Given a set of n points P ⊂ R2, the Delaunay graph of P for a family of geometric objects C is a graph defined as follows: the vertex set is P and two points p, p' ∈ P are connected by an edge if and only if there exists some C ∈ C containing p, p' but no other point of P. Delaunay graph of circle is often called as Delaunay triangulation as each of its inner face is a triangle if no three points are co-linear and no four points are co-circular. The dual of the Delaunay triangulation is the Voronoi diagram, which is a well studied structure. The study of graph theoretic properties on Delaunay graphs was motivated by its application to wireless sensor networks, meshing, computer vision, computer graphics, computational geometry, height interpolation, etc. The problem of finding an optimal vertex cover on a graph is a classical NP-hard problem. In this thesis we focus on the vertex cover problem on Delaunay graphs for geometric objects like axis-parallel slabs and circles(Delaunay triangulation). 1. We consider the vertex cover problem on Delaunay graph of axis-parallel slabs. It turns out that the Delaunay graph of axis-parallel slabs has a very special property — its edge set is the union of two Hamiltonian paths. Thus, our problem reduces to solving vertex cover on the class of graphs whose edge set is simply the union of two Hamiltonian Paths. We refer to such a graph as a braid graph. Despite the appealing structure, we show that deciding k-vertex cover on braid graphs is NP-complete. This involves a rather intricate reduction from the problem of finding a vertex cover on 2-connected cubic planar graphs. 2. Having established the NP-hardness of the vertex cover problem on braid graphs, we pursue the question of improved fixed parameter algorithms on braid graphs. The best-known algorithm for vertex cover on general graphs has a running time of O(1.2738k + kn) [CKX10]. We propose a branching based fixed parameter tractable algorithm with running time O⋆(1.2637k) for graphs with maximum degree bounded by four. This improves the best known algorithm for this class, which surprisingly has been no better than the algorithm for general graphs. Note that this implies faster algorithms for the class of braid graphs (since they have maximum degree at most four). 3. A triangulation is a 2-connected plane graph in which all the faces except possibly the outer face are triangles, we often refer to such graphs as triangulated graphs. A chordless-NST is a triangulation that does not have chords or separating triangles (non-facial triangles). We focus on the computational problem of optimal vertex covers on triangulations, specifically chordless-NST. We call a triangulation Delaunay realizable if it is combinatorially equivalent to some Delaunay triangulation. Characterizations of Delaunay triangulations have been well studied in graph theory. Dillencourt and Smith [DS96] showed that chordless-NSTs are Delaunay realizable. We show that for chordless-NST, deciding the vertex cover problem is NP-complete. We prove this by giving a reduction from vertex cover on 3-connected, triangle free planar graph to an instance of vertex cover on a chordless-NST. 4. If the outer face of a triangulation is also a triangle, then it is called a maximal planar graph. We prove that the vertex cover problem is NP-complete on maximal planar graphs by reducing an instance of vertex cover on a triangulated graph to an instance of vertex cover on a maximal planar graph.

Le but de cette thèse est d’étudier, à l’aide d’outils combinatoires simples, différentes structures géométriques construites à partir de l’action d’un polynôme ou d’une fraction rationnelle. Nous considérerons d’abord la structure de l'ensemble des solutions séparatrices d’un champ de vecteurs polynomial ou rationnel. Nous allons établir plusieurs modèles combinatoires de ces cartes planaires, ainsi qu’une formule fermée énumérant les différentes structures topologiques dans le cas polynomial. Puis nous parlerons de revêtements ramifiés de la sphère que nous modéliserons, via un objet combinatoire nommée carte équilibrée, à partir d’une idée originale de W.Thurston. Ce modèle nous permettra de démontrer (géométriquement) de nombreuses propriétés de ces objets, et d’offrir une nouvelle approche et de nouvelles perspectives au problème d’Hurwitz, qui reste encore aujourd’hui un problème ouvert. Et enfin nous aborderons le sujet de la dynamique holomorphe via les primitives majeures dont l’utilité est de permettre de paramétrer les systèmes dynamiques engendrés par l’itération de polynômes. Cette approche nous permettra de construire une bijection entre les suites de parking et les arbres de Cayley, ainsi que d’établir une formule fermée liée à l’énumération d’un certain type d’arbres relié à la fois aux primitives majeures et aux revêtements ramifiés polynomiaux. / The main topic of this thesis is to study, thanks to simple combinatorial tools, various geometric structures coming from the action of a complex polynomial or a rational function on the sphere. The first structure concerns separatrix solutions of polynomial or rational vector fields. We will establish several combinatorial models of these planar maps, as well as a closed formula enumerating the different topological structures that arise in the polynomial settings. Then, we will focus on branched coverings of the sphere. We establish a combinatorial coding of these mappings using the concept of balanced maps, following an original idea of W. Thurston. This combinatorics allows us to prove (geometrically) several properties about branched coverings, and gives us a new approach and perspective to address the still open Hurwitz problem. Finally, we discuss a dynamical problem represented by primitive majors. The utility of these objects is to allow us to parameterize dynamical systems generated by the iterations of polynomials. This approach will enable us to construct a bijection between parking functions and Cayley trees, and to establish a closed formula enumerating a certain type of trees related to both primitive majors and polynomial branched coverings.

[pt] O presente trabalho apresenta um estudo experimental da distribuição da fuligem e de hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos (PAH) em chamas laminares não pré-misturadas de etileno e ar, mediante o uso de técnicas de diagnóstico espectroscópico, num queimador tipo co-flow. Para este fim são aplicadas as técnicas de fluorescência induzida por plano laser e incandescência induzida por plano laser, com excitação no espectro ultravioleta. Bandas espectrais de detecção centradas em 340, 400, 450, 500, 550 nm são empregadas para caracterizar diferentes PAH, aproveitado o fenômeno do deslocamento do espectros de fluorescência para o infravermelho, conforme se incrementa sua massa molecular. A técnica de extinção laser é utilizada para calibrar os resultados de incandescência e obter a fração volumétrica de fuligem. A radiação espontânea emitida pela fuligem é utilizada para medir a temperatura pela técnica de termometria em duas cores. A comparação dos resultados obtidos com uma detecção simultânea (0 ns) e atrasada (50 ns) com respeito ao pulso laser permite discriminar entre as regiões onde estão presentes PAHs e fuligem ou apenas fuligem. Os resultados mostram que na região mais fria, perto da entrada de combustível, apenas existem PAH. Seguindo esta região, numa zona de altura intermediária e mais quente, tanto a fuligem como o PAHs coexistem até a o ponto de máxima fração volumétrica integrada de fuligem. O deslocamento no sentido vertical da distribuição de fluorescência é observado com o aumento do comprimento de onda de detecção, o que é consistente com o crescimento do tamanho de PAH e sua progressiva transformação em fuligem. A distribuição de PAH e da fuligem é investigada como função da vazão de combustível. A fração volumétrica de fuligem apresenta uma distribuição clássica, cujo valor se incrementa com a vazão de combustível, enquanto que a temperatura medida diminui. / [en] This work presents an experimental study of soot and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) distribution in axisymmetric ethylene-air non-premixe laminar flames using spectroscopic diagnostic in a co-flow target burner. For this purpose, are applied laser-induced fluorescence and laser-induced incandescence techniques with UV excitation. Spectral detection bands centered at 340, 400, 450, 500, 550 nm are employed to characterize PAH, using the infrared fluorescence spectra displacement phenomenon with the molecular mass increase. The incandescence is captured at 400 nm and the laser extinction technique is used to calibrate the signal, and, thus to obtain the soot volume fraction at the reaction zone. The soot spontaneous emitted radiation is used to measure the temperature by the two-color pyrometry technique. The comparison between results with prompt (0 ns) and delayed (50 ns) detection, with respect to the laser pulse, allows to discriminate the regions between soot precursors (PAH) and soot. The results show that, in the colder region, near the fuel inlet, PAH exist only. Following this region, in an intermediate warmer zone, both soot and PAH appear to coexist until the point of maximum integral soot volumetric fraction. A vertical displacement of the fluorescence distribution with increasing detection wavelength is observed, which is consistent with PAH size growth and with its progressive transformation into soot. PAH and soot distribution are investigated as a function of the fuel flow rate. The soot volumetric fraction exhibits a classical distribution, whose value increases with the fuel flow rate, whereas the measured temperature decreases, exhibiting a singular behavior in the region where the soot is formed.

This thesis is a numerical study of fields within ion traps having segmented electrodes1. The focus is on two cylindrical ion trap structures, two Orbit rap structures and one planar structure which mimics the field of the Orbit rap. In all these geometries, the segments which comprise the electrodes are easily Machin able rings and plates. By applying suitable potential to the different segments, the fields within these geometries are made to mimic the fields in the respective ideal structures. This thesis is divided into 6 chapters. Chapter 1 presents introduction and background information relevant to this work. A brief description of the Quadrupole Ion Trap (QIT) and the Orbit rap is given. The role of numerical simulations in the design of an ion trap geometry is briefly outlined. The motivation of this thesis is presented. The chapter ends by describing the scope of the thesis. Chapter 2 presents a general description of computational methods used throughout this work. The Boundary Element Methods (BEM) is first described. Both 2D and 3D BEM are used in this work. The software for 3D BEM is newly developed and hence 3D BEM is described in more detail. A verification of 3D BEM is presented with a few examples. The Runge-Kutta method used to compute the trajectory of ion is presented. A brief overview of the Nelder-Mead method of function minimization is given. The computational techniques specifically used to obtain the results in Chapter 3, 4 and 5 are presented in the respective chapters. Chapter 3 presents segmented electrode geometries of the Cylindrical Ion Trap (CIT). In these geometries, the electrodes of the CIT are split into number of mini-electrodes and different voltages are applied to these segmented electrodes to achieve the desired field. Two geometries of the segmented electrode CIT will be investigated. In the first, we retain the flat end cap electrodes of the CIT but split the ring electrode into five mini-rings. In the second configuration, we split the ring electrode of the CIT into three mini-rings and 1The term ‘segmented electrode’ used in this thesis has the same connotation as the term ‘split-electrode’ used in Sonalikar and Mohanty (2013). also divide the end caps into two mini-discs. By applying different potentials to the mini-rings and mini-discs of these geometries we will show that the field within the trap can be optimized to desired values. Two different types of fields will be targeted. In the first, potentials are adjusted to obtain a linear electric field and, in the second, a controlled higher order even multipole field are obtained by adjusting the potential. It will be shown that the different potentials to the segmented electrodes can be derived from a single RF generator by connecting appropriate capacitor terminations to segmented electrodes. The field within the trap can be modified by changing the value of the external capacitors. Chapter 4 presents segmented electrode geometries which are possible alternatives for the Orbitrap. Two segmented-electrode structures, ORB1 and ORB2, to mimic the electric field of the Orbitrap, will be investigated. In the ORB1, the inner spindle-like electrode and the outer barrel-like electrode of the Orbitrap are replaced by rings and discs of fixed radii, respectively. In this structure two segmented end cap electrodes are added. In this geometry, different potentials are applied to the different electrodes keeping top-bottom symmetry intact. In the second geometry, ORB2, the inner and outer electrodes of the Orbitrap are replaced by an approximate step structure which follows the profile of the Orbitrap electrodes. For the purpose of comparing the performance of ORB1 and ORB2 with that of the Orbitrap, the following studies will be undertaken: (1) variation of electric potential, (2) computation of ion trajectories, (3) measurement of image currents. These studies will be carried out using both 2D and 3D Boundary Element Method (BEM), the 3D BEM is developed specifically for this study. It will be seen in these investigations that ORB1 and ORB2 have performance similar to that of the Orbitrap, with the performance of the ORB1 being seen to be marginally superior to that of the ORB2. It will be shown that with proper optimization, geometries containing far fewer electrodes can be used as mass analysers. A novel technique of optimization of the electric field is proposed with the objective of minimizing the dependence of axial frequency of ion motion on the initial position of an ion. The results on the optimization of 9 and 15 segmented-electrode trap having the same design as ORB1 show that it can provide accurate mass analysis. Chapter 5 presents a segmented electrode planar geometry named as PORB used to mimic the electric field of the Orbit rap. This geometry has two planes, each plane consisting of 30 concentric ring electrodes. Although the geometry of PORB does not have conventional inner and outer electrodes of the Orbit rap, it will be shown that by selecting appropriate geometry parameters and suitable potentials for the ring electrodes, this geometry can trap the ions into an orbital motion similar to that in the Orbit rap. The performance of the planar geometry is studied by comparing the variation of potential, ion trajectories and image current in this geometry with that in the Orbit rap. The optimization of applied potentials is performed to correct the errors in the electric field so that the variation of axial frequency of ions with their initial position is minimized. Chapter 6 presents the summary and a few concluding remarks

Deux méthodes d'imagerie par résonance magnétique sont proposées pour analyser in vivo le tissu cérébral de la matière blanche. La première méthode permet l'acquisition ultra-rapide de cartes des métabolites cérébraux par une lecture de l'espace réciproque répétée à des intervalles de quelques millisecondes à l'aide d'une nouvelle trajectoire excentrée, combinée à un gradient de retour. Une procédure de correction de phase, pour prévenir la formation d'artéfacts de repliement dans l'image et le spectre, est introduite sur la base de paramètres déterminés à partir du signal des protons de l'eau. Une acquisition des cartes métaboliques tridimensionnelles de la créatine, de la choline, du N-acétylaspartate, du glutamate et du myo-inositol ont été déterminées de manière fiable dans la substance blanche humaine à 3 Tesla avec une matrice de taille 32 × 32 × 16 et une résolution isotropique de 7 mm. La deuxième méthode permet l'acquisition d'un train de 32 images échantillonnées géométriquement le long d'une courbe de recroissance, en employant une série d'échos de gradient excités par un angle de bascule de 5° pour éviter des effets de saturation. Après transformée inverse de Laplace utilisant une régularisation spatiale, on obtient une distribution continue des temps de relaxation spin-réseau, T1. Dans la région de T1 entre 100 ms et 230 ms, on distingue un pic attribué à l'eau hydratant les membranes de la myéline. La fraction apparente de cette composante de l'eau de myéline augmente en fonction de l'intensité du champ magnétique, de 8,3 % à 3 Tesla, à 11,3 % à 4 Tesla, pour atteindre 15,0 % à 7 Tesla / Two magnetic resonance imaging methods are proposed for the in vivo investigation of human brain white matter tissue. The first method allows the ultra-fast acquisition of maps of brain metabolites by repeating the sampling of k-space at intervals of a few milliseconds, with a center-out trajectory combined with flyback gradients. A phase-correction procedure is introduced to prevent the formation of aliasing artifacts in the image and in the spectrum, on the basis of parameters determined from the signal of the ubiquitous water protons. An acquisition of threedimensional metabolite maps of creatine, choline, N-acetylaspartate, glutamate, and myo-inositol were determined reliably in human brain white matter at 3 Tesla with a 32 × 32 × 16 matrix and a 7-mm isotropic resolution. The second method enables the acquisition of a train of 32 images geometrically sampled along an inversion-recovery curve, using a series of gradient echoes excited by a low 5° flip angle to avoid saturation effects. After inverse Laplace transform, using a spatial regularization, a continuous distribution of the spin-lattice relaxation times, T1, is obtained. In the region of T1 between 100 ms and 230 ms, a small component is attributed to water hydrating myelin membranes. The apparent fraction of this myelin water component increases with the strength of the magnetic field, from 8.3% at 3 Tesla, to 11.3% at 4 Tesla, and 15.0% at 7 Tesla

No description available.

Cette thèse s’inscrit dans le contexte d’alimentation des systèmes électroniques portables à faible puissance (1W environ) et fonctionnant sous faible tension. Avec la demande croissante pour la conversion d’énergie dans ces systèmes, l’intégration et la miniaturisation du convertisseur DC-DC devient une zone d’intérêt fort. Des recherches récentes ont montré des convertisseurs avec des fréquences de commutation pouvant atteindre 100 MHz. Pour de faibles niveaux de tension (1 V) et des puissances aux environs du Watt, les valeurs d’inductance de lissage de ces convertisseurs envisagées sont de l’ordre d’une centaine de nanoHenry. Ceci relance l’intérêt d’étudier l’intégration des composants passifs de dimensions millimétriques au sein d’un même boîtier avec les parties actives. Dans ce contexte, les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit sont abordés par la conception d’inductances planaires en forme de spirale avec un noyau magnétique. Les simulations ont permis d’analyser les liens entre les paramètres géométriques et les paramètres électriques de l’inductance pour établir une structure d’inductance optimale en fonction de la limite de la technologie de réalisation. Une inductance planaire prise en sandwich entre deux couches de matériau magnétique est proposée. Les simulations ont montré l’intérêt de réaliser un tel composant. Sa structure présente plusieurs avantages, elle permet d’augmenter considérablement la valeur d’inductance tout en gardant le même encombrement par rapport à une inductance sans noyau magnétique. Elle permet également de réduire les perturbations électromagnétiques avec les composants environnants. Un procédé technologique de réalisation des inductances, basé sur la croissance électrolytique de cuivre à température ambiante, a été développé et optimisé pour valider les modélisations précédentes. Ce procédé est reproductible et permet une fabrication collective de composants. Un banc de caractérisation impédance métrique a également été conçu afin de déterminer les limites du fonctionnement fréquentiel des composants réalisés et de valider les performances de ces derniers. Ce travail propose une solution pour la réalisation de la puce active sur l’inductance dans le cadre d’un SOC (System-On-Chip). Il souligne par ailleurs l’importance de l’intégration pour l’électronique de faible puissance / The work in this thesis contributes to the domain of low power (1W approximately) portable electronic systems. These systems require integrated and miniaturized of DC-DC converters. Recent studies have demonstrated converters with high switching frequency as high as 100 MHz, requiring smaller passive components. For low voltage values (1V approximately) and 1 watt output power, the inductance value of these converter filters is about a hundred nanoHenry. Such inductors can be integrated on a millimetric scale in the same package as the active die. In this context, the work presented in this thesis starts with the design of planar spiral inductors with a magnetic core. Simulations allowed to analyze the relation between geometrical and electrical parameters of the inductor in order to design an optimal inductor. A planar inductor sandwiched between two layers of magnetic material is proposed. Simulations showed the advantages of fabricating of such component. Its structure allows to increase the inductance value without modifying the inductor’s surface compared to a coreless inductor. It also allows to reduce the electromagnetic interferences with the rest of the circuit. A technological process for the fabrication of the inductors has been developed and optimized in order to valid the previous design. This process is based on copper electroplating technique which is compatible with a repeatable and a mass fabrication of inductors. A characterization bench was also developed in order to determine the operating frequency limits of the fabricated components as well as to validate their performance. This work offers a solution for the realization of the active chip on the inductor (SOC, System- On-Chip). It also emphasizes the importance of the integration for low power electronics

Le concept de micro capteurs RMN (nommés aussi micro-antennes ou antennes aiguilles) pourrait conduire à des outils d'analyse fiables capables d'assurer la reproductibilité de mesures en spectroscopie RMN haute résolution. Leur emploi deviendra ainsi envisageable pour des applications in vivo. A notre connaissance, aucune étude in vivo utilisant ces micro-bobines "high-tech" n’a été rapportée. Le principal avantage de ce type de dispositifs est la possibilité d’observer une micro région d'intérêt bien définie, noyée dans un grand volume. A l’inverse, le principal inconvénient est le manque de sensibilité car l’efficacité des micro-antennes actuelles souffre de plusieurs paramètres (petite valeur d'inductance par rapport à l'inductance de fils de connexion, le bruit dû au fort couplage avec l’échantillon...etc.). Notre approche initiale réalisée in vitro dans le cadre des travaux de thèse de N. Baxan (2008) (http://www.spectroscopynow.com) et de A. Kadjo (2011), ne peut être mis en œuvre in vivo sans un travail complémentaire important. C’est d’une importance capitale car dans ce cas le signal RMN est si petit qu’il est comparable au bruit thermique. Une façon "simple", mais non moins aisée, d’optimiser l’efficacité d’une antenne est une conception minutieuse et une maîtrise des paramètres géométriques conditionnant les propriétés physiques et électriques. La partie principale des "micro-antennes aiguilles" implantables est la bobine aux bornes de laquelle la tension est induite. Elle est décrite schématiquement par une résistance et une inductance dont les valeurs impactent directement et fortement sur les principaux critères de performances en RMN: le rapport signal sur bruit (SNR) et les limites de détection (LOD). La fabrication de ces micro-antennes (500x1000µm2), est réalisée à l’aide de techniques de microélectroniques fort coûteuses. La modélisation et la simulation numériques s’avèrent des outils essentiels amplement justifiés. La majeure partie de ce travail est consacré à l’optimisation de ces microantennes. Les résultats de principes physiques visant à optimiser leurs paramètres géométriques sont décrits à travers la prédiction des paramètres électriques: la self inductance, l’inductance mutuelle et les pertes additionnelles dues à l’effet de peau et de proximité. L’originalité de ce travail, à la fois théorique et expérimental réside, dans: (i) la traduction de verrous technologiques en problématiques fondamentales, (ii) Le développement d’un "Logiciel maison" qui sans avoir la prétention de rivaliser avec les logiciels commerciaux, peut s’étendre à d'autre configuration plus complexes de micro-antennes ou d'antennes RMN et cibler au mieux les besoins des "RMN’iste-Antenn-istes" tout en leur offrant un gain en temps et en coût non négligeables. / The concept of NMR microsensors (named also microantennas or needle coils) could lead to reliable analysis tools able to ensure the reproducibility of high resolution spectroscopic measurements, making possible to consider their use for in vivo applications. To the best of our knowledge, no in vivo study has been done with such "high-tech micro coils". The main advantage of this device kind is the possibility to observe a well-defined micro region of interest in a large volume. On the opposite, the main drawback resides in the poor sensitivity of the device since the efficiency of presently designed microcoils suffers from several misadjustments (small inductance value of the useful wires compared to the inductance of connecting wires, strong coupling noise with sample ...etc.). Our initial approach carried out in vitro that presented in (http://www. spectroscopynow.com) and in thesis of N. Baxan (2008) and A. Kadjo (2011), cannot be realized in vivo without a very important complementary work. This is of crucial importance, because the source signals are so small as to be comparable to the thermal noise. The simplest approach to increase antennas efficiency is a careful design and accuracy of geometric parameters influencing the physical and electrical properties. The main part of the implantable "needle antenna" is the loop where the voltage is induced. It is schematically described by a resistance and inductance that modify directly and strongly the NMR performance criteria: signal to noise ratio (SNR) and the limits of detection (LOD). The design of such micro-antennas (500x1000µm2) is performed using microelectronic techniques that are very expensive. Thus modeling and numerical simulation are essential tools amply justified. The bulk of this work dedicates to the optimization of these microantennas, describes the results of the applied physical principles to improve their geometric parameters through the prediction of their electrical parameters: the self-inductance, mutual inductance and the additional losses caused by skin effect and proximity. The originality of this work is: (i) the conversion of technological point in question to fundamental issues, (ii) The development of a "homemade software" which, no pretend to compete with commercial software, can be extended to design of more complex configuration of NMR antennas or microantennas. It could also better target specific needs of designers of NMR antennas and users, providing them a time gain and a cost reduction.

Abstract Organogenesis involves precursor cells proliferation, differentiation along with their coordinated organization into precise multicellular arrangements by planar cell polarity (PCP) pathways. The beta-catenin independent/non-canonical type of Wnt-11 signaling has been known as a PCP modulator during development. In this thesis were analyzed the roles of Wnt-11 in heart and kidney development by using in vivo functional genomics technologies. We show that the Wnt-11 gene is important for murine ventricular myocardium development, since Wnt-11 deficiency in early cardiogenesis leads to impaired organization and maturation of mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes, causing primary cardiomyopathy with in utero lethality. Wnt-11 coordinates the co-localized expression of the cell adhesion molecules N-cadherin and β-catenin, which are critical for the spatially specific organization of cardiomyocytes. We show that Wnt-11 deficiency causes primary hypertrophic and noncompaction cardiomyopathy in adult mice, with consequences for regional myocardium function. The Wnt family of secreted signals has been implicated in kidney tubule development and tubular cystic diseases such as polycystic kidney disease. We show here that Wnt-11 is expressed in mature nephrons and is involved in late steps of nephrogenesis, since the kidney tubule organization is deregulated in Wnt-11 deficient kidneys, to enlarged lumen with increased convolution. These tubule abnormalities are associated with glomerular microcyst formation and kidney failure. Wnt-11 deficiency reduced significantly Wnt-9b expression, a critical signal for PCP-mediated kidney tubule elongation. In the cortical region this associated with reduced expression of nephron and stromal progenitor cell marker. The results in this thesis point out that Wnt-11 function is required for proper myocardium organization and maturation as well as proper morphogenesis of the kidney tubules during the embryonic and postnatal developmental stages. Wnt-11 knockout phenotypes depend on the genetic background, similarly to human congenital disease. This data may be relevant for human congenital cardiomyopathy and glomerulocystic kidney disease studies. / Tiivistelmä Alkion sisäelinten kehityksen aikana esisolut lisääntyvät ja erilaistuvat muodostaen tarkoin määriteltyjä monisoluisia rakenteita. Muodostuvan kudosrakenteen määrittelyssä erilaiset solusignaalit ovat keskeisessä asemassa. Yksi näistä on nk. Wnt signaali perhe. Wnt perheeen jäsen Wnt-11 tehtävät on huonosti tunnettu. Wnt-11 viestittää ilmeisesti nk. planaaristen solupolariteettireittien (PCP) avulla, joka on beeta-kateniinista riippumattoman nk. ei-kanonisen Wnt signaali. Väitöskirjatyössä selvitettiin Wnt-11:n vaikutuksia sydämen ja munuaisten kehitykseen in vivo funktionaalisten genomisten menetelmien avulla. Ihmisen synnynnäiset kardiomyopatiat ovat sydänlihaksen ensisijaisia vaurioita, joiden taustalla on sydänlihaksen kehityshäiriö. Tutkimuksessa osoitetaan, että Wnt-11-geenillä on tärkeä merkitys hiiren sydänkammion kehitykselle, koska Wnt-11-geenin puute sydämen varhaisen kehityksen vaiheessa johtaa sydänlihassolujen järjestäytymisen ja kypsymisen häiriintymiseen, jolloin seurauksena on ensisijaisesta kardiomyopatiasta johtuva sikiökuolema. Wnt-11 koordinoi kahden solukiinnitysmolekyylin, N-kadheriinin ja β-kateniinin, samanaikasta ilmentymistä. Kyseiset molekyylit ovat keskeisen tärkeitä sydänlihasssolujen spatiaalisen järjestäytymisen kannalta. Tutkimuksessa osoitetaan, että Wnt-11-puutos aiheuttaa aikuisilla hiirillä ensisijaista sydänlihaksen liikakasvua ja trabekuloivaa kardiomyopatiaa, mikä vaikuttaa sydänlihaksen toimintaan. Tuloksilla voi olla merkitystä tutkittaessa ihmisen synnynnäisiä kardiomyopatioita. Wnt-signaaliperheen on osoitettu olevan yhteydessä munuaisputken kehitykseen ja sen sairauksiin, kuten munuaisten monirakkulatautiin. Väitöstutkimuksessa osoitetaan, että Wnt-11 ilmentyy kypsissä nefroneissa ja että se osallistuu nefrogeneesiin myöhempiin vaiheisiin, koska munuaisputken kehityksen säätely on poikkeavaa niissä munuaisissa, joista Wnt-11 puuttuu. Seurauksena on laajentunut, normaalia poimuttuneempi luumen. Munuaisputken poikkeavuuksilla oli yhteyttä munuaiskerästen mikrokystien muodostumiseen sekä munuaisten vajaatoimintaan. Wnt-11 -puute vähensi huomattavasti Wnt-9b-ilmentymistä, joka on PCP-välitteisen munuaisputken pidentymisen kannalta keskeisen tärkeä signaali. Kortikaalialueella Wnt9b:n vaimennussäätely liittyi poikkeavaan solujen lisääntymiseen, apoptoosiin ja kypsymiseen sekä vähentyneeseen nefroni- ja stroomakantasolujen merkkiaineen ilmentymiseen. Väitöskirjatutkimuksen tulokset viittaavat siihen, että Wnt-11 -toiminto on välttämätön sydänlihaksen normaalin muodostumisen ja kypsymisen sekä munuaisputken normaalin morfogeneesin kannalta sikiövaiheen ja syntymän jälkeisen kehityksen aikana. Wnt-11 -poistogeenisen hiiren fenotyypi riippuu geneettisestä tausta, samaan tapaan kuin ihmisen synnynnäisissä sairauksissa. Väitöstutkimuksesta saatavalla tiedolla voi olla merkitystä tutkittaessa ihmisen synnynnnäistä kardiomyopatiaa ja munuaisten monirakkulatautia.

Cette thèse est consacrée à l’étude de films minces ouverts de cristaux liquides colonnaires sur un substrat solide. Ces matériaux, capables de s’auto-organiser en de larges domaines orientés, sont généralement obtenus à partir de molécules discotiques dérivées de colorants aromatiques. Ces différentes caractéristiques, associées à une bonne mobilité de charges, permettent d'envisager l'utilisation des cristaux liquides colonnaires en film mince dans des dispositifs photovoltaïques. Afin de bénéficier de leurs bonnes propriétés optoélectroniques, les cristaux liquides colonnaires doivent être déposés en film mouillant, d’épaisseur inférieure à 100 nm, et leur orientation contrôlée. Ainsi, pour des applications photovoltaïques, un alignement homéotrope (colonnes normales au substrat) est requis. Inversement, l’orientation planaire uniaxe (colonnes parallèles au substrat), est quant à elle requise pour une utilisation de ces composés dans les polariseurs ou dans les transistors organiques à effet de champ. Dans ce travail, différentes méthodes permettant de contrôler l’alignement de films minces ouverts de cristaux liquides colonnaires ont été développées, permettant d’obtenir aussi bien un ancrage homéotrope par traitement thermique spécifique, qu’un ancrage planaire uniaxe par dépôt préalable d’une couche de téflon. Le contrôle de l’orientation a ainsi permis d’une part de produire un film mince (e ? 50 nm) mouillant en ancrage homéotrope ouvrant la voie vers des cellules solaires organiques efficaces, et d’autre part de déterminer l’ensemble des propriétés optiques (indices complexes anisotropes) de ces matériaux cristallins liquides colonnaires. La dynamique du démouillage et l’état d’équilibre d’un film mince ouvert de cristal liquide colonnaire ont également été étudiés. Les résultats expérimentaux révèlent la formation de gouttelettes anisotropes et la présence d’un film nanométrique lors du démouillage de ce film mince / This thesis deals with columnar liquid crystal studied in the geometry of open supported thin films. Columnar liquid crystals are usually made of disk-shaped molecules derived from aromatic dyes. They are efficient charge transporters with the added capacity to self-assemble in large oriented domains. Consequently, such materials may be used in photovoltaic devices. In order to benefit from their good uniaxial charge mobility, their organization has to be controlled in uniform oriented thin films in the range of thicknesses of typically 100 nm. Homeotropic alignment (columns normal to the interface) is required for solar cells whereas uniaxial planar anchoring (columns parallel to the interface) is needed for applications such as polarizers or organic field effect transistor. Different methods to monitor the alignment in open thin films have been developed in this work, which make possible to achieve either homeotropic anchoring by a specific thermal treatment, or uniaxial planar orientation using a Teflon layer. Based on these orientation skills, a uniform ultra-thin film, free of dewetting and homeotropically oriented, is achieved (down to 50 nm thick) opening the way towards efficient solar cells, and a complete study of the optical properties has been performed (with the determination of the anisotropic complex indices) for different columnar liquid crystals. The dynamics of dewetting and the equilibrium state of a thin supported film have also been investigated. Experimental results show the formation of anisotropic droplets and reveal a nanometric film during dewetting.