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Hyperpolarized 3Helium (HP 3He) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has provided considerable insights into the anatomical structures and localized physiological phenomenon involved in pulmonary ventilation. The increasing mortality rates of pulmonary diseases such as COPD, gives rise to the need for sensitive and regional assessments of early disease conditions in attempts to decrease mortality and improve lifestyles. Evaluation of the HP 3He MRI diffusion weighted measurements of lung microstructure, demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between microstructure expansion and degree of lung inflation at the time of imaging. The ability of HP 3He MRI to assess regional ventilation was validated against air volume change estimates of ventilation attainable via conventional MDCT in a cohort of 8 normal never smokers. Great correlations and slope were observed between the functional estimates, with similar gravitationally dependent-nondependent gradients throughout. A small but significant preferential helium distribution was observed in the nondependent regions, most likely due to gas density differences between air and helium. Further validation of HP 3He MRI's ability to assess regional ventilation, was carried via quantitative and qualitative assessments against xenon-enhanced MDCT (normal = 4, COPD = 2). The MRI based estimates were found to be insensitive to slow and fast ventilating regions, while superior in exhibiting ventilation defects. Similar gravitationally dependent - nondependent gradients were observed throughout, along with a homogenous distribution of the exogenous contrast agents. Coefficient of variation (COV) values followed similar trends in the normal subjects, while only one COPD subject demonstrated an increase from the normal population baseline. Acquisition differences including single vs. multi-breath and z-axis coverage could attribute to the quantitative differences observed. Evaluation of the density dependent distribution patterns of helium in a normal airway model via dynamic HP 3He MRI and computational fluid dynamics, demonstrated an increased preferential distribution in the nondependent airways, in agreement with the ventilation discrepancies previously observed. In combination with the developmental aspects of the presented research, we have validated the ability of HP 3He MRI to assess regional ventilation, via multiple quantitative assessments against conventional based and exogenously enhanced MDCT techniques and extracted the lung inflation level dependencies. Complimented with dynamic imaging and CFD simulations of helium distribution, these results provide insight into future considerations critical to the establishment of the technique as a surrogate to the ionizing radiation based modalities.

This diploma thesis deals with fingerprint recognition applied in personal computers. The topic is analyzed both chronologically in historical context and in connection with other biometric methods. The thesis provides a comprehensive survey of the topic. It starts with physical layer, goes through hardware parts and ends with software architecture. A special attention is paid to programming fingerprint recognition support into end-user applications. These are the aims of the thesis: to place the silicon fingerprint sensing technology into the historical context and describe its evolution in connection with personal computers till the present times, to provide the results of market research of fingerprint sensors used in personal computers, to work out the summary of the functions the end-users have at their disposal, to present the market research results of fingerprint software, to work out the overview and the comparison of available software development kits (SDKs) and that of application programming interfaces (APIs) used for the described fingerprint sensor devices, and last but not least to develop a demonstration application that communicates with a fingerprint sensor device. Technical literature, market researches together with my own experience from the work in this field were used so as to meet the set aims. As for the demo application of this technology it is my own innovative approach. The thesis is divided into seven chapters where Chapter II -- Chapter VI directly deal with the mentioned topics. The completion of a missing angle of approach to the subject from end-users' and application programmers' perspective is the main asset of this thesis. The work also allows orientation on the silicon fingerprint sensor market and fingerprint software market. Moreover it shows possibilities how to extend this technology, it provides a detailed analysis of the software layer and presents programming samples showing that show how to use this technology. The demo application allowing audio volume control by a fingerprint device is an innovation in the branch of computer input devices.

Justificativa e Objetivos: Comparar as repercussões na mecânica respiratória e na troca gasosa em pacientes pediátricos submetidos à cirurgia ortopédica em posição lateral sob anestesia geral, utilizando-se dois modos de ventilação mecânica: controlada a volume (VCV) versus controlada a pressão (PCV), pois, em anestesia, o benefício de um modo em relação ao outro não está bem estabelecido. Método: Ensaio clínico randomizado, realizado entre julho de 2003 e junho 2005 envolvendo crianças (seis meses a 5 anos) submetidas à cirurgia de correção de pé torto congênito no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. No modo VCV o volume corrente para se obter 10ml.kg-1 foi fixado. No modo PCV a pressão de pico inspiratória para se obter 10 ml.kg-1 foi fixada. Nos dois modos os pacientes recebiam PEEP 5cmH2O e relação I:E 1:2. Os grupos foram comparados quanto aos efeitos na mecânica ventilatória e na troca gasosa em 4 momentos ao longo da cirurgia com duração de 2 a 3 horas. Os testes t de Student, ANOVA, e Quiquadrado foram utilizados para comparar os grupos. Resultados: 37 cirurgias de correção de pé torto congênito entraram no estudo, sendo 18 no grupo VCV e 19 no PCV. Observou-se redução do volume corrente expirado ao longo da cirurgia em ambos grupos: VT em M1 ~119 ml enquanto em M4 foi ~113 ml (p=0,03), correspondendo a uma redução de 5% no VT ao longo da cirurgia. O número de intervenções (ajustes na freqüência respiratória) ao longo do tempo cirúrgico foi semelhante nos dois grupos. As demais variáveis não diferiram. Conclusões: durante anestesia geral, em crianças saudáveis, o modo ventilatório não influenciou a estabilidade cardioventilatória das crianças ao longo do tempo cirúrgico no presente estudo. / Objectives: To compare the repercussions on the respiratory mechanics and on the gaseous exchange of pediatric patients submitted to orthopedic surgery in lateral position under general anesthesia using two modes of ventilation: volume control ventilation (VCV) versus pressure control ventilation (PCV), because, in anesthesiology, the superiority of one over another is not well established. Methods: Randomized clinical trial, conducted from July of 2003 through June 2005, involving children (from 6 months to 5 years of age) submitted to surgery of correction of congenital clubfoot in the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. In the VCV mode, tidal volume to get 10ml.kg-1 was fixed. In the PCV mode, peak inspiratory pressure to get 10 ml.kg-1 was fixed. In the two ventilations modes the patients received a PEEP of 5cmH2O and relation I:E 1:2. The groups were compared in relation to the effect in the mechanical ventilatory support and the gaseous exchange at 4 times through surgery with duration of 2 the 3 hours. Student t Test, ANOVA, and Qui-square had been used to compare the groups. Results: 37 surgeries of correction of congenital clubfoot were included in study, being 18 in the VCV group and 19 in the PCV. Reduction of the exhaled tidal volume along of the surgery in both groups was observed: VT M1 ~119 ml while in M4 was ~113 ml (p=0,03), corresponding to a reduction of 5% in the VT through the surgery. The number of interventions (adjustments in the respiratory frequency) along the surgical period was similar in the two groups. Remaining variables had not differed. Conclusions: In the present study, envolving healthy children submitted to the general anesthesia using two modes of mechanical ventilation, we did not observed any interferency in the cardio respiratory stability along the surgical period.

Justificativa e Objetivos: Comparar as repercussões na mecânica respiratória e na troca gasosa em pacientes pediátricos submetidos à cirurgia ortopédica em posição lateral sob anestesia geral, utilizando-se dois modos de ventilação mecânica: controlada a volume (VCV) versus controlada a pressão (PCV), pois, em anestesia, o benefício de um modo em relação ao outro não está bem estabelecido. Método: Ensaio clínico randomizado, realizado entre julho de 2003 e junho 2005 envolvendo crianças (seis meses a 5 anos) submetidas à cirurgia de correção de pé torto congênito no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. No modo VCV o volume corrente para se obter 10ml.kg-1 foi fixado. No modo PCV a pressão de pico inspiratória para se obter 10 ml.kg-1 foi fixada. Nos dois modos os pacientes recebiam PEEP 5cmH2O e relação I:E 1:2. Os grupos foram comparados quanto aos efeitos na mecânica ventilatória e na troca gasosa em 4 momentos ao longo da cirurgia com duração de 2 a 3 horas. Os testes t de Student, ANOVA, e Quiquadrado foram utilizados para comparar os grupos. Resultados: 37 cirurgias de correção de pé torto congênito entraram no estudo, sendo 18 no grupo VCV e 19 no PCV. Observou-se redução do volume corrente expirado ao longo da cirurgia em ambos grupos: VT em M1 ~119 ml enquanto em M4 foi ~113 ml (p=0,03), correspondendo a uma redução de 5% no VT ao longo da cirurgia. O número de intervenções (ajustes na freqüência respiratória) ao longo do tempo cirúrgico foi semelhante nos dois grupos. As demais variáveis não diferiram. Conclusões: durante anestesia geral, em crianças saudáveis, o modo ventilatório não influenciou a estabilidade cardioventilatória das crianças ao longo do tempo cirúrgico no presente estudo. / Objectives: To compare the repercussions on the respiratory mechanics and on the gaseous exchange of pediatric patients submitted to orthopedic surgery in lateral position under general anesthesia using two modes of ventilation: volume control ventilation (VCV) versus pressure control ventilation (PCV), because, in anesthesiology, the superiority of one over another is not well established. Methods: Randomized clinical trial, conducted from July of 2003 through June 2005, involving children (from 6 months to 5 years of age) submitted to surgery of correction of congenital clubfoot in the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. In the VCV mode, tidal volume to get 10ml.kg-1 was fixed. In the PCV mode, peak inspiratory pressure to get 10 ml.kg-1 was fixed. In the two ventilations modes the patients received a PEEP of 5cmH2O and relation I:E 1:2. The groups were compared in relation to the effect in the mechanical ventilatory support and the gaseous exchange at 4 times through surgery with duration of 2 the 3 hours. Student t Test, ANOVA, and Qui-square had been used to compare the groups. Results: 37 surgeries of correction of congenital clubfoot were included in study, being 18 in the VCV group and 19 in the PCV. Reduction of the exhaled tidal volume along of the surgery in both groups was observed: VT M1 ~119 ml while in M4 was ~113 ml (p=0,03), corresponding to a reduction of 5% in the VT through the surgery. The number of interventions (adjustments in the respiratory frequency) along the surgical period was similar in the two groups. Remaining variables had not differed. Conclusions: In the present study, envolving healthy children submitted to the general anesthesia using two modes of mechanical ventilation, we did not observed any interferency in the cardio respiratory stability along the surgical period.

Justificativa e Objetivos: Comparar as repercussões na mecânica respiratória e na troca gasosa em pacientes pediátricos submetidos à cirurgia ortopédica em posição lateral sob anestesia geral, utilizando-se dois modos de ventilação mecânica: controlada a volume (VCV) versus controlada a pressão (PCV), pois, em anestesia, o benefício de um modo em relação ao outro não está bem estabelecido. Método: Ensaio clínico randomizado, realizado entre julho de 2003 e junho 2005 envolvendo crianças (seis meses a 5 anos) submetidas à cirurgia de correção de pé torto congênito no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. No modo VCV o volume corrente para se obter 10ml.kg-1 foi fixado. No modo PCV a pressão de pico inspiratória para se obter 10 ml.kg-1 foi fixada. Nos dois modos os pacientes recebiam PEEP 5cmH2O e relação I:E 1:2. Os grupos foram comparados quanto aos efeitos na mecânica ventilatória e na troca gasosa em 4 momentos ao longo da cirurgia com duração de 2 a 3 horas. Os testes t de Student, ANOVA, e Quiquadrado foram utilizados para comparar os grupos. Resultados: 37 cirurgias de correção de pé torto congênito entraram no estudo, sendo 18 no grupo VCV e 19 no PCV. Observou-se redução do volume corrente expirado ao longo da cirurgia em ambos grupos: VT em M1 ~119 ml enquanto em M4 foi ~113 ml (p=0,03), correspondendo a uma redução de 5% no VT ao longo da cirurgia. O número de intervenções (ajustes na freqüência respiratória) ao longo do tempo cirúrgico foi semelhante nos dois grupos. As demais variáveis não diferiram. Conclusões: durante anestesia geral, em crianças saudáveis, o modo ventilatório não influenciou a estabilidade cardioventilatória das crianças ao longo do tempo cirúrgico no presente estudo. / Objectives: To compare the repercussions on the respiratory mechanics and on the gaseous exchange of pediatric patients submitted to orthopedic surgery in lateral position under general anesthesia using two modes of ventilation: volume control ventilation (VCV) versus pressure control ventilation (PCV), because, in anesthesiology, the superiority of one over another is not well established. Methods: Randomized clinical trial, conducted from July of 2003 through June 2005, involving children (from 6 months to 5 years of age) submitted to surgery of correction of congenital clubfoot in the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. In the VCV mode, tidal volume to get 10ml.kg-1 was fixed. In the PCV mode, peak inspiratory pressure to get 10 ml.kg-1 was fixed. In the two ventilations modes the patients received a PEEP of 5cmH2O and relation I:E 1:2. The groups were compared in relation to the effect in the mechanical ventilatory support and the gaseous exchange at 4 times through surgery with duration of 2 the 3 hours. Student t Test, ANOVA, and Qui-square had been used to compare the groups. Results: 37 surgeries of correction of congenital clubfoot were included in study, being 18 in the VCV group and 19 in the PCV. Reduction of the exhaled tidal volume along of the surgery in both groups was observed: VT M1 ~119 ml while in M4 was ~113 ml (p=0,03), corresponding to a reduction of 5% in the VT through the surgery. The number of interventions (adjustments in the respiratory frequency) along the surgical period was similar in the two groups. Remaining variables had not differed. Conclusions: In the present study, envolving healthy children submitted to the general anesthesia using two modes of mechanical ventilation, we did not observed any interferency in the cardio respiratory stability along the surgical period.

One of our greatest threats to surface-water quality is polluted stormwater runoff. In this research, investigated is the use of a green roof irrigated with recycled stormwater runoff to remove pollutants from stormwater runoff and reduce the volume of stormwater runoff leaving developed areas. The green roof properties of interest are the filtration and biological processes as well as the roof's ability to hold water and increase evapotranspiration, reducing the volume of stormwater runoff from the source. Because of the above mentioned reasons the experiment consists of a water quality analysis and a water budget done on several experimental chambers modeled after the green roof on the student union building at the University of Central Florida. The green roof chambers are used to study different types of growing media, different irrigation rates, and the addition of plants and how stormwater runoff quality and quantity is affected. There are also control chambers built to model the conventional roof on the student union building. The purpose of the control is to determine the effectiveness of the different media's filtration/adsorption processes and ability to hold water, in addition to identifying the benefits of adding a green roof to both water quality and the water budget. This research showed that a specifically designed green roof stormwater treatment system with a cistern is an effective way to reduce both the volume of and mass of pollutants of stormwater runoff. The year long water budget showed that this system can reduce the volume of stormwater runoff by almost 90%. The green roof model developed within this work showed similar results for the same conditions. Design curves produced by the model have also been presented for several different geographic regions in Florida. The green roof stormwater treatment system presented within this work was effective at reducing the mass of pollutants. However, the concentration of several of the examined pollutants in the effluent of the cistern was higher or equivalent to that of a control roof. Nitrate and ammonia were two that had a lower concentration than the control roof. The use of a pollution control growing media was also examined. The results of this study show that the Black & GoldTM growing media is effective at removing both ortho-phosphorus and total phosphorus. Isotherm analysis was also preformed to quantify the adsorption potential. Despite the promise of the Black & GoldTM growing media to remove phosphorus the plants did not grow as well as in the expanded clay growing media. It is suggested that the pollution control media be used as a layer under the growing media in order to get the benefits of both media.