An important fraction of the reservoirs in the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico is comprised of thin-bedded deposits from channel-levee systems. These reservoirs are particularly difficult to describe. Not only is their architecture complex but the quality of the reservoir is determined by connection and length of beds below the resolution of usual reflection data. Improved characterization is needed to improve development and production of these reservoirs. This study presents an integrated approach to build a geologically consistent reservoir model, based on the 8 sand reservoir in Northern Green Canyon block 18. The underlying idea of the construction of this model is that reservoir quality is influenced more by the internal architecture than by the statistical values of petrophysical parameters. Seismic interpretation and attribute extraction provided the reservoir geometry and stratigraphy. The structural framework and the limits of the reservoir have been determined, showing the preeminent role of salt and faults in the constitution of this reservoir. Seismic attributes are calibrated to extract areal information on reservoir architecture. Gross thickness and net thickness maps have been estimated using geostatistical methods. Lateral variations in the quality of the 8 sand and the definition zones with different average properties were inferred from geostatistical results. Lithofacies characterization from core showed that 3 facies could be used to describe the internal variability. The fine-scale heterogeneity is described in each zone from vertical facies distribution determined from wells. A truncated Gaussian sequential simulation was performed to reflect both the regional trend and the internal variability on a 150*150*1 ft grid. The major contribution of this work is to show the efficiency of this approach to describe complex reservoirs where the impact of internal variability is a major control of flow efficiency. This is especially valuable when the well information is scarce or not uniformly distributed. This model will be used for flow simulation and sensitivity analysis to improve the field description.

Group B streptococcus (GBS, S. agalactiae) and human ureaplasmas (U. parvumand U. urealyticum) are two clinically and phylogenetically related, potentialperinatal pathogens. Their relationships between genotypes and pathogenesis ofGBS and ureaplasma infection were still not well understood, one of the reason isthat both of them are still short of a very practical genotyping system. In the study,to solve the above problem we developed genotyping systems for the organisms (thesecond section). For human ureaplasmas, based on four genes/gene clusters (rRNAgene clusters, the elongation factor Tu genes, urease gene complexes and multiplebanded antigen genes), we designed many primer pairs suitable for developing species identification assays for the two newly established human ureaplasmaspecies (U. parvum and U. urealyticum). Further, based on the heterogeneity ofureaplasma multiple banded antigen gene (which contains species- and serovar-specific regions), we developed genotyping methods for each ureaplasma species.For GBS, based on three sets of molecular markers (capsular polysaccharidesynthesis gene clusters, surface protein antigen genes and mobile genetic elements),we developed a genotyping system. The primary evaluation of the genotypingsystems showed that the genotyping systems were practical alternative assays forthe conventional serotyping and they will be useful to further explore therelationships between genotypes and pathogenesis of GBS and ureaplasmainfection. In the study, we introduced novel data and tools into GBS and ureaplasmastudies especially from genomic- and bioinformatics-based molecular microbiology(the third section). For two newly established human ureaplasma species, based onthe U. parvum serovar-3 genome, and using the above four important genes/geneclusters, we exposed some interesting problems in the understanding of newureaplasma taxonomy especially in the post genomic era. For GBS, we studied thetwo published full genomes and exposed some new problems or possible future newresearch fields. In particular we found the two finished and one ongoing GBSgenomes were all non-typical and suggest that future genomic project had better have genetic population structure viewpoint. Finally, we suggested that integratedstudies of the two potential or conditional perinatal pathogens, from the viewpointof evolution, would provide a new understanding angle of the pathogenesis of thetwo organisms. Studies suggested that during coevolution, human ureaplasmas(especially U. parvum) became friendlier than their ancestors to their human host(by losing most of its virulence genes); however, GBS tried to increase its invasiveabilities (by getting more virulence genes) to fight against the human host attack.

Group B streptococcus (GBS, S. agalactiae) and human ureaplasmas (U. parvumand U. urealyticum) are two clinically and phylogenetically related, potentialperinatal pathogens. Their relationships between genotypes and pathogenesis ofGBS and ureaplasma infection were still not well understood, one of the reason isthat both of them are still short of a very practical genotyping system. In the study,to solve the above problem we developed genotyping systems for the organisms (thesecond section). For human ureaplasmas, based on four genes/gene clusters (rRNAgene clusters, the elongation factor Tu genes, urease gene complexes and multiplebanded antigen genes), we designed many primer pairs suitable for developing species identification assays for the two newly established human ureaplasmaspecies (U. parvum and U. urealyticum). Further, based on the heterogeneity ofureaplasma multiple banded antigen gene (which contains species- and serovar-specific regions), we developed genotyping methods for each ureaplasma species.For GBS, based on three sets of molecular markers (capsular polysaccharidesynthesis gene clusters, surface protein antigen genes and mobile genetic elements),we developed a genotyping system. The primary evaluation of the genotypingsystems showed that the genotyping systems were practical alternative assays forthe conventional serotyping and they will be useful to further explore therelationships between genotypes and pathogenesis of GBS and ureaplasmainfection. In the study, we introduced novel data and tools into GBS and ureaplasmastudies especially from genomic- and bioinformatics-based molecular microbiology(the third section). For two newly established human ureaplasma species, based onthe U. parvum serovar-3 genome, and using the above four important genes/geneclusters, we exposed some interesting problems in the understanding of newureaplasma taxonomy especially in the post genomic era. For GBS, we studied thetwo published full genomes and exposed some new problems or possible future newresearch fields. In particular we found the two finished and one ongoing GBSgenomes were all non-typical and suggest that future genomic project had better have genetic population structure viewpoint. Finally, we suggested that integratedstudies of the two potential or conditional perinatal pathogens, from the viewpointof evolution, would provide a new understanding angle of the pathogenesis of thetwo organisms. Studies suggested that during coevolution, human ureaplasmas(especially U. parvum) became friendlier than their ancestors to their human host(by losing most of its virulence genes); however, GBS tried to increase its invasiveabilities (by getting more virulence genes) to fight against the human host attack.

The present research work is based on the systemic perspective, which understands the environment as a group of interconnected elements exchanging energy and material. Thus, the study area is a sector of the sub-basin drained by an tributary on the right margin of the Cadena stream. Its population s historical, social, economical and cultural aspects were considered and it was perceived a relationship of dependence among those aspects, as well as between them and the site s physical aspects: vegetal covering, climate, hydrography, geology and geomorphology, which compose a diagnosis of the physical medium and the human occupation. In this sense, the objective of the study is the physical and human characterization of the area, aiming at identifying the factor of anthropical and physical origin that interfere in the quality of life of the local community and in the dynamics of the model. It is concluded the anthropical action over the surface has increased the medium s degrading process, where in the area of application of the experiment incisive erosion exists in continuous and progressive evolution, thus making it clear the need of a study with a systemic approach and an integrated work among the important components of this society (population, community leaders and public authority). / O presente trabalho de pesquisa está baseado na perspectiva sistêmica, entendendo o ambiente como um conjunto de elementos interligados, efetuando troca de matéria e energia. Assim, a área de estudo é um setor da sub-bacia drenado por um afluente da margem direita do arroio Cadena, onde foram considerados os aspectos históricos, sociais, econômicos e culturais da população, percebendo-se uma relação de dependência entre estes aspectos, bem como possuindo inter-relações importantes com os aspectos físicos: cobertura vegetal, clima, hidrografia, geologia e geomorfologia e que compõe um diagnóstico do meio físico e da ocupação humana. Desta forma o objetivo do estudo é a caracterização física e humana da área, visando a identificação dos fatores de origem antrópica e física que interferem na qualidade de vida da comunidade e na dinâmica do modelado. Conclui-se que a ação antrópica sobre a superfície acentuou o processo degradante do meio, onde na área de aplicação do experimento existe voçorocamento em continua e progressiva evolução, deixando clara a necessidade de um estudo com abordagem sistêmica e um trabalho integrado entre os componentes importantes desta sociedade (população, coordenadores comunitários e poder público).

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Au cours de l’élaboration des peintures rupestres, divers matériaux colorants peuvent être mobilisés et produire des vestiges archéologiques liés aux différentes étapes de la préparation de la matière picturale. À Nawarla Gabarnmang, site majeur d’art rupestre Jawoyn (Terre d’Arnhem, Territoire du Nord – Australie), les fouilles archéologiques ont mis au jour un grand nombre de ce type de vestiges. La séquence archéologique, obtenue par datation au 14C, a révélé la présence de dépôts culturels parmi les plus anciens connus en Australie, avec une occupation du site qui s’étend de ≥48 000 ans cal BP jusqu’au début du XXème siècle. Plafonds et piliers du site présentent plusieurs générations de peintures ; les plafonds du site contiennent à eux seuls près de 1400 entités graphiques. La place de cet art interroge : est-il l’expression des premiers Hommes arrivés sur le continent australien il y a près de 50 000 ans ou le témoin d’occupations plus récentes ? Caractérisé par la superposition de plusieurs générations de peintures qu’on ne peut dater de manière « directe » en raison de la nature minéralogique des composants des peintures, la définition de leur chronologie constitue un fort enjeu de recherche. Menés d’emblée dans une approche intégrée, les premiers travaux ont permis d’étudier la chronologie et la nature des occupations, via les fouilles archéologiques, d’identifier les aménagements réalisés au cours des différentes phases d’occupation et de mettre en avant la richesse et la diversité de son répertoire artistique de même que l’abondance et la variété des vestiges associés à l’art rupestre. Afin d’appréhender au mieux la temporalité et les usages du site de Nawarla Gabarnmang depuis les premières occupations préhistoriques jusqu’aux fréquentations subactuelles, l’analyse des matières colorantes et colorées, retrouvées dans les carrés de fouille réalisés sous les panneaux peints des plafonds ou à l’aplomb des piliers décorés, permet de reconstituer les étapes de la chaîne opératoire ayant produit les matières picturales : de la source d’approvisionnement en matières premières, aux modes de transformation et de préparation (broyage, mélange avec charges et/ou liants, traitement thermique) jusqu’à leur application. La stratégie méthodologique mise en place couvre un large panel de techniques de caractérisation physico-chimique pour répondre aux problématiques soulevées par les différents vestiges associés à l’art rupestre. De l’observation macroscopique aux micro-analyses non invasives couplées à des analyses structurales, en passant par des techniques basées sur le rayonnement synchrotron, l’étude menée sur les matières colorantes et colorées a permis de révéler une diversité et une complexité de phases minérales utilisées dans l’art rupestre de Nawarla Gabarnmang. Croisée avec les données archéologiques, anthropo-géomorphologiques et pariétales, elle permet de proposer un cadre chronologique des différentes générations de peintures en lien avec les phases d’occupation qui ont marqué l’histoire du site. L’analyse des matières colorantes et colorées réalisée au cours de cette thèse constitue un vecteur de connaissances importantes et livre des informations complémentaires aux approches archéologique, géomorphologique et pariétale menées sur le site de Nawarla Gabarnmang. Les informations apportées par l’étude de ces matières permettent de renseigner tant sur les évolutions techniques et comportementales que sur l’implication culturelle de ce site, aussi bien dans ses dimensions spatiales que temporelles. / In the making of rock art, raw colouring material is used, thus providing many artifacts related to different steps of elaboration of pictorial matter. In the case of the important rock art site of Nawarla Gabarnmang in the Jawoyn country (Arnhem Land, North Territory – Australia), excavations have revealed a large number of such artifacts. The archaeological sequence from the floor deposits, radiocarbon-dated from ≥48,000 cal BP to the early twentieth century, has revealed some of the oldest known cultural deposits in Australia. The ceilings of the site contain well over 1400 still-visible paintings in multiple, superimposed layers. Countless additional paintings cover many of the rock pillars’ walls. This art raises questions: is it an expression of the first humans arrived on the Australian continent 50,000 years ago, or the evidence of recent occupation periods? Characterized by a succession of overlaid motifs, which cannot be “directly” dated because of the mineralogical nature of the rock paintings’ components, the determination of the age of the rock paintings represents a major issue. Through an integrated approach to the matter, the first results of the archaeological excavations enabled to study the chronology and the nature of activities, to identify the origins and transformations of the sheltered space through time, to highlight the richness and the diversity of its artistic work, as well as the abundance and the variety of the artifacts. To get a better insight into the temporality and the uses of Nawarla Gabarnmang since the first prehistoric activities until the recent periods, the analysis of the colouring and coloured matters, found in trial excavations under the painted panels on the ceilings or at the bottom of decorated pillars, allow us to rebuild the steps of the “chaîne opératoire” leading to the production of pictorial matter: from the sources of raw materials, the methods of transformation and preparation (grinding, mixing with mineral extenders and/or organic binders, heat treatment), to the application on the rock. To answer the questions raised by different artifacts, the methodological strategy includes a large range of microscopic and spectroscopic approaches. Subjected to macroscopic observations and non-invasive micro-analytical techniques along with structural techniques, as well as techniques using synchrotron radiation, the analysis of the colouring and coloured matters has revealed the variety and the complexity of mineral compounds used in the rock art of Nawarla Gabarnmang. Then, cross-referenced with archaeological, archaeomorphological and rock art studies, the physico-chemical characterization allows to suggest a chronological framework for the different superimposed layers linked to the periods of activities that marked the history of the site. The analysis of colouring and coloured matters undertaken by this thesis represents an important source of knowledge and delivers further informations to the geomorphological, archaeological and rock art studies carried out at the Nawarla Gabarnmang. The results provided by the study of these materials bring information as well on technical and behavioral evolutions, as on the cultural involvement of this site, not only in its spatial but also in its temporal dimensions.