土石混合体细观结构力学及其边坡稳定性研究

Soil-rock mixture (S-RM) refers to one extremely uneven loose rock and soil materials system with certain stone content. Its formation has started since Quaternary and it is composed of block stone, fine grained soil and pore with certain project scale and high strength. S-RM has extensive distribution in nature, especially in southwest China where the geotectonic background is complicated, the fracture activity is developed and the geomorphological characteristics of high mountain and steep gorge area are protuberant. This kind of complicated geologic body has developed wider in these areas. S-RM has obvious difference with the general soil or rock (rock mass) in physical and mechanical properties because its two components-“soil” and “rock-block” has extreme differences in physical and mechanical properties. The proposition of S-RM and its deep research are needed in the modern engineering construction. It is also the necessity in the modern development of rock and soil mechanics. The dissertation starts from the meso-structural characteristics of soil-rock and takes a systematic research on its meso-structural mechanics, deformation and failure mechanism and the stability of S-RM slope. In summary, it achieves the following innovative results and conclusions. There are various views on the conception of S-RM and its classification system. Based on the large number of field tests, the dissertation makes the conception and classification of S-RM more systematic. It systematically proposed the conception of meso-structural mechanics of S-RM. Thus the dissertation has laid a foundation for its deep study. With the fast development of the computer technology and digital image processing theory, digital image processing technology has been successfully applied in many fields and provided reliable technology support for the quantitative description of the structural characteristics of S-RM. Based on the digital image processing technology, the dissertation systematically proposes and developed the quantitative analysis method and quantitative index for the meso-structure of S-RM. The results indicate that the meso-structure such as its internal soil-rock granularity composition, the soil-rock shape and the orientability has obvious self-organization in the macro statistical level. The dissertation makes a systematic research on the physical mechanical properties, deformation and failure mechanism of S-RM based on large field test. It proposes the field test for the underwater S-RM and deduces the 3D data analysis method of in-situ horizontal push-shear test. The result indicates that S-RM has significant phenomenon of shear dilatancy in the shearing process, and its dilatancy will be more obvious with the increased proportion of rock or the decreased confining pressure. The proportion of rock has great effect on the strength of S-RM and rock-block, especially the spatial position of particles with comparatively big size has great effect on the shape and spatial position of the sample shear zone. The dissertation makes some improvements in the single ring infiltration test equipment and its application on the permeability of S-RM. The results indicate that the increasing of rock-block would make it more difficult for the soil to fill in the vacuity between the rock-block and the proportion would increase which would result in the increased permeability coefficient. The dissertation builds the real meso-structural model of S-RM based on the digital image processing technology. By using geometric reconstruction technology, it transfers the structural mode represented by Binary image into CAD format, which makes it possible to introduce the present finite element analysis software to take research on numerical experimental investigation. It systematically realizes leaping research from the image，geometric mode, to meso-structural mechanics numerical experiment. By using this method, the dissertation takes large scale numerical direct-shear test on the section of S-RM. From the mesoscopic perspective, it reveals three extended modes about the shear failure plane of S-RM. Based on the real meso-structural model and by using the numerical simulation test, the character and mechanics of seepage failure of S-RM are studied. At the same time, it builds the real structural mode of the slope based on the analysis about the slope crosssection of S-RM. By using the strength reduction method, it takes the research on the stability of S-RM and gets great achievements. The three dimensional geometric reconstruction technology of rock block is proposed, which provides technical support for the reconstruction of the 3D meso-structural model of S-RM. For the first time, the dissertation builds the stochastic structure model of two-dimensional and three-dimensional polygons or polyhedron based on the stochastic simulation technique of monte carlo method. It breaks the traditional research which restricted to the random generation method of regular polygon and develops the relevant software system (R-SRM2D/3D) which has great effect on meso-structural mechanics of S-RM. Based on the R-SRM software system which randomly generates the meso-structural mode of S-RM according to the different meso-structural characteristics, the dissertation takes a series of research on numerical test of dual axis and real three-axis, systematically analyses the meso destroy system, the effects of meso-structural characteristics such as on the stone content, size composition and block directionality on the macro mechanical behavior and macro-permeability. Then it proposes the expression of the upper and lower limit for the macro-permeability coefficient of the inhomogeneous geomaterials, such as S-RM. By using the strength reduction FEM, the dissertation takes the research on the stability of the slope structural mode of the randomly formed S-RM. The results indicate that generally, the stability coefficient of S-RM slope increases with the increasing of stone content; on the condition of the same stone content, the stability coefficient of slope will be different with different size composition and the space position of large block at the internal slop has great effect on the stability. It suggests that meso-structural characteristics, especially the space position of large block should be considered when analyzing the stability of this kind of slope and strengthening design. Taking Xiazanri S-RM slope as an example, the dissertation proposes the fine modeling of complicated geologic body based on reverse engineering and the generation method of FLAC3D mode. It resolves the bottleneck problem about building the fine structural mode of three-dimensional geological body. By using FLAC3D, the dissertation takes research on the seepage field and the displacement field of Xiazanri S-RM slope in the process of reservoir water level rising and decreasing. By using strength reduction method, it analyses the three-dimension stability in the process of reservoir water level rising and decreasing. The results indicate that the slope stability firstly show downward trend in the process of reservoir water level rising and then rebound to increase; the sudden drawdown of reservoir water level has great effect on the slope stability and this effect will increase with the sudden drawdown amplitude rising. Based on the result of the rock block size analysis of S-RM, and using R-SRM2D the stochastic structure model of Xiazanri S-RM slope is built. By using strength reduction method, the stability of the stochastic structure model is analysis, the results shows that the stability factor increases significantly after considering the block.

黄土—古土壤沉积物中酸溶相硼的分离及其同位素测定

用０．５ｍｏｌ／ＬＨＣｌ提取黄土、古土壤中的酸溶相成分，并用混合树脂法和硼特效树脂法两方法叠加以硼进行分离和纯化，Ｃｓ２ＢＯ２＾＋法测同位素比值。结果表明，虽然混合树脂法和硼特效脂法都是较成熟的方法，但用来处理杂质离子含量相对高而硼含量低的样品深液并不成功。两种方法叠加处理后达到理想的效果，重复处理黄土－古土壤样品的精度（２ＲＳＤ）在０．４‰～０．４‰之间，，这与标样(mST SRM 951)水平(0．3‰)接近，说明处理方法是可行的。用此方法首次测定了洛川黄土．古土壤沉积物中酸溶相的硼同位煮组成。

中国南方含硒建造中硒稳定同位素与化学形态的地质意义

氧化还原敏感元素硒的地球化学循环非常复杂, 它的循环主要受氧化还原势、酸碱度、温度、压力等条件的控制。长期以来，关于硒的主要研究集中在环境生物地球化学领域。对于硒的地质地球化学行为的研究，学者们认为硒不可能独立形成矿床,它主要以伴生元素的形式赋存于一些热液矿床（如，拉尔玛硒-金热液矿床等）。 二十世纪末, 我国学者开始关注硒的矿床地球化学行为, 发现了目前唯一的渔塘坝沉积型的独立硒矿床。另外，下寒武统底部黑色岩系（如，遵义牛蹄塘组）处于地球发展演化的关键时期且富集了众多的有用金属元素, 因此它引起了全世界广大地质学家的普遍关注和重视。这些黑色岩系的共同特点是含有大量的有机质和丰富的金属元素(PGE，Cu，Ni，Mo，Au，U，V，Mn，Fe，Co，Bi，Cr，Se等)。但遵义牛蹄塘组中Ni-Mo多金属层的成因一直争论不休。 本文以拉尔玛硒-金热液矿床、渔塘坝独立硒矿床、遵义黄家湾含Ni-Mo-Se多金属层剖面为研究对象，主要通过硒稳定同位素的测试和不同化学形态的分析结合其他的地球化学参数（如，C-S-Fe体系，氧化还原敏感元素），示踪富硒地层的沉积环境，研究不同地质体系中硒稳定同位素的组成，进而完善硒同位素的理论体系，探讨硒富集过程中的形态迁移途径，并为矿床的形成提供更完善的地球化学证据。通过一系列的研究工作，我们取得了以下几点认识： (1) 通过不同的消解方法准确测定了低硒,高硒样品的总硒含量,相对标准偏差小于10%，而且不同的消解方法测得同样的结果, 满足了地质样品中微量元素的测试要求。由于不同消解方式存在自身的优缺点,我们建议根据不同的样品类型,不同的研究目的选取合适的消解方法。 (2) 通过巯基棉吸附装置达到了纯化富集样品硒的目的, 硒的回收率一般大于90%, 满足同位素测试的需要。应用自制的氢化物发生器与Nu-MC-ICP-MS联用,实现了在线气体进样测试硒稳定同位素的目的。 采用标准样品匹配测试方法校正仪器测试过程中的质量分馏。 硒稳定同位素的测试精度为2δ=0.30‰, 标准NIST SRM 3149采用与样品同样的处理方法,没有发现前处理过程的同位素分馏。 (3) 传统地球化学参数对沉积环境的指示意义。通过氧化还原敏感微量元素及其与TOC的关系和C-S-Fe体系的分析，对渔塘坝独立硒矿床的多元素富集及沉积环境, 遵义黑色岩系沉积环境进行了详细的解释。TS-TFe的关系表明样品中有过量的硫存在，可能为有机硫或为其他亲硫元素提供有利的沉淀条件。C-S-Fe体系及微量元素指数V/(V + Ni) 说明渔塘坝矿区的硅质岩和页岩的沉积环境为缺氧到静海环境， Ni/Co、V/Cr几乎不能作为该区缺氧环境的指示参数, 后者可能由于Cr的外源输入（碎屑、热液等）所致。 C-S-Fe体系及微量元素指数V/(V + Ni)体系指示遵义黑色岩系的沉积环境为微含氧到缺氧的条件, 但对于Ni-Mo矿而言, V/(V + Ni)体系指示其为含氧条件沉积，这可能与Ni-Mo多金属层的成因有关。但铁的硫化度可以指示Ni-Mo多金属层极端的缺氧还原环境。 (4) 硒的形态对古氧化还原条件和矿物质来源的示踪意义。黑色岩系的硒形态分布不同于海洋沉积物，体现了成岩作用对硒形态分布的改变。黑色岩系中硒的主要形态为有机结合态和硫化物/硒化物结合态。硫化物/硒化物结合态比例与铁的硫化程度（DOS）之间明显的相关关系说明在海洋环境中硒主要通过氧化还原反应富集在富有机质的沉积物与沉积岩中。这种相关关系与岩石类型没有关系，这使得将硫化物、硒化物结合的Se（-II）比例作为一个氧化还原条件示踪剂更加可行。DOS与硫化物/硒化物结合态硒的关系，及Se（IV）与Se（-II）的关系均说明遵义牛蹄塘组的K-斑脱岩形成于碱性的氧化环境，Ni-Mo多金属层沉积于微酸性的极端还原环境，而渔塘坝矿床形成于微碱性的还原缺氧环境。生物的同化作用与异化作用之间本身存在互补关系，但这种互补关系却存在不同的转化趋势。不同的转化趋势可能主要受氧化还原反应和酸碱度的控制，其他的地质作用也可能起着重要作用（如，硅酸盐、Fe（II）的含量，硫化物、有机质含量，风化程度等）。同时我们发现相同的氧化还原条件下可能存在不同的富集途径。Ni-Mo多金属层中极少的有机结合态硒暗示海洋同生沉积主要被生物异化还原控制，而沉积物从海洋富集硒的途径主要为直接由Se（VI）和Se（IV）到Se（-II）的还原途径，从高价态到元素态的还原途径可能偶有发生但强度很小。 (5) 硒稳定同位素对矿床成因及物质来源的示踪意义。热液或表生环境中,硒的再次活化迁移对硒同位素的大范围分馏是很重要的。较少的硫化物结合态硒和较大范围的硒同位素组成说明渔塘坝矿床形成时经历了多次氧化还原过程。干酪根硒同位素组成与全岩相似, 而且样品富集轻同位素暗示该矿床硒来的富集主要通过海洋硒的生物吸收同化异化还原与多次无机氧化还原实现。对于拉尔玛金硒矿床而言，未蚀变岩体的硫化物结合态硒富集轻同位素，而后期低温流体的蚀变作用导致蚀变岩体中硫化物结合态硒富集重同位素。干酪根的硒同位素组成暗示热液输入的硒为该矿床硒的主要来源，硒从热液直接进入干酪根的机制是一致的。随着硫含量的增加岩石和矿体中的硒逐渐富集重同位素, 说明海水对矿床富集的贡献是很有限的。遵义黑色岩系中硒同位素组成与Se（-II）之间的关系, 单质硒的缺乏，硒的富集与同位素的关系说明，热液为主要的硒来源，而早寒武世海水中的硒主要通过Se（VI）和Se（IV）到Se（-II）的直接生物还原实现。三个区域的S/Se比值综合说明硫与硒的共同沉降过程中不存在硒的同位素分馏。不同化学形态的分布与不同形态中硒稳定同位素的结合可能会更好的解释硒的全球地球化学循环。 (6) 根据目前硒的同位素分馏体系及所测得的数据,我们初步建立了不同时代、不同成因黑色岩系中硒稳定同位素的分馏模式。

Adaptive Reliable Multicast

An increasing number of applications, such as distributed interactive simulation, live auctions, distributed games and collaborative systems, require the network to provide a reliable multicast service. This service enables one sender to reliably transmit data to multiple receivers. Reliability is traditionally achieved by having receivers send negative acknowledgments (NACKs) to request from the sender the retransmission of lost (or missing) data packets. However, this Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) approach results in the well-known NACK implosion problem at the sender. Many reliable multicast protocols have been recently proposed to reduce NACK implosion. But, the message overhead due to NACK requests remains significant. Another approach, based on Forward Error Correction (FEC), requires the sender to encode additional redundant information so that a receiver can independently recover from losses. However, due to the lack of feedback from receivers, it is impossible for the sender to determine how much redundancy is needed. In this paper, we propose a new reliable multicast protocol, called ARM for Adaptive Reliable Multicast. Our protocol integrates ARQ and FEC techniques. The objectives of ARM are (1) reduce the message overhead due to NACK requests, (2) reduce the amount of data transmission, and (3) reduce the time it takes for all receivers to receive the data intact (without loss). During data transmission, the sender periodically informs the receivers of the number of packets that are yet to be transmitted. Based on this information, each receiver predicts whether this amount is enough to recover its losses. Only if it is not enough, that the receiver requests the sender to encode additional redundant packets. Using ns simulations, we show the superiority of our hybrid ARQ-FEC protocol over the well-known Scalable Reliable Multicast (SRM) protocol.

Predictors and dynamics of postpartum relapses in women with multiple sclerosis

Several studies have shown that pregnancy reduces multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses, which increase in the early postpartum period. Postpartum relapse risk has been predicted by pre-pregnancy disease activity in some studies.

Hydrophilic Interaction Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Triple-Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry for Determination of Nucleosides and Nucleobases in Animal Horns

Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) derived from animal horns are one of the most important types of Chinese medicine. In the present study, a fast and sensitive analytical method was established for qualitative and quantitative determination of 14 nucleosides and nucleobases in animal horns using hydrophilic interaction ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadruple tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS) in selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The method was optimized and validated, and showed good linearity, precision, repeatability, and accuracy. The method was successfully used to determine contents of the 14 nucleosides and nucleobases in 25 animal horn samples. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed and the 25 samples were thereby divided into two groups, which agreed with taxonomy. The method may enable quick and effective search of substitutes for precious horns.

Big data warehouse framework for smart revenue management

Revenue Management’s most cited definitions is probably “to sell the right accommodation to the right customer, at the right time and the right price, with optimal satisfaction for customers and hoteliers”. Smart Revenue Management (SRM) is a project, which aims the development of smart automatic techniques for an efficient optimization of occupancy and rates of hotel accommodations, commonly referred to, as revenue management. One of the objectives of this project is to demonstrate that the collection of Big Data, followed by an appropriate assembly of functionalities, will make possible to generate a Data Warehouse necessary to produce high quality business intelligence and analytics. This will be achieved through the collection of data extracted from a variety of sources, including from the web. This paper proposes a three stage framework to develop the Big Data Warehouse for the SRM. Namely, the compilation of all available information, in the present case, it was focus only the extraction of information from the web by a web crawler – raw data. The storing of that raw data in a primary NoSQL database, and from that data the conception of a set of functionalities, rules, principles and semantics to select, combine and store in a secondary relational database the meaningful information for the Revenue Management (Big Data Warehouse). The last stage will be the principal focus of the paper. In this context, clues will also be giving how to compile information for Business Intelligence. All these functionalities contribute to a holistic framework that, in the future, will make it possible to anticipate customers and competitor’s behavior, fundamental elements to fulfill the Revenue Management

Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish: optimisation and validation of microwave-assisted extraction

An accurate and sensitive method for determination of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (16 PAHs considered by USEPA as priority pollutants, dibenzo[a,l]pyrene and benzo[j]fluoranthene) in fish samples was validated. Analysis was performed by microwave-assisted extraction and liquid chromatography with photodiode array and fluorescence detection. Response surface methodology was used to find the optimal extraction parameters. Validation of the overall methodology was performed by spiking assays at four levels and using SRM 2977. Quantification limits ranging from 0.15–27.16 ng/g wet weight were obtained. The established method was applied in edible tissues of three commonly consumed and commercially valuable fish species (sardine, chub mackerel and horse mackerel) originated from Atlantic Ocean. Variable levels of naphthalene (1.03–2.95 ng/g wet weight), fluorene (0.34–1.09 ng/g wet weight) and phenanthrene (0.34–3.54 ng/g wet weight) were detected in the analysed samples. None of the samples contained detectable amounts of benzo[a]pyrene, the marker used for evaluating the occurrence and carcinogenic effects of PAHs in food.

Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish: evaluation of a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction method

QuEChERS method was evaluated for extraction of 16 PAHs from fish samples. For a selective measurement of the compounds, extracts were analysed by LC with fluorescence detection. The overall analytical procedure was validated by systematic recovery experiments at three levels and by using the standard reference material SRM 2977 (mussel tissue). The targeted contaminants, except naphthalene and acenaphthene, were successfully extracted from SRM 2977 with recoveries ranging from 63.5–110.0% with variation coefficients not exceeding 8%. The optimum QuEChERS conditions were the following: 5 g of homogenised fish sample, 10 mL of ACN, agitation performed by vortex during 3 min. Quantification limits ranging from 0.12– 1.90 ng/g wet weight (0.30–4.70 µg/L) were obtained. The optimized methodology was applied to assess the safety concerning PAHs contents of horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and farmed seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Although benzo(a)pyrene, the marker used for evaluating the carcinogenic risk of PAHs in food, was not detected in the analysed samples (89 individuals corresponding to 27 homogenized samples), the overall mean concentration ranged from 2.52 l 1.20 ng/g in horse mackerel to 14.6 ± 2.8 ng/ g in farmed seabass. Significant differences were found between the mean PAHs concentrations of the four groups.

Overstock and stock-out in Volkswagen Autoeuropa

The following work is a case study of overstock and stock-out problems at Volkswagen Autoeuropa (VWAE). It introduces the supply chain of Autoeuropa and specializes then on failures connected to inventory problems. Having a successful supply chain is important in a world where products become more and more similar as it can give to companies an edge over their competitors. The case shows three practices that VWAE uses to prevent and to overcome stock problems. Information was gathered by doing interviews with different managers, by analyzing the company’s key processes and by literature research related to the topics of supply chain management and flexibility in the supply chain. Three practices were further investigated: the use of alternative parts, support of the supplier and a rating system of suppliers. In the question section of this work the importance of flexibility and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) when connected to supply chain management are explained. The described different practices are numerically analyzed and it is concluded that each practice brings both cost savings and the possibility of achieving target numbers to the company, showing the company’s flexibility to react to supply chain disturbances. Because of confidentiality reasons, persons in the case are fictionalized and numbers are wherever possible equalized to 100 in order to display true proportions.

Validity, reliability and responsiveness of the French language translation of the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI).

BACKGROUND: The WOSI (Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index) is a self-administered quality of life questionnaire designed to be used as a primary outcome measure in clinical trials on shoulder instability, as well as to measure the effect of an intervention on any particular patient. It is validated and is reliable and sensitive. As it is designed to measure subjective outcome, it is important that translation should be methodologically rigorous, as it is subject to both linguistic and cultural interpretation. OBJECTIVE: To produce a French language version of the WOSI that is culturally adapted to both European and North American French-speaking populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A validated protocol was used to create a French language WOSI questionnaire (WOSI-Fr) that would be culturally acceptable for both European and North American French-speaking populations. Reliability and responsiveness analyses were carried out, and the WOSI-Fr was compared to the F-QuickDASH-D/S (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand-French translation), and Walch-Duplay scores. RESULTS: A French language version of the WOSI (WOSI-Fr) was accepted by a multinational committee. The WOSI-Fr was then validated using a total of 144 native French-speaking subjects from Canada and Switzerland. Comparison of results on two WOSI-Fr questionnaires completed at a mean interval of 16 days showed that the WOSI-Fr had strong reliability, with a Pearson and interclass correlation of r=0.85 (P=0.01) and ICC=0.84 [95% CI=0.78-0.88]. Responsiveness, at a mean 378.9 days after surgical intervention, showed strong correlation with that of the F-QuickDASH-D/S, with r=0.67 (P<0.01). Moreover, a standardized response means analysis to calculate effect size for both the WOSI-Fr and the F-QuickDASH-D/S showed that the WOSI-Fr had a significantly greater ability to detect change (SRM 1.55 versus 0.87 for the WOSI-Fr and F-QuickDASH-D/S respectively, P<0.01). The WOSI-Fr showed fair correlation with the Walch-Duplay. DISCUSSION: A French-language translation of the WOSI questionnaire was created and validated for use in both Canadian and Swiss French-speaking populations. This questionnaire will facilitate outcome assessment in French-speaking settings, collaboration in multinational studies and comparison between studies performed in different countries. TYPE OF STUDY: Multicenter cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Manuel des pulmoniques, ou Traité complet des maladies de la poitrine

Comprend : Nouvelle Méthode de reconnoître les maladies internes de la poitrine, par la percussion de cette cavité, traduite du latin

Sample preparation and heavy metal determination by atomic spectrometry /

Microwave digestions of mercury in Standards Reference Material (SRM) coal samples with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide in quartz vessels were compared with Teflon® vessel digestion by using flow injection cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Teflon® vessels gave poor reproducibiUty and tended to deliver high values, while the digestion results from quartz vessel show good agreement with certificate values and better standard deviations. Trace level elements (Ag, Ba, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sn, Ti, V and Zn) in used oil and residual oil samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Different microwave digestion programs were developed for each sample and most of the results are in good agreement with certified values. The disagreement with values for Ag was due to the precipitation of Ag in sample; while Sn, V and Zn values had good recoveries from the spike test, which suggests that these certified values might need to be reconsidered. Gold, silver, copper, cadmium, cobalt, nickel and zinc were determined by continuous hydride generation inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The performance of two sample introduction systems: MSIS™ and gas-liquid separator were compared. Under the respective optimum conditions, MSIS^"^ showed better sensitivity and lower detection limits for Ag, Cd, Cu, Co and similar values for Au, Ni and Zn to those for the gas-liquid separator.

Évaluation des effets de l’expansion palatine rapide assistée chirurgicalement (EPRAC) sur les voies aériennes supérieures à l’aide de la tomodensitométrie à faisceau conique

Introduction : L’expansion palatine rapide assistée chirurgicalement (EPRAC) est une option de traitement privilégiée chez les patients ayant atteint la maturité squelettique et présentant une déficience transverse du maxillaire. L’effet bénéfique de l’EPRAC sur la fonction respiratoire est régulièrement mentionné, toutefois, encore peu d’études ont évalué son impact sur les voies aériennes supérieures. L’objectif de cette étude clinique prospective comparative consistait à évaluer les effets tridimensionnels de l’EPRAC sur la cavité nasale, le nasopharynx et l’oropharynx à l’aide de la tomodensitométrie. Méthodologie : L’échantillon était constitué de 14 patients (5 hommes, 9 femmes) dont l’âge moyen était de 23,0 ± 1,9 ans (16 ans 4 mois à 39 ans 7 mois). Tous ont été traités avec un appareil d’expansion de type Hyrax collé et l’expansion moyenne a été de 9,82 mm (7,5 - 12,0 mm). Tous ont eu une période de contention d’une année avant le début de tout autre traitement orthodontique. Une évaluation par tomodensitométrie volumique à faisceau conique a été réalisée aux temps T0 (initial), T1 (6 mois post-expansion) et T2 (1an post-expansion) et le volume des fosses nasales, du nasopharynx et de l’oropharynx ainsi que les dimensions de la zone de constriction maximale de l’oropharynx ont été mesurés sur les volumes tridimensionnels obtenus. Résultats : Les résultats radiologiques ont démontré une augmentation significative du volume des fosses nasales et du nasopharynx ainsi qu’une augmentation de la zone de constriction maximale de l’oropharynx à 6 mois post-expansion. Par la suite, une portion du gain enregistré pour ces trois paramètres était perdue à un an post-EPRAC sans toutefois retourner aux valeurs initiales. Aucun effet significatif sur le volume de l’oropharynx n’a été observé. De plus, aucune corrélation significative entre la quantité d’expansion réalisée et l’ensemble des données radiologiques n’a été observée. L’analyse de la corrélation intra-classe a démontré une excellente fiabilité intra-examinateur. Conclusions : L’EPRAC entraîne un changement significatif du volume de la cavité nasale et du nasopharynx. L’EPRAC ne modifie pas le volume de l’oropharynx, par contre, un effet significatif sur la zone de constriction maximale de l’oropharynx est noté. Les effets observés n’ont pas de corrélation avec le montant d’activation de la vis d’expansion.

Analyse de la variation inter-populationnelle du canal obstétrique au sein de trois populations génétiquement différentes

La dystocie représente une des causes principales de la mortalité maternelle et fœtale lors de l’accouchement. Une relation trop étroite entre les dimensions maternelles et fœtales résultent souvent en une césarienne d’urgence. Les manuels obstétricaux actuels proposent qu’une forme gynoïde de la cavité obstétricale est normale car elle favorise une descente fœtale sans difficulté lors de la parturition parce qu’elle est arrondie. Ce mémoire de maîtrise porte sur l’étude de la variation inter-populationnelle de la forme du canal obstétrique chez trois populations génétiquement différentes pour tester si ces populations ont toutes une forme gynoïde ou si elles sont variables morphologiquement. Les cavités pelviennes analysées sont constituées de 59 bassins d’Américaines d’origine européenne, 74 bassins d’Américaines d’origine africaine et 19 bassins de Sadlermiuts. Vingt points anatomiques sur la cavité pelvienne ont été digitalisés à partir du bassin articulé pour permettre une visualisation tridimensionnelle de la forme du canal obstétrique. Une analyse Procrustes suivie d’une analyse en composantes principales ont été faites pour faire ressortir les composantes qui permettent de faire des distinctions entre les trois populations. L’existence d’une relation d’une part entre la taille et/ou la masse et d’autre part la morphologie du canal obstétrique a aussi été explorée. Résultats : La morphologie qui décrit les Sadlermiuts est la forme platypelloïde, soit un diamètre médio-latéral plus grand que le diamètre antéro-postérieur, et ce à tous les détroits. Les Américaines africaines présentent une morphologie qui tend vers une forme gynoïde aux détroits supérieur et moyen, et les Américaines européennes démontrent une morphologie intermédiaire entre les formes gynoïde et androïde au détroit supérieur. Seule la taille du bassin (taille centroïde) est corrélée à des changements de la forme du canal obstétrique pour les détroits supérieur et moyen. Discussion: La forme gynoïde n’est pas représentative de la cavité obstétricale chez les trois populations. Il est possible que la forme platypelloïde des Sadlermiuts soit une conséquence de comportements induisant des changements morphologiques lors du développement squelettique. D’autres études sont requises pour évaluer cette hypothèse.