Les techniques de microscopies hyperfréquences à balayage en champ proche connaissent un intérêt grandissant. Ces méthodes offrent des possibilités de caractérisations surfaciques et sub-surfaciques de matériaux par une mesure sans contact, non invasive et non destructive. Elles permettent également de lever les restrictions concernant la résolution spatiale limitée des méthodes classiques de caractérisation hyperfréquence. Néanmoins, l’instrumentation qui est associée usuellement à ce type de caractérisation, généralement un analyseur de réseaux conventionnel, s’avère surdimensionné pour des applications hors laboratoire. Dans ce travail de thèse, nous proposons une instrumentation complète combinant les techniques multi-port et les techniques de microscopie champ proche. Les étapes de conception et de réalisation de systèmes multi-port opérant en gammes de fréquences micro-ondes et millimétriques sont décrites. Les travaux menés s’inscrivent dans la volonté de proposer des instruments intégrant les ressources matérielles et logicielles. Les potentialités de ces systèmes sont illustrées au travers de la mise en œuvre de bancs automatisés permettant d’effectuer des mesures du coefficient de réflexion en une ou deux dimensions. La démonstration de l’apport de la technique multi-port est faite au travers d’exemples traitant du cas de défauts de nature métallique ou diélectrique, débouchant ou non débouchant en surface d’un échantillon. Ces dispositifs ont pour ambition de sortir des laboratoires de recherche afin d’adresser des applications dans le domaine de l’Evaluation Non Destructive (END). / Scanning near-field microwave microscopy (SNMM) techniques have become important tools in the imaging of materials. These methods offer the possibility of characterizing surface and subsurface materials in a non-contact, non-invasive, and non-destructive way. In comparison with conventional microwave characterization techniques, the spatial resolution has been improved in a large extent with the development of the SNMM. Nevertheless, these techniques generally require the use of an automatic network analyzer that is oversized for applications outside the laboratory. In this work, we propose a new instrumentation that combines the multi-port technique and microscopy techniques. The design and realization of multi-port systems in the microwave and millimeter-wave frequency bands are described. The investigations are driven by the will to propose instruments integrating the hardware and software resources. The potentialities of the systems proposed are illustrated trough applications in the Non Destructive Testing field in both microwave and millimeter-wave frequency bands. The validity of the approach proposed is applied for 1-D and 2-D crack detection. It is demonstrated that these systems present a viable and promising alternative to the costly heterodyne principles.

Deserts! Have Known contains a scholarly preface exploring why writers write, examining the characteristics offictionwriters, and addressing the importance of place, both emotional and geographical, in fiction. Four original short stories are included in this thesis. "Miracle at Mita" depicts an aging surfer trying to overcome his fear of commitment. "Coyote Man" explores a father's guilt and the isolation resulting from that guilt. "Time, and Time Again" traces a young woman's fear of marriage to her memory of her parents' relationship, and "Paraplegia" examines a young woman immobilized by her own lack of self-esteem. These stories are connected through their themes of isolation and reconnection.

Ph.D.

Ce travail de recherche vise à explorer la relation entre deux mesures de performance: l’efficience technique par la méthode d’enveloppement des données (DEA) et les rentabilités financières. Toutes deux relèvent de modélisations distinctes de l’entreprise et de son environnement mais s’accordent sur la typologie des facteurs susceptibles d’affecter la performance. Chacune propose un cadre d’analyse permettant leurs différenciations en facteurs déterministes exogènes d’une part et en facteurs endogènes relevant de la volonté stratégique de la firme ou d’attributs spécifiques d’autre part. Par le biais d’une application au secteur du transport civil aérien américain sur la période 1990-2012, la thèse met en évidence l’existence d’une relation statistique entre efficience technique, mesurée par la méthode DEA, et rentabilités. Nous observons que l’efficience technique, calculée sur la base des rapports officiels du Département du Transport Américain (US DOT), complète l’information comptable dans la valorisation des entreprises. En outre, la décomposition Hicks-Moorsteen et Färe-Primont de la productivité totale indique que les changements d’efficience technique sont associés aux rentabilités spécifiques. En revanche, les variations de la productivité issues de facteurs technologiques sont associées aux facteurs de risque systémique spécifiés par le modèle Fama-French-Carhart. La persistance de l’efficience technique au cours des cinq périodes consécutives suggère que l’amélioration de l’efficience entraine une réduction du risque systémique reflétée par la réduction du coût des fonds propres exigés. / This investigation explores the relation between two performance measures: technical efficiency and stock returns. Technical efficiency and stock returns are complementary measures. While the abnormal returns - that is to say, the diffrence between the expected and the realized returns - measures the ability of the management at picking investment projects effiently, technical efficiency focuses on the management ability at implementing these investment projects. In addition, both recognize that the performance of the firm ensues from the exposure to common exogenous factors and from the management strategy specific to each firm. They propose in both cases a decomposition of the performance in pure managerial effects and exogenous effects. Through an application on the US airline industry over the period 1990-2012, the study reveals the value relevance of technical efficiency in stock valuation. In addition, the analysis of the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) decompositions based on Hicks-Moorsteen and Färe-Primont indicates that the effect of efficiency information on returns is twofold. First, the changes in pure technical effiency are related to the firms-specific returns. Next, technological change is associated with the variance of returns explained by systemic risks estimated with the Fama-French-Carhart model. Moreover, technological change is positively related to stock returns, while technical efficiency is negatively related. Given technical efficiency is persistent over the five consecutive years, results suggest that improvements in technical efficiency imply the reduction in the firm’s exposure to systematic risk. It results a reduction in the firms’ required rate of returns.

Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) 模型對於電流生理學的發展有著深遠的影響。它能精確地模擬離子通道的變化。然而，隨著多年來的反覆驗證，研究人員發現HH模型亦有其局限性和不足之處。有見及此，本論文提出一個建基於變形動力學的模型，藉此以更深入的物理層面解釋Hodgkin與Huxley的實驗數據。新的模型為鉀與鈉離子通道建立了新的電導方程。在這模型的詮釋下，HH模型的鉀離子通道電導方程[附圖] 被[附圖]取代，而HH模型的鈉離子通道電導方程 [附圖] 則被 [附圖] 取而代之。縱使 n(t), m(t)和 h(t)在兩個模型中被授予不同的物理意義，但它們均是一階微分方程。此論文詳細闡述模型的建立過程及參數的推導，並論證它能準確地描繪Hodgkin與Huxley對於烏賊巨軸突的實驗數據。模型參數經由遺傳演算法優化後，新的模型不僅能夠準確描述離子通道的電導變化，還能闡述Cole-Moore shift現象。在相同強度的去極化刺激和溫度下，新的模型比HH模型能接近地模擬膜動作電位的實驗數據。 / Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) model has a profound influence on the development of electrophysiology. It is capable of modeling the transient responses of voltage-gated ion channels precisely. Nevertheless, limitations and deficiencies of the model were found as researchers conducted subsequent experiments. In this regard, a new model based on deformation kinetic has been put forth to help explaining the HH experimental data with a deeper level of physical insight. Under the proposed model, the famous HH equation [with formula] for the description of potassium conductance was replaced by [with formula] and the HH sodium conductance equation [with formula] was substituted by [with formula]. Meanwhile, n(t), m(t) and h(t) are still first order differential equations as the HH case. This thesis contributes to illustrate the capability of the new model in approximating HH’s experimental data on squids’ giant axons. Detailed derivation of the new model and identification of the parametric functions are summarized in this report. A customized genetic algorithm was utilized to optimize the model parameters. After fine tuning the new model, we are able to describe the conductance behaviors of voltage-gated ion channels closely, and manage to account for the Cole-Moore shift phenomenon. Under identical initial depolarizing stimuli and temperature as stated in HH’s experiments, close approximations of membrane action potential can also be obtained by the new model. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Yu, Cheuk Him Derek. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-70). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Overview of Electrophysiological Models --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Hodgkin-Huxley Membrane Current Model --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Hodgkin-Huxley Potassium Channel --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Hodgkin-Huxley Sodium Channel --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3 --- Proliferation of the Deformation Kinetic Based Model --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4 --- Thesis Outline --- p.12 / Chapter 2 --- The Deformation Kinetic Based Model --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1 --- The Molecular Theory --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Application of Deformation Kinetics --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- The Energy Function E{U+2093} (q) --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- The Population Distribution Function P{U+2093} (N,t) --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Conductance Model for Voltage-gated Ion Channels --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2 --- The Approximate Solutions --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Approximation of the General Solution for G{U+2093} (N) --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Approximation of the General Solution for P{U+2093} (N,t) --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- The Approximate Solution for Molecular g{U+2093} (t) --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- A Convenient Form of the Approximate Solutions --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3 --- Chapter Summary --- p.25 / Chapter 3 --- Voltage-gated Ion Channel Modeling --- p.27 / Chapter 3.1 --- Voltage-gated Potassium Channel Modeling --- p.27 / Chapter 3.2 --- Voltage-gated Sodium Channel Modeling --- p.29 / Chapter 3.3 --- Chapter Summary --- p.31 / Chapter 4 --- The Parametric Functions --- p.32 / Chapter 4.1 --- The Curve Fitting References - HH Experimental Data --- p.32 / Chapter 4.2 --- Curve Fitting through Genetic Algorithm --- p.34 / Chapter 4.3 --- Functional Approximations w.r.t. HH Experimental Data --- p.37 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Parametric Functions for Voltage-gated Potassium Channel --- p.37 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Parametric Functions for Voltage-gated Sodium Channel --- p.39 / Chapter 4.4 --- Chapter Summary --- p.46 / Chapter 5 --- The Tracing Results --- p.47 / Chapter 5.1 --- Voltage Clamp Tracings --- p.47 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Potassium Conductance Tracings --- p.48 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Sodium Conductance Tracings --- p.49 / Chapter 5.2 --- Membrane Action Potential Tracings --- p.54 / Chapter 5.3 --- Propagated Action Potential Tracings --- p.56 / Chapter 5.4 --- Chapter Summary --- p.59 / Chapter 6? --- The Cole-Moore Shift Phenomenon --- p.60 / Chapter 6.1 --- Cole-Moore shift Phenomenon of Voltage-gated Potassium Channel --- p.61 / Chapter 6.2 --- Cole-Moore Shift Phenomenon of Voltage-gated Sodium Channel --- p.62 / Chapter 6.3 --- Chapter Summary --- p.64 / Chapter 7 --- Discussions --- p.65 / Conclusion --- p.67 / Future Works --- p.68 / References --- p.69 / Chapter Appendix I --- Hodgkin-Huxley’s Analysis of Voltage-gated Channels’ Voltage Clamp Data / Chapter (a) --- HH’s Analysis of Potassium Conductance Change in Voltage Clamp Experiments --- p.71 / Chapter (b) --- HH’s Analysis of Sodium Conductance Change in Voltage Clamp Experiments --- p.71 / Chapter Appendix II --- Numerical Estimations of Hodgkin-Huxley’s Experimental Data / Chapter (a) --- Numerical Estimations of Podium Conductance Change in Voltage Clamp Experiments for HH axon 17 --- p.72 / Chapter (b) --- Numerical Estimations of Sodium Conductance Change in Voltage Clamp Experiments for HH axon 17 --- p.73 / Chapter (c) --- Numerical Estimations of Membrane Action Potential with Different Initial Depolarizations for HH axon 17 --- p.74 / Chapter Appendix III --- Verification of the Replica of HH Model’s Simulations Results / Chapter (a) --- Comparison between HH Membrane Action Potential and Its Replica --- p.75 / Chapter (b) --- Comparison between HH Propagated Action Potential and Its Replica --- p.76

Ce travail de thèse porte sur l'utilisation de la maquette numérique du bâtiment (BIM) pour l'optimisation de la gestion des bâtiments existants, en particulier le logement social. Ces bâtiments sont caractérisés par le vieillissement, les faibles performances énergétiques et le faible revenu des locataires dans le cas des logements sociaux. Les gestionnaires de ces bâtiments souffrent d’un manque de données concernant le patrimoine, ce qui peut entraîner des décisions inefficaces.La thèse présente d’abord les défis de la gestion technique de patrimoine, puis elle explique comment le BIM pourrait aider à relever ces défis en créant une plate-forme comprenant les informations sur le bâtiment et ses équipements ainsi que l'historique et la maintenance. Les avantages du modèle BIM sont illustrés à travers deux cas études : une résidence de logement social comprenant 50 appartements et un bâtiment de recherche sur le campus scientifique de l'Université de Lille.Le rapport de thèse est organisé en quatre parties.La première partie comprend l’état de l’art concernant les méthodes actuelles de gestion technique de patrimoine et l’apport du BIM à cette gestion.La deuxième partie décrit les étapes réalisées pour construire le modèle BIM d’une résidence de logement social. La troisième partie décrit l'implémentation du BIM pour optimiser la gestion des installations et la maintenance des bâtiments.La dernière partie décrit le développement d'un modèle BIM dynamique par la combinaison du model BIM et les données de confort et de consommations collectées avec des capteurs. Ce modèle sert à informer en temps réel les usagers et les gestionnaires. / This research concerns the use of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) for the optimal management of existing buildings, in particular social housing buildings. These buildings are characterized by aging, poor energy performances and tenant’s low-income. The building managers suffer from lack of data concerning the buildings asset which could lead to poor operating decisions.The thesis discusses how the BIM could help to meet existing buildings challenges by the creation of a friendly comprehensive system including information about the building and equipment as well as the maintenance. The benefits of the BIM model are illustrated through two case studies, which concern a social housing residence and a research building respectively.This thesis is composed of four parts. The first part includes a literature review concerning the current methods of facility management, and the role of BIM in improving this management.The second part describes steps carried out to realize the BIM model of an existing social housing residence which includes 50 dwells.The third part describes the use of BIM to optimize facilities management and building maintenance. The last part describes the development of a dynamic BIM model using the as built BIM and real time data collected with sensors to inform users and managers about energy consumption and abnormal events.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

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This statement of process parses out the techniques utilized when creating a character for performance, specifically focused on examples from three years of graduate studies in acting. The paper identifies and analyzes the challenges an actor encounters, and the tools an actor utilizes when crafting a character. The goal of the process paper is to identify common techniques generally, as well as examining specific techniques used infrequently. The paper concludes with a statement of the state of the artist.