated by a loud sound. The difference is that the response is measured on the inferior oblique muscle of the eye as opposed to the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) of the neck (Chihara, Iwasaki, Ushio, & Murofushi, 2007). The current study compares the standard cervical VEMP to the ocular VEMP in both control subjects and participants with “clinically certain” Ménière’s disease. By investigating cervical VEMPs in comparison to ocular VEMPs we aimed to improve the ability to stage and diagnose Ménière’s disease using the ocular VEMP. 22 control participants and 19 participants with confirmed unilateral Ménière’s disease took part in the study. The peak latency and amplitudes of the ocular and cervical VEMP tests were recorded and analysed. In addition, the background electromyographic (EMG) activity of both the inferior oblique and sternocleidomastoid muscles was recorded throughout testing. A questionnaire was also distributed to all participants to compare the relative difficulty of the VEMP tests. Statistical analysis using the paired t-test, standard t-test and the one-way ANOVA on ranks test was applied to determine a difference between the control and patient groups for both the ocular and cervical VEMP tests. Overall, the threshold and IAD ratio measures did not produce any significant results when sound was presented to the affected ear for the cervical and ocular VEMP tests. A significant reduction in amplitude of the VEMPs from the Ménière’s groups was found compared to the control groups for the ocular the cervical VEMPs. Overall, an increase in P2 and N3 latency of the ocular VEMP response in Ménière’s patients was determined. Results from the questionnaire suggest that the ocular VEMP test was more tolerable to the cervical VEMP test in this current study. Furthermore, statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in EMG level between the control and Ménière’s group for both the ocular and cervical VEMP data. Overall, results suggest that both the cervical and ocular VEMP tests provide information regarding the integrity of the saccule, owing to the abnormal VEMP findings in the participants with Ménière’s disease. In addition, this study provides evidence that the ocular VEMP is as useful a tool in diagnosing Ménière’s disease as the cervical VEMP.

Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) testing is widely used in the assessment of vestibular disorders in clinical practice (Welgampola & Colebatch, 2003). Ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs) are similar to the cervical VEMPs in that the vestibular system is also stimulated by a loud sound. The difference is that the response is measured on the inferior oblique muscle of the eye as opposed to the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) of the neck (Chihara, Iwasaki, Ushio, & Murofushi, 2007). The current study compares the standard cervical VEMP to the ocular VEMP in both control subjects and participants with “clinically certain” Ménière’s disease. By investigating cervical VEMPs in comparison to ocular VEMPs we aimed to improve the ability to stage and diagnose Ménière’s disease using the ocular VEMP. 22 control participants and 19 participants with confirmed unilateral Ménière’s disease took part in the study. The peak latency and amplitudes of the ocular and cervical VEMP tests were recorded and analysed. In addition, the background electromyographic (EMG) activity of both the inferior oblique and sternocleidomastoid muscles was recorded throughout testing. A questionnaire was also distributed to all participants to compare the relative difficulty of the VEMP tests. Statistical analysis using the paired t-test, standard t-test and the one-way ANOVA on ranks test was applied to determine a difference between the control and patient groups for both the ocular and cervical VEMP tests. Overall, the threshold and IAD ratio measures did not produce any significant results when sound was presented to the affected ear for the cervical and ocular VEMP tests. A significant reduction in amplitude of the VEMPs from the Ménière’s groups was found compared to the control groups for the ocular the cervical VEMPs. Overall, an increase in P2 and N3 latency of the ocular VEMP response in Ménière’s patients was determined. Results from the questionnaire suggest that the ocular VEMP test was more tolerable to the cervical VEMP test in this current study. Furthermore, statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in EMG level between the control and Ménière’s group for both the ocular and cervical VEMP data. Overall, results suggest that both the cervical and ocular VEMP tests provide information regarding the integrity of the saccule, owing to the abnormal VEMP findings in the participants with Ménière’s disease. In addition, this study provides evidence that the ocular VEMP is as useful a tool in diagnosing Ménière’s disease as the cervical VEMP.