The first case of field evolved acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibiting herbicide resistance in the model plant, mouse-ear cress, was reported in winter wheat fields in Westmoreland County, Virginia. A putative resistant (R) mouse-ear population was assessed for ALS resistance relative to a putative susceptible (S) and a susceptible lab population Columbia (C). Results indicated that the R population needed 23 to >2400 fold rate of thifensulfuron relative to S or C population, and it has evolved cross-resistance to sulfonylureas (SU), triazolopyrimidine sulfonanilides (TP), and sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinones (SCT). Further studies sequenced the whole genome for four field populations, representing two locations and two resistance levels (high and low) per location, to characterize the genetic mechanism of ALS resistance. The results revealed that all populations contained mutations in the ALS gene at the Pro197 site, although the Pro was substituted by Phe in one location and Thr in the other. Also, both high- and low-level resistant plants at one location had additional mutations (Trp574Leu or Asp376Glu) known to confer resistance to ALS inhibiting herbicides. Patterns of herbicide cross-resistance also varied among the populations. Additionally, research was conducted to assess preemergent (PRE) and postemergent (POST) alternative herbicide options for control of ALS resistant mouse-ear cress and its interference with winter wheat. Results indicate flumioxazin, pyroxasulfone, and metribuzin can be used for effective PRE control whereas 2,4-D, dicamba, and metribuzin can be effective post control options. No mouse-ear cress interference with winter wheat was observed at density of more than 300 plants m-2. / Master of Science in Life Sciences

The aims of this dissertation are to analyze the current state of process control, to identify the product range in selected organization and to design the process planning methodology to ensure an optimal implementation. Optimization is understood as costs minimization while keeping an acceptable continuity of supply. The dissertation contains a description of technological and non-manufacturing processes of brick products, as well as the summary and description of the basic tools of quality management.

Les États semblent ériger les Cours constitutionnelles en meilleur garant de la protection des droits fondamentaux. Cette étude propose une délimitation des compétences, voire des responsabilités constitutionnelles. Elle démontre que si l'inneffectivité de la protection des droits a été mise en évidence en dépit de l'existence des mécanismes de justice constitutionnelle et des ratifications massives des conventions internationales, c'est la recherche des défaillances de la protection constitutionnelle qui s'impose. La confrontation « des engagements internationaux aux défaillances de la protection des droits fondamentaux » pose la question du contrôle qui est censé être exercé par le juge constitutionnel. Au regard des expériences française et internationale, le Niger offre un exemple parfait des paradoxes de ces mécanismes de contrôle tant a priori qu'a posteriori. Ces défaillances apparaissent à travers les limites constitutionnelles de l'intervention du juge constitutionnel, voire du juge international. Cette étude à la fois micro et macrocomparative, révèle le décalage entre la justice constitutionnelle nigérienne et française. Bien plus, elle illustre le déficit de la protection constitutionnelle, y compris de la France, par rapport aux véritables exigences internationales de la protection. Au-delà, cette thèse propose des pistes d'une protection conventionnelle efficace, voire effective des droits fondamentaux conventionnels. / States seem to assign a more important role to Constitutional courts to protect fundamental rights. This study proposes a delimitation of powers and constitutional responsibilities. It shows that if the ineffectiveness of human rights has been highlighted despite the fact that there are mechanisms of constitutional justice and massive ratifications of international conventions, research focusing on constitutional protection deficiencies remains crucial. Comparing “international commitments and deficiencies in the protection of fundamental rights” raises the issue of control which is supposed to be exercised by the Constitutional court. In the light of the French and international experiences, Niger provides a perfect example of paradoxes of the pre-control and post-control mechanisms. Such deficiencies appear through constitutional limits of the intervention of the Constitutional judge and the international judge. This micro and macro comparative study reveals the difference between the Nigeren and the French constitutional justice. It also illustrates the shortfall of the constitutional protection including France in the face of the real international requirements of the protection. Furthermore, this doctoral thesis proposes courses of action for effective and efficient protection under the convention.