Le phloème est un tissu complexe composé de plusieurs types cellulaires, dont les cellules compagnes et les tubes criblés. Il permet le transport et l’allocation à longue distance de nombreux métabolites et de macromolécules. Il existe dans les tubes criblés des structures très spécifiques dont la fonction est inconnue. Par exemple le rôle des protéines phloémiennes PP2 (Phloem Protein 2) qui ont été de longue date décrite dans les tubes criblés, reste à définir. Les protéines PP2 présentent une activité de lectine et d’interaction avec des protéines de sève phloémienne, suggérant un rôle dans le transport de macromolécules dans le phloème.Nous avons étudié la fonction de deux membres de la famille, PP2-A1 et PP2-A2, chez l’espèce modèle Arabidopsis thaliana. Plusieurs approches ont été mises en œuvre pour étudier ces protéines ; une approche cytologique, la recherche de partenaire protéiques et la création de lignées dérégulées pour l’expression des gènes PP2. L’étude de la localisation de PP2-A1 avec des étiquettes fluorescentes dérivées de la GFP a été réalisée par microscopie confocale, dans les cellules compagnes et dans les tubes criblés ; elle a montré que cette protéine présente une localisation nucléo- cytoplasmique dans les cellules compagnes tandis qu’elle forme des agrégats fixés dans les tubes criblés. Ceci suggère que PP2-A1 est ancrée dans les tubes criblés, à la membrane plasmique ou à certains organites. Des résultats similaires ont été obtenus pour PP2-A2. Sur la base de cette première étude, nous permettant d’identifier in vivo avec précision les cellules compagnes et les tubes criblés, et en utilisant plusieurs marqueurs subcellulaires fluorescents de référence, nous avons réalisé une cartographie subcellulaire fine des cellules compagnes et des tubes criblés in vivo. Cette approche a permis de décrire in vivo l’organisation subcellulaire de ces cellules. Elle a révélé la présence de nombreux organites présents à la périphérie des tubes criblés et de nature énigmatique, suggérant une activité importante dans ces cellules, en accord avec des données récentes de protéome des tubes criblés. L’étude de lignées surexprimant des versions étiquetées de PP2-A1 et PP2-A2 nous a permis de mettre en évidence un phénotype altéré avec des plantes qui présentent un retard de floraison et une biomasse plus importante. Ces observations suggèrent que PP2-A1 et PP2-A2 pourraient avoir un rôle dans la signalisation à longue distance. Ces travaux, qui illustrent la complexité des cellules du phloème, apportent ainsi des éléments nouveaux sur les voies de signalisation à longue distance utilisées par les végétaux pour coordonner leur croissance et leur développement. / The phloem is a complex tissue, made of several cell types, including companion cells and sieve elements. It plays an important role in long-distance transport and allocation of a number of metabolites and macromolecules. The sieve elements display specific structures yet uncharacterized and of unknown function. For instance the function of the phloem specific PP2 proteins (Phloem Protein 2) that have been described for long in the sieve elements is still unclear. PP2 proteins present lectin activity and bind to phloem sap proteins, suggesting a role in the transport of macromolecules in the phloem. We have investigated the function of two members of this family, PP2-A1 and PP2-A2 in the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. Different approaches have been undertaken to study these proteins: a cytological approach, the research of partners, and the study of downregulated and upregulated lines for the PP2-A1 and PP2-A2 genes. Localization studies of PP2-A1 fused to GFP-derived fluorescent tags have been realized by confocal laser scanning microscopy in the companion cells and the sieve elements; they showed that PP2-A1 presents a nucleocytoplasmic localization in the companion cells, whereas it forms fixed aggregates in the sieve elements. It suggested that PP2-A1 is anchored to the plasma membrane or to organelles inside the sieve elements. Similar results were obtained for PP2-A2. Making use of this study to accurately identify companion cells and sieve elements in vivo, and using additional subcellular fluorescent markers, we realized a fine mapping of companion cells and sieve elements in vivo. This study revealed the presence of numerous organelles of unknown identity at the periphery of the sieve elements, suggesting an important activity in those cells consistent with recent proteomics analysis of the sieve tubes. The study of plants overexpressing tagged versions of PP2-A1 and PP2-A2 enabled to observe an altered phenotype with delayed flowering and increased biomass, suggesting that PP2-A1 and PP2-A2 may play a role in long distance signalling. This work illustrates the complexity of phloem cell organization and functions, bringing new elements on long distance signalling pathway used by the plants to coordinate their growth and development.

Let G be a finite cyclic group. Solving the equation g^x = y for a given generator g and y is called the discrete logarithm problem. This problem is at the core of many modern cryptographic transformations. In this paper we provide a survey of algorithms to attack this problem, including the function field sieve, the fastest known algorithm applicable to the multiplicative group of a finite field. We also discuss the index calculus algorithm and some techniques improving its performance: the Coppersmith's algorithm and the polynomial sieving. The most important contribution of this paper is a C-language implementation of the function field sieve and its application to real inputs.

Many of today's cryptographic systems are based on the discrete logarithm problem, e.g. the Diffie-Hellman protocol. The number field sieve algorithm (NFS) is the algorithm solving the problem of factorization of integers, but latest works show, it can be also applied to the discrete logarithm problem. In this work, we study the number field sieve algorithm for discrete logarithm and we also compare the NFS for discrete logarithm with the NFS for factoriza- tion. Even though these NFS algorithms are based on the same principle, many differences are found. 1

Para o estudo usou-se uma coluna de vidro, com 2,75 m de altura e 3,7 cm de diâmetro interno, contendo 29 pratos perfurados (diâmetro dos furos, 0,3 cm e área livre de 35 %), com espaçamento de 9,35 cm. O solvente percorria a coluna no sentido ascendente e a fase contínua, no contrário. A pulsação era fornecida ao sistema líquido por uma biela ligada excentricamente a uma polia, de um lado, e a uma junta de expansão, do outro. A frequência variou de 0 a 2,8 s-1 e a amplitude, de 0,6 a 2,3 cm. Uma primeira série de ensaios foi feita com o sistema binário acetato de n-butila-água, pois, para ele, há dados disponíveis para comparação. Dos resultados obtidos, concluiu-se ser conveniente o desempenho do equipamento. Em seguida, usou-se (a) o sistema metil isobutil cetona-água para levantar curvas de inundação e retenção da fase dispersa para várias condições de operação e (b) o sistema metil isobutil cetona-fenol-água para obter dados de transporte de massa, ou seja, altura equivalente a um estágio de equilíbrio e eficiência da remoção do fenol. Os resultados foram comparados, quando possível, com outros da literatura e com correlações existentes; em alguns casos, obtiveram-se correlações próprias. Os resultados alcançados são reprodutíveis e, para propriedades físicas e geométricas semelhantes, comportam-se de modo compatível com os da literatura. O processo é razoavelmente eficiente na remoção do fenol. / The extraction of phenol from aqueous solutions using a pulsed perforated-plate column was studied. The glass column, 2.75 m high and 3.7 cm internal diameter contains 29 perforated plates (0.3 cm holes and 35% of free area). The solvent flows upwards and the continuous phase, downwards. The pulsation was obtained by the expansion and compression of an expansion joint. Frequency varied from 0 to 2.8 s-1 and amplitude, from 0.6 to 2.3 cm. The initial tests were undertaken with the binary system n-butyl acetate-water because, for this system, there are data for comparison. It was shown that the equipment leads to convenient results. Then, the system methylisobutylketone-water was used to obtain flooding curves and dispersed phase hold-up and the system MIBK-phenol-water to study height equivalent to a theoretical stage and the phenol separation efficiency. The results were compared, whenever possible, with data from the literature and with existing correlations; specific correlations were obtained in certain cases. Results are reproducible and, for similar geometries and physical properties they are compatible with those of literature. The equipment is rather efficient in removing the phenol from the solution.

Para o estudo usou-se uma coluna de vidro, com 2,75 m de altura e 3,7 cm de diâmetro interno, contendo 29 pratos perfurados (diâmetro dos furos, 0,3 cm e área livre de 35 %), com espaçamento de 9,35 cm. O solvente percorria a coluna no sentido ascendente e a fase contínua, no contrário. A pulsação era fornecida ao sistema líquido por uma biela ligada excentricamente a uma polia, de um lado, e a uma junta de expansão, do outro. A frequência variou de 0 a 2,8 s-1 e a amplitude, de 0,6 a 2,3 cm. Uma primeira série de ensaios foi feita com o sistema binário acetato de n-butila-água, pois, para ele, há dados disponíveis para comparação. Dos resultados obtidos, concluiu-se ser conveniente o desempenho do equipamento. Em seguida, usou-se (a) o sistema metil isobutil cetona-água para levantar curvas de inundação e retenção da fase dispersa para várias condições de operação e (b) o sistema metil isobutil cetona-fenol-água para obter dados de transporte de massa, ou seja, altura equivalente a um estágio de equilíbrio e eficiência da remoção do fenol. Os resultados foram comparados, quando possível, com outros da literatura e com correlações existentes; em alguns casos, obtiveram-se correlações próprias. Os resultados alcançados são reprodutíveis e, para propriedades físicas e geométricas semelhantes, comportam-se de modo compatível com os da literatura. O processo é razoavelmente eficiente na remoção do fenol. / The extraction of phenol from aqueous solutions using a pulsed perforated-plate column was studied. The glass column, 2.75 m high and 3.7 cm internal diameter contains 29 perforated plates (0.3 cm holes and 35% of free area). The solvent flows upwards and the continuous phase, downwards. The pulsation was obtained by the expansion and compression of an expansion joint. Frequency varied from 0 to 2.8 s-1 and amplitude, from 0.6 to 2.3 cm. The initial tests were undertaken with the binary system n-butyl acetate-water because, for this system, there are data for comparison. It was shown that the equipment leads to convenient results. Then, the system methylisobutylketone-water was used to obtain flooding curves and dispersed phase hold-up and the system MIBK-phenol-water to study height equivalent to a theoretical stage and the phenol separation efficiency. The results were compared, whenever possible, with data from the literature and with existing correlations; specific correlations were obtained in certain cases. Results are reproducible and, for similar geometries and physical properties they are compatible with those of literature. The equipment is rather efficient in removing the phenol from the solution.

This thesis presents a novel three dimensional (3D) image-analysis method for characterizing the physical characteristics of coarse particles in the field, and introduces new methodology for the total analysis of glacial till samples. The novel image analysis method, called the GID method, is capable of determining the size, shape and surface texture of each individual clast analysed. Images of particles are taken in the field and analysis is done in the laboratory. Therefore the GID method makes it feasible to analyse statistically representative large sample in short period; for poorly sorted sediments, such as till, one-tonne is required if the analysis includes cobble size. The capability of the GID method was demonstrated by studying coarse clasts (20-200 mm) from till. There is excellent agreement in the results of the size distribution obtained from the GID method and sieve analysis. The GID method results for size and shape parameters show high and very high repeatability. The particle angularity in the GID method has not been measured to acceptable level; the repeatability test shows some variability. The new methodology for total analysis of till applied the GID method at four different locations in Sweden. The total analysis included 3D size and shape distribution of coarse particles coupled to electrical resistivity, lithological distribution and magnetic susceptibility of the clasts. The results show clear difference in the till samples from the different sites. / <p>QC 20120828</p>

Since the introduction of CUSUM statistic by E.S. Page (1951), detection of change or a structural break in time series has gained significant interest as its applications span across various disciplines including economics, industrial applications, and environmental data sets. However, many of the early suggested statistics, such as CUSUM or MOSUM, lose their effectiveness when applied to time series data. Either the size or power of the test statistic gets distorted, especially for higher order autoregressive moving average processes. We use the test statistic from Gombay and Serban (2009) for detecting change in the mean of an autoregressive process and show how the application of sieve bootstrap to the time series data can improve the performance of our test to detect change. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated by applying it to economic data sets.

Carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes represent the most attractive pure component materials to compete against polymer membranes for high performance gas separations. CMS membranes are formed from the thermal decomposition of polymer precursors and can therefore be formed into continuous defect free membranes with excellent gas separation performance. Over the last 20 years, CMS membranes have been produced in a variety of geometries and have a wide range of separation performance applicable to several important gas separations. Though research into CMS membrane formation is quite extensive, the relationship between synthesis factors and separation performance is still not well understood. The goal of this study was to elucidate the effect of two different synthesis factors on the separation performance of CMS membranes to allow more control over separation performance. The foci of this study were to clarify (1) the effect of pyrolysis atmosphere and (2) the effect of polymer precursor composition. Dense flat CMS membranes were synthesized from 6FDA:BPDA-DAM precursor at 550 oC using several pyrolysis atmospheres including vacuum pyrolysis (<0.05 torr), helium and argon flowing at atmospheric pressure, and helium and argon flowing at reduced pressures. The separation performance of CMS membranes produced under different pyrolysis atmospheres suggests that the amount of oxygen available during pyrolysis has a significant affect on the microstructure of membrane. CMS membranes were produced from 6FDA:BPDA(1:1)-DAM and 6FDA:BPDA(1:1)-DAM under identical pyrolysis conditions to determine the utility of polymer precursor composition as an engineering tool to fine-tune the performance of CMS membranes. In a second study utilizing 6FDA-6FpDA and 6FDA-6FmDA precursors, the separation performance of CMS membranes was shown to be dependent on the intrinsic precursor free volume. These studies have shown that two factors to be considered when choosing a polymer precursor are the intrinsic free volume of the polymer and the composition of the by-products evolved during pyrolysis.

Since the introduction of CUSUM statistic by E.S. Page (1951), detection of change or a structural break in time series has gained significant interest as its applications span across various disciplines including economics, industrial applications, and environmental data sets. However, many of the early suggested statistics, such as CUSUM or MOSUM, lose their effectiveness when applied to time series data. Either the size or power of the test statistic gets distorted, especially for higher order autoregressive moving average processes. We use the test statistic from Gombay and Serban (2009) for detecting change in the mean of an autoregressive process and show how the application of sieve bootstrap to the time series data can improve the performance of our test to detect change. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated by applying it to economic data sets.

Let $a \in \mathbb{Z}$ be a non-zero integer. Let $p$ be a prime such that $p \nmid a$. Define the index of $a$ modulo $p$, denoted $i_{a}(p)$, to be the integer $i_{a}(p) := [(\mathbb{Z}/p\mathbb{Z})^{\ast}:\langle a \bmod{p} \rangle]$. Let $N_{a}(x) := \#\{p \le x:i_{a}(p)=1\}$. In 1927, Emil Artin conjectured that \begin{equation*} N_{a}(x) \sim A(a)\pi(x) \end{equation*} where $A(a)>0$ is a constant dependent only on $a$ and $\pi(x):=\{p \le x: p\text{ prime}\}$. Rewrite $N_{a}(x)$ as follows: \begin{equation*} N_{a}(x) = \sum_{p \le x} f(i_{a}(p)), \end{equation*} where $f:\mathbb{N} \to \mathbb{C}$ with $f(1)=1$ and $f(n)=0$ for all $n \ge 2$.\\ \indent We examine which other functions $f:\mathbb{N} \to \mathbb{C}$ will give us formul\ae \begin{equation*} \sum_{p \le x} f(i_{a}(p)) \sim c_{a}\pi(x), \end{equation*} where $c_{a}$ is a constant dependent only on $a$.\\ \indent Define $\omega(n) := \#\{p|n:p \text{ prime}\}$, $\Omega(n) := \#\{d|n:d \text{ is a prime power}\}$ and $d(n):=\{d|n:d \in \mathbb{N}\}$. We will prove \begin{align*} \sum_{p \le x} (\log(i_{a}(p)))^{\alpha} &= c_{a}\pi(x)+O\left(\frac{x}{(\log x)^{2-\alpha-\varepsilon}}\right) \\ \sum_{p \le x} \omega(i_{a}(p)) &= c_{a}^{\prime}\pi(x)+O\left(\frac{x\log \log x}{(\log x)^{2}}\right) \\ \sum_{p \le x} \Omega(i_{a}(p)) &= c_{a}^{\prime\prime}\pi(x)+O\left(\frac{x\log \log x}{(\log x)^{2}}\right) \end{align*} and \begin{equation*} \sum_{p \le x} d(i_{a}) = c_{a}^{\prime\prime\prime}\pi(x)+O\left(\frac{x}{(\log x)^{2-\varepsilon}}\right) \end{equation*} for all $\varepsilon > 0$.\\ \indent We also extend these results to finitely-generated subgroups of $\mathbb{Q}^{\ast}$ and $E(\mathbb{Q})$ where $E$ is an elliptic curve defined over $\mathbb{Q}$. / Thesis (Ph.D, Mathematics & Statistics) -- Queen's University, 2011-08-03 10:45:47.408