La microscopie hyperfréquence en champ proche permet de vaincre le critère de Rayleigh grâce à une sonde locale qui alimentée par un signal micro-onde génère des ondes évanescentes confinées à son extrémité. Les limites de résolution ne sont alors plus fixées par la longueur d’onde des signaux hyperfréquences exploités, mais principalement par la géométrie de la sonde. Dans ce type de caractérisation, associant généralement un analyseur de réseaux et une sonde champ proche, la limitation majeure réside dans la faible sensibilité de mesure induite par le contraste d’impédances entre l’analyseur et la sonde. En effet, la grande différence d’impédance entre l’analyseur (50Ω) et les sondes champ proche (quelques k Ω) se traduit par une désadaptation importante qui entrave une bonne qualité de mesure. Dans ce travail de thèse, nous nous proposons donc d’apporter des solutions à cette problématique afin de profiter pleinement des potentialités des techniques de microscopie champ proche hyperfréquence. Dans cet objectif, une méthode interférométrique est alors proposée et formalisée. Nous montrons ainsi que l’exploitation conjointe de méthodes de mesures hyperfréquences, de procédés de microscopie champ proche et de techniques interférométriques doit permettre d’entrevoir des caractérisations à haut pouvoir de résolution spatiale sur une large gamme de fréquences. La démonstration que ces nouveaux outils offrent la possibilité de mesures hyperfréquences vectorielles de type point-à-point, de scanning 1D ou d’imagerie 2D sur des courses centimétriques pour des fréquences allant jusque 20 GHz avec des résolutions spatiales micrométriques est alors faite. En particulier, des applications autour de la caractérisation diélectrique locale sont proposées. Les résultats obtenus montrent que les techniques proposées se situent à l’état de l’art en termes de gamme de fréquence d’opération et de sensibilité de mesure / Near-field microwave microscopy overcomes the Rayleigh criterion thanks to a local probe whitch fed by a microwave signal generates evanescent waves confined at its end. The resolution limits are no longer determined by the wavelength of the microwave signals, but mainly by the probe geometry. In this kind of characterization technique based on the association of a network analyzer and a near-field probe, the main limitation is the poor measurement sensitivity related to the impedance contrast between the analyzer and the probe. Indeed, the large difference between the impedances of the analyzer (50Ω) and near field probes (a few kΩ) results in a significant mismatch hampering good measurements. In this PhD thesis, we provide solutions to tackle this problem in order to take full advantage of the potentialities of near-field microwave microscopy techniques. An interferometric method is then introduced and formalized. We show that the association of microwave measurements, near-field microscopy methods and interferometry techniques allow foreseeing microwave characterizations with high spatial resolution over a broad frequency range. We demonstrate that these new tools offer the possibility of microwave measurements of the type point-to-point, 1D scanning or 2D imaging on centimeter ranges up to 20 GHz with micrometric spatial resolutions. In particular, local dielectric characterization - related applications are proposed. The results obtained show that the proposed techniques are at the state of the art in terms of operating frequency range and measurement sensitivity.

La maîtrise de l’augmentation des doses de rayonnements ionisants en imagerie médicale constitue un objectif prioritaire des exigences réglementaires européennes et nationales. Cette radioprotection passe notamment par le besoin constant de développement de dispositifs de dosimétrie appropriés, permettant l’évaluation de la dose délivrée. Aujourd’hui, les dispositifs de dosimétrie utilisés en radiologie, en radiothérapie ou en imagerie nucléaire ne sont pas adaptés aux contraintes de la radiologie interventionnelle. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous proposons d’étudier si l’usage de nouveaux matériaux et des nanotechnologies, non conventionnels au domaine médical, peut contribuer au développement de solutions de mesure de dose radiotransparentes, avec pour cas d’étude la radiologie interventionnelle. Notre approche a consisté en le développement d’un nouveau modèle permettant de prédire le comportement électromagnétique et le caractère radiotransparent d’un matériau. La radiotransparence et la visibilité sur les images radiographiques qui sont d’habitude traitées au cas par cas, sont abordées d’un point de vue plus général en reproduisant toute la chaîne de production de l’image. Ce modèle a mis en perspective l’intérêt du PEDOT:PSS dans la dosimétrie des rayons X. Parallèlement, nous avons considéré les MOSFET comme indicateurs de mesure de dose en radiologie interventionnelle, utilisés généralement en radiothérapie où les énergies mises en jeu sont bien plus élevées. L’originalité de cet axe est d’étudier des MOSFET issus de l’électronique, non dédiés à la dosimétrie. / Controlling the radiation dose in medical imaging is seen by the authorities as a national and European priority. This is more specifically achieved through the development of appropriate dosimetry devices, ensuring accurate patient dose monitoring. Today dosimetry devices used in radiology, radiotherapy or nuclear imaging are not adapted to the constraints of interventional radiology. In this thesis, we propose to study if new materials and nanotechnology can contribute to the development of radiotransparent dose measurement solution, especially in interventional radiology. Our approach included developing a model that can help predict the electromagnetic behavior and radiolucent features of materials. Radiolucency and visibility on radiographic images which are usually addressed on a case-by-case basis, are approached from a more general perspective by reproducing the all image production. The model emphasizes the interest of PEDOT:PSS in the x-ray dosimetry. At the same time, we considered MOSFET as indicators of dose measurement in interventional radiology. These transistors are usually employed in radiotherapy, in which involved energies are much higher. The originality of this part is to study MOSFET used in electronics and not dedicated to dosimetry.

Accumulation of intracellular damage by reactive oxygen species accelerates biological aging, leading to the development of age-related lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondria-related oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many age-related diseases. Selective autophagic degradation of mitochondria (mitophagy) is critical to maintain a proper pool of the organelle and preserve cellular energy homeostasis. Oxidative stress resulting from age-dependent defects in the quality of proteins and degradation of mitochondria promotes alveolar epithelial cell damage potentiating lung injury. Our research found diminished autophagy corresponding with elevated levels of oxidized proteins and lipofuscin in response to lung injury in old and middle-aged mice compared to younger animals. More importantly, older mice exposed to lung injury are characterized by deficient mitophagic responses. The pro-fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) plays a pivotal role in driving fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation (FMD), an important feature of pulmonary fibrosis. TGFβ1-mediated FMD is characterized by reduced autophagy flux, altered mitophagy and defects in mitochondrial function. In accordance, PINK1 expression is reduced in the aging murine lung and biopsies from IPF patients compared to controls. "nOur research also revealed a decline in mitochondrial protein deacetylase sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) expression in the lungs of aging mice. Low levels of SIRT3 transcripts were observed in two different animal models of pulmonary fibrosis. SIRT3 expression was reduced in fibrotic regions of lung tissues from patients with fibrotic diseases. We demonstrated that down-regulation of SIRT3 by TGFβ1 promotes acetylation of major oxidative stress response regulators, such as superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2), and that resveratrol induced SIRT3 expression and ameliorated acetylation changes induced by TGFβ1. Knockdown of SIRT3 expression by siRNA exacerbated TGFβ1-induced FMD. By contrast, promotion of SIRT3 expression attenuated the effect of TGFβ1 on myofibroblast differentiation. Finally, SIRT3-deficient mice were more susceptible to pulmonary fibrosis in response to bleomycin and had increased collagen deposition compared to control mice. Collectively, our research indicates that an age-related decline in autophagy, SIRT3 expression, and mitochondrial homeostasis may contribute to the promotion and/or perpetuation of pulmonary fibrosis. / Meredith L Sosulski

La robotique souple s’inspire de la nature, de la manière dont les organismes vivants se déplacent et adaptent leur forme à leur environnement. Contrairement aux robots traditionnels, les robots souples accomplissent des tâches avec plus de flexibilité. Les matériaux souples avec lesquels ils sont construits les rendent plus sûrs pour des environnements fragiles.Cependant, le domaine de la robotique souple pose de nouveaux défis, en particulier pour la modélisation et le contrôle. Dans cette thèse, nous visons à fournir des méthodes génériques pour leur modélisation. Les méthodes sont basées sur la méthode des éléments finis pour capturer les déformations de la structure du robot, et de son environnement, quand il est déformable. Nous formulons le problème de leur cinématique inverse et dynamique inverse comme un programme d’optimisation, permettant de gérer facilement des contraintes aux actionneurs et des problèmes de singularité. Nous sommes en mesure de contrôler plusieurs types d’actionnement, tels que les actionnements par câbles, pneumatiques et hydrauliques.De plus, la plupart des applications impliquent une interaction du robot avec des obstacles. Or, la cinématique des robots souples dépend fortement des facteurs environnementaux. Nous proposons ainsi de nouvelles méthodes qui prennent en compte les contacts dans le processus d’optimisation. Enfin, nous proposons de contrôler certaines tâches de locomotion et de préhension nécessitant l’utilisation de contacts frottants (statique). Nous accordons une attention particulière à fournir des solutions avec des performances temps réel, permettant un contrôle en ligne des robots dans des environnements changeant. / Soft robotics draws its inspiration from nature, from the way living organisms move and adapt their shape to their environment. In opposition to traditional rigid robots, soft robots are built from highly compliant materials, allowing them to accomplish tasks with more flexibility. They are safer when working in fragile environment, which allows for potential use of soft robotics in the fields of manufacturing and medicine.Yet, the field of soft robotics brings new challenges, in particular for modeling and control. Within this thesis we aim at providing generic methods for soft robot modeling, without assumptions on the geometry. The methods are based on the finite element method to capture the deformations of the robot’s structure and of its environment when deformable. We formulate the problem of their inverse kinematics and dynamics as optimization programs, allowing easy handling of constraints on actuation and singularity problems. We are able to control several types of actuation, such as cable, pneumatic and hydraulic actuations.Moreover, most of the applications involve interaction of the robot with obstacles. Yet soft robots kinematics is highly dependent on environmental factors. We propose new methods that include contacts into the optimization process. These methods make an important step as we think that the knowledge of contacts in the modeling is all the more important. Finally, we propose to control some soft robots during locomotion and grasping tasks which require the use of contact with static friction. We give a particular attention to provide solutions with real-time performance, allowing online control in evolving environments.

Del Trabajo Social se conocen sus prácticas y sus contextos, su historia y su evolución, las políticas sociales en las que se enmarca, las evaluaciones de sus resultados, los sucesivos planes de estudio que han otorgado a esta profesión una categoría disciplinar en el ámbito académico y un largo etcétera. Sin embargo, poco se sabe acerca de sus prácticos. El punto de partida de esta tesis es que la intervención social puede mejorar con un mayor conocimiento de sus profesionales. Así, el estudio del factor personal responde al axioma, tantas veces repetido por las trabajadoras sociales, de que el primer recurso es la propia trabajadora social. Para realizar este estudio, se necesitaba un modelo suficientemente abarcad en las aportaciones del profesor Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy (IBN) y su modelo contextual fueron el instrumento de análisis de esta investigación. La tesis que se plantea es que el conocimiento y análisis de la familia de origen de los trabajadores sociales mejoran la intervención social. Por esto, interesará, de manera genérica, el estudio de los trabajadores sociales y, más específicamente, su familia de origen. Ésta se analizará desde el concepto de justicia familiar y desde las aportaciones del modelo contextual de Boszormenyi-Nagy. Para mostrar esta tesis, se realizó, documentalmente, el genograma de Mary Ellen Richmond Harris y, empíricamente, once genogramas de trabajadores sociales actuales. ¿Por qué habría de ser relevante la familia de origen de un trabajador social? Porque el Trabajo Social se define por ser una profesión de ayuda. A partir de esta definición, la familia gana relevancia, por una parte, porque es el primer espacio de aprendizaje de la solidaridad y, por otra, porque la familia es la primera fuente de influencia en la elección de una profesión. Se optó por el modelo contextual porque introduce la ética en las relaciones familiares y en las relaciones a largo plazo. El modelo se inicia con una secuencia de dar y recibir entre las generaciones que crea una trama de lealtades, con sus propias reglas y sus conflictos. Para convertir la justicia familiar en un método de intervención, IBN indica que la palanca terapéutica consiste en restablecer una relación de autenticidad entre los miembros de la familia a través de la confianza merecida. Aplicado el modelo contextual al genograma de Mary Richmond, se observa que fue una mujer feliz a pesar de que el motor de su vida fue que había de ganarse la vida. Fue una mujer de orden, después de haber vivido una infancia desordenada en un lugar desordenado. Buscó el equilibrio, quizá por haber vivido rodeada de personas excesivas y a pesar de su resquebrada salud nunca se consideró incapaz o insuficiente. Era una mujer entusiasta que sistematizó unas actuaciones hasta convertirlas en una profesión. Los once genogramas de los trabajadores sociales se realizaron con un formato de seminario de formación para trabajadores sociales, altamente ritualizado y diseñado. De su análisis, se desprende que estos trabajadores sociales proceden de familias dolorosas en las que los padres se encuentran ausentes por diferentes motivos. Asimismo, aparece una cierta exacerbación en la secuencia de dar y recibir y un alto grado de dedicación y curiosidad por su tarea. A modo de conclusión, se señalan los aspectos novedosos de la tesis y las mejoras de la intervención social que se pueden obtener con dos nuevos recursos: la riqueza de la vida personal y de las generaciones y la ética en las relaciones significativas a largo plazo. / The thesis exposes that knowing the social workers' family of origin improves social intervention. This knowledge will be analyzed from the perspective of justice within the family and from the contributions of the contextual model from Boszormenyi-Nagy. Mary Ellen Richmond Harris' genogram was drawn from a documentary point of view. Eleven more genograms of active social workers were drawn from an empiric point of view. Why should the social worker's family of origin be important? Because Social Work is defined as a helping profession. With this definition in mind, family becomes more important. First, because it is the first solidarity learning environment and second, because family is the first source of influence when choosing a profession. The contextual model was chosen because it introduces the ethics within the family relationships and within long-term relationships. Finally, several innovative aspects of this thesis and the improvements of social intervention are listed. These improvements can be obtained using two new resources: using the experiences from the personal life and the previous generations as well as using ethics in significant long-term relationships.

Syfte: IFRS 3 som infördes 2005 reglerar hur rörelseförvärv ska redovisas och föreskriver att materiella och immateriella tillgångar ska identifieras och redovisas separat. Det övervärde som återstår av köpeskillingen benämns goodwill. Immateriella tillgångar skrivs av årligen medan goodwill skrivs ned då en försämring av värdet skett vilket innebär att det kan vara mer fördelaktigt att allokera en större andel av köpeskillingen till goodwill. Studiens syfte är att undersöka hur köpeskillingen allokeras vid rörelseförvärv och utreda om det finns ett samband mellan ett företags skuldsättningsgrad och hur stor andel av köpeskillingen som allokeras till goodwill vid rörelseförvärv. Avsikten är att undersöka om företag med en hög skuldsättningsgrad väljer redovisningsmetoder som påverkar resultatet positivt.  Metod: Studien omfattar de bolag noterade på NASDAQ OMX Stockholms Large- och Mid Cap-lista som har genomfört rörelseförvärv under 2010. Metoden är kvantitativ. Efter insamling av data från årsredovisningar utfördes en regressionsanalys för att undersöka det eventuella sambandet mellan skuldsättningsgrad och allokering till goodwill.  Slutsatser: Studien visar att hälften av köpeskillingen allokeras till goodwill vid det genomsnittliga rörelseförvärvet. Den minsta andelen av köpeskillingen utgörs av netto materiella tillgångar vilket innebär att de största tillgångarna vid rörelseförvärv utgörs av immateriella tillgångar och goodwill. Studien visar även att företag inte allokerar en större andel av köpeskillingen till goodwill ju högre skuldsättningsgraden är. Således kan studien inte bevisa att företag med en hög skuldsättningsgrad väljer redovisningsmetoder som påverkar resultatet positivt

En studie kring när andelar ska anses vara kvalificerade i fåmansföretag, hur 3:12-reglerna kan kringgås och hur kringgåendeförfaranden kan angripas.

The TSG101 protein has been implicated in multiple biological functions including the regulation of gene transcription, vesicular trafficking, cellular growth and differentiation. Previous reports indicated the steady-state level of TSG101 must be maintained in a narrow range. Either deprivation or overexpression of TSG101 protein could result in neoplastic transformation. However, cellular signals that control TSG101 functions are not clear. TSG101 protein contains many kinase phosphorylation sites including two GSK-3£] phosphorylation sites, S-172 (S172-P-Y-P-S176 ) and S202 (S202-Q-Y-P-S206). Our previous in vitro kinase assay result indicated TSG101 could be phosphorylated by GSK-3£]. In the present study, we demonstrated that 47 kDa TSG101 is monoubiquitination of 42 kDa TSG101. The GSK-3£] inhibitors, LiCl and TDZD8 could decrease TSG101 level in both HeLa and HEp-2 cells. On the contrary, activation of GSK-3£] by serum starvation or by transfection of a plasmid encodes for constitutive active GSK-3£] led to the increase of TSG101 level in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of LiCl and TDZD8 could be blocked by MG132, implying the involvement of proteaosome mediated mechanism. Expression of constitutive active GSK-3bmutS9A led to a dose-dependent increases of wildtype and HA-TSG101mutS172176A, but decrease of HA-TSG101mutS202206A protein. In addition, either wildtype or mutant HA-TSG101 could complex with GFP-GSK-3b. The mutation of S202 GSK-3b phosphorylation site of TSG101 compromised its ability to for complex with GSK-3b. In summary, our data support that GSK-3b is an important cellular signaling in regulation of monoubiquitinated TSG101 steady-state level. Whether it also affects the subcellular localization of TSG101 awaits further investigation.

The ubiquity of mobile phones provides an opportunity to use them for learning programming beyond the classroom. This would be particularly useful for novice learners of programming in resource-constrained environments. However, limitations of mobile phones, such as small screens and small keypads, impede their use as typical programming environments. This study proposed that mobile programming environments could include scaffolding techniques specifically designed for mobile phones, and designed based on learners’ needs. A six-level theoretic framework was used to design scaffolding techniques to support construction of Java programs on a mobile phone. The scaffolding techniques were implemented on an Android platform. Using the prototype, three experiments were conducted with 182 learners of programming from four universities in South Africa and Kenya. Evaluation was conducted to investigate: (i) which scaffolding techniques could support the construction of Java programs on a mobile phone; and (ii) the effect on learners of using these scaffolding techniques to construct Java programs on a mobile phone. Data was collected using computer logs, questionnaires, and image and video recordings. It was found that static scaffolding, such as a program overview and constructing a program one part at a time, supported the construction of programs on a mobile phone. It was also found that automatic scaffolding, such as error prompts and statement dialogs, and user-initiated scaffolding, such as viewing of the full program while creating parts of a program, supported learners to construct programs on the mobile phone. The study also found that the scaffolding techniques enabled learners to attempt and complete more tasks than a non-scaffolded environment. Further, the scaffolding techniques enabled learners to complete programs efficiently, and captured syntactical errors early during program creation. The results also indicated that after the initial familiarization with the scaffolded environment, the scaffolding techniques could enable faster completion of programs. Learners’ feedback indicated that they found the scaffolding techniques useful in supporting programming on a mobile phone and in meeting learners’ needs. This study provides empirical evidence that scaffolding techniques specifically designed for mobile phones and designed based on learners’ needs could support the construction of programs on a mobile phone.

Aquesta tesi explora les experiències quotidianes dels nens i nenes per tal d’examinar com es construeixen i gestionen els significats al voltant de la salut, el patiment i la malaltia en les seves vides. S’estudia tota una sèrie de continuïtats observades entorn a les seves vivències en relació amb la salut, aprofundint en els elements que els/les nens/es associen amb un cos sa o poc sa, i els quals formen part de les seves experiències i representacions sobre salut, així com en aquells factors que ells/es pensen que contribueixen a assolir un estat de benestar o que poden ser perjudicials per a la seva salut. També, s’indaga en els diferents coneixements al voltant de la salut que els arriba tant mitjançant els discursos dels adults com de les pràctiques quotidianes que realitzen; en com els/les nens/es assignen les responsabilitats sobre la cura del cos i de la salut i en com s’impliquen en les activitats per preservar el seu benestar. Finalment, s’analitzen els relats on els/les nens/es reflexionen sobre els seus cossos, i aquelles narracions on parlen d’alguna experiència de commoció o pertorbació en les seves vides. Un acostament a la realitat intersubjectiva ha permès copsar com les experiències quotidianes dels/les nens/es al voltant de la salut estan vinculades tant amb altres experiències com amb un conjunt de significats compartits, de representacions culturals i de pràctiques socials que interactuen entre si per tal de configurar la seva realitat a l’entorn de la salut i la malaltia. Tanmateix, s’ha fent servir una aproximació a les experiències en salut derivat de la pròpia perspectiva dels nens i nenes, considerant a aquests/es no només com a descobridors dels significats que provenen de la seva realitat sinó també com a creadors d’aquests significats a través de les seves pròpies comprensions i interpretacions. / Esta tesis explora las experiencias cotidianas de los niños y niñas para examinar cómo se construyen y gestionan los significados alrededor de la salud, el sufrimiento y la enfermedad en sus vidas. Se estudia toda una serie de continuidades observadas entorno a sus vivencias en relación con la salud, profundizando en los elementos que los/as niños/as asocian con un cuerpo sano o poco sano, y los cuales forman parte de sus experiencias y representaciones sobre salud, así como en aquellos factores que ellos/as piensan que contribuyen a lograr un estado de bienestar o que pueden ser perjudiciales para su salud. También, se indaga en los diferentes conocimientos alrededor de la salud que les llega tanto mediante los discursos de los adultos como de las prácticas cotidianas que realizan; en cómo los/as niños/as asignan las responsabilidades sobre el cuidado del cuerpo y de la salud y en cómo se implican en las actividades para preservar su bienestar. Finalmente, se analizan los relatos donde los/as niños/as reflexionan sobre sus cuerpos, y aquellas narraciones donde hablan de alguna experiencia de conmoción o perturbación en sus vidas. Un acercamiento a la realidad intersubjectiva ha permitido examinar cómo las experiencias cotidianas de los/as niños/as alrededor de la salud están vinculadas tanto a otras experiencias como a un conjunto de significados compartidos, de representaciones culturales y de prácticas sociales que interactúan entre sí para configurar su realidad entorno a la salud y la enfermedad. Asimismo, se ha utilizado una aproximación a las experiencias en salud derivado de la propia perspectiva de los niños y niñas, considerando a estos/as no sólo como descubridores de los significados que provienen de su realidad sino también como creadores de estos significados a través de sus propias comprensiones e interpretaciones. / This thesis explores the everyday experiences of children in order to examine how they build and manage the meanings around health, pain and illness in their lives. It studies a series of continuities observed around their experiences related to health, going into more depth on the elements that children associate with a healthy or unhealthy body, and which form part of their experiences and representations of health, as well as in those factors they think contribute to accomplish a state of wellbeing or that may be harmful to their health. It also investigates the different understandings about health that come both through the speeches of adults and everyday practices they engage in; how children assign responsibilities for body and health care and how they get involved in the efforts to preserve their wellbeing. Finally, it analyses the narratives where children reflect on their bodies, and those accounts where they talk about some experience of commotion or disruption in their lives. An approach to the intersubjective reality has allowed us to understand how children’s everyday experiences around health are linked both to other experiences and to a set of shared meanings, cultural representations and social practices that interact to configure their reality related to health and illness. We also used a way to come close to health experiences derived from the perspectives of children themselves, taking them into account not only as discoverers of meanings that come from their reality but also as creators of these meanings through their own understanding and interpretations.