Outline of the Thesis. In Chapter 1 an introduction on the subject is provided. Chapter 2 presents the results of an online questionnaire on the use of analgesia in the Netherlands. Chapter 3 outlines the study protocol of the RAVEL (Remifentanil patient controlled Analgesia Versus Epidural analgesia in Labour) trial as it was published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. Chapters 4-5 focus on efficacy and costs while chapters’ 6-8 focus on safety. In Chapter 4 the results of the efficacy analysis of the RAVEL trial are presented, this multicentre randomised controlled equivalence trial investigating remifentanil PCA and epidural analgesia was conducted in 15 centres in the Netherlands. Primary outcome measure was satisfaction with pain relief. In Chapter 5 the results of the economic analysis of the trial are presented. The economic analysis was done from a health care perspective and calculated costs from the start of labour until 10 days postpartum. We looked closer at respiratory complications in women receiving analgesia in the RAVEL cohort. The results of this analysis are described in Chapter 6. After the publication of the RAVEL and STER (Saturation and Temperature in Epidural and Remifentanil) studies a meta-analysis on side effects and maternal parameters was performed, the results are presented in Chapter 7. Because of indications that the use of remifentanil is associated with chronic pain we decided on a post hoc follow up study, the results of which are presented in Chapter 8. The general discussion can be found in Chapter 9.
Outline of the Thesis. In this thesis, we will answer the following questions: Given an authentic, public channel, what is the optimal way to implement advantage distillation and information reconciliation? In Chapter 2, we will first introduce the protocols proposed up to now for advantage distillation and information reconciliation. Then a protocol that combines advantage distillation and information reconciliation is presented so that Xxx gets as little information as possible. When the public channel is non-authentic, the communications between Xxxxx and Xxx are vulnerable to Xxx’s active attacks, i.e., Xxx may introduce fraud- ulent messages or modify Xxxxx’s or Bob’s messages over the public channel. In the context of privacy amplification, Xxxxx and Xxx share common, though partially secret, strings. If a common string is used as an authentication key, what is the upper bound on Xxx’s information about the common string so that authentication is possible? How do Xxxxx and Xxx use the common string to authenticate messages during the privacy amplification phase? These ques- tions will be answered in Chapter 3. Privacy amplification is a special case of secret key agreement. In the general context of secret key agreement, Xxxxx and Xxx only have access to some correlated strings. How do Xxxxx and Xxx in this case achieve authenticity to thwart Xxx’s active attacks on their communications over the public channel? In Chapter 4, we will study how Xxxxx and Xxx use their correlated strings obtained during the initialization phase, for authentication. When there is some advantage between Xxxxx and Xxx over Xxx, Xxxxx and Xxx can use this advantage to accomplish authenticity. Just like in the satellite scenario, quantum key agreement can achieve un- conditional security. However, a quantum channel provides another scenario, namely the quantum transmission session. The information Xxx gets during a quantum transmission session is closely related to the length of the final secret key generated by Xxxxx and Xxx. How much information does Xxx ob- tain during a quantum transmission session? In Chapter 5, we will study how to use some known information, such as the number of errors in Bob’s quan- tum bits, the density of the light pulses, and so on, to derive a probabilistic upper bound on the amount of information Xxx can learn from a quantum transmission session.
Outline of the Thesis. The main problem considered in this thesis is the optimisation of multi-user cogni- tive networks under the assumption of having imperfect/perfect CSI. Depending on a considered scenario, various problems can be defined. The principal contributions are divided in three chapters (Chapters 3, 4, and 5), with respect to assumptions on system setup and channel state information model.
Outline of the Thesis. The work presented in this thesis is based on a number of publications in scientific journals and international conferences. Here is an overview of the chapters discussed in this thesis and their related publications.
Outline of the Thesis. Applying SMS in a well-defined micro-structure configuration should allow us to correlate optical and electrical properties on comparable scales and to dis- tinguish between effects induced by the applied electric field, by the movement of individual charge carriers, and those due to the macroscopic current. Using confocal microscopy as well as spectroscopy will allow us to relate different spectral properties of the probe molecules with their spatial position in the nanostructure. The use of small well-defined micro-fabricated structures such as FET structures forces the current in a limited spatial spot and facilitates the identification of particular conduction paths. Such a study brings together both the constraints of SMS and of FET. The first step of this work therefore consisted in finding a suitable guest- host combination, favourable for SMS, with a matrix which should act as a conducting material for the FET. Chapter 2 of this thesis stresses a novel fundamental requirement for SMS concerning the energy levels of the guest with respect to the host. Taking the example of xxxxxxxxx (Tr) molecules embedded in an anthracene (Ac) crystal, we show that, when the triplet of the host is in between the first singlet excited state and the first triplet excited state of the guest molecule, the intersystem crossing can be dramatically enhanced via an intermolecular process. This effect can be extremely strong so as to prevent single-molecule detection. This result led us to the choice of a different system. Following the results of Chapter 2, we propose another guest-host system for SMS. Chapters 3 and 4 are devoted to studies of this new system which consists of dibenzoterrylene (DBT) molecules inserted in an Ac crystal. In Chapter 3, we focus on the photophysics of this combination. The system presents two dominant insertion sites. We show that DBT in an Ac crystal fullfills all the requirements for high-resolution spectroscopy at cryogenic temperatures: a narrow ZPL (around 30 MHz), a high count rate (the detected fluorescence rates at saturation reach 100,000 cps), a low ISC yield (lower than 10−7), and a very good photostability. Chapter 4 concentrates on the description of the insertion of the molecules inside the crystal. We perform molecular simulations and compare them to ex- periments. With both experimental results and simulations, we find two dom- inant insertion sites. Data on the temperature dependence of the linewidth of single DBT molecules, ...
Outline of the Thesis. Chapter 1. In this chapter, the statement of the problem is stated and the purpose of the study is discussed. The research questions are also outlined, the terms are defined and the significance of the study clearly presented.
Chapter 2. Gives details on literature review revolving around knowledge of school principals and their attitude towards IE is provided. The theoretical framework is also provided; theory if self-efficacy and transformational leadership theory is discussed.
Chapter 3. This chapter focuses on the research methodology used during the study, research design applied and the justification. It also discusses the tools used during data collection and the roles of the researcher during the study.
Chapter 4. Main research findings arising from the interview data analysis are covered in this chapter. This is in connection to the research questions. The findings are coded to provide main themes obtained from the study.
Chapter 5. This chapter focuses on the discussion that support or oppose the research findings in relation to the relevant literature review. It finally provides a conclusion, limitations and recommendations from the researcher.
Outline of the Thesis. Chapter 2 discusses a method of creating mechanical hysterons, using a bistable beam. To create a bistable beam, we embed a defect beam in a biholey system. The defect beam features two distinct states – curving to the right and curving to the left — and is able to switch between thees two states under cyclical compression. We start discussing the geometry of the defect as well as the simulation method. Next, we show the behavior of the defect — it can deform slowly and can deform dramatically. In particular, we discuss the examples where the defect act as a hysteron features two distinct states ’0’ and ’1’, and discuss the switching field between these states. Then we discuss why the defect is able to act as a hysteron. Finally, we discuss the design rules for creating controllable hysterons. In Chapter 3, we embed a number of hysterons in a metamaterial, where the hysterons are able to flip in sequence under cyclic driving. Specifically, we use transition graphs to map the sequential behavior as well the state of the hysterons. First, we optimize the geometrical design of the defect compared to Chapter 2 so that the up and down switching fields can be tuned independently. Second, we show in detail the experimental approach to create hysterons, monitoring the hysterons, and controlling the switching field of a single hysteron. Third, we leverage gradients in the boundary conditions to tune the collective states and the transition pathways of the hysterons in a metamaterial. Finally, we show hidden degree of freedom of hysterons resulting from subtle frictional effects, which allows the switching fields to be modified by the driving history. Moreover, we map the evolution of the sample and hysterons to transition graphs that encode the pathways of a system. In Chapter 4, we demonstrate a different strategy for creating hysterons, using a biholey metamaterial that features strong interactions. We leverage frustration between the configuration of the biholey pattern to horizontal and vertical compression. We start with the design of pre-clamped biholey metamaterial which acts as a group of hysterons under compression. We show that tuning the sizes of the clamps allows to access qualitatively differ-
Outline of the Thesis. Chapter 2 explains how the myocardium is organized and which are the main cells involved in the process of myocardial fibrosis. A clinical motivation is given to explain the importance of MRI and in particular of myocardial T1 mapping for the visualization and detection of myocardial fibrosis. Some selected clinical applications of myocardial T1 mapping are also presented. Chapter 3 first introduces the basic concepts of MR physics. Subsequently, the basic concept of myocardial T1 mapping is introduced, including MR acquisition, magnetization preparation and data fitting. Finally, an overview of the state-of-the-art T1 mapping techniques is presented. Chapter 4 discusses the challenges of acquisition time and introduces respiratory motion compensation and correction techniques for myocardial T1 mapping. Chapter 5 presents image reconstruction and post-processing steps that can be performed after image acquisition, including SENSE image reconstruction, denoising techniques for T1 mapping and image analysis considerations.
Outline of the Thesis. In June 2002 the Leiden’s TTTS study (XXXXX’ study) was started. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the short-term and long-term outcome in TTTS treated with fetoscopic laser surgery. With an intense and ongoing collaboration between the obstetric and neonatology depart- ments of the LUMC, several other study projects associated with the patho- genesis, diagnosis and treatment of TTTS were also initiated. The aim of these studies can be summarized as follows:
Outline of the Thesis. In order to answer the research question on faculty’s understanding and practice of research this thesis paper has been organized in the following way: Chapter 1 introduces the reader with the research topic by providing background information on the context of research and identifying the problem statement followed by the purpose of the study, the research question, significance, and benefits of the study. Chapter 2 provides an extensive literature review from three dimensions such as policy, institutional and individual. Policy level comprises the Kazakhstani context, research universities, differences between basic and applied research, and common challenges faced by Kazakhstani researchers. Institutional level covers the influence of the Soviet legacy and international cooperation, while the individual level is focused on the idea of research, different roles faculty perform at university and their motivation to do research.
