L’objet de cette thèse concerne les propriétés du groupe symétrique à travers deux problèmes. Le premier consiste à étudier l’action du groupe symétrique sur la fraction (...). En appliquant certaines opérations sur les graphes et les cartes, nous donnons des algorithmes et des formules combinatoires pour déterminer complètement la fraction réduite suivante : (...). L’auteur C. Greene a introduit cette fraction rationnelle pour généraliser des identités liées a la règle de Murnaghan-Nakayama. Nous utilisons (...) pour établir un nouvel algorithme de décomposition en éléments simples à l’aide des graphes. Dans la seconde partie, nous cherchons a développer les puissances paires du Vandermonde au moyen de fonctions symétriques. En particulier, nous proposons une écriture hyperdéterminantale des coefficients du développement des puissances paires du Vandermonde dans la base des fonctions de Schur. Nous obtenons plusieurs identités reliant les puissances paires du Vandermonde et les polynômes de Jack. Puis nous introduisons une q-déformation des puissances paires du Vandermonde que nous exprimons grâce aux polynômes de Macdonald / The main purpose of this document is the symmetric group. In particular, we study the two following problems. First, the symmetric group acts naturally on the rational function (…), by permuting the variables. With the help of some operations on the graphs, we give algorithms and combinatorial formulas allowing us to compute the reduced fraction (…). The author C. Greene has introduced these rational functions in the aim to generalize some identities related to the Murnaghan-Nakayama rules. We use these properties to give an original algorithm to perform partial decompositions of fractions with the help of graphs. In the second problem, we study the expansion of the even powers of the Vandermonde in several basis of symmetric functions. In this part, we give identities between symmetric functions and hyperdeterminants and we use them to obtain an hyperdeterminental expression of the coefficients in Schur’s basis. We investigate also the relation between the even powers of the Vandermonde and Jack’s functions. Finally, we introduce a q-deformation of the even powers of the Vandermonde and we relate it to some specialisations of Macdonald’s polynomials

O nitrogênio é o nutriente mineral essencial mais limitante ao crescimento das plantas. Apenas alguns microorganismos procariotos desenvolveram um mecanismo bioquímico que permite reduzir N2, abundante na atmosfera, a amônia, que pode ser assimilada pelas plantas. Muitos destes microorganismos conseguem associar-se simbioticamente com outros organismos, sendo a associação de bactérias do grupo Rhizobium com plantas do grupo das leguminosas a mais importante a nível econômico. Por outro lado, quando existe disponibilidade de nitrato no meio ambiente, a leguminosa abandona a fixação biológica absorvendo nitrato, que é reduzido a amônia pelas enzimas nitrato redutase (NR) e nitrito redutase (NiR) e, ao final, assimilada pelo sistema GS/GOGAT. Apesar de as duas vias terem amônia como produto final, em leguminosas tropicais, principalmente as pertencentes à tribo Phaseolae, quando a amônia provém de associação simbiótica a planta exporta, via xilema, preferencialmente ureídeos, enquanto quando a amônia provém da redução de nitrato, a planta exporta amidas, principalmente asparagina e glutamina. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi identificar, em Canavalia ensiformes (L.), as alterações metabólicas que ocorriam em função da concentração de nitrato fornecida à planta, através da quantificação localizada dos principais compostos nitrogenados do metabolismo de nitrogênio e dos principais sítios de redução de nitrato; bem como estudar o metabolismo de asparagina na leguminosa em questão desde o estádio de germinação até a fase reprodutiva, identificando os sítios preferenciais de metabolismo desta amida. Observou-se que o metabolismo de aminoácidos foi profundamente alterado em função da concentração de nitrato fornecida. Os níveis de aminoácidos solúveis totais não se alteraram drasticamente, o mesmo ocorrendo com os níveis de proteína e ureídeos, considerando-se os diferentes tratamentos em um mesmo estádio de desenvolvimento. Com a alteração do estádio de desenvolvimento, especialmente com o início da fase reprodutiva, o metabolismo de nitrogênio foi profundamente alterado, observando-se inversão no sítio de redução de nitrato, alterações nas concentrações totais de ureídeos e aminoácidos e alterações profundas no metabolismo de aminoácidos, quando se relaciona com o estádio vegetativo. A atividade de nitrato redutase, em Canavalia ensiformes (L.) mostrou-se regulada pela concentração de glutamina presente nos tecidos, tendo se mostrado mais elevada nos tecidos onde os níveis de glutamina eram menores. A alteração no sítio de redução de nitrato em função da mudança no estádio de desenvolvimento foi acompanhada pelo aumento simultâneo na concentração de glutamina solúvel nos tecidos onde a atividade da enzima foi menor. Em função das mudanças no estádio de desenvolvimento, percebeu-se também uma redução no número de sítios de possível atividade da enzima asparaginase, o que foi inferido pela redução no número de tecidos onde a enzima esteve presente, sugerindo então um possível aumento no catabolismo desta amida por ação da enzima asparagina-aminotransferase. Para maior entendimento dos processos que levam às alterações no metabolismo de nitrato, asparagina e aminoácidos de uma forma geral, os mecanismos de síntese e utilização de aminoácidos devem ser analisados para melhor compreensão dos processos envolvidos, através da análise da atividade das principais enzimas envolvidas nestes processos, bem como de estudos da transcrição dos respectivos genes. / Nitrogen is the most limiting essential nutrient for plant growth. Some prokaryotic microorganisms have developed a biochemical mechanism, which allows the reduction of N2, which is abundantly present in the atmosphere, to ammonium that can be assimilated by the plants. Many of these microorganisms form symbiotic associations with other organisms. This is especially true for leguminous plants that form symbiotic associations with bacteria belonging to the Bradyrhizbium, Rhizobium, and Sinorhizobium groups. Bacterial nitrogen fixation from these interactions are extremely important for the global nitrogen balance and plays a major economically role in agriculture. On the other hand, when nitrate is available in the environment, leguminous plants interrupt the symbiotic fixation process to directly use of the nitrate, which is reduced to ammonium by the enzymes nitrate reductase (NR) and nitrite reductase (NiR), and is finally assimilated by the GS/GOGAST system. Although both will result in ammonium as the end-product, in tropical leguminous plants species, mainly those of the Phaseoleae tribe, when ammonium is produced by the symbiotic association the plant translocates mainly ureides via xylem, whereas the plant translocate mainly amides such as asparagine and glutamine, when the ammonium is produced by nitrate reduction. The objective of this study was to identify in Canavalia ensiformes (L.), metabolic alterations dependent upon the concentration of nitrate supplied to the plant. Specific attention was given to the quantity of nitrogen compounds from nitrogen metabolism and asparagine metabolism from the early stage of germination to the reproductive stage, with the identification of the main locations of metabolism for this amide. Amino acids metabolism was significantly altered when nitrate was supplied at different concentrations. Total soluble amino acids, total protein and ureide contents were not dramatically altered when considering the different treatments at the same developmental stage. However, nitrogen metabolism was shown to be drastically altered when different development stages were compared, particularly at the beginning of the reproductive stage, at which time a switch in the location of nitrate reduction, alterations in the total concentration of ureides and amino acids were observed, when compared to the vegetative stage. Nitrate reductase activity of Canavalia ensiformes was shown to be regulated by the concentration of glutamine present in the tissues, exhibiting higher activity in tissues containing lower concentrations of glutamine, which coincided with the shift of the site of nitrate reduction with the changing developmental stage. The understanding of the processes leading to the alterations in the metabolism of nitrate, asparagine, amino acids, and the mechanism related to the synthesis and utilization of amino acids requires further studies.

Thesis advisor: Charles Derber / The institution of apartheid (or official segregation), implemented in South Africa in 1948, drew immediate and prolonged opposition. For decades, groups within South Africa and in countries around the world protested government policies and repression. Many anti-apartheid activists expressed their objections to the system of apartheid through expressly nonviolent actions, including strikes, boycotts, demonstrations, and the formation of alternative institutions. Opponents of apartheid also garnered support from the international community to pressure the South African government with sanctions and embargoes. At the same time, several groups of anti-apartheid activists chose to resort to violent means to protest the government. These acts of violence included sabotage and, occasionally, the deaths of government officials or collaborators. This paper examines historical and contemporary theories of the morality and effectiveness of nonviolent action. After studying the history of the struggle against apartheid and the use of nonviolent action in South Africa, the argument is made that the consistent and prolonged use of nonviolent actions played the most crucial role in the downfall of the apartheid system. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2005. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Sociology. / Discipline: College Honors Program.

abstract: Puerto Rican composers Hector Campos Parsi (1922-1998) and Jack Delano (1914-1997) form an integral part of the nationalistic school of composition that revolutionized the island during the mid to late twentieth century. They both sought to combine Western Classical composition techniques with folkloric and traditional musical elements from Puerto Rico. In doing so, not only did they transform the way Western Classical music was made on the island, but they also brought validation and recognition to Puerto Rico’s culture as well as folkloric and popular musical heritage. Furthermore, both of these composers wrote works for violin and piano that form an important part of Puerto Rico’s musical legacy. This research document presents biographical studies of both composers, as well as studies of Hector Campos Parsi’s Sonatina No. 2 for Violin and Piano, and Jack Delano’s Sonata for Violin and Piano. In addition, this document includes the first ever printed edition of Jack Delano’s Sonata for Violin and Piano, as well as a copy of the out of print Peermusic edition of Campos Parsi’s Sonatina No. 2 for Violin and Piano. This document also presents detailed charts of discrepancies and corrections to both scores. With the gathering and presentation of this biographical and musical information, this research document seeks to bring international recognition to two important Puerto Rican nationalistic composers, Hector Campos Parsi and Jack Delano; spark an interest in their two little-known works for violin and piano (Campos Parsi’s Sonatina No.2 for Violin and Piano and Jack Delano’s Sonata for Violin and Piano); as well as make these two works more accessible to performers, educators, and the general public alike. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Music 2018

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Mobile jack-up rigs are widely used in offshore oil and gas exploration and increasingly in temporary production and maintenance work. There is a steadily increasing demand for their use in deeper water and harsher environments. A typical modem jack-up has three independent legs, each equipped with a footing known as ‘spudcan’. This thesis is concerned with the performance of spudcan foundation subjected to vertical loading correspondent to preloading during its installation into uniform clay. The chief aim of this study is to investigate the bearing behaviour with the corresponding soil failure mechanisms during spudcan penetration. Centrifuge model test and Finite Element (FE) analysis are carried out extensively. In centrifuge modelling, a half-spudcan model and a full spudcan model are used. In the half- spudcan model test, a novel system for revealing soil failure mechanisms and measuring soil deformation has been adopted, in which the half-spudcan model is placed against a transparent window and a subsequent Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) analysis is performed. The full-spudcan model test is conducted to measure the load-penetration response. In numerical simulation, both small strain and large deformation analyses are carried out with smooth and rough soil-spudcan interfaces considered. At the initial stage of penetration, it is observed that a cavity is formed above the spudcan as it is penetrating into a uniform clay. Meanwhile, soil flows towards the surface and thus soil heave forms close to the spudcan shoulders. With further penetration, the soil underneath the spudcan starts to flow back into the cavity on the exposed top of the spudcan. This backflow causes the spudcan to be embedded while the initially formed cavity remains open. / Eventually, the spudcan becomes fully embedded and the soil flow mechanism reaches a fully localised failure mechanism with deep embedment. The lateral extent of visible distortion due to soil flow is confined well within 1.5-1.6 D (D: spudcan diameter). From both centrifuge and numerical investigations, it is found that in uniform clay, it is inevitable to form a cavity above the spudcan foundation. Thus, the stable cavity depth and soil back flow mechanisms are studied. It is clear that the back flow is caused by a Flow Failure, where it is due to the downward penetration of the spudcan. This is contrary to the Wall Failure that is the mechanism recommended by the current offshore design guidelines to estimate the stable cavity depth. In wall failure, the soil back flow is due to the cavity wall too high to stand. The stable cavity depth is estimated up to 4 times higher by the wall failure mechanism than the one by the flow failure. This explains that the wall failure is never observed in model test. Therefore, a new design chart with design formula is developed for design engineers in the stable cavity depth calculation. The spudcan bearing response is strongly correspondent with the variation of soil failure mechanisms during penetration. At the initial stage of the penetration, the spudcan bearing capacity increases with penetration, which is due to the increase of overburden pressure from cavity formation. At the second stage of the penetration, soil back flow embeds the spudcan, and the spudcan bearing capacity is increasing as the soil flow mechanism transits from its shallow failure mechanism to its deep failure mechanism. / At the final stage of the penetration, the spudcan bearing capacity reaches its ultimate value, where the deep/localised failure mechanism remains. A rough spudcan shows 14 % higher bearing capacity than a smooth spudcan. And a flat-plate shows 8 % higher capacity than a spudcan with a same surface roughness. The ultimate bearing capacity factor N, = 10.5 in uniform soil is recommended as a conservative value when the deep failure mechanism is reached. A correspondent N, = 10.1 in NC clay is suggested for a deeply embedded spudcan.

Thirty thousand feet above the Pacific Ocean—somewhere between Sydney and Los Angeles—the narrator of “the lonely and the road” doesn’t really know where he is going, or why. His is a quest written spontaneously—‘on-the-go.’ It is a journey of uncertain motivation, of uncertain means, towards uncertain ends. From Los Angeles, to Vegas, to the Rocky Mountain states and beyond, the narrator travels with and learns from his friends, his family and even his ex-girlfriend as he searches for that which continues to elude him. But what is that exactly? Does it even exist? While the novel details a journey, the exegesis is a phenomenological account of the intersecting of my road with that taken by Jack Kerouac. It explores my experiences with the life and work of Kerouac—the creator of spontaneous prose—in relation to the development of my writing, up to and including this novel. In doing so, the exegesis is itself a quest that seeks to understand more fully the essence of Kerouac’s and my own representation of the quest motif in content and in form. Both the exegesis and the novel, then, constitute part of the search for my own artistic road, and aim to assist others in search of theirs.

Background: Myrmecia pilosula (the jack jumper ant, JJA) is the principal cause of ant venom anaphylaxis in Australia. Whereas honeybee and wasp venom allergy can be treated by venom immunotherapy (VIT), no such treatment is available for ant sting allergy. In addition, information on the natural history of JJA sting allergy is required to identify those most likely to benefit from immunotherapy. The main objectives of this research were to establish: (i) the prevalence, natural history and determinants of reaction severity for JJA allergy, and; (ii) the efficacy and tolerability of JJA VIT. Methods: A search of the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) forensic register, a random telephone survey, and a review of emergency department (ED) presentations were performed. Three hundred eighty-eight JJA allergic volunteers were assessed, including serum venom-specific IgE RAST, and then followed up for accidental stings over a 4-year period. Finally, a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of JJA VIT was performed. Laboratory parameters measured during the trial were; leukocyte stimulation index (SI), IL-4 production, IgE RAST, histamine release test (HRT), leukotriene release test (LRT) and basophil activation test (BAT). Intradermal venom skin testing (VST) was also performed at trial entry. Findings: The prevalence of JJA sting allergy was 2.7% in the Tasmanian population, compared to 1.4% for honeybee. People aged 35 or older had a greater risk of both sting allergy and hypotensive reactions. Four deaths were identified, all in adults with significant comorbidities. During follow-up, 79 (70%) of 113 accidental jack jumper stings caused systemic reactions. Only prior worst reaction severity predicted the severity of follow-up reactions, with the majority of people experiencing similar or less severe reactions when stung again. Sixty-eight otherwise healthy JJA allergic adult volunteers were enrolled in the clinical trial. Systemic reactions to therapy were recorded in 34% during VIT. Objectively defined systemic reactions to sting challenges arose in 1/35 after VIT (mild self-limiting urticaria only) versus 21/29 in the placebo group. Treatment with oxygen, intravenous adrenaline infusion and volume resuscitation was effective and well tolerated. Hypotension was always accompanied by a relative bradycardia, which was severe and treated with atropine in two patients. In the placebo group, only VST and HRT were predictive of sting challenge results. Although IgE RAST, leukocyte SI and IL-4 production, LRT and BAT all correlated well with VST, they did not predict sting challenge outcome. After successful VIT, venom-induced leukocyte IL-4 production tended to fall, whereas IgE RAST increased and a natural decline in HRT reactivity was reversed. Interpretation: VIT is highly effective in prevention of JJA sting anaphylaxis and is likely to be of most benefit to people with a history of severe systemic reactions, which usually occur in people aged over 35. Neurocardiogenic mechanisms &/or direct cardiac effects may be important factors in some anaphylaxis deaths. Systemic reactions to immunotherapy are common and require immediate access to resuscitation facilities. The HRT warrants further investigation as a test for selecting those most likely to benefit from VIT. None of the tests evaluated appear to be reliable markers of successful VIT.

<p>Ulf Lundell is one of the most famous songwriters and authors in Sweden. He has written fifteen works of fiction and they’ve all same theme – a lonely man trying to look into his own past life. They are all built on a character, writing from an I-perspective, having a bit of Lundells own biography in there’s personality.</p><p> The aim of his thesis is to find out how Ulf Lundell presents him self in his fictive characters, and will trace the authors development from a psychological point of view. The theoretic starting points are Lacans Freudian concepts “idealego”, “egoideal” and “the superego”, describing the psychological alteration at the author.                   </p><p>The examination contains an analysis of Lundells novels <em>Jack</em>, <em>En varg söker sin flock</em> and <em>Värmen</em>, and throws light on the relationship between the author and his characters, and how it developes and changes with Lundells literary development. In this consideration are narrative theories a basic factor.  </p><p>This work will also try to illustrate what has inspired Lundell in creating his fiction figures, and finally how he creates his own lived life on these literary characters.</p>