L'allègement des structures est un enjeu économique important dans les domaines d'activités industrielles telles que l'automobile, l'aéronautique ou le naval, qui intègrent peu à peu les matériaux composites dans la fabrication des structures. Cet allègement s'accompagne d'un raidissement de la matière qui implique des problèmes de vibrations et d'isolation acoustique. Plusieurs méthodes de traitement existent pour diminuer les vibrations ou le bruit rayonné d'une paroi, mais ces méthodes ont l'inconvénient d'augmenter significativement la masse de la paroi. Afin de répondre à cette problématique, il est proposé dans cette thèse de modifier le comportement dynamique des structures à partir d'un réseau périodique de patchs piézoélectriques shuntés avec un circuit électrique dont il est possible de modifier l'impédance. En contrôlant ainsi le comportement dynamique des patchs piézoélectriques, il est possible de contrôler le comportement vibratoire de la structure et donc de traiter les problèmes de transmissions solidiennes ou de transmissions aériennes.La méthode de shunt choisie est la méthode dite de shunt à capacité négative qui permet de modifier la rigidité d'une structure. Cette méthode dite semi-passive présente plusieurs avantages : la mise en œuvre est simple, il est possible d'intégrer les patchs directement à l'intérieur de la paroi, elle consomme une faible quantité d'énergie électrique et sa mise en application est peu onéreuse. / Making the structure lighter is an important economic stake in the field of industrial activities such as automotive, aeronautic or naval, which gradually integrate composite materials in the manufacturing of structures. This reduction of the mass goes along with a stiffening of the matter implying acoustics and vibrations issues. Several methods exist to reduce vibrations or acoustic radiations of structures, but these methods increase the mass. In order to answer the problematic, we propose to change the dynamic behavior of structures with a periodic lattice of piezoelectric patches shunted with an electrical circuit whose the impedance can be controlled. Therefore, the control of the coupled behavior of the piezoelectric patches allows the control of vibrational wave's diffusion inside the structure and so to treat the structure-borne vibrations and airborne acoustics emission. The shunt method chosen is negative capacitance shunt which allows to modify the rigidity of a structure. This semi-passive method has several advantages: the implementation is simple, it is possible to integrate the patches directly inside the wall, it consumes a low amonte of electrical energy and its implementation is inexpensive.

Les infections intra-mammaires (IMI) responsables de mammites, sont une cause importante de maladie, de mortalité et de pertes de production chez les ruminants laitiers. Le péri-partum est une période où la fréquence des mammites est significativement plus élevée. Parmi les facteurs de risques, le déficit énergétique, fréquent au début de la lactation, est souvent évoqué. Cependant, les bases mécanistiques de l’éventuelle relation entre IMIs et déficit énergétique sont encore peu comprises. L’objectif de ma thèse était ainsi d’évaluer la relation éventuelle entre le déficit énergétique et la prédisposition aux mammites en utilisant la brebis laitière comme modèle. Mes travaux ont montré que les brebis génétiquement prédisposées aux mammites ont également une sensibilité accrue au déficit énergétique et à la cétose. / Intramammary infections and mastitis are a leading cause of diseases, death and production losses in dairy ruminants. Increased susceptibility to mastitis during the peripartal period has been yet widely documented. Negative energy balance is frequent in early lactation and considered as a known risk factor for mastitis. The relationship between energy balance and mastitis susceptibility however remained unclear and poorly described. The aim of my thesis was to examine the relation between a negative energy balance and susceptibility to mastitis in dairy ewes. In particular, my research works showed an enhanced susceptibility to energy restriction in mastitis-susceptible ewes.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is increasingly emerging as an opportunistic pathogen of global concern. Due to its inherent resistance to several classes of antibiotics including carbapenems and its ability to acquire mobile resistance elements, treatment of infections caused by S. maltophilia is a constant challenge for clinicians. Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the generally accepted antibiotic of choice for the treatment of infections caused by this organism, but resistance to the drug is increasingly being reported; hence, the need for alternative therapeutic options. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of 110 commensal S. maltophilia isolates obtained from Nkonkobe municipality, Eastern Cape Province, Republic of South Africa was investigated. Twenty-one antibiotics including TMP-SMX and the newer fluoroquinolones; levofloxacin, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin were included in the antibiotic panel. About 63.4 percent of the isolates were susceptible to TMP-SMX with a resistance rate of 28.2 percent. The fluoroquinolones were more effective with susceptibilities ranging from 76 percent to 94.7 percent. Resistance to the fluoroquinolones ranged from 1.3 percent to 2.7 percent. Levofloxacin was the most effective fluoroquinolone tested. Phenotypic dectection of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) showed double disc synergy test (DDST) positivity in 59.5 percent of the isolates. Cefepime was the most sensitive indicator cephalosporin in the DDST with 77.3 percent of suspected ESBL-producing isolates showing cefepime-clavulanic acid synergy. Isolates exhibited nine different ESBL phenotypes, however, PCR amplification of the bla genes revealed four isolates that possessed genes belonging to the CTX-M group (CTX-M-1 and CTX-M-8 groups). ESBL genes are usually carried on mobile elements such as plasmids and transposons which may also bear genes that mediate resistance to aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, TMP-SMX and fluoroquinolones. ESBL positive isolates appeared more susceptible to the fluoroquinolones compared to TMP-SMX but there was no significant relationship between ESBL production and susceptibility to these drugs (p > 0.05). The newer fluoroquinolones are a possible alternative treatment option for S. maltophilia infections in this environment but further studies and clinical investigations are needed to determine the in vivo efficacy of these drugs.

Cocos nucifera belong to the family Aracaceae (palm Family). The English name is coconut and it is used extensively as medicinal remedies against infections such as urinary tract infections, gastro intestinal infections, skin and wound infections. The in vitro antibacterial (including anti-listerial and anti-vibrio) properties as well as the evaluation of the combination potentials of the plant extract with six front-line antibiotics were evaluated in this study using standard procedures. The in vitro anti-listerial properties of the crude aqueous and n-Hexane extract of the husk of Cocos nucifera were carried out against 37 Listeria isolates. Twenty-nine of the test organisms were susceptible to the aqueous extract while thirty were susceptible to the n-Hexane extract both at the screening concentration of 25 mg/ml. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.6 - 5.0 mg/ml. For the aqueous extract, average log reduction in viable cell count ranged between 0.32 Log10 and 4.8 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hours interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. For the n-Hexane extract, the log reduction ranged between 2.4 Log10 and 6.2 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hours interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. The time-kill characteristics of the two extracts suggest that at higher concentration (2 × MIC) and longer duration of interaction (8 hr), more bacteria were killed. In vitro anti-vibrio and antibacterial properties experiment revealed that of all the 45 vibrio and 25 bacteria strains that was tested, 37 were susceptible to the aqueous extract and 38 to the n-Hexane extract, while 17 were susceptible to the aqueous extract and 21 to the n-Hexane extract. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.3 - 5.0 mg/ml. viii The time kill studies revealed that for the aqueous extract, average log reduction in viable cell count in time kill assay ranged between 0.12 Log10 and 4.2 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hr interaction at 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. For the n-Hexane extract, the log reduction ranged between 0.56 Log10 and 6.4 Log10 CFU/ml after 8 hr interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. In the test for the combination interactions, the checkerboard method revealed synergy of 67% and indifferent of 33%, while the time kill assay detected synergy in 72% and indifferent in 28% of the combinations tested. The synergy detected was not specific to any of the antibiotics or the Gram reaction of the bacteria, and no antagonism was detected. We conclude that the aqueous and n-Hexane extract of the husk of C. nucifera contains potential broad spectrum antibiotics resistance modulating compounds that could be relevant in the treatment of infections caused by these pathogens. In addition, the husk which is being discarded as agro waste will opens up a vista of opportunities for utilization for therapeutic purposes

The stem bark of Peltophorum africanum and Bridelia micrantha are used in South Africa traditional medicine for treatment of intestinal parasites, relieve problems and human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). The growing problem of antibiotic resistance by Helicobacter pylori the major etiological agent in gastritis, gastric cancer, peptic and gastric ulcer demands the search for novel compounds from plant based sources. This study was aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of five solvent (ethylacetate, acetone, ethanol, methanol and water) extracts of the stem bark of P. africanum and B. micrantha on clinical strains of H. pylori in a bid to identify potential sources of cheap starting materials for the synthesis of new drugs. H. pylori strains were isolated from patients presenting with gastric related morbidities at the Livingstone Hospital, Port Elizabeth for endoscopy and confirmed following standard microbiology procedures. The plant extracts including clarithromycin were tested against 31 clinical strains of H. pylori by the agar well diffusion method. The most potent extract was evaluated by the microdilution method to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC50&90), followed by the rate of kill. Preliminary phytochemical analysis was carried out. The one way ANOVA test was used to statistically analyse the results. All the extracts demonstrated anti-H. pylori activity with zone diameters of inhibition that ranged from 0 to 23 mm for the extracts and 0 to 35 mm for clarithromycin. Marked susceptibility (100%) was recorded for the ethyl acetate extract of P. africanum (P. afr. EA) and the acetone extract of B. micrantha (B. mic. A), which were statistically significant (P < 0.05) compared to all other extracts and clarithromycin. For B. micrantha ethyl acetate extract, 93.5 percent susceptibility was observed while for the control iv antibiotic, clarithromycin it was 58.1 percent. The MIC50 ranged from 0.0048 to 0.313 mg/mL for P. afr. EA, and from 0.0048 to 0.156 mg/mL for B. mic. EA; MIC90 ranged from 0.156 mg/mL to 0.625 mg/mL and 0.0048 to 2.5 mg/mL for P. afr. EA and B. mic. EA respectively. There was a significant statistical difference observed in potency of both P. afr. EA and B. mic. A compared to the two antibiotics (P < 0.05). One hundred percent killing by P. afr EA was observed at 0.05 mg/mL (½ x MIC) and 0.2 mg/mL (2 x MIC) in 66 h for strain PE466C and PE252C respectively. For B. mic. EA, 100 percent killing effect of both strains (PE430C and PE369C) was observed at 0.1 mg/mL (2 x MIC) in 66 h. Qualitative phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins and saponins in the ethyl acetate extracts of both plants, which could be a potential template of lead molecule for the design of new anti- Helicobacter pylori therapies.

Trends in the construction of deep excavations include deeper excavations situated closer to buildings. This research provides insight into mechanisms of soil-structure interaction for piled buildings adjacent to deep excavations to be used in the design and monitoring of deep excavations in urban areas. Most methods to assess building response have originally been developed for tunnelling projects or buildings with shallow foundations. Monitoring data of the construction of three deep excavations for the North South metro Line in Amsterdam, The Netherlands have been used to validate these methods specifically for piled buildings. In all three of the Amsterdam deep excavations studied, the largest impact on the ground surface and buildings is attributed to preliminary activities instead of the commonly expected excavation stage. The in situ preliminary activities caused 55-75% of the surface settlement and 55-65% of the building settlements. Surface settlements measured behind the wall were much larger than the wall deflections and reached over a distance of 2-3 times the excavated depth away from the wall. The shape of the surface settlements found resembles the hogging shape as defined by Peck (1969). For the excavation stage only, the shape of the displacement fits the profile proposed by Hsieh and Ou (1998). Most prediction methods overestimate the soil displacement at depth. An analytical method has been established and tested for the behaviour of piled buildings near excavations. This method includes the reduction of pile capacity due to lower stress levels, settlement due to soil deformations below the base of the pile and development of negative (or positive) skin friction due to relative movements of the soil and the pile shaft. The response of piles in the case of soil displacements depends on the working load of the pile, the percentages of end bearing and shaft friction of the pile, the size and shape of the soil settlements with depth and the distribution of the maximum shaft friction with depth. A method is derived to determine the level for each pile at which the pile and soil settlement are equal. Buildings in Amsterdam built before 1900 and without basement are most sensitive to soil displacements. For all other buildings, the pile settlement depends mainly on the working load. The actual damage experienced in buildings depends also on the relative stiffness of the building compared to the soil. Cross sections in Amsterdam have been evaluated and it is concluded that the Goh and Mair (2011) method provides a realistic, although rather large range of possible modification factors for the deflection of buildings next to excavations, deforming in hogging shape. For the incidents that happened at Vijzelgracht some well known damage indicators have been evaluated.

Philip Pettit claims his neorepublican theory of freedom as non-domination is preferable to the liberal ideal of non-interference, and he is right. But the reasons why he is right run deeper than is apparent if we attend solely to his arguments defending non-domination in negative terms. In fact, embedded in the three benefits that Pettit claims non-domination can offer (which non-interference cannot) lie significant resonances with a positive idea of freedom concerned with a person’s sense of agency. We find such an idea in Charles Taylor, where freedom as self-realization is intricately linked with his “significance view” of human agency. By adopting this Taylorian lens and assessing Pettit’s non-domination, I show that non-domination does have much to offer those of us who think of freedom primarily in positive terms and, more generally, to all those of us who believe that freedom and agency are inextricably linked and must be treated as such.

This diploma thesis presents a model of minority governments. In the theoretical part is the analysis of the political parties in parliament. Then there is a comparation of selected European countries in terms of how the governments are formated. The main part is given to the countries in which the minority governments are very frequent. In conclusion is mentioned the experience with minority governments in the Czech Republic.

Diplomová práce se zabývá problematikou cestovního ruchu, především ve smyslu jeho dopadů na územní celky. Práce je rozdělena na dvě části. První část, mající obecný charakter, má za účel popsat základní souvislosti týkající se cestovního ruchu a následně přiblížit přístupy k cestovnímu ruchu, které lze uplatňovat. Druhá část se již zabývá konkrétním sídelním celkem, jímž je město Tábor.

ABSTRACT Patient's Informed Consent, Medicine Doctors' Responsibility, Patient's Protection This diploma thesis analysis the informed consent of patient, which is manifestation of the patient's right to decide about his own health freely. The main aim is to describe what laws is the informed consent based on, what it should contain, in which situations the doctor is allowed to act without the consent and what the consequences of acting without consent, in cases, in which the informed consent is required by law, are. Further problems, which are not adequately treated by the law, are also mentioned, and the obtaining of the informed consent in children and the informed consent in practice were described. It was found out, that registration of complaints should be kept by each medical facility separately in the Czech Republic. Except that, the complaints department is established at each regional office. Czech laws do not impose to register complaints or claims in national unified register. Number of complaints between 2008-2010 were obtained from the Czech Medical Chamber, Control Department of the Ministry of Health, Medical Department of Regional Office and from Prague City Hall. It can be stated, based on the study of all related resources and after comparing of the recquired information with the reality, that even if all regulations are abided, it is impossible for the doctor to inform patient about all risks and possible complications to avoid the complaints completely. The questionnaire survey shows, that the legal awareness of doctors in the issue of informed consent is inadequate and it is important to improve it.