This essay discusses women’s use of swear words in both single sex constellations and mix sex constellations. Its primary aim is to find out which swear words women use the most. The secondary aim is to see what communicative function they have in the women’s usage. As a final point, the tertiary aim is to discover in what gender constellation women swear the most. In this research, a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodology is used. The quantitative methodology is used to find out which words are the most common, and the qualitative methodology is used to examine which communicative functions they converse, as well as to study how the different gender constellations effect the usage of dirty language. The analysis of this essay is divided into these three parts - which words, which communicative functions, and the effect of gender constellations - and concludes and confirms previous research in this narrow and rare field of investigation. This paper shows that women swear less than men but more when they are in the company of their own gender. It also displays which words are the most common, both in tables and in discussion. Finally, this essay shows the most common functions of the chosen swear words women use.

Doctorat en philosophie et lettres / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Doctorat en philosophie et lettres / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Doctorat en philosophie et lettres / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Les travaux de cette thèse portent sur l'identification des systèmes et l'extraction de motifs à partir de données. Dans le cadre de l'identification des systèmes, nous nous intéressons plus précisément à l'identification des systèmes dynamiques hybrides et l'identification des systèmes dynamiques linéaires ayant une sortie binaire. Deux classes très populaires des systèmes hybrides sont les systèmes linéaires à commutations et les systèmes affines par morceaux. Nous faisons tout d'abord un état de l'art sur les méthodes d'identification de ces deux classes. Nous proposons ensuite un algorithme basé sur une méthode d'identification de type OBE "Outer Bounding Ellipsoid" pour l'identification en temps réel des systèmes à commutations soumis à un bruit borné. Nous présentons ensuite plusieurs extensions de l'algorithme soit pour l'identification des systèmes affines par morceaux, l'identification des systèmes à commutations décrits par un modèle du type erreur de sortie et l'identification des systèmes MIMO à commutations. Nous abordons ensuite le problème d'identification des systèmes linéaires ayant une sortie binaire en introduisant un point de vue original consiste à formuler le problème d'identification comme un problème de classification. Ceci permet de proposer deux algorithmes d'identification basés sur l'utilisation des SVMs. Le premier algorithme est dédié à l'identification des systèmes à temps discret et le deuxième algorithme est dédié à l'identification des systèmes à temps continu. Dans le cadre de l'extraction de motifs, nous présentons dans un premier temps un état de l'art sur les algorithmes d'extraction de motifs et sur les techniques de la classification non supervisée. Ensuite, nous proposons un algorithme d'extraction de motifs à partir des données basé sur des techniques de classification non supervisée. / In this thesis, we deal with the identification of systems and the extraction of patterns from data. In the context of system identification, we focus precisely on the identification of hybrid systems and the identification of linear systems using binary sensors. Two very popular classes of hybrid systems are switched linear systems and piecewise affine systems. First, we give an overview of the different approaches available in the literature for the identification of these two classes. Then, we propose a new real-time identification algorithm for switched linear systems, it's based on an Outer Bounding Ellipsoid (OBE) type algorithm suitable for system identification with bounded noise. We then present several extensions of the algorithm either for the identification of piecewise affine systems, the identification of switched linear systems described by an output error model and the identification of MIMO switched linear systems. After this, we address the problem of the identification of linear systems using binary sensors by introducing an original point of view. We formulate the identification problem as a classification problem. This formulation allows the use of supervised learning algorithms such as Support Vector Machines (SVMs) for the identification of discrete time systems and the identification of continuous-time systems using binary sensors. In the context of pattern extraction, we first present an overview of the different pattern extraction algorithms and clustering techniques available in the literature. Next, we propose an algorithm for extracting patterns from data based on clustering techniques.

Autonomous reconnaissance missions are called for in extreme environments, as well as in potentially hazardous (e.g., the theatre, disaster-stricken areas, etc.) or inaccessible operational areas (e.g., planetary surfaces, space). Such future missions will require increasing degrees of operational autonomy, especially when following up on transient events. Operational autonomy encompasses: (1) Automatic characterization of operational areas from different vantages (i.e., spaceborne, airborne, surface, subsurface); (2) automatic sensor deployment and data gathering; (3) automatic feature extraction including anomaly detection and region-of-interest identification; (4) automatic target prediction and prioritization; (5) and subsequent automatic (re-) deployment and navigation of robotic agents. This paper reports on progress towards several aspects of autonomous (CISR)-I-4 systems, including: Caltech-patented and NASA award-winning multi-tiered mission paradigm, robotic platform development (air, ground, water-based), robotic behavior motifs as the building blocks for autonomous telecommanding, and autonomous decision making based on a Caltech-patented framework comprising sensor-data-fusion (feature-vectors), anomaly detection (clustering and principal component analysis), and target prioritization (hypothetical probing).

Les travaux portent sur l’étude de la formation de motifs sédimentaires à l’aval d’un cylindre vertical soumis à un courant. Le cylindre simule une fondation monopieu d’éolienne en mer, ou une pile de pont. Une modélisation théorique est développée. Les résultats obtenus sont en bon accord avec les résultats expérimentaux acquis au cours de la thèse. Une étude préliminaire expérimentale et théorique sur le tri sédimentaire au voisinage du cylindre est également effectuée. / This work concerns the study of sediment patterns formation downstream a vertical cylinder under a steady current. The cylinder simulates an offshore monopile foundation, or a bridge pile. A theoretical modeling is developed. The results are in good agreement with the experimental results obtained in the framework of this PhD. An experimental and theoretical preliminary study on sediment segregation in the vicinity of the cylinder is also performed.

La matérialisation de vues est une technique efficace d'optimisation de requêtes. Dans cette thèse, nous proposons une nouvelle vision "orientée utilisateur" de solutions pour le problème de sélection de vues à matérialiser dans les entrepôt de données : l'utilisateur fixe le temps de réponse maximal. Dans cette vision nous proposons des algorithmes qui s'avèrent compétitifs avec les algorithmes de type "orienté système", dans lesquels les ressources, comme la mémoire, sont considérées comme la contrainte forte. L'approche "orientée utilisateur" est étudiée avec un contexte dynamique de système d'optimisation de requêtes. Nous analysons la stabilité de ce système par rapport à la dynamique de la charge de requêtes et des données qui sont insérées ou supprimées. Le concept clé de nos algorithmes de sélection de vues à matérialiser est la bordure. Ce concept a été très étudié en fouille de données dans le cadre du calcul des fréquents maximaux. Plusieurs algorithmes séquentiels ont été proposés pour résoudre ce problème. Nous proposons un nouvel algorithme séquentiel MineWithRounds, facilement parallélisable, qui se distingue des autres propositions par une garantie théorique d'accélération dans le cas de machines à plusieurs unités de calcul et à mémoire partagée. / The materialization of views is an effective technique for optimizing queries. In this thesis, we propose a new vision, we qualify it as "user oriented", of the solutions to the problem of selecting views to materialize in data warehouses : the user fixes the maximum response time. In this vision, we propose algorithms that are competitive with the algorithms "oriented system" type, where resources such as memory, are considered as the major constraint. The "user oriented" approach is studied under a dynamic context. We analyze the stability of this system with respect to the dynamic query workload dynamic as well as data dynamic (insertions and deletions). The key concept of our algorithms for selecting views to materialize is the border. This concept has been widely studied in the data mining community under the maximal frequent itemset extration setting. Many sequential algorithms have been proposed. We propose a new sequential algorithm MineWithRounds, easily parallelizable, which differs from the others in that it guarantees a theoretical speed up in the case of multiprocessors shared memory case.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / In summary there currently exist techniques to discover miRNA however both require many calculations to be performed during the identification limiting their use at a genomic level. Machine learning techniques are currently providing the best results by combining a number of calculated and statistically derived features to identify miRNA candidates, however almost all of these still include computationally intensive secondary-structure calculations. It is the aim of this project to produce a miRNA identification process that minimises and simplifies the number of computational elements required during the identification process. / South Africa

Watson-Crick paired B-form DNA is the genetic material in most of the biological systems. Integrity of DNA is of utmost importance for the normal functioning of any organism. Various environmental factors, chemicals and endogenous agents constantly challenge integrity of the genome resulting in mutagenesis. Over the past few decades multiple reports suggest that DNA can adopt alternative conformations other than the right handed double helix. Such structures occur within the context of B-DNA as sequence dependent structural variations and are facilitated by free energy derived from negative supercoiling, which may be generated during physiological processes like transcription, replication, etc. or binding of proteins. Multiple groups have shown that these structures render fragility to the genome owing to single-strandedness (presence of unpaired bases). This conformational polymorphism of the DNA is due to the presence of several repetitive elements across the genome. Some of the common non-B DNA structures include Z-DNA, H-DNA (triplex DNA), cruciform DNA, G-quadruplexes and RNA: DNA hybrid (R-loops). Over the past few decades G-quadruplex structures have gained tremendous importance owing to its role in physiology and pathology. Recently it has been shown that novel sequence motifs, called GNG or bulges can fold into G-quadruplexes, thus increasing the propensity of such structures genome-wide. Neurological diseases, psychiatric diseases and genomic disorders (due to deletions, translocations, duplications and inversions) are some of the consequences of non-B DNA structures in the human genome. Inadvertent genomic rearrangements in human can lead to different diseases including cancer. Immediate consequence of genomic rearrangement includes structural alteration of genome through joining of distant sequences. t(8;14) translocation is the hallmark of Burkitt’s lymphoma, which results in deregulation of c-MYC gene that may contribute to oncogenic transformation. In the present study, we delineate the causes of fragility within the c-MYC gene. In order to do this, breakpoints at the c-MYC locus from Burkitt’s lymphoma patient sequences reported in database were plotted and analysed. Interestingly, unlike many other translocations, breakpoints at c-MYC locus were widespread, except for a cluster of breakpoints downstream to promoter 2 (P2). Previous studies indicate that the translocation breakpoint clusters often correlate with formation of non-B DNA structures. The entire breakpoint cluster downstream of P2 was divided into Region 1, Region 2 and Region 3. Interestingly, in silico analysis of the breakpoint clusters revealed no evidence for predictive classic non-B DNA motifs in Region 2; whereas Region 1 harboured a G-quadruplex motif on the template strand and Region 3 had two short inverted repeats. Intriguingly, as the nontemplate strand of Region 2 was G skewed with a good number of AID binding motifs, we tested the MYC breakpoint Region 2 for its potential to form R-loop due to binding of nascent RNA to template DNA. Our results showed that MYC Region 2 can form RNA-DNA hybrid in a transcription dependent manner in physiological orientation. Observed structure was sensitive to RNase H. We showed Region 2 hindered action of Dpn I upon transcription confirming formation of R-loop structure. Owing to single strandedness, Region 2 R-loop was shown to be sensitive to P1 nuclease as opposed to the untranscribed control. The single strandedness of the Region 2 R-loop was characterized at a single molecule level through bisulfite modification assay. The assay corroborated formation of R-loop along with providing snapshots of various length R-loops formed upon Region 2 transcription. Besides, various biophysical and biochemical assays showed the complementary region (template strand) to be single-stranded in stretches, upon transcription. Length of RNA within the R-loop was within a range of 75 to 250 nt. To delineate the mechanism of R-loop formation we tested the sensitivity of R-loop formation to RNase A during and post transcription; and found that R-loop formation was abrogated in presence of RNase A during transcription suggesting that R-loop formation followed a “thread back model”. Intriguingly we observed that two short regions of the template strand exhibited high degree of single strandedness. To investigate the reason for such unusual single strandedness, oligonucleotides spanning the region was designed and subjected for CD and EMSA studies. EMSA showed robust intramolecular G-quadruplex structure formation in presence of KCl, whereas CD confirmed that both regions formed parallel G-quadruplexes. We also showed the precise involvement of guanines in structure formation through DMS protection assay. Further, the region of interest was cloned into appropriate vectors and primer extension assays were performed in presence of G-quadruplex stabilizing agents like TMPyP4 and KCl. Increasing concentration of these stabilizing agents enhanced the formation of G-quadruplexes in a double stranded context, which hindered polymerase progression. Since these G-quadruplex structures utilized sequences which are deviant to the consensus of G-quadruplex motifs, non-B DNA predicting tools were unable to score them. On closer analysis of the sequences we found that, these G-quadruplexes involve duplex hairpin and GNG motifs during structure formation. Besides, both the G-quadruplexes were highly thermostable and were able to fold back upon renaturation. Till recently, it has been believed that G-quadruplex structures are formed using a minimum of four, 3 guanine tracts, with connecting loops ranging from one to seven. Recent studies have reported deviation from this general convention. One such deviation is the involvement of bulges in the guanine tracts. In the present study, guanines along with GNG motifs have been extensively studied using recently reported HOX11 breakpoint fragile region I as a model template. By strategic mutagenesis approach we show that the core elements of a G-quadruplex are not equally important in structure formation when flanked by GNG motifs. Importantly, the positioning and number of GNG/GNGNG can dictate the formation of G-quadruplexes. In addition to HOX11 fragile region, GNG motifs of HIF1-alpha can fold into intramolecular G-quartet. However, GNG motifs in mutant VEGF sequence could not participate in structure formation, suggesting that the usage of GNG is context dependent. Importantly, we show that when two stretches of guanines are flanked by two independent GNG motifs in a naturally occurring sequence (SHOX), it can fold into an intramolecular G-quadruplex. Interestingly, intra molecular GNG G-quadruplexes were able to fold back after complete denaturation of the oligonucleotides. Besides one of the intra molecular GNG G-quadruplexes was purified and confirmed for parallel conformation. Finally, we show the specific binding of G-quadruplex binding protein, Nucleolin and G-quadruplex antibody BG4 to SHOX G-quadruplex through EMSA studies. Thus, the study provides novel insights into the role of GNG motifs in G-quadruplex structure formation, which may have both physiological and pathological implications. In conclusion, we show formation of transcription dependent R-loop and G-quadruplex structures at the c-MYC gene locus in a mutually exclusive manner. The data presented here, in conjunction with studies from other laboratories suggests that these structures could impart fragility within the c-MYC gene locus during t(8;14) translocation. Besides, we characterised unusual G-quadruplexes harbouring GNG motifs. We find that positioning and number of GNG can dictate the formation of G-quadruplexes and is context dependent.