Near field imaging using microwaves in medical applications is of great current interest for its capability and accuracy in identifying features of interest, in comparison with other known screening tools. Many imaging methods have been developed over the past two decades showing the potential of microwave imaging in medical applications such as early breast cancer detection, analysis of cardiac tissues, soft tissues and bones. Microwave imaging uses non-ionizing ultra wideband (UWB) electromagnetic signals and utilises tissue-dependent dielectric contrast to reconstruct signals and images using radar-based or tomographic imaging techniques. Microwave imaging offers low health risk, low operational cost, ease of use and user-friendliness. This study documents microwave imaging experiments for early breast cancer detection and bone fracture detection using radar approach. An actively tuned UWB patch antenna and a UWB Vivaldi antenna are designed and utilised as sensing elements in the aforementioned applications. Both UWB antennas were developed over a range of frequency spectrum, and then characteristics were tested against their ability for microwave imaging applications by reconstructing the 3D Inversion Algorithm. An experiment was conducted using patch antenna to test the detection of variable sizes of cancer tissues based on a simple phantom consisting of a plastic container with a low dielectric material emulating fatty tissue and high dielectric constant object emulating a tumour, is scanned between 4 to 8 GHz with the patch antenna. A 2-D image of the tumour is constructed using the reflected signal response to visualize the location and size of the tumour. A Vivaldi antenna is designed covering 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. The antenna is tested via simulation for detecting bone fractures of various sizes and 2-D images are generated using reflected pulses to show the size of fracture. The Vivaldi antenna is optimised for early breast cancer detection and detailed simulated study is carried out using different breast phantoms and tumour sizes. Simulations are backed with the experimental investigation with the test setup used for patch antenna. Generated images for simulations and experimental investigation show good agreement, and show the presence of tumour with good location accuracy. Measurements indicate that both prototype microwave sensors are good candidates for tested imaging applications.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:21:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nadya Massaretto.pdf: 1843830 bytes, checksum: d35339d48412123e711595cc08a134ae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-24 / The focus is to analyze the formation process of the house condominiums in the city of Itatiba, in S?o Paulo state, which is explained by the metropolitanization phenomenon. This dynamic produces a spatial organization, territorially scattered of the low density urban tissue, which results in, among other consequences, the increase of the urbanization costs, a fragmented city, loss of cultural identity, related to the use of the city, etc. In this perspective has been observed, from the mid 1970 s, the proliferation of the house condominiums construction, as cause and effect of the contemporary urbanization, identified by the paulista metropolitanization. The factors that can explain this dynamic are related, at least, to: 1) land s value, relatively low if compared to other locations in similar context and near Itatiba; 2) advertising and marketing strategies which produce a urban violence scene, non-existent in cities in the mentioned proportions, and relating living in house condominiums to the idea of security; 3) proximity to great metropolitan centers, which generate commercial, industrial and especially services economic flow; 4) the offer of one of the most modern road systems of the country; and, 5) a scene that is predominantly rural and connected to the expectation of a healthy way of life. The analyzed case also reveals, in great manner, evidences of the support that the city s legislation guarantee to the approval and legalization of this sort of state enterprise. / O foco ? an?lise do processo de forma??o dos condom?nios residenciais fechados no munic?pio de Itatiba, estado de S?o Paulo, explicado por meio do fen?meno da metropoliza??o. Essa din?mica produz uma organiza??o espacial do tecido urbano de baixa densidade e territorialmente dispersa, que resulta, entre outras consequ?ncias, o aumento dos custos de urbaniza??o, uma cidade fragmentada, perda da identidade cultural relacionadas aos h?bitos de uso da cidade, etc. Nesta perspectiva ? que se observou, a partir de meados dos anos 1970, a prolifera??o da constru??o de condom?nios residenciais fechados, como causa e efeito do processo de urbaniza??o contempor?nea, identificado pela metropoliza??o paulista. Os fatores que podem explicar essa din?mica est?o relacionados, pelo menos, ao seguinte: 1) valor da terra, relativamente baixo se comparado a outras localidades em contextos semelhantes e pr?ximos a Itatiba; 2) estrat?gias de propaganda e markenting que produzem um quadro de viol?ncia urbana inexistente na cidade nas propor??es anunciadas e relacionando a moradia em condom?nios fechados a id?ia de seguran?a; 3) proximidade a grandes centros metropolitanos geradores de fluxos econ?micos comerciais, industriais e, especialmente, de servi?os; 4) oferta de um dos mais modernos sistemas vi?rios do pa?s; e, 5) paisagem predominantemente rural atrelada ?s expectativas de um modo de vida saud?vel. O caso analisado tamb?m revela de maneira exemplar evid?ncias do respaldo que a legisla??o municipal garante ? aprova??o e legaliza??o dessa forma de empreendimento imobili?rio.

Neste trabalho consideramos um método de construções genéricas de espaços compactos e dispersos não-metrizáveis, desenvolvido por Baumgartner, Shelah, Rabus, Juhasz e Soukup. Introduzimos novas técnicas e obtemos novas aplicações relevantes tanto para a topologia dos espaços compactos quanto para a geometria dos espaços de Banach de funções contínuas. As novas técnicas dizem respeito a novas amalgamações de condições do forcing que adiciona os espaços dispersos, bem como a generalizações dos argumentos dos autores acima citados de pontos de um espaço compacto K para medidas de Radon sobre K. Como aplicações, obtemos dois novos espaços compactos e dispersos K_1 e K_2, com as propriedades abaixo. K_1 é um espaço hereditariamente separável de peso aleph_1 tal que C(K_1) possui a propriedade (C) de Corson e não possui a propriedade (E) de Efremov. K_2 é o primeiro exemplo de um espaço compacto disperso, hereditariamente separável, de altura omega_2. Segue que o grau de Lindelöf hereditário de K_2 é aleph_2, mostrando a consistência de que hL(K) é estritamente maior que o sucessor de hd(K) para espaços compactos K. C(K_2) é o primeiro exemplo consistente de um espaço de densidade aleph_2 que não possui um sistema biortogonal não-enumerável. / In this work we consider a method of generic constructions of compact scattered non-metrizable spaces developed by Baumgartner, Shelah, Rabus, Juhasz and Soukup. We introduce new techniques and obtain new applications both relevant to topology of compact spaces and the geometry of Banach spaces of continuous functions. The new techniques concern new amalgamations of conditions of forcing which add the dispersed spaces as well as the generalizations of arguments of the above-mentioned authors from points of a compact space K to Radon measures on K. As applications we obtain two compact scattered spaces K_1 and K_2 with the properties below. K_1 is a hereditarily separable space of weight aleph_1 such that C(K_1) has property (C) of Corson and does not have property (E) of Efremov. K_2 is the first (consistent) example of a compact scattered space which is hereditarily separable and whose height is omega_2. It follows that its hereditary Lindelöf degree is aleph_2, showing the consistency of hL(K) can me strictly greater than the successor of hd(K) for compact spaces K. C(K_2) is the first consistent example of a Banach space of density aleph_2 without uncountable biorthogonal systems.

Neste trabalho consideramos um método de construções genéricas de espaços compactos e dispersos não-metrizáveis, desenvolvido por Baumgartner, Shelah, Rabus, Juhasz e Soukup. Introduzimos novas técnicas e obtemos novas aplicações relevantes tanto para a topologia dos espaços compactos quanto para a geometria dos espaços de Banach de funções contínuas. As novas técnicas dizem respeito a novas amalgamações de condições do forcing que adiciona os espaços dispersos, bem como a generalizações dos argumentos dos autores acima citados de pontos de um espaço compacto K para medidas de Radon sobre K. Como aplicações, obtemos dois novos espaços compactos e dispersos K_1 e K_2, com as propriedades abaixo. K_1 é um espaço hereditariamente separável de peso aleph_1 tal que C(K_1) possui a propriedade (C) de Corson e não possui a propriedade (E) de Efremov. K_2 é o primeiro exemplo de um espaço compacto disperso, hereditariamente separável, de altura omega_2. Segue que o grau de Lindelöf hereditário de K_2 é aleph_2, mostrando a consistência de que hL(K) é estritamente maior que o sucessor de hd(K) para espaços compactos K. C(K_2) é o primeiro exemplo consistente de um espaço de densidade aleph_2 que não possui um sistema biortogonal não-enumerável. / In this work we consider a method of generic constructions of compact scattered non-metrizable spaces developed by Baumgartner, Shelah, Rabus, Juhasz and Soukup. We introduce new techniques and obtain new applications both relevant to topology of compact spaces and the geometry of Banach spaces of continuous functions. The new techniques concern new amalgamations of conditions of forcing which add the dispersed spaces as well as the generalizations of arguments of the above-mentioned authors from points of a compact space K to Radon measures on K. As applications we obtain two compact scattered spaces K_1 and K_2 with the properties below. K_1 is a hereditarily separable space of weight aleph_1 such that C(K_1) has property (C) of Corson and does not have property (E) of Efremov. K_2 is the first (consistent) example of a compact scattered space which is hereditarily separable and whose height is omega_2. It follows that its hereditary Lindelöf degree is aleph_2, showing the consistency of hL(K) can me strictly greater than the successor of hd(K) for compact spaces K. C(K_2) is the first consistent example of a Banach space of density aleph_2 without uncountable biorthogonal systems.

Nous nous intéressons, dans cette étude, à la caractérisation d'un défaut en développe une méthode ultrasonore basée sur la diffusion multiple des ondes. Pour cela, nous avons utilisé un béton base polymère endommagé par un essai de flexion en trois points. La technique d’'Interférométrie par Onde de Coda (CWI) prend en compte les ondes issues de la diffusion multiple et qui parcourent de ce fait une distance très grande devant celle séparant la source et du récepteur. Cette technique montre la sensibilité de la coda quand le matériau est soumis en résonance non linéaire où l’ influence des conditions de l’ environnement est considéré comme limité par l’ utilisation d’ un signal différent de référence. Les résultats expérimentaux ont montré que l’ efficacité de la méthode dépend du plan de vibrations considérées. Dans le but d'étudier l’ anisotropie d’ un défaut créé dans un béton base polymère nous avons utilisé les données de l’'Emission Acoustique (EA) récoltées au cours d’ essais acoustiques en Résonance Non Linéaire pour les deux plans. L’ existence d'une différence entre les signaux enregistrés au cours de mesures de l’ EA montrent que nous produisons différents micro-mécanismes dont la présence et / ou l'absence ont un impact important important sur l'interaction entre l'onde ultrasonore et le défaut. / Nonlinear Resonance (NR) and Coda Wave Interferometry (CWI) have proved to be efficient to detect and follow the evolution of micro-cracks within a strongly scattering media (concrete, rocks, etc.). Nevertheless, the localization of the cracks using the same techniques is not straight forward. In order to avoid the conditioning and its subsequent relaxation effect related to NR, CWI is simultaneously applied when concrete samples are vibrating in the linear regime. Based on a comparative study of the coda signals contents (non ballistic part) in the absence and under the weak linear vibration, the localization of the mechanically induced scatterers was possible depending on the scatterers' main direction with respect to the vibration plane. The latter point raises the issue of the generated types of vibration at the scatterers. Therefore, investigations were performed using the Acoustic Emission (AE) technique, which has served to verify that the acoustic activity during the linear vibrations does change depending on the considered experimental configuration. The latter, has also a direct effect on the frequency content of the recorded AE hits showing the potential link existing between the quantitative analysis of AE hits and the generated vibration mechanisms of the existing micro-cracks.

<p>This thesis, consisting of three papers and a summary, studies topics in the theory of stochastic processes related to long-range dependence. Much recent interest in such probabilistic models has its origin in measurements of Internet traffic data, where typical characteristics of long memory have been observed. As a macroscopic feature, long-range dependence can be mathematically studied using certain scaling limit theorems. </p><p>Using such limit results, two different scaling regimes for Internet traffic models have been identified earlier. In one of these regimes traffic at large scales can be approximated by long-range dependent Gaussian or stable processes, while in the other regime the rescaled traffic fluctuates according to stable ``memoryless'' processes with independent increments. In Paper I a similar limit result is proved for a third scaling scheme, emerging as an intermediate case of the other two. The limit process here turns out to be a non-Gaussian and non-stable process with long-range dependence.</p><p>In Paper II we derive a representation for the latter limit process as a stochastic integral of a deterministic function with respect to a certain compensated Poisson random measure. This representation enables us to study some further properties of the process. In particular, we prove that the process at small scales behaves like a Gaussian process with long-range dependence, while at large scales it is close to a stable process with independent increments. Hence, the process can be regarded as a link between these two processes of completely different nature.</p><p>In Paper III we construct a class of processes locally behaving as Gaussian and globally as stable processes and including the limit process obtained in Paper I. These processes can be chosen to be long-range dependent and are potentially suitable as models in applications with distinct local and global behaviour. They are defined using stochastic integrals with respect to the same compensated Poisson random measure as used in Paper II.</p>

This thesis, consisting of three papers and a summary, studies topics in the theory of stochastic processes related to long-range dependence. Much recent interest in such probabilistic models has its origin in measurements of Internet traffic data, where typical characteristics of long memory have been observed. As a macroscopic feature, long-range dependence can be mathematically studied using certain scaling limit theorems. Using such limit results, two different scaling regimes for Internet traffic models have been identified earlier. In one of these regimes traffic at large scales can be approximated by long-range dependent Gaussian or stable processes, while in the other regime the rescaled traffic fluctuates according to stable ``memoryless'' processes with independent increments. In Paper I a similar limit result is proved for a third scaling scheme, emerging as an intermediate case of the other two. The limit process here turns out to be a non-Gaussian and non-stable process with long-range dependence. In Paper II we derive a representation for the latter limit process as a stochastic integral of a deterministic function with respect to a certain compensated Poisson random measure. This representation enables us to study some further properties of the process. In particular, we prove that the process at small scales behaves like a Gaussian process with long-range dependence, while at large scales it is close to a stable process with independent increments. Hence, the process can be regarded as a link between these two processes of completely different nature. In Paper III we construct a class of processes locally behaving as Gaussian and globally as stable processes and including the limit process obtained in Paper I. These processes can be chosen to be long-range dependent and are potentially suitable as models in applications with distinct local and global behaviour. They are defined using stochastic integrals with respect to the same compensated Poisson random measure as used in Paper II.

Diese Dissertation beschäftigt sich mit zwei der wesentlichen Herausforderungen, welche bei der Bearbeitung großer Datensätze auftreten, der Dimensionsreduktion und der Datenentstörung. Der erste Teil dieser Dissertation liefert eine Zusammenfassung über Dimensionsreduktion. Ziel der Dimensionsreduktion ist eine sinnvolle niedrigdimensionale Darstellung eines vorliegenden hochdimensionalen Datensatzes. Insbesondere diskutieren und vergleichen wir bewährte Methoden des Manifold-Learning. Die zentrale Annahme des Manifold-Learning ist, dass der hochdimensionale Datensatz (approximativ) auf einer niedrigdimensionalen Mannigfaltigkeit liegt. Störungen im Datensatz sind bei allen Dimensionsreduktionsmethoden hinderlich. Der zweite Teil dieser Dissertation stellt eine neue Entstörungsmethode für hochdimensionale Daten vor, eine Wavelet-Shrinkage-Methode für die Glättung verrauschter Abtastwerte einer zugrundeliegenden multivariaten stückweise stetigen Funktion, wobei die Abtastpunkte gestreut sein können. Die Methode stellt eine Verallgemeinerung und Weiterentwicklung der für die Bildkompression eingeführten "Easy Path Wavelet Transform" (EPWT) dar. Grundlage ist eine eindimensionale Wavelet-Transformation entlang (adaptiv) zu konstruierender Pfade durch die Abtastpunkte. Wesentlich für den Erfolg der Methode sind passende adaptive Pfadkonstruktionen. Diese Dissertation beinhaltet weiterhin eine kurze Diskussion der theoretischen Eigenschaften von Wavelets entlang von Pfaden sowie numerische Resultate und schließt mit möglichen Modifikationen der Entstörungsmethode.

Nous basant sur plusieurs études de cas effectuées au sein de communautés R&D virtuelles d'Alstom Power Hydro, nous démontrons d'une part, qu'un forum peut soutenir différents types d'intéractions allant de la transmission d'informations à la co-construction de connaissances et co-production de solution. Opérationnalisant et améliorant des grilles scientifiques visant à caractériser des communautés de pratiques virtuelles, nous démontrons aussi, qu'il existe un lien entre la configuration d'une communauté et le type de ses intéractions en ligne. Nous démontrons qu’il existe une configuration optimale, de communautés de pratiques virtuelles appliquées à la R&D, qui garantit des intéractions de type co-construction de connaissance et co-production de solution entre ses membres. A l'heure où Microsoft équipe chaque jour 20000 nouveaux utilisateurs de l'application Share point, cette thèse prend tout sens. En opérationnalisant une méthode d'évaluation des communautés de pratiques virtuelles, et en apportant des conseils pour déployer un forum appliqué à la R&D, nous accompagnons tout projet de création de communauté R&D virtuelle et/ou d'instrumentation de ses intéractions par un forum. / In this dissertation, we explore the potential of a forum to support collaboration and knowledge sharing among Virtual Communities of practice. We thus propose a coding scheme based on the Rainbow model and test it in order to analyze the content of two forums of R&D VcoP. We demonstrate that a forum supports asynchronous argumentative activities and thus enhances global collaboration and knowledge sharing among R&D VcoP members. We then propose an enriched model based on the work of Line Dube and tested it to characterize the R&D VcoP studied. We prove that the community configuration has a direct impact on the online dynamic of the community. We point out the main factors that play a key role in fostering online collaboration and knowledge sharing between R&D Virtual community members.

L’imagerie à rayons X couplée aux détecteurs résolus en énergie permet de différencier les matériaux présents et d’estimer leurs contributions respectives. Cependant, ces techniques nécessitent des images très précises. La présence du rayonnement diffusé conduit à une perte du contraste spatial et un biais dans l’imagerie radiographique ainsi que des artefacts dans la tomodensitométrie (TDM). L’objectif principal de cette thèse était de développer une approche de correction du rayonnement diffusé adaptée à l’imagerie multi-énergies. Pour réaliser cette tâche, un objectif secondaire a été défini : la conception et la validation d’un outil de simulation capable de fournir des images du diffusé résolu en énergie dans un temps raisonnable. Une fois validé, cet outil a permis d’étudier le comportement du diffusé dans le domaine spatial et énergétique. Sur la base de cette analyse du diffusé, une approche originale dite « Partial Attenuation Spectral Scatter Separation Approach » (PASSSA) adaptée à l’imagerie multi-énergies a été développée. L’évaluation de PASSSA en mode radiographique par des simulations numériques et des mesures expérimentales a révélé des résultats remarquables en termes d’amélioration du contraste d’image et de la réduction du biais induit par la présence du diffusé. De plus, des études de simulation ont permis d’évaluer la performance de l’approche développée dans la TDM, où PASSSA s’est révélée d’être très efficace pour corriger les distorsions in-duites par le rayonnement diffusé. D’autre part, l’amélioration de la performance dans le contexte de la décomposition des matériaux de base en radiographie après avoir appliqué la méthode développée a également été analysée : l’application de PASSSA se traduit par une amélioration substantielle de l’estimation des épaisseurs des matériaux de base. Finalement, sur la base des différents résultats de validation obtenus, une analyse des développements potentiels a été menée. / X-ray imaging coupled with recently emerged energy-resolved photon counting detectors provides the ability to differentiate material components and to estimate their respective thicknesses. However, such techniques require highly accurate images. The presence of scattered radiation leads to a loss of spatial contrast and, more importantly, a bias in radiographic material imaging and computed tomography (CT). Additionally, artifacts are also introduced in the case of the latter. The main aim of the present thesis was to develop a scatter correction approach adapted for multi-energy imaging. In order to achieve this task, a secondary objective was also set. Namely, the conception and validation of a simulation tool capable of providing energy-resolved scatter simulations in a reasonable time. Once validated through simulations and experimentally, this tool gave the ability to study the behavior of scattered radiation both in spatial and energy domains. Based on the conducted scatter analysis, a Partial Attenuation Spectral Scatter Separation Approach (PASSSA) adapted for multi-energy imaging was developed. The evaluation of PASSSA in radiographic mode through simulations and experiments revealed noteworthy results both in terms of image contrast improvement and scatter induced bias reduction. Additionally, simulation studies examined the performance of the developed approach in CT, where PASSSA also proved to be quite effective at correcting scatter induced distortions. Moreover, the performance improvement in the context of basis material decomposition in radiography after applying the designed method was also analyzed. It was concluded that the application of PASSSA results in a substantial improvement in basis material thickness estimation. Finally, based on the obtained simulated and experimental method evaluation results an analysis of perspective developments was also conducted.