abstract: Injuries and death associated with fall incidences pose a significant burden to society, both in terms of human suffering and economic losses. The main aim of this dissertation is to study approaches that can reduce the risk of falls. One major subset of falls is falls due to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Freezing of gait (FOG) is a major cause of falls in this population. Therefore, a new FOG detection method using wavelet transform technique employing optimal sampling window size, update time, and sensor placements for identification of FOG events is created and validated in this dissertation. Another approach to reduce the risk of falls in PD patients is to correctly diagnose PD motor subtypes. PD can be further divided into two subtypes based on clinical features: tremor dominant (TD), and postural instability and gait difficulty (PIGD). PIGD subtype can place PD patients at a higher risk for falls compared to TD patients and, they have worse postural control in comparison to TD patients. Accordingly, correctly diagnosing subtypes can help caregivers to initiate early amenable interventions to reduce the risk of falls in PIGD patients. As such, a method using the standing center-of-pressure time series data has been developed to identify PD motor subtypes in this dissertation. Finally, an intervention method to improve dynamic stability was tested and validated. Unexpected perturbation-based training (PBT) is an intervention method which has shown promising results in regard to improving balance and reducing falls. Although PBT has shown promising results, the efficacy of such interventions is not well understood and evaluated. In other words, there is paucity of data revealing the effects of PBT on improving dynamic stability of walking and flexible gait adaptability. Therefore, the effects of three types of perturbation methods on improving dynamics stability was assessed. Treadmill delivered translational perturbations training improved dynamic stability, and adaptability of locomotor system in resisting perturbations while walking. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Biomedical Engineering 2019

This thesis deals with flow measuring techniques applied to steady and pulsating gas flows relevant to gas exchange systems for internal combustion engines. Gas flows in such environments are complex, i.e. they are inhomogeneous, three-dimensional, unsteady, non-isothermal and exhibit significant density changes. While a variety of flow metering devices are available and have been devised for such flow conditions, the performance of these flow metersis to a large extent undocumented when a strongly pulsatile motion is superposed on the already complex flow field. Nonetheless, gas flow meters are commonly applied in such environments, e.g. in the measurement of the air flow to the engine or the amount of exhaust gas recirculation. The aim of the present thesis is therefore to understand and assess, and if possible to improve the performance of various flow meters under highly pulsatile conditions as well as demonstrating the use of a new type of flow meter for measurements of the pulsating mass flow upstream and downstream the turbine of a turbocharger. The thesis can be subdivided into three parts. The first one assesses the flow quality of a newly developed flow rig, designed for measurements of steady and pulsating air flow at flow rates and pulse frequencies typically found in the gas exchange system of cars and smaller trucks. Flow rates and pulsation frequencies achieved and measured range up to about 200 g/s and 80 Hz, respectively. The time-resolved mass flux and stagnation temperature under both steady and pulsating conditions were characterized by means of a combined hot/cold-wire probe which is part of a newly developed automated measurement module. This rig and measurement module were used to create a unique data base with well-defined boundary conditions to be used for the validation of numerical simulations, but in particular, to assess the performance of various flow meters. In the second part a novel vortex flow meter that can measure the timedependent flow rate using wavelet analysis has been invented, verified and extensively tested under various industrially relevant conditions. The newly developed technique was used to provide unique turbine maps under pulsatile conditions through time-resolved and simultaneous measurements of mass flow, temperature and pressure upstream and downstream the turbine. Results confirm that the quasi-steady assumption is invalid for the turbine considered as a whole. In the third and last part of the thesis, two basic fundamental questions that arose during the course of hot/cold-wire measurements in the aforementioned high speed flows have been addressed, namely to assess which temperature a cold-wire measures or to which a hot-wire is exposed to in high speed flows as well as whether the hot-wire measures the product of velocity and density or total density. Hot/cold-wire measurements in a nozzle have been performed to test various hypothesis and results show that the recovery temperature as well as the product of velocity and stagnation density are measured. / QC 20120510

Soil N2O flux is sensitive to soil moisture content and soil temperature, which are in turn sensitive to changes in climate and topography. Thus, N2O flux measurements exhibit a high degree of spatial and temporal variability. Knowing how the spatial distribution of soil N2O flux changes over time in a hummocky, agricultural landscape will identify measurement scales appropriate for estimates of N2O emissions from these types of terrains. As well, little is known about N2O emissions from uncultivated, ephemeral wetlands in agricultural landscapes, but this information is needed for accurate inventories of N2O emissions. The objectives of this study were to describe the spatial and temporal distribution of soil N2O flux in a hummocky agricultural landscape, and to understand how soil water and soil temperature control the spatial and temporal patterns of N2O flux. For a hummocky, agricultural landscape in the Dark Brown soil zone of Saskatchewan, N2O flux and related soil variables were measured along a 128-point transect multiple times over two years and concurrently from a 50 point, stratified design over three years. The spatial and temporal variation in N2O flux followed an event-based / background emission pattern. High flux events were triggered by precipitation events and recession of water from wetlands following spring snowmelt. Days with high mean flux were characterized by highly skewed (reverse J-shaped) distributions. High variance and coherency was observed at cultivated wetland elements during emission events. Strong location-dependent positive relationships were found between soil N2O flux and water-filled pore space or soil temperature, related to specific landscape elements. Background emissions were characterized by random variation or cyclic behavior that ranged in scale from 20 to 60 m. Cumulative emissions were highest from cultivated wetlands and basin centers of uncultivated wetlands, although emissions from cultivated wetlands were much more important to total cumulative emissions on an area basis. The results indicate that models intended to estimate N2O flux from these landscapes cannot rely on a single predictive relationship, but will have to incorporate predictive relationships localized at specific landscape elements depending on the time of year. At certain times predictive relationships cannot be used and up-scaled estimates will have to rely on direct measurement of emissions.

Soil N2O flux is sensitive to soil moisture content and soil temperature, which are in turn sensitive to changes in climate and topography. Thus, N2O flux measurements exhibit a high degree of spatial and temporal variability. Knowing how the spatial distribution of soil N2O flux changes over time in a hummocky, agricultural landscape will identify measurement scales appropriate for estimates of N2O emissions from these types of terrains. As well, little is known about N2O emissions from uncultivated, ephemeral wetlands in agricultural landscapes, but this information is needed for accurate inventories of N2O emissions. The objectives of this study were to describe the spatial and temporal distribution of soil N2O flux in a hummocky agricultural landscape, and to understand how soil water and soil temperature control the spatial and temporal patterns of N2O flux. For a hummocky, agricultural landscape in the Dark Brown soil zone of Saskatchewan, N2O flux and related soil variables were measured along a 128-point transect multiple times over two years and concurrently from a 50 point, stratified design over three years. The spatial and temporal variation in N2O flux followed an event-based / background emission pattern. High flux events were triggered by precipitation events and recession of water from wetlands following spring snowmelt. Days with high mean flux were characterized by highly skewed (reverse J-shaped) distributions. High variance and coherency was observed at cultivated wetland elements during emission events. Strong location-dependent positive relationships were found between soil N2O flux and water-filled pore space or soil temperature, related to specific landscape elements. Background emissions were characterized by random variation or cyclic behavior that ranged in scale from 20 to 60 m. Cumulative emissions were highest from cultivated wetlands and basin centers of uncultivated wetlands, although emissions from cultivated wetlands were much more important to total cumulative emissions on an area basis. The results indicate that models intended to estimate N2O flux from these landscapes cannot rely on a single predictive relationship, but will have to incorporate predictive relationships localized at specific landscape elements depending on the time of year. At certain times predictive relationships cannot be used and up-scaled estimates will have to rely on direct measurement of emissions.

Water resources availability could be affected by alterations of hydrologic processes as a result of climate change. Global projections of climate change indicate negative impacts on water systems with increasing flooding and drought events. This investigation presents the modeling of climate change effects on the hydrology and water resources availability in the Rio Conchos basin, the main tributary of the lower portion of the bi-national Rio Grande/Bravo basin, and its impact on the water treaty signed between the United States of America and Mexico in 1944. One of the problems most relevant to the study basin is the frequent occurrence of long drought periods. Coupled with increased water demands and low irrigation efficiencies, the competition for water resources is high on both sides of the border. Three main parts are addressed in this research. First, a hydrologic model has been developed using the one-dimensional, 2 layer soil moisture accounting scheme embedded in a water evaluation and planning model. Second, downscaled precipitation and temperature data, from five general circulation models for two emission scenarios, A1B and A2, were used as inputs to the Rio Conchos hydrologic model to determine the effect on basin hydrology. A multi-model ensemble is developed and several techniques, such as probability density functions, wavelet analysis, and trend analysis, are used to assess the impacts. Third, a water resources planning model for the basin has been developed, which integrates the hydrologic model and water management modeling, to evaluate the impacts on the entire water system and simulate adaptive strategies to mitigate climate change in the study basin. Skill-weighted multi-model ensemble results show that annual average runoff may be reduced by 12% ± 53% and 20% ± 45% in 2080-2099 relative to 1980-1999 for the A1B and A2 scenarios, respectively. Likewise, results show that reliability and resiliency of the water system will tend to decrease; consequently, the vulnerability of the system increases over time. Proposed adaptation measures could make the system more reliable and less vulnerable in meeting water demands for irrigation and municipal uses. / text

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / The use of new materials in the sanitation industry aims to improve water treatment conditions and optimize the performance of the structures of sewage systems. Studies show that investments in sanitation are four times more effective than health. Manhole (PV) is an integral structure of the collection networks of major importance sewage because it is the sewage flow of the meeting from various facilities that are guided and follow for further processing. Non-destructive tests are widely used in modern industry worldwide to evaluate the quality and detection of changes in structure, small surface flaws, presence of cracks and other physical disruptions, being capable of detecting flaws in structures prematurely allowing constant monitoring and real time frame. The technique of acoustic emission (AE) is effective both during subsequent tests the implementation of the structure, guaranteeing their structural integrity, and in the real-time monitoring of the frame subject to the usual charging service, while performing its function without need of interrupting. To properly investigate the structure is necessary to know how the defects are and their respective acoustic activity. In this study, the acoustic emission signals generated in polyethylene manholes by variable axial deformation during loading are characterized both in time domain and in the frequency domain creating the signature of the defect. / A utilizaÃÃo de novos materiais na indÃstria do saneamento, visa melhorar as condiÃÃes do tratamento de Ãgua e otimizar o desempenho das estruturas de redes coletoras de esgoto. Estudos comprovam que os investimentos realizados em saneamento bÃsico sÃo quatro vezes mais efetivos que na saÃde. PoÃo de visita (PV) à uma estrutura integrante das redes coletoras de esgotos de grande importÃncia, pois nele ocorre o encontro do fluxo de esgotos provenientes de diversas instalaÃÃes que sÃo orientados e seguem para o posterior tratamento. Os ensaios nÃo destrutivos sÃo largamente utilizados na indÃstria moderna em todo o mundo para avaliaÃÃo da qualidade e detecÃÃo de variaÃÃes na estrutura, pequenas falhas superficiais, presenÃa de trincas e outras interrupÃÃes fÃsicas, sendo capaz de detectar prematuramente falhas em estruturas permitindo a monitoraÃÃo constante da estrutura e em tempo real. A tÃcnica de emissÃo acÃstica (EA) à eficaz tanto na fase de testes subsequentes à implementaÃÃo da estrutura, garantindo sua integridade estrutural, quanto no monitoramento em tempo real d a estrutura sujeita a carregamento usual de serviÃo, enquanto desempenha sua funÃÃo, sem necessidade de interrupÃÃo. Para investigar corretamente a estrutura à necessÃrio conhecer como os defeitos se manifestam e sua respectiva atividade acÃstica. Neste trabalho, os sinais de emissÃo acÃstica gerados em poÃos de visita de polietileno por deformaÃÃo axial durante carregamento variÃvel sÃo caracterizados tanto no domÃnio do tempo quanto no domÃnio da frequÃncia criando a assinatura do defeito.

Os modelos ARFIMA de memória longa mostraram-se nesse trabalho mais versáteis à análise da persistência em séries temporais em comparação aos modelos ARIMA. As funções impulso-resposta dos modelos de integração fracionária indicam que essa classe de modelos capta mais adequadamente as informações contidas nas baixas freqüências das séries e, portanto, estes modelos são mais capacitados para avaliar como os choques econômicos são acomodados no médio e longo prazo. Os estudos simulatórios mostraram que os testes de raiz unitária aplicados a processos com memória longa possuem baixo poder, e que os estimadores por máxima verossimilhança e os baseados no espectro de ondaletas são eficientes para estimar o parâmetro de integração fracionária. Os estudos empíricos encontraram componentes altamente persistentes nas séries brasileiras do produto, desemprego e consumo. A análise de co-integração fracionária refutou os resultados do arcabouço I(1)-I(0) que sugerem a não co-integração entre as séries consumo das famílias e renda disponível. A variabilidade relativa dessas séries foi analisada por meio da análise em multiresolução de ondaletas. Concluiu-se que, nas baixas escalas, a variabilidade entre as séries varia em função da escala temporal envolvida. A doutrina da paridade do poder de compra com dados brasileiros foi revisitada por meio da análise de co-integração fracionária. / The long-memory ARFIMA models proved to be more versatile in this study to the analysis of endurance in time series compare to the ARIMA models. The impulse-response functions of the fractionally integrated models indicate that this class of models more adequately gathers the data enclosed in the low frequencies of the series and thus these models are more befitted to evaluate how economic shocks are settled in the medium and long terms. Simulation studies unveiled that the unit root tests applied to long-memory processes have low power, and that the maximum likelihood estimators as well as those based on wavelet spectrum are efficient in estimating the fractional difference parameter. Empirical studies have found highly persistent components in the Brazilian series of the product, unemployment and consumption. The fractional co-integration analysis rebutted the results of the I(1)-I(0) framework, which suggest the non co-integration between the series of families\' consumption and the disposable income. The relative variability of these series was investigated through a wavelet multiresolution analysis. It was concluded that, in small scales, the variability between the series changes according to the time scale involved. The Purchasing Power Parity doctrine with Brazilian data has been revisited through the fractional co-integration analysis.

Cette thèse a pour but de mettre au point un nouvel outil de rééducation neuromusculaire. Elle a pour fonction, l'amélioration de la qualité et de la durée des séances de renforcement musculaire et de réentraînement de la motricité de sujets atteints de déconditionnement musculaire. Un électromyostimulateur "intelligent" utilisant en même temps des techniques d'électromyostimulation (EMS) couplées aux analyses de l'électromyogramme (EMG) est développé et permet d'asservir en temps réel les paramètres de stimulation d'un muscle en fonction de son état de fatigue physiologique. Le contrôle ainsi effectué sur les paramètres de stimulation en fonction de la réponse musculaire électrique (onde M) offre la possibilité de stimuler un muscle en prenant en compte une information sur la réaction du muscle à l'électrostimulation / This project aims to develop a new tool for neuromuscular reeducation. Its function is to improve the quality and the duration of muscular strengthening training sessions and training of motor function for patients suffering from muscle deconditioning. A "smart" electromyostimulator using, at the same time, techniques of electrostimulation (EMS) and analysis of electromyography (EMG) allows the control in real time electrical stimulation parameters considering the physiological fatigue of the stimulated muscle. This control, performed on stimulation parameters depending on electrical response of muscles (M wave), allows the muscle stimulation taking into account the muscular reaction to the electrical stimulation

No description available.

In this work, power supply noise contribution, at a particular node on the power grid, from clock/power gated blocks is maximized at particular time and the synthetic gating patterns of the blocks that result in the maximum noise is obtained for the interval 0 to target time. We utilize wavelet based analysis as wavelets are a natural way of characterizing the time-frequency behavior of the power grid. The gating patterns for the blocks and the maximum supply noise at the Point of Interest at the specified target time obtained via a Linear Programming (LP) formulation (clock gating) and Genetic Algorithm based problem formulation (Power Gating).