Because of the accuracy and ease of implementation, Monte Carlo methodology is widely used in analysis of nuclear systems. The obtained estimate of the multiplication factor (keff) or flux distribution is statistical by its nature. In criticality simulation of a nuclear critical system, whose basis is the power iteration method, the guessed source distribution initially is generally away from the converged fundamental one. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the convergence is achieved before data are accumulated. Discarding a larger amount of initial histories could reduce the risk of contaminating the results by non-converged data but increases the computational expense. This issue is amplified for large loosely coupled nuclear systems with low convergence rate. Since keff is a generation-based global value, frequently no explicit criterion is applied to the diagnostic of keff directly. As an alternative, a flux-based entropy check available in MCNP5 works well in many cases. However, when applied to a difficult storage fuel pool benchmark problem, it could not always detect the non-convergence of flux distribution. Preliminary evaluation indicates that it is due to collapsing local information into a single number. This thesis addresses this problem by two new developments. First, it aims to find a more reliable way to assess convergence by analyzing the local flux change. Second, it introduces an approach to simultaneously compute both the first and second eigenmodes. At the same time, by computing these eigenmodes, this approach could increase the convergence rate. Improvement in these two areas could have a significant impact on practicality of Monte Carlo criticality simulations.

In the paper we study sequences of random functions which are defined by some interpolation procedures for a given random function. We investigate the problem in what sense and under which conditions the sequences converge to the prescribed random function. Sufficient conditions for convergence of moment characteristics, of finite dimensional distributions and for weak convergence of distributions in spaces of continuous functions are given. The treatment of such questions is stimulated by an investigation of Monte Carlo simulation procedures for certain classes of random functions. In an appendix basic facts concerning weak convergence of probability measures in metric spaces are summarized.

Der Ziel dieser Arbeit ist der Hausdorff Konvergenz der Juliamengen zu beweisen, als wir eine Familie von ganzen transzendenten Funktionen, die ein einziges Bakergebiet enthalten, approximieren. Als erstes geben wir eine vollständige dynamische Beschreibung der approximierenden transzendenten Funktionen und zeigen die Existenz von invarianten Gebiete unter der Iterierte. Insbesondere besitzen die approximierenden Funktionen ein Attraktionsgebiet, das gegen das Bakergebiet als Kernel im Sinn von Carathéodory konvergiert. Letztlich beweisen wir Hausdorff Konvergenz auf zwei Wege. Einerseits zeigen wir unter bestimmten Bedingungen der Fatoumenge der Grenzfunktion die Hausdorff Konvergenz der Juliamengen. Anderseits zeigen wir unter verschiedenen Bedingungen der Fatoumenge der Grenzfunktion die Hausdorff Konvergenz der ausgefüllten Juliamengen, die bezüglich der Bakergebiet oder der Attraktionsgebiet definiert sind.

The main focus of the present thesis is on the homogenization of some selected elliptic and parabolic problems. More precisely, we homogenize: non-periodic linear elliptic problems in two dimensions exhibiting a homothetic scaling property; two types of evolution-multiscale linear parabolic problems, one having two spatial and two temporal microscopic scales where the latter ones are given in terms of a two-parameter family, and one having two spatial and three temporal microscopic scales that are fixed power functions; and, finally, evolution-multiscale monotone parabolic problems with one spatial and an arbitrary number of temporal microscopic scales that are not restricted to be given in terms of power functions. In order to achieve homogenization results for these problems we study and enrich the theory of two-scale convergence and its kins. In particular the concept of very weak two-scale convergence and generalizations is developed, and we study an application of this convergence mode where it is employed to detect scales of heterogeneity. / Huvudsakligt fokus i avhandlingen ligger på homogeniseringen av vissa elliptiska och paraboliska problem. Mer precist så homogeniserar vi: ickeperiodiska linjära elliptiska problem i två dimensioner med homotetisk skalning; två typer av evolutionsmultiskaliga linjära paraboliska problem, en med två mikroskopiska skalor i både rum och tid där de senare ges i form av en tvåparameterfamilj, och en med två mikroskopiska skalor i rum och tre i tid som ges i form av fixa potensfunktioner; samt, slutligen, evolutionsmultiskaliga monotona paraboliska problem med en mikroskopisk skala i rum och ett godtyckligt antal i tid som inte är begränsade till att vara givna i form av potensfunktioner. För att kunna uppnå homogeniseringsresultat för dessa problem så studerar och utvecklar vi teorin för tvåskalekonvergens och besläktade begrepp. Speciellt så utvecklar vi begreppet mycket svag tvåskalekonvergens med generaliseringar, och vi studerar en tillämpningav denna konvergenstyp där den används för att detektera förekomsten av heterogenitetsskalor.

Bakalauro baigiamajame darbe nagrinėjama Lietuvos ir Latvijos ekonominė konvergencija, siekiant tapti visateisėmis Europos Pinigų Sąjungos narėmis 2004-2010 m. laikotarpiu. Teorinėje darbo dalyje apibrėžta ekonominės konvergencijos koncepcija ekonominių teorijų ir Mastrichto sutarties kontekste; apibūdinta Euro zonos sąvoka bei pagrindiniai, narystei šioje sąjungoje būtini, ekonominės konvergencijos kriterijai. Praktinėje dalyje, atliekant Lietuvos ir Latvijos ekonominės konvergencijos analizę kiekybiniais ir kokybiniais tyrimo metodais, išanalizuotas ekonominis suartėjimas su Europos Sąjungos šalimis, remiantis BVP parametrais; atlikta makroekonominių rodiklių atitikimo konvergencijos kriterijams 2004-2010 m. analizė, atskleidžiant jų netolygumams turėjusius pagrindinius veiksnius ir ateities perspektyvas. Atliktos analizės rezultatai pagrindžia Lietuvos ir Latvijos ekonomines galimybes 2014 m. įsivesti eurą. Kiek palankesni šansai vertinami Lietuvos atveju, nors kita vertus, abi kaimyninės šalys, spėjama susidurs su valstybės finansų stabilizavimo ir infliacijos pažabojimo būtinybe. Ekonominė konvergencija vyksta ir yra tvari, tik jos mastus pakoregavo, labiausiai Lietuvą ir Latviją paveikusi ekonominė krizė. / In bachelor’s thesis is examining the Lithuanian and Latvian economic convergence in order to become full members of the European Monetary Union, 2004-2010 period. In the theoretical part the conception of economic convergence was defined in context of economic theory and the Maastricht Treaty; specified the euro area term and the basics economic convergence criteria, necessary for membership in the union. In the practical part analysing Lithuanian and Latvian economic convergence of both quantitative and qualitative research methods; analyzed the economic convergence with the European Union countries, on the basis GDP parameters; carried out the analysis of macroeconomic indicators compliance with the convergence criteria 2004-2010 period, revealing the inequalities which had the key factors and future prospects. The carried out analysis findings support Lithuanian and Latvian economic opportunities in 2014 to adopt the euro. How much more favorably rated the chances of Lithuania's case, although in the other hand, both neighboring countries will estimate to face with the stabilization of public finances and inflation targeting need. Economic convergence is taking place and is sustainable, but economic crisis, the most affected Lithuania and Latvia, have adjusted the scale.

The backdrop for this research paper is the tunnelling that is currently nearing completion in the Epirus region of Northern Greece, as part of the Egnatia Odos Highway construction. Highly deformed and altered sediments and low grade rock masses dominate the near surface environment creating a variety of technical challenges for tunnelling. Accurate equivalent rock mass performance reductions for tunnels in these materials is complicated by geomorphologic peculiarities such as those found in Flysch materials. The mechanisms of rock-support interaction related to face or near-face reinforcement systems are poorly understood at this time. As well, the mechanics of weak rock materials in the complex deformation regime in advance of a tunnel face are not robustly integrated into current 2D design models. Design decisions are currently possible using empirical techniques and simplified models, but a true optimized and mechanicsbased design process for the various support technologies are not fully developed. This research addresses elements of such issues, such as: use of the Longitudinal Displacement Profile (LDP) of the Convergence-Confinement method of tunnel design, relating 2D numerical models to their distance from the face using the size of the plastic zone as an indicator, near face tunnel support analysis in weak rock masses, boundary condition assessment for numerical modelling of such weak rock masses, the influence of plasticity zones surrounding tunnel excavations, and modelling optimization techniques for weak rock tunnelling in order to optimize the design of such underground structures and better predict near-face deformation and yield development. This work involved the use of 2D and 3D numerical models of tunnel sequencing for numerical simulation of composite material behaviour and sequential tunnel deformation response. / Thesis (Ph.D, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-01 08:46:30.537

The advent and massification of the ICTs and the widespread use of internet have transformed the way in which traditional media such as ratio and television communicate with the audience, not only because of the technological shift itself, but because of the convergence culture undergoing as a result of the new relationships taking place online.   Particularly, we wonder how the news’ organizations based in traditional media are adapting to these changes. Our assumption is that, although the news’ organizations have understood and are currently using the online technologies to present their information in varied ways with the intention to reach a broader audience and to generate higher levels of engagement, still much needs to be analyzed on how the contents are handled through each particular online platform.   Along this study, we propose to introduce the rationale of Nation Branding from a Cultural/Critical perspective as a tool to analyze how transnational news organizations present their contents, since, even when their purpose might not be to carry out directly a Nation Branding strategy, they might be falling into the use of certain features of the Nation Branding logics.   In order to perform this analysis, we explore, from a reductionist approach, the ways in which the English section of Radio Sweden International (a branch of Sveriges Radio, the public radio service in Sweden) has developed its online strategy, trying to identify: 1) whether Radio Sweden International is appropriating the logics of Nation Branding in the way they present their information; 2) if the online strategy of Radio Sweden International is oriented (either directly or indirectly) to build and/or enhance the “Brand Sweden”; and 3) the ways in which Radio Sweden International uses each specific digital platform in its online strategy.   We collected 1893 elements across the Twitter account (760), the news’ website (620), the podcasts (422), and the Facebook page (91) of Radio Sweden International, which were submitted to the classifications of the Nation Branding model known as “Anholt’s hexagon”. What we found was that, although 70.4% of the elements do fit within Anholt’s hexagon, 29.6% of the elements did not fit, these last elements corresponding to Domestic News and Self-Promotion of the organization, reason why a new classification of these elements was due, giving as a result 9 new categories of information different from Anholt’s model.   As a result of our empirical study, we concluded that there are indeed similarities between the way in which Radio Sweden International presents its information, and the form in which the Cultural/Critical developing perspective of Nation Branding proposes how the nation communicates within the convergent, global and networked society. Although Radio Sweden International does not have the direct task of promoting the image of Sweden outside the country, the ways in which this organization presents its information and uses the different online platforms can be related to the way in which Nation Branding intends to construct the image of the country both, inside and outside Sweden.

Les problèmes de partition minimale consistent à déterminer une partition d’un domaine en un nombre donné de composantes de manière à minimiser un critère géométrique. Dans les champs d’application tels que le traitement d’images et la mécanique des milieux continus, il est courant d’incorporer dans cet objectif une énergie d’interface qui prend en compte les longueurs des interfaces entre composantes. Ce travail est focalisé sur le traitement théorique et numérique de problèmes de partition minimale avec énergie d’interface. L’approche considérée est basée sur une approximation par Gamma-convergence et des techniques de dualité. / Minimal partition problems consist in finding a partition of a domain into a given number of components in order to minimize a geometric criterion. In applicative fields such as image processing or continuum mechanics, it is standard to incorporate in this objective an interface energy that accounts for the lengths of the interfaces between components. The present work is focused on thetheoretical and numerical treatment of minimal partition problems with interface energies. The considered approach is based on a Gamma-convergence approximation and duality techniques.

La thèse propose une analyse de l’influence du droit français et de l’UE de la concurrence sur celui des pays en voie de développement en s’appuyant sur une étude du cas marocain ainsi que d’autres pays arabes. Au niveau mondial, le droit de la concurrence est actuellement dominé par deux régimes : le premier est américain, le second est européen. Dans ce contexte, les pays en voie de développement qui souhaitent adopter un régime de droit de la concurrence ou réformer celui préexistant se tournent naturellement vers l’un de ces deux modèles dominants. En s’appuyant sur l’expérience européenne en matière du droit de la concurrence, le Maroc et d’autres pays arabes ne dérogent pas à cette règle. Par conséquent, il devient nécessaire de s’interroger sur la logique d’un tel phénomène. En s’appuyant sur une étude du cas marocain, cette recherche tend, dans un premier temps, à identifier non seulement comment le phénomène d’influence se manifeste mais également les facteurs lui permettant de prendre place. En procédant de la sorte, l’objectif est de révéler, dans un second temps, si une telle influence est en ligne avec les besoins d’un pays en voie de développement comme le Maroc. / This research focuses on the influence of EU competition law on developing countries by taking Morocco and other Arabic countries as a case study.On the world stage, the field of competition law is currently dominated by two main regimes: one is American, the other is European. In this context, developing countries intending to acquire a sound competition regime naturally turn to one of the dominant models. Morocco as a developing country, do not derogate from this rule and rely on the European experience so that it seems relevant to wonder whether this phenomenon could somehow be questioned.This dissertation has two folds. By taking Morocco as case study, the Thesis investigates first not only how does this influence manifest itself but also the factors allowing it to take roots. Second, it critically assesses whether such influence is in line with the needs of developing countries such as Morocco.

L'objectif de la thèse est d'étudier le modèle du look-down avec sélection dans le cas d'une population composée seulement de deux types génétiques, l'un deux bénéficiant d'un avantage sélectif. Dans cette thèse, cette sélection est modélisée par un taux de mort pour les individus non avantagés. Tout d'abord, nous nous intéressons dans le cas d'une population de taille infinie. Nous montrons que le modèle est bien défini. Nous montrons aussi que dans la limite d'une population de taille infinie, la proportion d'individu d'un type donné suit la diffusion de Wright-Fisher avec sélection. Ensuite nous étudions ce modèle dans le cas d'une population de taille finie et fixée. Nous proposons deux méthodes de convergence de ce modèle fini vers la diffusion deWright-Fisher avec sélection. Enfin, une autre approche est considérée. Nous étudions le modèle de look-down dans le cas d'une population de taille infinie en remplaçant le modèle de reproduction dual du coalescent de Kingman par le modèle de reproduction dual du Lambda-coalescent. Nous montrons d'abord que le modèle est bien défini. Ensuite nous montrons que la proportion de l'un des types converge en probabilité, quand la taille N de la population tend vers l'infini, vers un processus qui est solution d'une équation différentielle stochastique dirigée par processus ponctuel de Poisson. Pour finir, nous montrons que si Lambda-coalescent descend de l'infini alors l'un des types se fixe en temps fini. / The purpose of the dissertation is to study the look-down model with selection in the case of a population composed only two alleles, one of them has a selective advantage. In this thesis, this selective advantage is modelled by a death rate for the wild-type allele. In the first part, we are interested in the case of a population of infinite size. We show the model is well defined. We show convergence in probability, as the population size tends to infinity, towards the Wright-Fisher diffusion with selection. In the second part we study a variant of the simplest look-down with selection where the size of the population is finite and fixed. We propose two methods of convergence of this finite model towards the Wright-Fisher diffusion with selection. Finally, another approach is considered. We study the look-down model with selection when we replace the usual reproduction model, which is dual to Kingman's coalescent by a population model dual to the Lambda-coalescent in the case of a population of infinite size. We first show this model is well defined. We show that the proportion of one of the two types converges in probability, as the population size N tends to infinity, towards the solution of a stochastic differential equation driven by a Poisson point process. Finally, we show that one of the two types fixate in finite time if and only if the Lambda-coalescent comes down from infinity.