Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Group Assembly'

Understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies is one of the most active areas of research in astrophysics. Hierarchical merging of proto-galactic fragments to build more massive galaxies is the current preferred model. A key prediction of this theory is that haloes of nearby galaxies should contain remnants of this assembly process in the form of tidal debris. Found in all but the smallest of dwarf galaxies, globular clusters (GC) are excellent probes of galaxy haloes. Having high luminosities, they are favourable targets in the outer regions of galaxies where the associated stellar surface brightness is low. GCs are thought to be amongst the oldest stellar systems in the Universe, and are likely born in the most significant phases of galaxy formation. Their metallicities, ages, spatial distributions and kinematics can be used to constrain the assembly history of their host galaxy. In this thesis, I explore the photometric and kinematic properties of several GC systems in our cosmological backyard, the Local Group of galaxies. The work is based on a major spectroscopic campaign, follow-up to the photometric Pan- Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS), as well as additional optical and near-IR data sets. Radial velocities are obtained for 78 GCs in the halo ofM31, 63 of which had no previous spectroscopic information. The GCs have projected radii between ∼ 20 and 140 kpc, thus sampling the true outer halo of this galaxy. In addition, GCs in the dwarf galaxies NGC 147, NGC 185 and NGC 6822 are also spectroscopically observed. By conducting a detailed kinematic analysis, I find that GCs in the outer halo of M31 exhibit coherent rotation around the minor optical axis, in the same direction as their more centrally located counterparts, but with a smaller amplitude of 86 ± 17 km s−1. There is also evidence that the velocity dispersion of the outer halo GC system decreases as a function of projected radius from theM31 centre, and this relation can be well described by a power lawof index ≈ −0.5. I detect and discuss various velocity correlations amongst GCs that lie on stellar streams in the M31 halo. Simple Monte Carlo tests show that such configurations are unlikely to form by chance, implying that significant fraction of the GCs in the M31 halo have been accreted alongside their parent dwarf galaxies. I also estimate the dynamical mass of M31 within 200 kpc to be (1.2 − 1.6) ± 0.2 × 1012 M⊙. I also characterize the GC systems of three dwarf galaxies in the Local Group: the dwarf elliptical satellites of M31, NGC 147 and NGC 185, and the isolated dwarf irregular NGC 6822. Using uniform optical and near-IR photometry, I constrain the ages and metallicities of their constituent GCs. The metallicities of the GCs around NGC 147 and NGC 185 are found to be metal-poor ([Fe/H]. −1.25 dex), while their ages are more difficult to constrain. The GCs hosted by NGC 6822 are found to be old (>9 Gyr) and to have a spread of metallicities (−1.6 . [Fe/H] . −0.4). I find close similarity between the mean optical (V − I)0 colours of the GCs hosted by these three dwarf galaxies to those located in the M31 outer halo, consistent with the idea that dwarf galaxies akin to them might have contributed toward the assembly of the M31 outer halo GC population. Analysing their kinematics, I find no evidence for systemic rotation in either of these three GC systems. Finally, I use the available GC kinematic data to calculate the dynamical masses of NGC 147, NGC 185 and NGC 6822.

Il progetto di tesi sperimentale, svolto presso l’azienda Biesse Group, è volto all’applicazione dei principi del Lean Thinking nella progettazione di una nuova fabbrica di premontaggi di due componenti: il transfer e la tavola elevatrice. L’elaborato è nato dall’esigenza dell’azienda di liberare spazio produttivo nell’attuale stabilimento a favore di un nuovo impianto disponibile. Comprendendo la strategicità per le aziende della fase di montaggio, è stato fondamentale individuare e risolvere i muda e le inefficienze insite nella configurazione iniziale, in modo tale da poter pianificare al meglio i nuovi scenari futuri in ottica lean. Poiché la linea unica adibita al premontaggio di tutti i transfer comportava una bassa efficienza a causa della variabilità di prodotto, è stata valutata sia l’ipotesi dell’esternalizzazione sia della riprogettazione interna della soluzione presso la nuova sede, frutto di un processo volto al miglioramento continuo. Mentre in soccorso alla necessità di un ritmo produttivo snello e standardizzato, è stato valutato il premontaggio in linea per le tavole elevatrici. Gli scenari così proposti sono stati confrontati mediante un approccio combinato composto da analisi quantitativa e qualitativa, che ha permesso di individuare la soluzione ottimale per entrambi i componenti. A seguire è stata la volta dell’implementazione, dapprima dimensionando il nuovo magazzino e successivamente studiando ciascuna postazione di premontaggio, fino al layout complessivo del nuovo stabilimento. Lo studio si è concluso con una valutazione economica dell’investimento. Il progetto ha permesso di ottenere importanti miglioramenti qualitativi come un aumento dell’efficienza di sistema, una riduzione del numero di risorse e dello spazio produttivo rispetto alla soluzione attuale; così come importanti risultati quantitativi: un VAN previsto per il quinto anno pari a +424.740 € e un tempo di recupero dell’investimento iniziale previsto per la fine del secondo anno

Highly fluorescent conjugated polymers (CPs) are an important class of biomaterials used for various biological applications including labelling, sensing, and delivery of biological substances. Synthetic versatility and tunable emission make CPs a superior class of biomaterials. Understanding the structure-function relationship of CPs plays a vital role in designing high performing biomaterials. The cationic CPs are self-assembled to conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) in an aqueous environment due to their amphiphilicity. The physical and biophysical properties of CPNs are highly dependent on the chemical functionality and backbone structure of CPs. Modulation of the surface property and backbone structure of CPNs play an important role for efficient internalization of CPNs into cells. The goal of this dissertation is to understand the structure function relationship of CPNs in an aqueous environment and the change in their photo physical properties upon the self-assembly of CPNs with different backbone structure upon complexation with biologically significant polysaccharides and cell membrane. This work presents the self-assembly of a set of four cationic CPs with different connectivity and backbone structure upon complexation with a linear polyanion hyaluronic acid (HA). The study of photo physical properties changes upon the complexation with series of Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) provides more insight about how the self-assembly behavior of cationic CPs changes upon the exposure to negatively charged polysaccharides. The understanding of the self-assembly of CPNs with negatively charged biologically important macromolecules under in vitro conditions can give us an idea of photophysical property changes of CPNs during the treatment of CPNs in the cellular environment. The study of the interaction of CPNs with cell membranes using scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM)-based topography, potential mapping, and confocal microscopy imaging is presented. CPNs are able to induce transient pore like feature formation on the cell membrane during the cellular internalization process. A comparative study of cellular labelling and delivery of siRNA of five CPNs with guanidine motif is presented. The subcellular localization and delivery of siRNA were dependent on the side chain hydrophilicity. The CPNs fabricated with hydrophilic aminoethoxyethanol possesses excellent cellular imaging with higher siRNA delivery.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT, 2009.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 62-63).
The increasing complexity of high-end routing products, a highly diverse product mix, and continually demanding quality requirements have intensified the challenges faced by Cisco. Primary among these is managing the broad array of suppliers to ensure that the parts they are delivering meet the quality needs of the end product while balancing this with the need to remain cost competitive. Because components are often used across many product lines, it is can be difficult to determine exactly how an improvement to the quality of an individual component will impact Cisco's overall yield metrics. This thesis establishes a methodology for linking component quality to assembly-level yields. The component level quality is measured in Defective Parts Per Million (DPPM) at the Commodity Group level, and PCBA Yield is measured as the percentage of boards which meet Cisco's Six Sigma yield targets. The proof of concept for such an analytical link shows that these two metrics can be analytically related, and furthermore can be used to ensure that the effort expended to improve DPPM is optimally targeted to have an impact on assembly-level yields.
by Jason Wessing Cauthen.
S.M.
M.B.A.

Volvo Group Trucks Operations is a subordinate organization to the Volvo Group concern, which is one of the world's largest manufactures of trucks, buses, construction equipment, marine and industrial engines. Volvo Group Trucks Operations organization encompasses all production of the Volvo Group’s engines and transmissions as well as all production of Trucks. Volvo Group Trucks Operations is looking into digitize the methods utilized for information handling within their assembly plant in Tuve, Sweden, and this thesis project part in the digitization process.  The currently used assembly work instructions at the assembly plant in Tuve are printed on paper and contains excessive amounts of information that makes it challenging for the assembly operators to consume the work instructions efficiently. Therefore, Volvo Group Truck Operations want look into the possibility to introduce dynamically adjustable and digital work instructions that could be tailor fitted to an operator's experience level and presented with smart technologies. The project is divided into two parts where the first part was assigned to identify the information need for smart process capable of generating dynamic digital work instructions and the second part to research how this information need could be satisfied with currently used simulation tools. The information needs analyses showed that the smart process needs to be divided into two sub-processes, one for gathering and processing production specific data into a fully detailed work instruction and the other one for filtering the fully detailed work instruction to tailor fit an operator independent of their skill level within assembly work. A framework containing three information aspects is stated to describe the information need for the smart process. These information aspects are Inputs, Smart process and Outputs. The information aspects are then further broken down into five required information areas that is important for the smart process functionality. The required information areas are Data, Attributes, Inputs, Instruction and Information structure and Instruction consummation. When combining the results for the information aspects and the required information areas, the framework for the smart process needed to be able to generate dynamic digital work instruction could be stated. Using the simulation software IPS IMMA to simulate a generic assembly demo case to generate and export production specific data in the human readable XML coding language showed that it is possible to satisfy the framework for the smart process. However, comparing the simulated data with the information need for the framework resulted in the discovery that the IPS IMMA version used in the project, PMTS event exporter, withholds information regarding the assembly work. The generated data provides information regarding movement distances, movement times and grip types when interacting with work objects. For the smart process to be able to generate fully detailed instructions it needs to be supplied with additional information regarding the work objects in action and directions of movements conducted during the assembly work. Despite this withhold of information from the export data, it would still be possible to fully satisfy the framework for the smart process. All the missing information is contained within the IPS IMMA hence the software needs an update that adds the additional information to the data export.

Only within the last decade has supramolecular chemistry begun to adopt the Group 15 elements into its field of research. This dissertation presents a supramolecular approach to the self-assembly and reactivity of Group 15 metalloids, specifically arsenic and antimony, with organothiolate ligands. Investigating the self-assembly of pnictogen-based coordination complexes allows for in-depth characterization of the chemical behavior of arsenic, antimony and other Group 15 elements. Currently, the infiltration of arsenic into global groundwater systems has developed into a worldwide health concern. There are no chelating agents available for public use in the treatment of arsenic poisoning which are capable of binding arsenic (III) in its preferred coordination geometry thereby hindering the selectivity for rapid chelation. Chapter I is a review covering two important characteristics observed in the Group 15 elements: 1) a stabilizing, non-covalent cation-π interaction aiding in the formation of pnictogen-aryl thiolates, and 2) an observed lack of selectivity in environments containing multiple pnictogen ions which enables transmetalation of the complexes to occur or the generation of heterometallic assemblies. Based on the discovery of this new transmetalation reactivity, the remainder of the dissertation explores the effects of external additives during self-assembly in order to understand how they may affect the reactivity of these self-assembled complexes and provide insight into formation mechanisms. Chapter II identifies a catalyst for the acceleration of a slow self-assembly reaction between AsCl3 and a dithiolate ligand to give an As2L3 cryptand. Chapter III examines the oxidation of the arsenic cryptand using iodine, which leads to the self-assembly of a series of differently sized, discrete disulfide-bridged macrocycles. In Chapter IV, the self-assembly of the first trinuclear arsenic- and antimony-based coordination complexes was studied, revealing interesting solvent dependent conformational isomerism in solution. Chapter V applies the pnictogen-enhanced iodine oxidation to the synthesis of known and new cyclophanes using supramolecular chemistry, including the self-assembly and covalent capture of an unprecedented tetrahedral thiacyclophane. Additionally, an unusual trithioorthoformate capped tricyclophane cage was also synthesized and isolated by pnictogen-activated oxidation. Chapter VI includes the conclusion and future directions for the project. This dissertation includes co-authored material and previously published results.
10000-01-01

L’elaborato è il risultato di un progetto di tesi all’interno dell’azienda Celli Group Spa, nello stabilimento produttivo di San Giovanni in Marignano. Il tema centrale consiste nella riprogettazione di una linea di assemblaggio per dispenser del settore beverage, uno dei core business dell’azienda, a seguito di un incremento della domanda che ha richiesto un aumento della capacità produttiva. L’analisi prende come riferimento un unico prodotto (Sodastream Professional 109371), considerato significativo per la complessità della macchina e del processo. Lo scopo principale della tesi è quello di analizzare i parametri produttivi della linea attuale e, in base ai dati raccolti e rielaborati, standardizzare le operazioni di assemblaggio ed identificare i KPI rilevanti al fine di monitorare l’efficienza della linea. In base a questi dati, si riprogetta la linea al fine di soddisfare la domanda di mercato. I cambiamenti introdotti hanno apportato miglioramenti dal punto di vista della produttività, della riduzione del numero di scarti, della riduzione del tempo ciclo e della riduzione delle scorte interoperazionali.

This thesis is about the derivation of the addition law on an arbitrary elliptic curve and efficiently adding points on this elliptic curve using the derived addition law. The outcomes of this research guarantee practical speedups in higher level operations which depend on point additions. In particular, the contributions immediately find applications in cryptology. Mastered by the 19th century mathematicians, the study of the theory of elliptic curves has been active for decades. Elliptic curves over finite fields made their way into public key cryptography in late 1980’s with independent proposals by Miller [Mil86] and Koblitz [Kob87]. Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), following Miller’s and Koblitz’s proposals, employs the group of rational points on an elliptic curve in building discrete logarithm based public key cryptosystems. Starting from late 1990’s, the emergence of the ECC market has boosted the research in computational aspects of elliptic curves. This thesis falls into this same area of research where the main aim is to speed up the additions of rational points on an arbitrary elliptic curve (over a field of large characteristic). The outcomes of this work can be used to speed up applications which are based on elliptic curves, including cryptographic applications in ECC. The aforementioned goals of this thesis are achieved in five main steps. As the first step, this thesis brings together several algebraic tools in order to derive the unique group law of an elliptic curve. This step also includes an investigation of recent computer algebra packages relating to their capabilities. Although the group law is unique, its evaluation can be performed using abundant (in fact infinitely many) formulae. As the second step, this thesis progresses the finding of the best formulae for efficient addition of points. In the third step, the group law is stated explicitly by handling all possible summands. The fourth step presents the algorithms to be used for efficient point additions. In the fifth and final step, optimized software implementations of the proposed algorithms are presented in order to show that theoretical speedups of step four can be practically obtained. In each of the five steps, this thesis focuses on five forms of elliptic curves over finite fields of large characteristic. A list of these forms and their defining equations are given as follows: (a) Short Weierstrass form, y2 = x3 + ax + b, (b) Extended Jacobi quartic form, y2 = dx4 + 2ax2 + 1, (c) Twisted Hessian form, ax3 + y3 + 1 = dxy, (d) Twisted Edwards form, ax2 + y2 = 1 + dx2y2, (e) Twisted Jacobi intersection form, bs2 + c2 = 1, as2 + d2 = 1, These forms are the most promising candidates for efficient computations and thus considered in this work. Nevertheless, the methods employed in this thesis are capable of handling arbitrary elliptic curves. From a high level point of view, the following outcomes are achieved in this thesis. - Related literature results are brought together and further revisited. For most of the cases several missed formulae, algorithms, and efficient point representations are discovered. - Analogies are made among all studied forms. For instance, it is shown that two sets of affine addition formulae are sufficient to cover all possible affine inputs as long as the output is also an affine point in any of these forms. In the literature, many special cases, especially interactions with points at infinity were omitted from discussion. This thesis handles all of the possibilities. - Several new point doubling/addition formulae and algorithms are introduced, which are more efficient than the existing alternatives in the literature. Most notably, the speed of extended Jacobi quartic, twisted Edwards, and Jacobi intersection forms are improved. New unified addition formulae are proposed for short Weierstrass form. New coordinate systems are studied for the first time. - An optimized implementation is developed using a combination of generic x86-64 assembly instructions and the plain C language. The practical advantages of the proposed algorithms are supported by computer experiments. - All formulae, presented in the body of this thesis, are checked for correctness using computer algebra scripts together with details on register allocations.

A study made by Johansson, Fast-Berglund and Moestam (in press) shows that diversity regarding how information is used exists in global production networks. To be closer to markets, organizations have chosen to globalize their business which is one reason for why diversity arises. This because product types and brands historically have been different. One company that is currently working with improving consistency among processes is Volvo Group Trucks Operations (GTO). The company wants to evaluate how the process for preparing assembly work instructions looks like at different sites within their production network. This enables Volvo GTO to start their work towards a standardized process and uniformity. A starting point for this is to make a current state analysis of the process for preparing assembly work instructions when producing Volvo trucks, engines and transmissions in Sweden. The purpose is to identify key activities within the process and important factors to consider when standardizing the process. This is done on three sites, one for each area. Volvo GTO is the part of the Volvo Group that covers all production of engines and transmissions as well as the production of Volvo, Renault, Mack, and UD trucks. In 2012 the group choose to reorganize from brand based where each brand was an own organization to joint units, for example center of development, operations etc. This has led to a greater need of one common process for preparing assembly work instructions in order to create uniformity among the brands Volvo, Renault, Mack, and UD trucks. The result of the current state analysis shows that the process for preparing assembly work instructions is differently performed depending on the site studied. Despite this, some activities in each process are similar. These were found to be: design, review, time setting, time analysis, balancing, station marking, create assembly work instructions, and share information. Since some activities actually are similar, it would be possible to standardize the process for preparing assembly work instructions in the future. Important to consider when standardizing a process is to create awareness and involvement among employees. It is also important to have the management committed as well as uniformity among IT systems used when performing a process. One last thing to consider is that the process needs to be adaptable because sites are located all over the world and have different culture and regulations.
En studie gjord av Johansson, Fast-Berglund och Moestam (i tryck) visar variation i hur information hanteras i globala produktionsnätverk. För att komma närmre marknader har organisationer valt att globalisera sin verksamhet, vilket är en anledning till varför variation uppstår. Detta eftersom produkttyper och märken historiskt har varit annorlunda. Ett företag som för närvarande arbetar med att förbättra enhetligheten mellan processer är Volvo Group Trucks Operations (GTO). De vill utvärdera hur processen för framställning av monteringsarbetsinstruktioner ser ut på olika siter inom produktionsnätverket. Detta gör det möjligt för Volvo GTO att starta sitt arbete mot en standardiserad process och enhetlighet mellan siter. En början i detta arbete är att göra en nulägesanalys av processen för framställning av monteringsarbetsinstruktioner vid produktion av Volvo lastvagnar, motorer och växellådor i Sverige. Syftet är att identifiera nyckelaktiviteter inom processen och viktiga faktorer att tänka på när man standardisera processen. Detta sker på tre siter, en inom varje område. Volvo GTO är den del av Volvokoncernen som omfattar all tillverkning av motorer och växellådor samt produktion av Volvo, Renault, Mack och UD lastvagnar. År 2012 valde Volvokoncernen att omorganisera från varumärkesbaserad till organisatoriska enheter, till exempel utveckling, tillverkning etc. Detta har lett till ett ökat behov av en gemensam process för framställning av monteringsarbetsinstruktioner för att skapa enhetlighet mellan varumärkena. Resultatet av denna nulägesanalys visar att processen för framställning av monteringsarbetsinstruktioner utförs annorlunda beroende på siten som studerats. Trots detta är vissa aktiviteter i varje process liknande. Dessa visade sig vara: design, granskning, tidsättning, tidsanalys, balansering, stationsmärkning, skapa monteringsarbetsinstruktioner och dela information. Eftersom vissa aktiviteter faktiskt är lika skulle det vara möjligt att standardisera processen för framställning av monteringsarbetsinstruktioner i framtiden. Viktigt att tänka på när man standardisera en process är att skapa medvetenhet och engagemang bland medarbetarna. Det är också viktigt att ha ledningens engagement och stöd samt enhetlighet mellan IT system som används för att utföra processen. En sista sak att tänka på är att processen måste kunna anpassas då siter är placerade över hela världen och har olika kultur och lagar.
GAIS (Global Assembly Instruction Strategy)

Paper I: The power of star ideators: Does star ideator alone drive the success of ideas? The virtues and limits of star ideator presence in groups. Paper II: (with Magnusson, M.) The effect of diversity and group familiarity on performance in ideation groups. Paper III: (with Björk, J.) Temporary Network Structure and Group ideation performance - the effect of centrality and structural holes.

Aus der riesigen Vielfalt organischer Materialien sind gerade die Phthalocyanine dafür bekannt geworden, auf verschiedenen kristallinen Substraten geordnete Strukturen auszubilden. Außerdem dienen diese Moleküle als Modellsysteme für grundlegende Untersuchungen zur Einstellung elektronischer und struktureller Eigenschaften durch gezielten Einbau eines Metallatoms in den zentralen Hohlraum. Die Strukturen der Adsorptionsschichten von verschiedenen Metallphthalocyaninen, funktionalisierten Phthalocyaninen und Naphthalocyaninen auf der Basaldebene des Graphits werden verglichen, um die Adsorptionsstruktur der einzelnen Moleküle innerhalb der Adsorptionsschicht zu verstehen. Das erlaubt uns die Untersuchung der Molekül-Molekül- und Molekül-Substrat-Wechselwirkungen in Abhängigkeit von Molekularadsorption des zentralen Metallatoms, der Geometrie, einzelner funktionellen Gruppen oder ähnlichem am Molekül. Der Vergleich der Adsorptionsstrukturen von Phthalocyaninen wie PdPc und PtPc, welche d8-Metalle enthalten, dient dem Verständnis für den Effekt des Metallatoms, speziell bei großen Ordnungszahlen. Während beide Moleküle ähnliche Arten von Adsorptionsstrukturen ausbilden weist die PtPc-Adsorptionsschicht eine außergewöhnlich hohe thermische Stabilität auf. Das wurde auf die stark Molekül-Molekül-Wechselwirkung zurückgeführt, die durch die Metallatome in der Adsorptionsschicht vermittelt wird. Der Effekt langer molekularer ‚Flügel’ wird durch den Vergleich der Adsorptionsstrukturen ebener Naphthalocyanine mit denen von ebenen Metallphthalocyaninen demonstriert. Naphthalocyanine bilden viel lockerer gepackte Adsorptionsschichten als Phthalocyanine, was von der stärkeren sterischen Abstoßung zwischen den Wasserstoffatomen in benachbarten molekularen ‚Flügeln’ herrührt. Cyano-funktionalisierte metallfreie Phthalocyanine zeigen als Adsorptionsschicht eine poröse Netzwerkstruktur. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass durch die Sondenspitze hervorgerufene Störungen dieser Struktur durch die elektrostatische Wechselwirkung zwischen den Molekülen in der Adsorptionsschicht bald weider ausheilen. Schließlich ist durch den Vergleich von Adsorptionsstrukturen ebener Naphthalocyanine und nichtebener Zinn-Naphthalocyanine auch der Geometrieeffekt untersucht worden. Abweichend von allen anderen untersuchten ebenen Molekülen haben Zinn-Naphthalocyanine eine Adsorptionstruktur, die der des Graphits ähnlich ist (hexagonal). Deshalb überwiegt in diesem Fall die Wechselwirkung zwischen Molekül und Substrat, und die Adsorptionsstruktur folgt der Geometrie des Graphitsubstates. Darüberhinaus sind mit der Tunnelspektroskopie in Abhängigkeit vom Abstand zwischen der Spitze und der Probe die elektronischen Eigenschaften der Molekül-Substrat-Grenzfläche für Naphthalocyanin und Zinn-Naphthalocyanin untersucht worden.

L'elaborato espone il contributo del candidato nel processo di elaborazione di una tecnica innovativa per il miglioramento dei metodi di assemblaggio e collaudo di MU-CN. Il modello sarà di riferimento per l’analisi delle attività a valore e spreco per tutto il gruppo aziendale. Facendo riferimento alle legioni romane: la tecnica vuole prima di tutto strutturare la strategia di attacco ovvero dichiarare come dovrebbero muoversi le legioni, poi enunciare ai singoli soldati (industrializzatori/ progettisti) come deve essere usata la spada (strumenti) ed infine quali delle spade a disposizione servono per l’attacco in questione. Il progetto parte da uno studio di benchmarking delle best practice nel settore machinery, per poi convergere nell’approfondimento di un sistema di analisi adattato al background aziendale. Si utilizzeranno strumenti quali il Design for Assembly e l’Approccio Scientifico. Questi saranno i 2 approcci fondamentali con cui si procederà alla generazione di un nuovo metodo per le attività esecutive. Inoltre, in termini di completezza di analisi si investirà anche il processo di sviluppo nuovo prodotto, cercando di anticipare il più possibile (front-loading&concurrent engineering) la rilevazione delle inefficienze. Infine, vi sarà il supporto del candidato nell’istituzionalizzazione del nuovo metodo, nella conduzione di attività d’implementazione pilota e nell’elaborazione dei piani di roll-out che lo vedranno in veste di trainer insieme al Team di Progetto. I risultati ottenuti sono stati soddisfacenti, perciò la tecnica proposta avrà riscontro reale e verrà implementata nel Gruppo entro fine 2018. In particolare, si sono incrementati i rendimenti medi delle linee osservate e ridotti i costi di assemblaggio e struttura dei pezzi analizzati, dati stimati grossolanamente grazie all’applicazione pilota della nuova tecnica.

Volvo Group är ett av världens ledande tillverkare av bland annat lastbilar, bussar, entreprenadmaskiner och motorer för marina och industriella applikationer. Volvo Group äger totalt 10 olika märken, dessa är: Volvo Trucks, UD Trucks, Renault Trucks, Mack Trucks, Group Trucks Asia & JVs, Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo Bus, Volvo Penta, Volvo Financial Services och Governmental Sales. Initiativet till projektet togs av Metod och Processutvecklings avdelningen på Volvo Group Trucks Operations (GTO), som är den delen av Volvo Group som utför själva sammansättningen av lastbilar. Volvo GTO finns i flertal olika länder världen över vilket leder till att arbetsprocesserna kan skilja mellan länderna. För att kunna standardisera ett arbetssätt där konstruktören (komponent ägaren) tillsammans med geometri arkitekten kan göra en första ergonomisk analys på den berörda komponenten. För att detta ska vara möjligt så tog projektet fram en handbok på hur man som komponentägare skall gå tillväga för att få en så bra och korrekt analys som möjligt. I denna kandidatarbete tas det upp förslag på hur VR hade kunnat hjälpa till ett utvärderingsverktyg redan i konstruktionsstadiet när en ny produkt/komponent ska tas fram eller om det ska göras förbättringar på en befintlig komponent. Kandidatarbetet har valt att fokusera mest på hur konstruktören och geometri arkitekten ska kunna utvärdera de ergonomiska aspekterna med VR som hjälp. Projektet har undersökt två user case varav ett av dem presenteras i denna rapport. Detta gäller monteringen av värmeskydd. Anledningen till att just denna montering valdes är på grund av dess dåliga ergonomi och åtkomlighet. Projektet valde att göra både en RULA-analys och PLIBEL-analys. RULA-analysen gav hög totalpoäng, 7 av 7 medan PLIBEL endast är en analys på arbetsplatsen vilket gav ett bra underlag för fortsatt arbete. Studien visade att VR är ett väldigt bra hjälpmedel vid analys av ergonomiska aspekter i tidig design fas. Det ger relevanta resultat och har potential för besparingar i resurser och kostnader inom utvecklingsprocessen. För att förbättra kandidatarbetes resultat har det gjorts besök på ESI-Group som har gått in med stöttning i form av VR utrustning och workshop. Detta gav projektmedlemmarna en inblick på möjligheterna man har med VR.
Volvo Group is one of the Worlds leading manufacturer in the categories trucks, busses, construction equipment and engines for the marine and industrial applications. Volvo Group consist of many different brands 10 in total, these are: Volvo Trucks, UD Trucks, Renault Trucks, Mack Trucks, Group Trucks Asia & JVs, Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo Bus, Volvo Penta, Volvo Financial Services and Governmental Sales. The initiative for the project came from Method and Process Development within Volvo Trucks Tuve Plant, department at Volvo Group Trucks Operations (GTO), which is the part of Volvo Group performing the actual production of the trucks. Volvo GTO is located worldwide in several different countries, which leads to different work processes. To standardize a method where the designer (component owner) together with the geometry architect can make a first ergonomics analysis of the concerned component. To make this possible, the project presented a manual on how the component owner should proceed to obtain as good and correct analysis of ergonomics as possible. This bachelor thesis makes suggestions for how VR would be helpful in the design phase as an evaluation tool during development of a new product/component or whether improvements should be made to an existing component. The thesis has focused mostly on how the designer and geometry architect can evaluate the ergonomics aspects with VR as a help, already in the design phase. The project has investigated two user cases. One of them is presented in this report. This applies to the installation of heat shield, the reason that this particular assembly was chosen is due to its poor ergonomics and accessibility. The project chose to do a RULA-analysis and PLIBEL-analysis. The RULA analysis gave a high total score, 7 out of 7, while PLIBEL was an analysis at the workplace. Both proved to be a good basis for continued work.  The study shows that VR is a great tool for analysis of the ergonomics aspects in early design phase. It gives relevant results and has the potential for savings in resources and cost in product development process. To improve the results of the thesis, there have been visits on ESI-Group which has sponsored the thesis in the form of VR equipment and workshop. This gave the project members an insight into the possibilities of VR.

DNA is remarkable because of its highly selective molecular recognition properties and self-assembly behavior. Recent attempts in generating biomimetic synthetic polymers have been flawed by a lack of structural control. To overcome this shortcoming, we generated molecular recognition polymers and copolymers containing a regioselective arrangement of thymine/uracil analogs via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP). The ROMP of exo-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximide was found to fulfill the criteria for a living polymerization. This gave access to polymers with narrow molecular weight distribution and well-controlled architecture. Furthermore, the living character of the reaction allowed for the facile synthesis of diblock copolymers. We have synthesized diblock copolymers containing a small hydrophilic block bearing molecular recognition units and a longer hydrophobic block consisting of long pendant alkyl chains. These copolymers undergo self-assembly into nanoscale aggregates with surface localized multi-point hydrogen bonding sites. Finally, molecular recognition properties of monomers and polymers containing the thymine/uracil analogs were characterized by 1H NMR and HPLC.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 1999.
Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 303-350). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users. Address: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/uoregon/fullcit?p9955917.

2007/2008
The understanding of the interaction of organic molecules with metal surfaces is crucial for tailoring the desired properties of future devices that can be employed for molecular electronics or biomedical applications. Self-assembly of complex supramolecular structures and charge transfer through molecular films or even through single molecules are some of the properties that have recently attracted much interest both for possible applications and for more fundamental studies. The molecule-surface interaction takes place thanks to the functional groups that constitute the molecule. The choice of appropriate functional groups of the molecules allows their use as building blocks in the fabrication of complicate architectures [1]. In fact, the functional entities can influence molecule-molecule and molecule-surface interactions, governing the self-assembly of the molecules on the surface. In particular, in the thesis I will report on the characterization by means of Helium Atom Scattering (HAS), X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS), Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) of the self-assembly in ultra high vacuum (UHV) conditions of L-methionine molecules on different metal substrates (Ag(111), Cu(111), Au(111), Au(110)). L-methionine is an amino acid with three functional groups which can interact with the substrate or with other molecules: the amino (-NH2), the carboxyl (-COOH) and the thioether (-S-). Moreover, the first two can change their charge state in a protonated amino group (-NH+ 3 ) and a deprotonated carboxyl group (-COO−): the molecules are called zwitterionic and it is allowed the formation of hydrogen bonds between them. Hydrogen bonding between zwitterionic molecules is responsible for the crystallization in the solid state. In the thesis I have studied how, depending on the choice of the substrate and the growth conditions, L-methionine molecules form assemblies with different morphologies and different chemical states of the building blocks. L-methionine molecules deposited on Ag(111) and Au(111) are in the zwitterionic state and interact strongly via hydrogen bonding forming dimers of molecules. The weak interaction with the substrate allows the organization of these dimers in extended bidimensional nanogratings composed of chains of length extending in the micrometer range and with tunable periodicity across the chains. At temperatures below 270K, L-methionine on Cu(111) forms short aggregates of zwitterionic dimers. By increasing the substrate temperature above 300K the charge state of the amino group changes and also the interaction with the surface. Molecules are anionic (-NH2 and -COO−) and form again charged nanogratings. The anionic state of the molecules can also be obtained on the Au(110) surface, where the interaction of the amino and thioether groups with the gold inhibits the formation of zwitterionic dimers via hydrogen bonding. The functional groups in the molecules can also influence their transport properties. The final goal of miniaturization in molecular electronics research is the formation and characterization of a nanoelectronic device in which a molecule between two electrodes plays the role of an active conducting element. In such a device the interaction between the functional groups anchoring the molecule to the electrodes and the electrodes is a crucial element in order to understand and control the conduction. Recent STM-break junction experiments [2] have shown that Au-molecule-Au contacts with amino (- NH2) terminated molecules are better defined than Au-molecule-Au contacts formed with thiol (-SH) terminated molecules [3]. The strong interaction of thiols with gold surfaces is well known in literature and the self-assembly of thiolated molecules is widely employed in many applications. In contrast, the weak interaction of amino terminated molecules with gold is poorly studied. Theoretical calculations suggest that the amine lone pair is responsible for bonding and that it prefers to bind to undercoordinated gold atoms. Within this framework, in the thesis I report on the study of growth of thin films of 1,4-benzenediamine and p-toluidine on two different Au surfaces, where the atoms present different coordination: Au(111) and Au(110). Both molecules interact more strongly with the low coordination (110) surface. By means of Resonant Photoemission Spectroscopy (RPES) it has been possible to disentangle molecular orbitals and determine the ones involved in the charge transfer at the surface. In both cases the charge transfer involves states localized also on the nitrogen atoms indicating a possible interaction of the molecule with the surface through nitrogen atoms. I also studied the assembly of three benzene substituted diamines on Au(111). These results complement very well the results obtained from conduction experiments of different amine-terminated molecules and combined with theoretical investigations can help understanding the basics of the molecular charge transport mechanism. [1] Barth J.V., Costantini G., Kern K., Nature, 437 (2005) 671 [2] Venkataraman L., Klare J. E., Nuckolls C., Hybertsen M. S., Steigerwald M. L., Nature, 442 (7105), 904 (2006) [3] Schreiber F., Progress in Surface Science, 65 (5-8) (2000) 151
Lo studio dell’interazione di molecole organiche con superfici metalliche è di fondamentale importanza per la progettazione di futuri dispositivi che possiedano proprietà ben controllabili in modo tale che possano essere usati per l’elettronica molecolare o per applicazioni biomediche. L’autoassemblaggio di complesse strutture ”supramolecolari” e il trasferimento di carica attraverso film molecolari o anche attraverso singole molecole sono alcune delle proprietà che hanno attratto di recente grande interesse sia per le possibili applicazioni future che per studi di tipo più fondamentale. L’interazione molecola-superficie avviene attraverso i gruppi funzionali che costituiscono le molecole. Molecole con appropriate funzionalizzazioni possono essere usate come mattoni elementari nella fabbricazione di architetture complesse [1]. Infatti, tali gruppi funzionali possono influenzare le interazioni del tipo molecola-molecola e molecola-superficie che governano l’autoassemblaggio delle molecole sulla superficie. In particolare, in questa tesi riporter`o circa la caratterizzazione mediante diffrazione di atomi di elio (HAS), spettroscopia di fotoemissione di raggi X (XPS), misure di assorbimento di raggi X (NEXAFS) e microscopia ad effetto tunnel (STM) dell’autoassemblaggio in condizioni di ultra alto vuoto (UHV) di molecole di L-metionina su diversi substrati metallici (Ag(111), Cu(111), Au(111), Au(110)). La molecola di L-metionina `e un amminoacido che presenta tre gruppi funzionali i quali possono interagire con il substrato o con altre molecole: il gruppo amminico (-NH2), il gruppo carbossilico (- COOH) e il gruppo tioetere (-S-). I primi due possono inoltre cambiare il loro stato di carica originando un gruppo amminico protonato (-NH+ 3 ) e un gruppo carbossilico deprotonato (COO−): in tal caso le molecole sono dette zwitterioniche ed è permessa la formazione di legami a idrogeno tra esse. I legami a idrogeno tra molecole zwitterioniche sono responsabili della loro cristallizzazione nello stato solido. In questa tesi ho studiato come, a seconda della scelta del substrato e delle condizioni di cescita, le molecole di L-metionina formino strutture assemblate che presentano diverse morfologie e diversi stati chimici delle molecole costituenti. Le molecole di L-metionina depositate su Ag(111) e Au(111) sono zwitterioniche e interagiscono fortemente tra di loro tramite legami a idrogeno a formare dimeri di molecole sulla superficie. La debole interazione con il substrato permette l’organizzazione di questi dimeri in estesi reticoli bidimensionali di dimensione nanometrica composti da catene di lunghezza nel range micrometrico e con spaziatura tra le catene controllabile. A temperature sotto 270K, le molecole di L-metionina su Cu(111) formano corti aggregati di dimeri zwitterionici. Aumentando la temperatura del substrato oltre 300K lo stato di carica del gruppo amminico cambia e quindi l’interazione con la superficie. Le molecole sono anioniche (-NH2 e COO−) e formano di nuovo reticoli carichi. Lo stato anionico delle molecole si può ottenere anche sulla superficie di Au(110) dove l’interazione dei gruppi amminico e tioetere con l’oro inibisce la formazione di dimeri zwitterionici via legami a idrogeno. I gruppi funzionali nelle molecole possono anche influenzare le loro proprietà di trasporto. Lo scopo finale della miniaturizzazione nella ricerca nel campo dell’elettronica molecolare è la formazione e caratterizzazione di un dispositivo nanoelettronico in cui una molecola immobilizzata tra due elettrodi gioca il ruolo di elemento conduttivo attivo. In tale dispositivo il controllo dell’interazione tra i gruppi funzionali che tengono la molecola attaccata gli elettrodi e gli elettrodi è un elemento cruciale per la comprensione e il controllo della conduzione. Recenti esperimenti del tipo STM break junction [2] hanno motrato che contatti del tipo Au-molecola-Au con molecole con terminazioni amminiche (NH2) sono meglio definiti che contatti del medesimo tipo con molecole con terminazione tiolica (-SH) [3]. La forte interazione dei tioli con superfici d’oro è ben nota in letteratura e l’autoassemblaggio di molecole con terminazione tiolica è largamente utilizzato in molte applicazioni. In contrasto, la debole interazione di molecole con terminazione amminica con superfici d’oro è stata poco studiata. Recenti calcoli teorici hanno previsto che le molecole si legano alla superficie d’oro attraverso il ”lone pair” localizzato sull’azoto e che sono preferiti i legami con atomi di oro di bassa coordinazione. In particolare, nella tesi riporterò i risultati dello studio della crescita di film sottili di 1,4-benzenediamina e p-toluidina su due diverse superfici d’oro, i cui atomi di superficie presentano diversa coordinazione: Au(111) e Au(110). Ambedue le molecole interagiscono più fortemente con la superficie di bassa coordinazione (110). Tramite la tecnica di fotoemissione risonante (RPES) è stato possibile individuare gli orbitali molecolari e determinare quelli coinvolti nel trasferimento di carica all’interfaccia. In ambedue i casi il trasferimento di carica coinvolge stati che sono localizzati anche sull’atomo di azoto, il che indica una possibile interazione della molecola con la superficie attraverso i gruppi amminici. Ho anche studiato l’assemblaggio su Au(111) di tre diverse benzene-diamine con vii diversi sostituenti legati all’anello. Questi risultati sono un complemento ai risultati ottenuti da esperimenti di conduzione di molecole con diverse terminazioni amminiche e combinati con le investigazioni teoriche possono aiutare nella comprensione dei fondamenti dei meccanismi di trasporto di carica nelle molecole. [1] Barth J.V., Costantini G., Kern K., Nature, 437 (2005) 671 [2] Venkataraman L., Klare J. E., Nuckolls C., Hybertsen M. S., Steigerwald M. L., Nature, 442 (7105), 904 (2006) [3] Schreiber F., Progress in Surface Science, 65 (5-8) (2000) 151
XXI Ciclo
1981

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Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior
Water scarcity is a reality for the inhabitants of the Brazilian semiarid region. The problem, in quantitative terms , is caused due to local climatic conditions due mostly to a water deficit. Qualitatively, results of multiple uses and resulting contamination by human activities. Eutrophication is presented as a threat to the sustainable use of water resources, in order to favor the predominance of dense populations of cyanobacteria, which can be potentially harmful to human health. The aim of this study is to understand the population dynamics of phytoplankton and cyanobacteria to assess water quality of reservoirs Santa Cruz do Apodi and Pau dos Ferros belonging to bacia Apodi Mossor?-RN . Water samples were collected monthly between October 2011 and May 2012 in reservoirs Santa Cruz do Apodi and Pau dos Ferros, in this latter , in Jan/12 we performed a diel profile . The abiotic variables obtained in the field and in the laboratory were: water temperature , dissolved oxygen , pH , turbidity , transparency , total nitrogen and total phosphorus . Phytoplankton samples were collected with a plankton net and bottle of Van dorn . Were performed : identification , quantification , calculation of biovolume , classification into functional groups and index calculation phytoplankton assembly ( Q ) , cyanotoxins were quantified by ELISA . Statistical analyzes supported the evaluation of the dynamics between biotic and abiotic factors. A questionnaire was conducted to examine the conceptions of the population, education professionals and students. The reservoir of Pau dos Ferros, shallow , turbid and eutrophic showed dominance of the functional group SN throughout the sample period . The phytoplankton biomass ranged from 20 to 70 mm ? . L - 1, the lowest values coincided with the increase of the mixing zone and transparency, which contributed to the occurrence of a change in species composition phytoplankton . The application of the index Q proved relevant, the reservoir of Pau dos Ferros , depending on the species present , was classified ecologically as bad for almost the entire sample period . The reservoir Santa Cruz do Apodi showed low biomass ( 0.04 and 4.31 mm ? . L - 1 ) and greater diversity in the phytoplankton composition . According to the index assembly (Q ), it showed moderate condition during most of the period influenced by different functional groups of typical meso- eutrophic environment (K S0, H1, C, F , J , E, D and N) . Associations of diatoms and green algae D and X1 succeeded populations of cyanobacteria in periods marked by greater instability in the system , caused by wind or rain. In summary , the occurrence of drought has a direct influence on the hydrological conditions of the reservoirs , in general, these events, reducing the reservoir level is directly related to decreased water quality and increased density of phytoplankton occurring predominance of cyanobacteria , the index Q reflected well to changes in phytoplankton composition , being a good indicator for biomonitoring of reservoirs in this study and survey of previous conceptions showed the need to work on environmental awareness for the preservation of water resources by conducting workshops for Environmental Education
A escassez de ?gua ? uma realidade para os habitantes da regi?o semi?rida brasileira. O problema, em termos quantitativos, ? ocasionado em virtude das condi??es clim?ticas locais refletindo, principalmente, em um d?ficit h?drico. Em termos qualitativos, decorre dos m?ltiplos usos e consequente contamina??o pelas atividades humanas. A eutrofiza??o apresenta-se como uma amea?a para o uso sustent?vel dos recursos h?dricos, tendo em vista favorecer a predomin?ncia de densas popula??es de cianobact?rias, as quais podem ser potencialmente prejudiciais ? sa?de humana. O objetivo deste estudo ? compreender a din?mica das popula??es de cianobact?rias e do fitopl?ncton para avaliar a qualidade de ?gua dos reservat?rios Santa Cruz do Apodi e Pau dos Ferros pertencentes ? bacia hidrogr?fica do rio Apodi-Mossor?. Amostras de ?gua foram coletadas mensalmente entre outubro de 2011 e maio de 2012 nos reservat?rio Santa Cruz e Pau dos Ferros, neste ?ltimo, em jan/12 foi realizado um perfil nictemeral. As vari?veis abi?ticas obtidas em campo e no laborat?rio foram: temperatura da ?gua, oxig?nio dissolvido, pH, turbidez, transpar?ncia, nitrog?nio total e f?sforo total. As amostras do fitopl?ncton foram coletadas com rede de pl?ncton e garrafa de Van. Foram realizados: identifica??o, quantifica??o, c?lculo do biovolume, classifica??o em grupos funcionais e c?lculo do ?ndice de assembleia fitoplanct?nico (Q), cianotoxinas foram quantificadas pelo m?todo ELISA. An?lises estat?sticas deram suporte ? avalia??o da din?mica entre fatores bi?ticos e abi?ticos. Aplica??o de question?rio foi realizada para analisar as concep??es pr?vias da popula??o, profissionais de ensino e alunos. O reservat?rio Pau dos Ferros considerado raso, turvo e eutr?fico apresentou domin?ncia do grupo funcional SN durante todo o per?odo amostral. A biomasa fitoplanct?nica variou entre 20 e 70 mm?.l-1, os menores valores coincidiram com o aumento da zona de mistura e transpar?ncia, que contribu?ram para a ocorr?ncia de altera??o na composi??o de esp?cies da comunidade fitoplanct?nica. A aplica??o do ?ndice Q mostrou-se relevante, o reservat?rio Pau dos Ferros, em fun??o das esp?cies presentes, foi categorizado, ecologicamente, como ruim durante quase todo o per?odo amostral. O reservat?rio Santa Cruz apresentou baixa biomassa (0,04 e 4,31 mm?. l-1) e maior diversidade na composi??o fitoplanct?nica. De acordo com o ?ndice de assembl?ia (Q), ele apresentou condi??o moderada, durante a maior parte do per?odo, influenciado por diferentes grupos funcionais t?picos de ambientes meso-eutr?ficos (K, S0, H1,C, F, J, P, D e N). Associa??es de diatom?ceas D e clorof?ceas X1 sucederam as popula??es de cianobact?rias em per?odos marcados por maior instabilidade no sistema, causadas pelo vento ou chuva. Em s?ntese, a ocorr?ncia de estiagem tem influ?ncia direta sobre as condi??es hidrol?gicas dos reservat?rios, em geral, nesses eventos, a redu??o do n?vel do reservat?rio est? diretamente associada ? diminui??o da qualidade da ?gua e aumento da densidade fitoplanct?nica ocorrendo predomin?ncia de cianobact?rias, o ?ndice Q refletiu bem ?s mudan?as na composi??o fitoplanct?nica, sendo um bom indicador para o biomonitoramento dos reservat?rios avaliados neste estudo e o levantamento das concep??es pr?vias mostrou a necessidade de se trabalhar a sensibiliza??o ambiental para a preserva??o dos recursos h?dricos atrav?s da realiza??o de oficinas de Educa??o Ambiental

The text describes the main progress in depicting the LGBTI topic in the Inter-American area. It begins with the analysis of some conceptual issues that are crossed to the topic and discuss the importance of including political commitments and statements in the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of OAS (Organization of American States) related to the LGTBI community protection. Even though, a few cases have gone to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, some landmark cases have deserved the Inter-American Court of Human Rights opinion. This produces an interesting case law on the matter. Finally, the text covers the latest Inter-American Convention on human rights adopted by the General Assembly of OAS in 2013, which includes the LGBTI community. That Conventionconstitutes the first regional treaty in force on the matter.
El artículo describe los principales avances que han contribuidoa visibilizar la temática de las Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales, Travestis e Intersexuales (LGBTI) a nivel interamericano. Para ello, comienza con el análisis de algunas cuestiones conceptuales que son transversales al tema y discute la importancia que tiene la inclusión de varios compromisos políticos y declaraciones en las resoluciones de la Asamblea General de la OEA referentes a la protección de la comunidad LGBTI. Si bien aún pocos casos han llegado a la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, algunos casos emblemáticos han merecido el pronunciamiento de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, lo que ya genera una jurisprudencia interesante sobre el tema. Finalmente, el texto aborda el contenido de la más reciente Convención Interamericana sobre derechos humanos adoptada por la Asamblea General de la OEA en 2013, la cual incluye dentro de su ámbito de aplicación al colectivo LGBTI. Así, dicha Convención constituye el primer tratado regional en vigor referido a la materia.

Magister Legum - LLM (Public Law and Jurisprudence)
With approximately 450 tribes and 250 ethnic groups in a territory of 2 345 095 km2,1the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the world's largest, populous, and multiethnolinguistic countries. Since the departure of the Belgian coloniser in 1960, this Member State of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) is facing a myriad of institutional crises, bloody conflicts and wars, mainly caused by the design of political institutions and the side-lining of some ethnic groups from political institutions. For many decades, Congolese provinces have seen numerous violent ethnic-driven conflicts, which led to institutional instability, political crisis, secessions, massacres and wars. The bloodiest of them all were the first and second Congolese wars. From 1996 to 2002, these so-called "African first world war" cost the DRC the lives of millions of people, divided it into many small "republics" and destroyed the few political and economic infrastructures that survived four decades of institutional instability and dictatorship.

I have investigated the properties of the large scale structure of the nearby Universe using data from the Galaxy and Mass Assembly survey (GAMA). I generated complementary halo mass estimates for all groups in the GAMA Galaxy Group Catalogue (G³C) using a modified caustic mass estimation algorithm. On average, the caustic mass estimates agree with dynamical mass estimates within a factor of 2 in 90% of groups. A volume limited sample of these groups and galaxies are used to generate the large scale structure catalogue. An adapted minimal spanning tree algorithm is used to identify and classify structures, detecting 643 filaments that measure up to 200 Mpc/h, each containing 8 groups on average. A secondary population of smaller coherent structures, dubbed `tendrils,' that link filaments together or penetrate into voids are also detected. On average, tendrils measure around 10 Mpc/h and contain 6 galaxies. The so-called line correlation function is used to prove that tendrils are real structures rather than accidental alignments. A population of isolated void galaxies are also identified. The properties of filaments and tendrils in observed and mock GAMA galaxy catalogues agree well. I go on to show that voids from other surveys that overlap with GAMA regions contain a large number of galaxies, primarily belonging to tendrils. This implies that void sizes are strongly dependent on the number density and sensitivity limits of the galaxies observed by a survey. Finally, I examine the properties of galaxies in different environments, finding that galaxies in filaments tend to be early-type, bright, spheroidal, and red whilst those in voids are typically the opposite: blue, late-type, and more faint. I show that group mass does not correlate with the brightness and morphologies of galaxies and that the primary driver of galaxy evolution is stellar mass.

Low energy (tens of eV) polyatomic cations were used as probes for characterization of monolayers of spontaneously chemisorbed thiols on gold. Characteristics including chemical composition, surface order and orientation of the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) can be derived by monitoring the products of projectile ion neutralization, surface-induced dissociation (SID), and ion-surface reactions.To study the influence of the terminal group chemical structures and orientations of the SAMs on ion-surface interactions, a series of semi-fluorinated alkane thiols with difluoromethylenes buried underneath hydrocarbon terminal groups were examined (CH3CF2CH2− and CH3CH2CF2−). Compared to terminally fluorinated SAMs, they showed more projectile ion neutralization and less internal to vibrational energy deposition into precursor ions. Projectile ion-hydrocarbon reactions decreased significantly when difluoromethylenes are one or two bonds away from the terminal group. Furthermore, ion-surface reaction results on surfaces with odd and even chain lengths suggested that they have similar terminal methyl orientations to their hydrocarbon counterparts.Mixed monolayers of CF3CF2(CH2)14SH (F-SAMs) and CH3(CH2)15SH (H-SAMs) with systematically changing electron transfer, energy deposition and ion-surface reaction were prepared using mixed thiols solution and micro-contact printing (μ-CP). The solution mixture system showed linear variations in electron transfer and energy deposition with different F-SAM surface concentrations, while non-linear changes occur for ion-surface reaction suggesting strong lateral interactions between the two components. These interactions are minimized in the μ-CP system containing domains of each thiol. Energy deposition on the patterned surfaces varies non-linearly with changing F-SAM concentration which differs from the homogenously mixed system.To explore SID with a 90 collision angle, eV SID of a series of protonated peptide ions were performed in an in-line sector Time-Of-Flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The results were compared to keV collision-induced dissociation (CID) data collected with the same instrument. Fragmentation efficiency for SID was higher than CID for those peptides. In addition to the excellent control over laboratory collision energies with SID, different amount of energy deposition can be achieved when varying surface composition, e.g. using mixed F-SAM/H-SAM.Reactive ion scattering spectrometry (RISS) results provided more in-depth knowledge of low energy ion-surface interactions that will promote usage of RISS as a novel surface characterization technique.

Organic thin films (alkanethiolates chemisorbed on gold) were employed in low-energy (eV) ion-surface collisions to validate the technique as a surface analysis tool and to further investigate processes associated with ion-surface interactions. Low-energy ion surface collisions of small polyatomic and atomic ions with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) ascertain the chemical composition, structure, and quality of SAMs utilizing four processes: energy transfer (fragmentation of projectile ions: surface-induced dissociation (SID)), electron transfer (neutralization of the projectile ions), atom/group transfer (reaction between the projectile ion and atom/groups from SAMs), and chemical sputtering. Low-energy ion-surface collisions were used to investigate newly synthesized fluorinated compounds where the degree of fluorination of the thiolate tail group increases. Data indicate that substitution of CH₃ with CF₃ as the terminal group has a substantial influence on energy transfer, electron transfer, and atom/group transfer. Slight penetration into a depth of SAM films is illustrated by the formation of certain ion-surface reaction products (a result not observed for previously characterized Langmuir-Blodgett (L-B) films). A novel neutralization mechanism for reaction between methyl cation and hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon SAMs was established. Ion neutralization (besides direct electron transfer) results from a hydride ion transfer, methyl anion transfer, or fluoride transfer between hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon SAMs and incoming methyl cations. Experimental ion-surface and ion-molecule data support the ion neutralization mechanism originally proposed by ab initio and thermochemical calculations. Ion-surface processes were also used to characterize three mixed SAM systems (system 1: hydroxyl/hydrocarbon mixed SAMs and systems 2 and 3: fluorocarbon/hydrocarbon mixed SAMs). The mixed SAMs were prepared from binary thiol solutions and uniform solutions of asymmetrical disulfides. These ion-surface data can be useful for qualitative (identification of the sample's chemical composition) and quantitative analysis (calculation of the surface concentration of a chemical species for a mixed SAM). An in-line Sector-Time-of-Flight (TOF) tandem mass spectrometer with low-energy ion-surface collisions was characterized. Research involved testing the versatility of the instrument in terms of effective ion activation (peptide fragmentation) and surface analysis of organic thin films. This prototype will aid further implementation of SID into commercial TOF instruments for efficient ion activation and surface analysis capabilities.

Au renouveau du parti socialiste à partir du congrès d'Epinay (1971) a correspondu un renouvellement du groupe socialiste à l'assemblée nationale à partir des élections législatives de 1973. Il s'est caractérisé pour les dirigeants nationaux du nouveau PS, comme pour ses dirigeants locaux et notamment ses premiers secrétaires fédéraux par un très important cumul entre responsabilités politiques et mandats parlementaires. Tout en pratiquant une opposition à la fois vigilante et sans concession à l'égard de l'activité gouvernementale les membres du groupe socialiste ont veillé à ne pas sombrer dans une obstruction systématique. Ainsi, ils ont contribué à forger l'image de parti de gouvernement que souhaitait se donner le PS, et à préparer l'alternance politique qui s'est produite en juin 1981
The renewal of the french socialist party from the congress of Epinay (1971) was correlated with the renewal of the socialist group since the legislative election in the year 1973. For the national leaders of the new socialist party as well as for the local leaders (and especially the first departemental secretaries) it was characterized by an obvious pluralism between political responsabilities and parlementaries mandates. In the same time, the members of the socialist group practiced an incessant and without concession opposition against the government but they also try not to fail in a systematic obstruction. So they contributed to give an image of party of government that the socialist party wanted to give of himself and prepared the political alternation which arrived in may 1981

Cette thèse se focalise sur le design, la synthèse et la caractérisation photophysiques de complexes de platine(II) neutres contenant un ligand chromophore tridenté et un ligand auxiliaire monodenté avec des groupes fonctionnels différents. De tels complexes montrent des changements drastiques de leurs propriétés de photoluminescence à cause de leur auto-assemblage, déclenché par l’établissement de faibles liaisons non covalents tels que l’empilement p-p et des interactions métallophiliques. Il a été démontré que ces complexes de platine(II) peuvent être attaché de manière covalente à des surfaces de silice et d’or mais aussi encapsulé dans des particules de polymère. Les propriétés d’autoassemblage de complexes de platine(II) amphiphiles ont également été étudiées en détails. Comprendre le comportement d’un complexe de platine dans un mélange de solvant nous a permis d’en apprendre plus sur le co-assemblage supramoléculaire de deux complexes de platine(II) différents. Cette approche conduit à la formation de fibres solvatochromiques avec des propriétés photophysiques spécifiques et réversibles. Les composés étudiés et leur auto-assemblage sonti ntéressant pour le développement de nouveaux matériaux fonctionnels aux applications sensoriels et réactives à certains stimuli
This thesis focuses on the design, synthesis and the photophysical characterisation of luminescent neutral platinum(II) compounds containing a tridentate chromophoric ligand and a monodentate ancillary moiety with different functionalities. Such complexes exhibited drastic changes to their photoluminescence properties upon self-assembly, triggered by the establishment of weak noncovalent p-p stacking and metallophilic interactions. It was demonstrated that these platinum(II) complexes can be covalently attached to silicon and gold substrates but also encapsulated into polymer particles. The self-assembly properties of amphiphilic platinum(II) complexes have also been intensively studied. Understanding the behaviour of one complex in a solvent mixture allowed further investigation into the supramolecular co-assembly of two different platinum(II) complexes. This approach leads to the formation of solvatochromic fibers with specific and reversible phototophysical properties. The investigated compounds and their assemblies were useful for the development of novel functional materials for sensing or stimuli-responsiveness applications

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a class of enzymes that play a crucial role in DNA expression by removing an acetyl group from the ɛ-N-acetyl lysine residue on histone proteins. Out of 18 isoforms of HDAC enzymes which are classified into 4 classes, only 11 of them are metalloenzymes that require zinc for its catalytic activity. HDACs are considered promising target for drug development in cancer and other parasitic diseases due to their role in gene expression. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) can cause cell cycle arrest, and induce differentiation or apotosis. While HDACi shows promising antitumor effects, their mechanism of action and selectivity against cancer cells have not been adequately defined yet. In addition, low oral bioavailability, short half-life time, bone marrow toxicity, and cardiotoxicity limit their use in clinic. Therefore, there is considerable interest in developing compounds with selectivity and specificity towards individual family members of HDACs. The prototypical pharmacophore for HDAC inhibitors consist of a metal-binding moiety that coordinates to the catalytic metal ion within the HDAC active site, a capping group that interacts with the residues at the entrance of the active site and a linker that appropriately positions the metal-binding moiety and capping group for interactions in the active site. It has been shown that modification of cap, cap linking moiety, linker or zinc binding group (ZBG) shows promises of superior potency and isoform selectivity. My thesis research involves manipulating different aspects of the pharmacophoric model to yield not only more potent, selective, and effective drugs but also to help understand the biology of HDAC isoforms. In addition, I was successful in extending studies on HDAC isoforms to other zinc metalloenzymes such as leishmanolysin (gp63) and spliceosome associated zinc-metalloenzymes to understand biology of these zinc metalloenzymes by developing potent and selective small molecule inhibitors. This will aid in improvement of existing therapeutics for treatment of cancer, leishmania, malaria and other genetic disorders.

Self-assembled monolayers provide possibility of changing metal surface properties in controllable manner and are widely used in studies of electron transfer, construction of (bio)sensors, and biotechnological and photoelectronic processes. Positively charged monolayers are valuable in development of sensors for anions and (bio)technological processes with adsorbed negatively charged macromolecules. In this work the structural and functional properties of monolayer formed from synthesized molecule with terminal thiol and pyridinium groups have been studied. The main tasks were to assess the structure of N-(6-mercapto)hexylpyridinium (MHP) on Ag and Au electrodes, and to determine the peculiarities of interaction with inorganic anions, dodecylsulfate, and graphene oxide. Based on surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), quantum chemical calculations, and isotopic substitution studies, the Raman marker bands for structure and orientation of MHP have been evaluated. Dependence of SERS intensity on potential and excitation wavelength has revealed the operation of charge transfer Raman enhancement mechanism. It was found that the frequency of symmetric stretching mode of adsorbed ions decreases comparing with solution value and the extent of the shift correlates with the Gibbs dehydration energy. Adsorption of graphene oxide at MHP monolayer has been demonstrated. The electronic structure and length of C-C bonds of graphene oxide was found to be altered by the potential.
Savitvarkiai monosluoksniai suteikia metalų paviršiams norimas savybes ir plačiai taikomi elektronų pernašos tyrimuose, konstruojant (bio)jutiklius, biotechnologinius bei fotoelektroninius procesus. Teigiamo krūvio monosluoksniai naudojami kuriant anijonų jutiklius ir (bio)technologinius procesus su adsorbuotomis neigiamo krūvio makromolekulėmis. Darbe buvo susintetinta bifunkcinė molekulė su galinėmis tiolio ir piridinio grupėmis, suformuotas monosluoksnis ir ištirtos jo struktūrinės ir funkcinės savybės. Pagrindiniai darbo tikslai buvo ištirti N-(6-merkapto)heksilpiridinio (MHP) adsorbuoto ant Au ir Ag elektrodų struktūrą ir nustatyti monosluoksnio sąveikos su neorganiniais anijonais, dodecilsulfato anijonu ir grafeno oksidu dėsningumus. Naudojant paviršiaus sustiprintos Ramano spektroskopijos, kvantų chemijos skaičiavimo ir izotopinio pakeitimo metodus nustatyti MHP struktūros ir orientacijos elektrodo atžvilgiu Ramano sklaidos žymenys. Tiriant juostų intensyvumo priklausomybes nuo potencialo ir žadinančios spinduliuotės bangos ilgio parodyta, kad Au/MHP sistemoje pasireiškia krūvio pernešimo Ramano spektrų stiprinimo mechanizmas. Nustatyta, kad adsorbuotų neorganinių anijonų pilnai simetrinio virpesio dažnis sumažėja lyginant su tirpalo spektru ir tas pokytis koreliuoja su Gibso dehidracijos energija. Parodyta, kad MHP pritraukia grafeno oksidą. Nustatyta, kad grafeno oksido CC ryšio ilgis ir elektroninė struktūra gali būti keičiama, keičiant potencialą.

This thesis explores the surface assembly of mechanically interlocked molecular architectures at gold surfaces for potential applications in molecular switches, anion sensing and stimuli (redox and optical) responsive molecular films. Chapter One introduces the field of mechanically interlocked molecules focusing on rotaxane and catenane surface assemblies in the form of single molecule thick self-assembled monolayers. A review of the surface-attached characteristics of mechanically interlocked molecules is given before exploring specific anion template directed strategies for their construction. The potential to incorporate both redox-active and optically-active functional groups within these mechanically interlocked molecules is also discussed. Chapter Two provides the experimental details and procedures employed in this thesis to characterise the molecular systems under investigation. Chapter Three introduces several surface characterisation techniques such as; ellipsometry, contact angle, X-ray reflectivity and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, with a particular focus of applying these tools to probe the surface co-conformation of switchable and interlocked molecules at surfaces. Electroanalytical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrical impedance spectroscopy are also introduced. Chapter Four details the surface assembly of a series of ferrocene containing anion templated catenane self-assembled monolayers on gold. Detailed electrochemical and angle resolved X- ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterisation elucidates the co-conformation upon surface attachment. Chapter Five details the anion templated surface assembly of a redox-active rotaxane self- assembled monolayer on gold. Subsequent electroanalysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterisation confirms the structural integrity of the film and a possible co- conformation at the surface is discussed. Chapter Six describes efforts towards constructing optically responsive hybrid d-f lanthanide containing mechanically interlocked molecules. Initial work focuses on switching characteristics of a redox switchable antennae and its ability to modulate the luminescence of a series of lanthanide complexes in solution. Subsequent surface attachment of the lanthanide complexes in the form of emissive self-assembled monolayers is also investigated.

Um dos grandes mistérios da ciência é compreender como sistemas nervosos são capazes de realizar as extraordinárias operações computacionais que realizam. Provavelmente, encéfalos são as estruturas nas quais energia e matéria estão organizadas da forma mais complexa no universo. Central na computação cerebral está o conceito de neurônio. A forma como neurônios computam é motivo de intensa investigação científica. Um consenso atual é que neurônios formam grupos transientes (assembleias) a fim de representar coisas, de realizar operações computacionais, e de executar processos cognitivos; embora os mecanismos que fundamentam a computação por assembleias ainda não seja bem compreendido. Aqui é proposta uma forma pela qual se explica como computação por assembleias pode acontecer. Dois componentes são fundamentais para formação de coalizões neurais: a relação temporal entre grupos de neurônios e o fator de acoplamento entre eles. Assembleias pressupõe neurônios pulsantes; portanto, simulamos computação por assembleias em redes neurais pulsantes. A abordagem usada nesta tese é funcional; apresentamos um arcabouço teórico sobre propriedades, princípios, e dinâmicas que permitem operações computacionais por coalizões neurais. É apresentado na tese que: (i) quando neurônios formam assembleias está implícito que um tipo de função lógica estocástica ocorre, (ii) assembleias podem formar grupos com feedback, criando grupos biestáveis, (iii) grupos biestáveis criam representações internas dos eventos que os criaram, (iv) assembleias podem se ramificar e também dissolver outras assembleias, o que dá origem a algoritmos complexos. Esta é uma investigação inicial sobre computação em assembleias neurais, e há muito a ser feito. Nesta tese apresentamos os conceitos basais para esta nova abordagem. Há um conjunto de programas nos apêndices que permitem ao leitor simular formações de assembleias, ramificações, inibições, reverberações, entre outras propriedades e componentes de nossa proposta.
One of the greatest mysteries in science is to comprehend how brains are capable of realizing the extraordinary computational operations they do. Probably, brains are the structures in which matter and energy are organized in the most complex way in the Universe. Central to the brain computation is the concept of neuron. How neurons compute is motive of intensive scientific investigation. A prevailing consensus is that neurons form transient groups (assemblies) in order to represent things, for realizing computational operations, and for executing cognitive processes; although the mechanisms that substantiate such computation by neural assemblies are not yet well understood. In this thesis we propose a form that explains how neural assembly computation may occur. It is shown that two components are fundamentals for neural coalition formation: the temporal relation among neural groups, and the coupling factor among them. In this sense, neural assemblies presuppose spiking neurons; therefore, here we simulate assembly computing using spiking neural networks. In this thesis it is presented basically a functional approach; thus, it presents a theoretical approach concerning the properties, principles, characteristics, and components that allow the computational operations in neural coalitions. It is presented in the thesis that: (i) as neurons form assemblies it is implicit that a kind of stochastic logic function occurs; (ii) assemblies may form groups that feedback each other, creating bistable groups; (iii) bistable groups internally represent the event that created them; (iv) assemblies may branch and dissolve other assemblies, what give rise to complex algorithms. This is an initial investigation about neural assembly computing and there is a lot to be done; however, in this thesis we present the basal concepts for this new approach. There are programs in the appendices that allow the reader to simulate assembly formation, branching, inhibition, reverberation, among other properties and components in our proposal.

La Résonance Magnétique Nucléaire RMN DOSY (Diffusion Ordered SpectroscopY) 1H est une technique permettant de mesurer les coefficients de diffusion des espèces en solution. Elle permet ainsi d’obtenir des informations structurales de par sa dimension RMN conventionnelle mais également des informations physico-chimiques telles que la taille de la (macro)molécule ou encore la formation d’agrégats. L’objectif de ces travaux a été d’examiner comment les méthodes de RMN (RMN 1D ,2D et DOSY), permettent de fournir des informations sur la caractérisation des matériaux polymères. La première partie de ce travail souligne l’intérêt de la RMN pour la caractérisation de la microstructure de quelques matériaux polymères en s’attardant plus particulièrement sur l’exploration de leurs extrémités de chaînes. La RMN s’est en effet révélée très performante pour établir le lien entre extrémité de chaîne et méthode de polymérisation appliquée. Le deuxième volet de ces travaux concerne l’étude de quelques architectures complexes (type dibloc et tribloc) et la mise en évidence du caractère contrôlé d’une copolymérisation radicalaire grâce à la RMN diffusionnelle. Nous avons également vu comment déterminer la masse moyenne en poids (Mw) par une simple mesure du coefficient d’autodiffusion. Finalement, l’ensemble des travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit a été valorisé grâce à l’étude des interactions par RMN diffusionnelle. Plus particulièrement la RMN DOSY 1H a permis d’observer des phénomènes de micellisation, d’agrégation, d’encapsulation et de relargage de molécules de principe actif
Diffusion Ordered Spectroscopic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (DOSY NMR 1H) makes it possible to determine physicochemical data such diffusion coefficients. While typical NMR data on the structure of molecules can be obtained, this technique also permits determinations of the physicochemical characteristics, such as molecular sizes or aggregate formation. The objective of this work was to examine how various NMR methodologies, specifically, 1 and 2 dimensional DOSY NMR, can be applied to the characterization of polymers. The first part of the manuscript relates the NMR characterization of some polymeric materials with a special interest in chain-end groups. In particular, we demonstrate the relationships between chain-ends and the polymerization methods employed. In a second part, the potential of the DOSY technique is used to determine controlled features of a radical polymerization resulting in di- and triblock architectures. Molecular weights are also determined by self-diffusion coefficient measurements. The results presented herein demonstrate that diffusional NMR can be effectively employed to understand interactions in polymeric structures. Indeed, DOSY 1H-NMR provides new interesting results concerning micellization, aggregation, encapsulation phenomena and the release of active molecules

Les macroinvertébrés benthiques entretiennent un ensemble complexe d’interactions. Les échelles spatiales et temporelles des processus formant la base de ces interactions ont traditionnellement limité leur étude empirique. Le premier chapitre du manuscrit tente une revue des outils de modélisation utilisés dans l’étude du benthos marin.Même si l’implémentation d’un modèle mécaniste semble s’ajuster aux communautés benthiques, son utilisation nécessite la création d’un nombre limité d’entités avec un rôle fonctionnel clair. Le second chapitre du manuscrit utilise l’hypothèse des groupes émergents, afin de faire cela via une procédure objective et testable. Le groupement est testé face aux postulats théoriques et les résultats supportent sa capacité à reproduire la diversité fonctionnelle dans l’estuaire de la Rance.Le manque de connaissances dans l’attribution des relations entre les composantes fonctionnelles reste important. Le troisième chapitre du manuscrit s’inscrit dans ce besoin, basé sur des théories écologiques qui prévoient l’existence de trade-offs fonctionnels opérant à grande et petite échelle. Dans un premier temps, ces éléments sont incorporés dans des modèles qualitatifs des groupes fonctionnels.Malgré l’intérêt du développement et de l’analyse de modèles qualitatifs, le but d’étudier la dynamique et le comportement spatialement explicite de la biodiversité ne peut être atteint que par un modèle avec ces mêmes caractéristiques. Le quatrième chapitre du manuscrit présente l’architecture d’un modèle individu-centré, en mettant l’accent sur le transfert des règles d’interactions des modèles qualitatifs vers un cadre dynamique et spatialement explicite
Benthic macroinvertebrates are part of a complex network of interactions. The spatial and temporal scales of the processes that form the basis for these interactions have traditionally restricted their empirical investigation. The first chapter of the manuscript attempts a review of the modelling tools that have been employed for the study of the marine benthos.The implementation of a mechanistic modelling framework seems fitting, but it requires the derivation of a few model entities with a clear functional role. The second chapter of the manuscript employs the emergent group hypothesis to do that in a way that is objective and testable. The resulting grouping is tested against theoretical expectations and the results support its ability to represent functional diversity in the Rance estuary.The lack of knowledge for the attribution of relationships among functional components is still important. The third chapter of the manuscript addresses this issue based on ecological theories that predict the existence of functional trade-offs operating at both large and small spatial scales. In a first inception of the system, these elements are incorporated in the form of general rules of interaction into qualitative models of the functional groups.In spite of the interest in developing and analysing qualitative models, the goal of studying the dynamic and spatially explicit behaviour of benthic biodiversity can only be reached by a model with the same characteristics. The fourth chapter of the manuscript presents the architecture of an individual-based model, primarily transferring the rules of interaction from the qualitative models to a dynamic and spatially explicit framework

Les récents scandales financiers qui ont touché de nombreuses sociétés anonymes à travers le monde, ont révélé la nécessité de renforcer le droit d’information des actionnaires sur la situation de leur société. La France ainsi que la Jordanie, furent parmi les pays concernés par ces scandales. Si le droit français a réagi à ces affaires en renforçant le droit d’information des actionnaires des sociétés anonymes, le droit jordanien, n’a pas, jusqu’à présent, pris de mesure dans ce sens.La comparaison faite entre le droit français et jordanien, au sujet du droit d’information des actionnaires des sociétés anonymes, révèle que les actionnaires des sociétés anonymes françaises sont mieux informés sur la situation de leur société, que les actionnaires des sociétés anonymes du droit jordanien. Cette comparaison révèle également que le renforcement du droit d’information des actionnaires du droit jordanien nécessite d’une part, l’affirmation du droit des actionnaires d’être informés et ce, à travers le renforcement de leurs moyens d’information et de l’extension du domaine de l’information à laquelle ils ont accès, et d’autre part, l’amélioration de la qualité de l’information donnée aux actionnaires à travers le renforcement des contrôles exercés sur cette information
The recent financial scandals that hit many limited companies in the world have revealed the need to strengthen the right of shareholders information about the situation of their society. France as well as Jordan were among the countries involved in these scandals. If the French law has responded to this issue by strengthening the right of information of shareholders of limited companies, Jordanian law, has not so far taken any steps in this direction.The comparison between the Jordanian and French law regarding the right of information of shareholders of limited companies shows that shareholders of French limited companies are better informed about the situation of their company than shareholders of limited companies of Jordanian law. This comparison also shows that strengthening the right of information of shareholders of Jordanian law requires on one hand, the affirmation of the right of shareholders to be informed and that, through the strengthening of their information process, and extending the field of information they have access, and on the other hand, improving the quality of information given to shareholders by strengthening controls over it

Dès la loi NRE de 2001, le législateur français s’est intéressé à l’utilisation de la voie électroniqueen période d’assemblée générale des actionnaires. Il laisse au pouvoir réglementaire la liberté deposer les modalités de toute forme d’interaction à distance entre la société anonyme et sesactionnaires. Le régime juridique allemand relatif aux assemblées générales a quant à lui étémodernisé en profondeur par la seule ARUG de 2009. Cette loi transpose la directiveeuropéenne 2007/36/CE du 11 juillet 2007 concernant l’exercice de certains droits desactionnaires de sociétés cotées. Ces textes ont conçu un actionnaire qui utiliserait la voieélectronique pour faciliter l’exercice de ses droits, un « cyber-actionnaire ». Si les textes françaisont bien pour objectif de faciliter l’exercice des droits de l’actionnaire, un nouveau cadre juridiquesemble s’être greffé sur la réglementation connue jusqu’alors. À trop chercher à s’en distinguer,notamment pour marquer la nouveauté, un régime juridique spécial semble s’être constitué, alorsque le droit allemand paraît aisément assimiler la voie électronique aux modes traditionnels decommunication. Or l’on ne fait pas face à une nouvelle catégorie d’actionnaires qui justifierait untraitement particulier. Le cyber-actionnaire n’est qu’un actionnaire exerçant par voie électroniqueses droits relatifs à l’information, à la communication et à la prise de décision collective enpériode d’assemblée générale. Pour s’en convaincre, la présente étude tire le bilan del’implication de la voie électronique en droit des sociétés par actions français et allemand
This study looks into the introduction of electronic means in French and German company law.The French legislator already introduced the possibility of participating in shareholders annualgeneral meetings via electronic means in 2001. The law on New Economic Regulations led thegovernment to set the conditions of all the electronic communication between companies andtheir shareholders. In Germany, mainly the ARUG from 2009 modernized the law related to theAGM, by transposing the European directive from 11th July 2007 on the exercise of certain rightsof shareholders in listed companies. The new laws have a shareholder in mind, who would useelectronic means to facilitate the exercise of his rights before and during the AGM, a “cybershareholder”.While the German law seeks to assimilate the electronic communication with thetraditional correspondence, the varying French decrees seem to distinguish between a new legalregime and a traditional one. However, there is no need for a new category of shareholders,which could justify a special legal foundation. The cyber-shareholder is just a shareholderexercising his rights related to information, communication and collective decision-making in theAGM via electronic means

Formations intérieures des assemblées parlementaires, inhérentes au Gouvernement représentatif moderne, quoique leur existence ait longtemps été contestée en France comme ailleurs, les groupes parlementaires ont su s’imposer dans le temps par la pratique institutionnelle pour devenir des acteurs incontournables et prépondérants de la vie politique. L’Histoire parlementaire - des Etats généraux de 1789 à nos jours - confirme d’ailleurs une dimension naturelle et spontanée de la formation des groupes. Ce sont aujourd’hui des institutions reconnues et encadrées par le droit (d’abord par la résolution du 1er juillet 1910 modifiant le règlement de la Chambre, puis par une apparition constitutionnelle écourtée sous la IVème, pour enfin une reconnaissance constitutionnelle formelle le 23 juillet 2008). Rouages essentiels de la vie parlementaire et des relations politiques des assemblées avec l'Exécutif, leur consécration juridique est entrée en tension avec les principes classiques du mandat représentatif (en particulier la prohibition du mandat impératif) et la nature du pouvoir délibératif qu’est le Parlement, primat de principe de la séance publique dans l'exercice des fonctions du Parlement. Renforcés par l'avènement de la démocratie de partis, prolongement naturel de la démocratie électorale dont ils assurent, en théorie, la cohérence au plan parlementaire (tant pour la majorité que pour la minorité), les groupes parlementaires ont su s’imposer sur l’échiquier politique puis institutionnel pour devenir une pierre angulaire de la démocratie représentative. L'objet de la recherche, qui nous projette au cœur de la vie politique, est d'analyser non seulement la place que leur reconnaît le droit constitutionnel et parlementaire positif français, mais également les limites inhérentes à celui-ci, face à un phénomène qui est intrinsèquement politique et indispensable à la pratique institutionnelle
Parliamentary groups - which are inherent to the contemporary representative government - constitute the internal formations of parliamentary assemblies. Institutional practices have progressively put the emphasis on parliamentary groups over time and, albeit lambasted for a long time in France and in other regions, the latter have become key players in political life. From the 1789 Estates General, the French parliamentary history has revealed a natural and spontaneous propensity to form groups. Nowadays parliamentary groups are recognised institutions which are enshrined in law. First acknowledged by the July 1, 1910 resolution which modified the rules of the Chamber of Deputies, then by the short-lived Constitution of the Fourth Republic, these cogs in the machine of parliamentary life and political relations between assemblies and executive branch were formally recognised in the Constitution of the Fifth Republic on July 23, 2008. This legal anchoring has exacerbated tensions with the classic principles of representative mandates - the ban of imperative mandates in particular - and with the core nature of Parliament, i.e. being a deliberative body, which are the central tenets of parliamentary open sessions. The establishment of multiparty democracy has reinforced parliamentary groups: as the natural continuation of the electoral democracy of which they ensure consistency on the parliamentary level, both for the majority and the opposition, parliamentary groups have proved to be essential in the political chessboard, then in the institutional spectrum. Nowadays they are the cornerstone of representative democracy. The objective of this research which tackles the very heart of political life is to analyse the role assigned to them under the French positive constitutional and parliamentary law, but also to highlight the limits of the latter to this inherently political and inevitable phenomenon

This thesis draws on David Harvey’s concept of “accumulation by dispossession” and an international political economy (IPE) approach centred on the institutional arrangements and power structures that privilege certain actors and values, in order to critique current capitalist practices of primitive accumulation by the global corporate extractive industry. The thesis examines how accumulation by dispossession by the global extractive industry is facilitated by the “free entry” or “free mining” principle. It does so by focusing on Canada as a leader in the global extractive industry and the spread of this country’s mining laws to other countries – in other words, the transnationalisation of norms in the global extractive industry – so as to maintain a consistent and familiar operating environment for Canadian extractive companies. The transnationalisation of norms is further promoted by key international institutions such as the World Bank, which is also the world’s largest development lender and also plays a key role in shaping the regulations that govern natural resource extraction. The thesis briefly investigates some Canadian examples of resource extraction projects, in order to demonstrate the weaknesses of Canadian mining laws, particularly the lack of protection of landowners’ rights under the free entry system and the subsequent need for “free, prior and informed consent” (FPIC). The thesis also considers some of the challenges to the adoption and implementation of the right to FPIC. These challenges include embedded institutional structures like the free entry mining system, international political economy (IPE) as shaped by international institutions and powerful corporations, as well as concerns regarding ‘local’ power structures or the legitimacy of representatives of communities affected by extractive projects. The thesis concludes that in order for Canada to be truly recognized as a leader in the global extractive industry, it must establish legal norms domestically to ensure that Canadian mining companies and residents can be held accountable when there is evidence of environmental and/or human rights violations associated with the activities of Canadian mining companies abroad. The thesis also concludes that Canada needs to address underlying structural issues such as the free entry mining system and implement FPIC, in order to curb “accumulation by dispossession” by the extractive industry, both domestically and abroad.

博士
元智大學
工業工程與管理學系
91
The placement of printed circuit boards with surface mount device is steadily gaining importance. In a low to medium lot volume and high product variety production environment, the setup time of a placement machine is a major proportion in total production time in PCB assembly. Reducing setup time is, therefore, an important concern both for increasing productive capacity and enabling the system to respond fast with flexible planning. In this thesis, we consider the first decision problem for a minimum setup strategy of a production system arising in the assembly of printed circuit boards of different types, using a placement machine with multi-slot feeders. We formulate the problem as a binary linear programming model, and propose a heuristic procedure to find the solution that consists of a board-assembly sequence, an associated component loading and unloading strategy and a feeder-assignment plan within reasonable computational effort. In some cases, it requires several hours to prepare the pick-and-place machines for assembling a new board type, i.e., a major setup occurs during assembly of different board types. Group setup strategy is appropriate to this circumstance. In a high-mix medium-volume production environment, we study the second decision problem of clustering PCBs into groups in such a way that total placement and setup time are minimized. This problem is motivated by a situation that the reduction of group setup-time and efficiency loss of placement time should be balanced in a group setup optimization. We incorporate placement time into the PCB job grouping and present a new weighting similarity measure in which component-similarity, rack-utilization and placement-time-loss are incorporated into. To solve component-feeder assignment and placement sequencing decisions for a group of PCBs, an efficient procedure based upon an ant colony optimization algorithm is developed. We also extend a genetic algorithm by incorporating the ant colony algorithm to improve the solution quality of feeder assignment and placement sequencing decisions. Hybridization is achieved through the use of a guided local search heuristic to improve feeder assignment and an ant colony algorithm with multiple initial parameters to initialize initial populations for genetic evaluation processing. Experimental results show the advantages of this new approach over more traditional genetic algorithm approach in solving component-feeder assignment and placement sequencing decision problems simultaneously.

博士
國立成功大學
機械工程學系碩博士班
92
Based on the assembly plans generation of grouped product families complex potential associated with the parts number, geometrical shape and change of the facilities layout are studied. The objective of this research is to propose a new ASP-LMPR method that makes use of a logical liaison matrix (LM) and precedence relationships (PR) of Boolean algebra to establish the framework of the generation system of assembly sequence plan (ASP). The ASP-LMPR is able to analyze the relationships of logic combination, and to determine the feasible (or optimal) assembly plans for the grouped combinative product families. To enhance the rapid identification of the product’s organization suitability and optimal assembly sequence, the liaison matrix and precedence relationships are introduced. For the sample case that photosensitive illuminate device is represented, the effectiveness of the integrated assembly plan generation are obtained analytically by the computerized generation. The numerical results are presented to illustrate the implementation and the capabilities of the ASP-LMPR. In the case of the mold surfaces data integration (MSDI) for polished process planning, the polished process planning and potential tool- approach directions are systematic and the analysis is computerized. The results show that the logical configurations and systematical procedure of the ASP-LMPR method are examined further by using the logical complex technique of the MSDI associated with the framework of Boolean algebra and liaison matrix. The paper provides a novel systematical assembly plans modeling tool and procedure that can be further extended to accommodate more parts appeared in complicated combinative group products.