The main aim of the work presented in this dissertation was to explore the possibility to genetically manipulate the sucrose storing crops, sugarcane and sweet sorghum, to convert their sucrose reserves into higher-value alternatives. For the purpose of this study we focussed on fructans as alternative sucrose-based high-value carbohydrates, since these fructose polymers are of significant commercial interest. To investigate the technical feasibility of transforming sugarcane and sweet sorghum to produce this novel carbohydrate, we proposed to transfer the fructosyltransferase genes from Cynara scolymus into these plants by means of particle bombardment. In order to apply this technology to sweet sorghum, an in vitro culture system suitable for transformation had to be established. For this purpose an extensive screening process with different combinations of variables were conducted. Though the relationships between these variables proved to be complex, it was concluded that immature zygotic embryos could be used to initiate a genotype-independent totipotent regeneration system with a 65% callus induction rate, provided that initiation takes place during summer. Stable transformation and regeneration of these calli were however not successful and will have to be optimised to allow future applications. By introducing fructosyltransferase genes into sugarcane, we succeeded in transforming sugarcane into a crop that produces a variety of fructans of the inulintype. Low molecular weight (LMW) inulins were found to accumulate in the mature internodes of 42% of the transgenic sugarcane plants expressing the sucrose:sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase (1-SST) gene, and in 77% of the plants that incorporated both 1-SST and fructan:fructan 1-fructosyltransferase (1-FFT), while only 8% of these plants accumulated high molecular weight (HMW) inulins. Our results demonstrated that sugarcane could be manipulated to synthesise and accumulate fructans without the induction of phenotypical irregularities. Inulins with a degree of polymerisation up to 60 were found in sugarcane storage tissue. In these HMW inulin-producing plants, up to 78% of the endogenous sucrose in the mature sugarcane culm was converted to inulin. This enabled inulin accumulation up to 165.3 mg g-1 fresh weight (FW), which is comparable to that found in native plants. These transgenic sugarcane plants, therefore exhibit great potential as a future industrial inulin source. Fructan production was detected in all the sugarcane plant tissue tested, predominantly as 1-kestose. In contrast with the fact that fructan accumulation in leaves did not affect the endogenous sucrose concentrations in these organs, the sucrose content of mature internodes that accumulated high levels of 1-kestose was severely reduced. However, increases in total sugar content, in some instances up to 63% higher than control plants, were observed. This phenomenon was investigated with the use of radio-labelled-isotopes. An increase in the allocation of incoming carbon towards sucrose storage, resulting in higher carbon partitioning into both 1- kestose and sucrose, were detected in the culms of transgenic compared to control lines. This modification therefore established an extra carbohydrate sink in the vacuoles that affected photosynthate partitioning and increased total soluble sugar content. The data suggests that sucrose sensing is the main regulatory mechanism responsible for adapting carbon flow in the cells to maintain sucrose concentration.

L'étude de la fusion par confinement inertiel du mélange deutérium + tritium (DT) est une problématique depuis longtemps abordée par le CEA. Les expérimentations liées à cette thématique, effectuées prochainement au sein du laser mégajoule (LMJ), nécessitent l'utilisation de matériaux aux propriétés particulières. Cela concerne entre autres les mousses de polymères (aérogels organiques) composant les cibles de pré-ignition. De tels matériaux doivent notamment associer une importante porosité à une forte teneur métallique (1% atomique de Ti), tout en étant compatible avec les procédés de préparation utilisés. Dans ce contexte, un nouveau complexe polymérisable de titane a été préparé et caractérisé par plusieurs techniques d'analyses. Ce monomère dispose d'une forte teneur métallique tout en présentant une bonne stabilité vis-à-vis l'air et l'humidité. Sa copolymérisation radicalaire selon différentes conditions suivie d'un séchage en condition supercritique a permis l'obtention d'une série d'aérogels organiques. Les caractérisations chimiques (RMN, infrarouge et analyses élémentaires) ainsi que les caractérisations structurales (MEB-EDS, MET, mesure des isothermes d'adsorption/désorption de l'azote et SAXS) de ces polymères ont permis de valider les critères mentionnés dans notre cahier des charges. En outre, ces données ont permis de déterminer les mécanismes de formation de la nanostructure des mousses. / Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) is a technique widely studied by the French atomic commission (CEA). Experiments will be performed within the Laser Megajoule (LMJ). They require innovative materials like organic aerogels that constitute laser targets. Such polymeric material must provide both a high porosity and a significant titanium percentage (1 atom %). Moreover, the monomers developed must be compatible with the synthesis procedure already in use. According to these specifications, a new polymerizable titanium complex was synthesized and fully characterized. This air and moisture-stable monomer provides a high metal percentage. Its free-radical cross-linked copolymerization affords several titanium-containing polymers. These gels were dried under supercritical conditions and organic aerogels were obtained. The chemical compositions of these materials were investigated by NMR, IR and elemental analysis while their structure was characterized by MEB-EDS, MET, N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms measurements and SAXS. The data collected fit the specification requirements. Moreover, the mechanisms responsible of the foam nanostructure formation were discussed.

Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) is a key branch point enzyme in the mevalonate pathway and the main molecular target of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs), potent inhibitors of osteoclastic activity and the leading drug of choice for conditions characterized by excessive bone resorption. The main aim of this thesis is to investigate the interaction of N-BPs with FPPS in order to gain further insights into the mechanism of drug inhibition. Kinetic and crystallographic studies following site-directed mutagenesis of FPPS reveal key residues involved in stabilization of carbocation intermediate, substrate binding and formation of a tight enzyme-inhibitor complex. The aromatic ring of Tyr204 is involved in N-BP binding but not in the catalytic mechanism, where the hydroxyl moiety plays an important role. Lys200 is implicated in regulation of substrate binding, product specificity and enzyme isomerization which leads to a tight binding inhibition. Phe239 is considered important for the FPPS C-terminal switch which stabilizes substrate binding and promotes the inhibitor induced isomerized state. The highly conserved Arg112, Asp103 and Asp107 are pivotal for catalysis. Successful purification of the full length of Rab geranylgeranyl transferase (RGGT) complex downstream of the FPPS in the mevalonate pathway was achieved and may lead to co-crystallization with BP analogues and identification of the putative site of drug binding. Investigation of the in vitro effect of N-BPs on osteoclastogenesis suggest a correlation with FPPS inhibition kinetics for the most potent N-BPs but indicate an alternative mechanism of the disruption of bone resorption by alendronate. Together these results highlight the importance of the multiple interactions of N-BPs with side-chain residues of FPPS which dictate their strength of binding and advance the understanding of their pharmacophore effect.

Common problems and characteristics of sites affected by the mining are land occupation, pollution, land degradation, hydrologic changes and landscape change what belong to the major environmental problems in many countries. Despite the regulation prescribed by the Mining Act which brought significant progress in post mining land reclamation, emphasise mostly in recovery of production capability of landscape, many recent studies state it may not be so effective in restoration of diversity and ecosystem services. In order to properly assess newer approaches in spoil heaps recultivation our research is focused on the restoration of species rich meadows using near-nature methods, specifically the transfer of turves and seeds-containing hay transfer supported by management (mowing and mowing with mulching). Additionally, the research is focused on influence of the plot size on restoration success and on effect of management on soil development. Both of the applied near-nature methods of species rich meadow recultivation are effective in species provisioning and thus succession acceleration. More successful is the method of transferred turves where it was possible to establish more than 60% of the species from the donor site. The species richness on sites and its spreading is dependent on implemented...

L'inscription laser directe est un domaine de recherche en croissance depuis ces deux dernières décennies, fournissant un moyen efficace et robuste pour inscrire directement des structures en trois dimensions (3D) dans des matériaux transparents tels que des verres en utilisant des impulsions laser femtosecondes. Cette technique présente de nombreux avantages par rapport à la technique de lithographie, qui se limite à la structuration en deux dimensions (2D) et implique de nombreuses étapes de fabrication. Cela rend la technique d’inscription laser direct bien adaptée aux nouveaux procédés de fabrication. Généralement, l’inscription laser dans les verres induit des changements physiques tels qu'un changement permanent de l'indice de réfraction localisé. Ces modifications ont été classés en trois types distincts : (Type I, Type II et Type III). Dans ce travail, nous présentons un nouveau type de changement d'indice de réfraction, appelé type A qui est basé sur la création d’agrégats d'argent photo-induit. En effet, dans des verres dans lesquels sont incorporés des ions argent Ag+, lors de leurs synthèses, l’inscription laser directe induit la création d’agrégats d’argent fluorescents Agmx+ au voisinage du voxel d’interaction. Ces agrégats modifient localement les propriétés optiques comme : la fluorescence, la non-linéarité et la réponse plasmonique du verre. Ainsi, différents guides d'ondes, un séparateur de faisceau 50-50, ainsi que des coupleurs optiques ont été inscrits en se basant sur ce nouveau Type A et complétement caractérisés. D'autre part, une étude comparative entre les deux types de guides d'ondes (type A et type I) est présentée, tout en montrant qu’en ajustant les paramètres laser, il est possible de déclencher soit le Type I soit le Type A. Enfin, en se basant sur des guides d’ondes de type A inscrits proche de la surface du verre, un capteur d'indice de réfraction hautement sensible a été inscrit dans une lame de verre de 1 cm de long. Ce capteur miniaturisé peut présenter deux fenêtres de détection d’indice, ce qui constitue une première mondiale. Les propriétés des guides d'ondes inscrits dans ces verres massifs ont été transposées à des fibres en forme de ruban, du même matériau contenant de l'argent. Les résultats obtenus dans ce travail de thèse ouvrent la voie à la fabrication de circuits intégrés en 3D et de capteurs à fibre basés sur des propriétés optiques originales inaccessibles avec des guides d’onde de Type I standard. / Direct Laser Writing (DLW) has been an exponentially growing research field during the last two decades, by providing an efficient and robust way to directly address three dimensional (3D) structures in transparent materials such as glasses using femtosecond laser pulses. It exhibits many advantages over lithography technique which is mostly limited to two dimensional (2D) structuring and involves many fabrication steps. This competitive aspect makes the DLW technique suitable for future technological transfer to advanced industrial manufacturing. Generally, DLW in glasses induces physical changes such as permanent local refractive index modifications that have been classified under three distinct types: (Type I, Type II & Type III). In silver containing glasses with embedded silver ions Ag+, DLW induces the creation of fluorescent silver clusters Agmx+ at the vicinity of the interaction voxel. In this work, we present a new type of refractive index change, called type A that is based on the creation of the photo-induced silver clusters allowing the creation of new linear and nonlinear optical waveguides in silver containing glasses. Various waveguides, a 50-50 Y beam splitter, as well as optical couplers, were written based on type A modification inside bulk glasses and further characterized. On the other hand, a comparison study between type A and type I waveguides is presented, showing that finely tuning the laser parameters allows the creation of either type A or type I modification inside silver containing glasses. Finally, based on type A near-surface waveguides, a highly sensitive refractive index sensor is created in a 1 cm glass chip, which could exhibit a pioneer demonstration of double sensing refractive ranges. The waveguiding properties observed and reported in the bulk of such silver containing glasses were transposed to ribbon shaped fibers of the same material. Those results pave the way towards the fabrication of 3D integrated circuits and fiber sensors with original fluorescent, nonlinear and plasmonic properties that are not accessible using the standard type I modification

No presente trabalho estudou-se a recristalização do aço de alta resistência baixa liga (ARBL) microligado ao nióbio (160 ppm em peso) da Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional 2336 utilizado na fabricação de reforços estruturais para a indústria automobilística. A grande utilização deste tipo de aço pelas indústrias tem motivado o desenvolvimento de novas ligas capazes de atender a requisitos críticos de estampagem combinado com alta resistência mecânica. Amostras deste aço no estado laminado a quente foram deformadas posteriormente a frio em escala piloto com reduções de 50 e 70%, reduções típicas na indústria, e recozidas em banho de sal em temperaturas variando entre 600 e 700ºC em diferentes tempos. A evolução microestrutural das amostras no estado encruado e na condição recozida foi acompanhada utilizando-se as técnicas de microscopia ótica e eletrônica de varredura. As texturas de deformação e de recristalização foram determinadas via difração de raios X. A fração volumétrica recristalizada (Xv) e o tamanho de grão foram determinados com o auxílio de metalografia quantitativa nas amostras recozidas. Medidas de microdureza Vickers foram utilizadas para construir as curvas de encruamento e da cinética de amolecimento em função da temperatura de recozimento e comparadas com curvas construídas pelo primeiro método. Os resultados mostram que a recristalização ocorre em temperaturas acima de 650°C. Com auxílio de um gráfico de Xv contra A (fração amolecida), podemos observar a ocorrência de um desvio da idealidade a 650°C e 700°C. A explicação mais provável é a ocorrência de precipitação, especialmente para o aço menos deformado. Os valores do expoente de Avrami obtidos a partir das duas abordagens (medidas de microdureza e metalografia quantitativa) são apresentados e discutidos. / The recrystallization of a high strength low alloy steel (HSLA) containing niobium (160 wt-ppm) was investigated. The HSLA steel, named CSN 2336, is used in the manufacture of structural parts for automotive industry. The increasing use of this application type of steels in automotive industries has motivated the development of new alloys able to gather the critical requirements for deep drawing combined with high strengths. Samples of this steel in hot-rolled condition were cold-rolled with reductions of 50% and 70%, commonly used in most of applications, and isothermally annealed in salt bath at temperatures between 600 and 700ºC. The microstructure of the samples in both coldworked and annealed states was imaged using light optical (LOM) and scanning electronic microscopies (SEM). Deformation and recrystallization textures were determined by X-ray diffraction. The recrystallized volume fraction (Xv) and the mean grain size were determined by quantitative metallography in the annealed samples. Vickers microhardness testing was used to determine the work hardening and the softening kinetics behaviors. The results show that recrystallization occurs at temperatures above 650°C for the most deformed steel. By plotting Xv against A (softening fraction), we observe the occurrence of a deviation from ideality at 650°C and 700°C, likely caused by solid-state precipitation, especially for the less deformed steel. The values of n (Avrami exponent) obtained from both approaches (softening curves and quantitative metallography) are presented and discussed.

Salmonellen spp. sind invasive, intrazelluläre Pathogene, die in einem membranumhüllten Kompartiment innerhalb der infizierten Wirtszelle überleben. Wie auch andere intrazelluläre Pathogene repliziert Salmonella in dieser intrazellulären Nische, obwohl es anscheinend von sowohl extra- als auch intrazellulären Nährstoffquellen isoliert ist. Wir zeigen hier, dass intrazelluläre Salmonella den Proteinabbau des Wirts ausnutzen, um Aminosäuren in Form von Peptiden zu erhalten. Dieser spezielle, auch als Chaperon-vermittelte Autophagie bekannte, Abbauweg spielt eine Rolle im Transport zytosolischer Proteine zum Abbau im Lysosom. Ein Salmonellenmutant, der nur in Anwesenheit von Peptiden im Medium als Aminosäurenquelle wächst, wies intrazellulär eine Wachstumsrate auf, die der des Wildtyps ähnlich war. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass Peptide intrazellulär für Salmonella zugänglich sind. Wir fanden heraus, dass die Salmonella-enthaltende Vakuole (SCV, Salmonella containing vacuole) die Wirtproteine LAMP-2A und Hsc73, Kernkomponenten von CMA, anzieht, jedoch nicht lysosomale Proteine wie LAMP-2B und LIMP-2. Im Gegensatz zum Salmonellawildtyp zeigte der peptidabhängige Mutantentstamm stark verringertes Wachstum, wenn die Wirtszellen mit CMA-Inhibitoren behandelt wurde. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen einen neuen Mechanismus auf, durch den ein intrazelluläres Pathogen vom membranumhüllten Kompartiment aus Zugriff auf Cytosol der Wirtzelle zur Beschaffung von Nährstoffen hat. Wir schlagen vor, dass diese Ergebnisse eine Erklärung für die Rückfälle von persistenten Salmonellainfektionen liefern können. Des Weitern schlagen wir diesen Mechanismus als moegliches Ziel antibakterieller Therapeutika zur Bekämpfung intrazellulärer Pathogene vor. / Salmonella spp. are invasive, intracellular pathogens which survive and proliferate within a membrane-bound compartment inside infected host cells. Like other intracellular pathogens, Salmonella replicates within this intracellular niche, despite its apparent isolation from both extra- and intracellular sources of nutrients. Here, we show that intracellular Salmonella acquire amino acids in the form of peptides by co-opting the host protein degradation pathway known as chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) involved in the transport of cytosolic proteins to the lysosome for degradation. A mutant of Salmonella strictly dependent upon peptides in growth media as a source of amino acids, showed intracellular growth similar to the wild-type strain in host cells, indicating intracellular access to peptides. We found that the Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV) acquires the host cell proteins LAMP-2A and Hsc73, key components of CMA, but excludes lysosomal proteins such as LAMP-2B and LIMP-2. In contrast to wild-type Salmonella, the peptide-dependent mutant strain showed a severe reduction in growth when host cells were treated with inhibitors of CMA.. These results reveal a novel means whereby an intracellular pathogen can access the host cell cytosol to acquire nutrients from within its membrane-bound compartment. We suggest these results may provide an explanation for relapse infections resulting from persistent Salmonella infections, and suggest a possible means of targeting antibacterials against intracellular pathogens.

TCP-1是一种新型的定向于肿瘤血管的多肽，通过小鼠体内的噬菌体展示技术筛选得到。在之前的研究中，我们已证明TCP-1具有定向于肿瘤血管并有效靶向运输抗肿瘤药物和显像剂的特性。本研究的目的是进一步研究在原位结肠癌模型中定向运输抗肿瘤药物肿瘤坏死因子(TNFα)，以及在结肠癌临床样本中运输显像剂异硫氰酸荧光素(FITC)的能力。并对TCP-1与肿瘤坏死因子的融合蛋白TCP-1/TNFα的抗肿瘤机制进行阐述。 / 本研究中，我们首先尝试用TCP-1作为载体，将增强绿色荧光蛋白靶向运输至肿瘤血管。结果证明TCP-1可以成功将蛋白运输到在肿瘤血管而非其它正常的组织器官上。TCP-1还可以靶向运输肿瘤坏死因子并增强其抗肿瘤作用。和肿瘤坏死因子比较，融合蛋白TCP-1/TNFα处理组的凋亡细胞数量增多，肿瘤微血管数目减少，并且无明显毒副作用。与结肠癌的一线化疗药物5-氟尿嘧啶(5-FU)联合给药后，与TNFα与5-FU联合给药相比较，融合蛋白TCP-1/TNFα联合5-FU在以下方面具有更明显的作用：抑制肿瘤生长，增加肿瘤细胞凋亡和抑制肿瘤细胞增殖，促进肿瘤血管正常化，升高瘤内免疫细胞以及减轻骨髓和脾内的免疫抑制反应。经检测TCP-1的靶向运输增加了瘤内的TNFα以及5-FU的浓度。这些都表明TCP-1不但可以靶向运输TCP-1/TNFα至肿瘤血管，还可以增加CD8+细胞的浸润增加瘤内免疫反应以及增加血管对抗肿瘤药物的通透性。以上都对抗肿瘤起到重要作用。 / 在临床的结肠癌样本中，TCP-1对肿瘤血管的结合能力也得到了证实。48.98%的结肠癌样本对TCP-1的结合为阳性。统计学分析显示TCP-1的结合与结肠癌的分期和肿瘤位置有关，对于N2期，位于乙状结肠的肿瘤的结合尤为明显。本研究的主要目的是将分离鉴定出的TCP-1发展成为结肠癌的生物标记，并且作为运输抗肿瘤药物和显像剂的载体应用于结肠癌的诊断和治疗中。鉴于TCP-1的靶向运输特点，将会有机会研发更多的抗肿瘤药物，同时增强传统化疗药的抗肿瘤作用。这些都可以优化肿瘤治疗的方案。综上所述，TCP-1是一种在结肠癌治疗诊断中具有广阔前景的多肽。 / TCP-1 is a novel vasculature-targeting peptide. It was discovered through the in vivo phage library selection in mice. It was demonstrated that TCP-1 peptide exhibited a homing ability to the neovasculature of colon tumors and was capable of efficiently delivering imaging agents and chemotherapeutic drugs to this target site. The current study is to further investigate the targeting ability of TCP-1 to deliver a known immunomodulator, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) as an example of anti-cancer drug in an orthotopic colorectal cancer (CRC) model and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) as imaging agent for testing the binding capacity for tumors in colorectal cancer patients. The mechanisms for the action of this novel biologic TCP-1/TNFα in the treatment of colon cancer in mice were also defined. / In this study, we observed that TCP-1 peptide delivered enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) only to tumor blood vessel other than normal organs after TCP- 1/EGFP injection. This was not observed after EGFP injection. This finding showed that TCP-1 can deliver biologic protein to the tumor blood vessels. Furthermore, results from TNFα or TCP-1/TNFα targeted delivery experiments showed that TCP- 1/TNFα displayed stronger anti-cancer effects than TNFα alone on the induction of apoptosis and reduction in number of microvessels in the tumors, without significant effect in systemic toxicity. In the combined therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a standard drug for colon cancer treatment, pretreatment with low dose (1 ng TNFα /mouse) of TNFα or TCP-1/TNFα potentiated the anti-cancer action of 5-FU. In this regard, TCP-1/TNFα could significantly reduce tumor size and weight, increase number of apoptotic cells, inhibit tumor cell proliferation, normalize tumor blood vessels, facilitate infiltration of immune cells to tumor mass and attenuate immunosuppression in bone marrow and spleen. Moreover, TCP-1 could significantly increase intratumoral levels of TNFα and 5-FU. It was also suggested that TCP-1 could selectively deliver TNFα to the tumor blood vessels and modulate the immune response by increasing CD8+ cells infiltration to tumors and increase vascular permeability to 5-FU. These observations may be the key actions to reduce tumor growth. / The binding ability of TCP-1 was also detected in clinical samples from colorectal cancer patients in which 24/49 (48.98%) tumor tissues were positive with TCP-1 binding signal. Statistical analysis showed that TCP-1 had a strong and significant binding with colorectal cancer at the N2 stage among the different colorectal cancer stages (P=0.028) and location in the colon at the sigmoid (P<0.001). / Our study also focused on the isolation and identification of the binding molecule of TCP-1 in order to develop it into a biomarker for CRC and using TCP-1 as a carrier in delivering anti-cancer drugs and imaging agents to colon tumors for cancer therapy and diagnosis. With the homing property of TCP-1 on colon tumor blood vessels, new types of anti-cancer drugs will be developed and their combinations with conventional chemotherapy drugs will optimize the therapeutic outcome and improve regimen of treatment for CRC. Taken together, TCP-1 peptide appears to be a promising agent in molecular imaging and drug delivery for CRC diagnosis and therapy. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Lu, Lan. / Thesis (Ph.D.) Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-177). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Lu, Lan.

Purpose – This thesis aims to contribute to the understanding of the Chinese customers’ perception and acceptance of eco-conscious apparel (ECA) based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The thesis further examines whether people would like to pay more for ECA and how the factor of willingness to pay a premium is influenced by TPB variables. Design/methodology/approach – The research design is based on quantitative methodology. The data were collected via a web-based survey, a total of 315 responses from Chinese consumers were analyzed with application of the structural equation modeling. Findings – Both attitude toward ECA and perceived behavioral control over ECA acquisition have positive influence on ECA purchasing intention. Willingness to pay a premium for ECA is only positively affected by subjective norm. There is no correlation between ECA purchasing intention and willingness to pay a premium for ECA. Implications – To raise Chinese customers’ purchasing intention, fashion company should focus their actions on disseminating environmental information and knowledge, and offer affordable ECA options with the properties close to traditional apparel. To evoke the willingness to pay a premium for ECA, fashion company can apply celebrity endorsement to add perceived social value into its ECA series. Such actions will contribute to formation of positive social norm and hence positive perception towards ECA. Meanwhile, the government can put more efforts into educating Chinese people about sustainability issues in fashion industry, formulating and implementing policies in favor of ECA consumption, so that a positive social atmosphere for ECA consumption could be created. Originality/value – This study is novel in applying TPB for examining the consumer purchasing of apparel containing recycled fiber in China. The thesis provides useful information to corporate practitioners on how to formulate ECA marketing strategies in China. Research findings are also of relevance for Chinese government by providing recommendations for formulating relevant policies to favor the ECA consumption.

Le traitement par laser femtoseconde dans des matériaux transparents est prometteur du fait de la possibilité de contrôler le dépôt d'énergie dans le temps et dans l'espace. Il ouvre ainsi des possibilités fantastiques pour la fabrication de nouveaux matériaux composites multifonctionnels en manipulant la taille, la forme et l'orientation des cristaux non linéaires dans les verres. Cette thèse contribue principalement à la maîtrise de la nano ou micro cristallisation dans des verres à base de silice pour le développement de nouveaux matériaux électro-optiques multi-fonctionnels par l’irradiation au laser femtoseconde. On démontre la faisabilité du traitement des matériaux par le laser femtoseconde pour remodeler les propriétés optiques linéaires et non linéaires ou de la fabrication de micro / nano agrégats, ainsi que les formes et les orientations (en particulier agrégats asymétriques), les tailles et les distributions (à l'échelle sub-micrométrique). Le mémoire débute par un chapitre introductif sur l’investigation de l’écriture par laser impulsionnel ultra-bref dans la silice pure, ainsi que dans le verre à base de silice, afin de bien maîtriser l’inscription avec ce nouveau type de laser. Nous discutons les effets des paramètres du laser sur l’écriture, telle que la vitesse de déplacement du faisceau et la polarisation du laser, sur les propriétés optiques et les structures atomiques, par exemple, la biréfringence, les champs de contraintes et le changement d’arrangement atomique. Il est mis en évidence des effets orientationnels et directionnels spécifiques de l’interaction de ce type de laser avec les verres. Le mécanisme associé fait probablement intervenir l'inclinaison du front de la phase du champ de l’impulsion par rapport au déplacement du faisceau dans le solide. La précipitation des cristaux LiNbO3 orientés dans le verre avec l’irradiation laser femtoseconde est réalisée dans le cas d’une fréquence de répétition élevée (typ. 300 kHz) permettant l’accumulation de chaleur. Des cristaux orientés avec leur axe polaire aligné dans la direction d’inscription du laser ont été fabriqués en manipulant le gradient de température par le réglage des paramètres du laser. L’imagerie microscopique de génération de seconde harmonique (GSH) montre le caractère cristallin asymétrique et fournit des informations sur les orientations dominantes favorisées lors des processus de cristallisation. Les résultats de diffraction d’électrons rétrodiffusés (EBSD) fournissent des informations détaillées sur l’orientation des cristaux et révèlent la structure des lignes écrites notamment tailles et dispersion des orientations. En outre, des débuts de modélisation ont été réalisés pour se diriger vers une maîtrise de l’écriture de structures linéaires cristallines. Une autre section du mémoire rapporte l’étude de reformation par l’irradiation avec le laser femtoseconde de nanoparticules d'or quasi-sphériques ou quasi-tige dans le verre à base de silice. Les nanoparticules d'or de la taille de 3-4 nm ont été précipitées par traitement thermique. Après l’irradiation par le laser, des mesures optiques d'absorption, de biréfringence et de dichroïsme ont été effectuées pour étudier la modification de la forme de nanoparticules d'or dans le verre. Les simulations théoriques ont été menées pour interpréter les résultats expérimentaux basés sur la théorie de Gans et le modèle de Drude avec les constantes diélectriques connus de l'or. Enfin, des stratégies de conception efficaces sont aussi suggérées pour le futur pour des applications possibles utilisant la précipitation, la forme et l'orientation des micro/nanoparticules en 3D. / Femtosecond laser processing in transparent materials is promising owing to the accessible control of energy deposition in time and in space. In this regime, it opens fantastic opportunities to manufacture novel multifunctional composite materials by manipulating the size, shape and orientation of nonlinear crystals with intrinsic symmetry embedded in glasses. This dissertation mainly contributes to the control of nano or micro crystallization inside silica-based glasses for the development of novel multifunctional electro-optical materials by femtosecond laser irradiation. We demonstrate the feasibilities of femtosecond laser materials processing for re-shaping linear and non-linear optical properties in silica-based glass by inducing or fabricating different micro/nanoclusters as well as their shapes and orientation (especially asymmetric clusters), sizes, and distributions (at the sub-micrometer scale). In this thesis, it firstly covers a chapter for the investigation on ultrafast asymmetric orientational writing in pure silica as well as in silica-based glass in order to well master the laser writing. We discuss the effects of the laser parameters on asymmetric writing such as writing speed and the laser polarization by the femtosecond-laser generated optical properties and structures, e.g., birefringence, phase change and surface topography of the cross section of laser tracks. The mechanism of orientational dependent writing is likely due to the oblique pulse front tilt affected by the polarization orientation plane leading to different anisotropic photosensitivity. 3D photo-precipitation of oriented LiNbO3-like crystals in glass with femtosecond laser irradiation is also achieved at high repetition rate (typ. 300 kHz). Oriented crystals with their polar axis mostly aligned with the laser scanning direction have been fabricated by manipulation of the temperature gradient in adjusting the laser parameters. Second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy demonstrates optical activity of crystalline features and provides some orientation information suggestive of certain dominant or favored orientations. Electron back-scattering diffraction (EBSD) results provide more detailed local crystal orientation information and illustrate interesting features of the structure of the lines, with regions of distinctly different grain sizes and orientations. Furthermore, modeling the temperature gradient was proposed for better understanding the formation mechanism of the orientation of femtosecond laser-induced crystallization when the laser is moved (not only in the static mode). Quasi-spherical or quasi-rod gold nanoparticles in silica-based glass can be re-shaped by femtosecond laser irradiation studying through their properties, and their orientation appears to be parallel to the written lines. Gold nanoparticles in the size range of 3-4 nm were precipitated by post heat-treatment. After ultrafast laser irradiation, optical absorption, birefringence and dichroism measurements are performed to investigate the modification of gold nanoparticle shape in glass. Theoretical simulations have been carried out to interpret the experimental results based on the Gans' theory and Drude model together with the known dielectric constants of gold. Furthermore, feasible applications and efficient design strategies are also referred for future devices based on micro/nanoclusters 3D precipitation, shaping and orientation mastering.