Purpose - Considering personality as changeable through a bottom-up process of altering states, habits and traits, constitutes a shift in the predominant paradigm within personality psychology. The purpose of this paper is to reconsider Bateson's theory of learning and organizational triple-loop learning in light of this recent empirical evidence. Design/methodology/approach - This paper uses a multi-disciplinary conceptual approach. Based on an integrative analysis of literature from recent work in personality psychology, four dimensions (process, content, time and context) are identified that allow linking personality change and triple-loop learning. Findings - Identifying a bottom-up process of changing states, habits and traits as being central to change personality, allows for reconsidering Bateson's theory of learning as a theory of personality development (Learning II) and personality change (Learning III). Functionally equivalent, organizational triple-loop learning is conceptualized as a change in an organization's identity over time that may be facilitated through a change in responding to events and a change in the organization's routines. Practical implications - Interventions that change how organizations respond to events and that change the routines within an organization may be suitable to facilitate triple-loop learning in terms of changing organizational identity over time. Originality/value - This paper contributes to the discussion on Bateson's theory of learning and organizational triple-loop learning. As interest in personality change grows in organization studies, this paper aims to transfer these findings to organizational learning.

O propósito desta tese é investigar como a gestão do conhecimento e a colaboração universidade-empresa-governo incluindo as três hélices se relacionam influenciando o desempenho das organizações. Como principal contribuição, pretende-se propor um modelo analítico que relaciona as teorias da Gestão do Conhecimento e da Tripla Hélice, modelo mais referenciado para aprofundar esse tipo de cooperação, e as dimensões propostas (que são a estrutural, a relacional, a cognitiva e o contexto), considerando as particularidades do contexto brasileiro. No ambiente competitivo contemporâneo, a capacidade de as organizações criarem e utilizarem o conhecimento torna-se cada vez mais fundamental para a busca da vantagem competitiva sustentável, o que leva inclusive à busca de novas formas de arranjos interorganizacionais. A escolha do tema se justifica pela escassez de pesquisas empíricas que relacionem os tópicos de gestão do conhecimento e de colaboração universidade-empresa-governo de forma integrada com foco no contexto brasileiro. Os representantes desse tipo de colaboração selecionados para compor o estudo são Institutos Nacionais de Ciência e Tecnologia (INCTs). Como técnica qualitativa de análise de dados foi utilizada a análise de conteúdo categorial. Os principais resultados mostram que a estrutura organizacional (estrutural) influencia tanto o relacionamento entre os integrantes (relacional) quanto o fluxo de conhecimento (cognitiva), bem como os elementos relacionais (cultura colaborativa, confiança e liderança) facilitam o compartilhamento de conhecimento. Além disso, o contexto afeta essas três outras dimensões. Como principais barreiras no processo de transferência de conhecimento são identificadas as diferenças culturais, a burocracia e a realidade socioeconômica, e como facilitadores a presença de parques tecnológicos e incubadoras, a proximidade geográfica entre universidade e empresa e os incentivos governamentais. / This thesis focuses on an investigation into the way knowledge management and university-industry-government collaboration influence the performance of organizations. As the main contribution, an analytical model that relates the theories of Knowledge Management and the Triple Helix, the most referenced model for such cooperation, and the structural, relational, cognitive dimensions, as well as the context is proposed. The model takes into consideration the particularities of the Brazilian context. In todays competitive environment, the ability of organizations to create and use their knowledge has become fundamental for their pursuit of sustainable competitive advantages and new forms of organizational arrangements. The choice of the topic is justified by the scarcity of studies on the identification and analyses of the main aspects of this form of collaboration in an integrated way and focused on the Brazilian context. A categorical content analysis was used as a qualitative technique applied for a multiple case study of National Institutes of Science and Technology (INCTs). The results show both context and organizational structure (structural dimension) influence the relationship between members (relational dimension) and flow of knowledge (cognitive dimension) and the relational elements (collaborative culture, trust and leadership) facilitate knowledge sharing. Cultural differences, bureaucracy and socioeconomic reality were identified as the main barriers in the process of knowledge transfer, whereas facilitators included presence of science parks and incubators, geographical proximity between university and business and government incentives.

O transistor de efeito de campo por aletas de porta tripla de corpo (Bulk-FinFET) é um dispositivo com aplicações comerciais e possui algumas vantagens sobre os FinFETs de porta tripla SOI (Silício sobre Isolante - Silicon on Insulator). Estas vantagens são devidas ao custo da lâmina mais competitivo e maior quantidade de fabricantes de lâmina de silício, além da compatibilidade com processos de tecnologias convencionais de substrato de silício e melhor dissipação térmica. Aplicações aeroespaciais estão sujeitas à incidência das radiações ionizantes de partículas e eletromagnéticas. Os efeitos permanentes das radiações ionizantes criam cargas positivas nos óxidos dos transistores. São afetados os óxidos de porta e os óxidos de isolação, podendo levar os transistores a degradação e falha. Neste trabalho foi avaliado o impacto das radiações ionizantes de prótons de 60 MeV em FinFETs de porta tripla de corpo. O seu desempenho elétrico em aplicações de CIs CMOS analógicos após as radiações ionizantes comparando-os com dispositivos não radiados. Esta radiação possui de uma energia radiante bem maior que as radiações ionizantes presentes nas regiões do espaço visando o estudo do pior caso. Por isso se estes dispositivos funcionarem com essas radiações ionizantes extremas, acreditamos que irão funcionar nas regiões que contêm as radiações ionizantes naturais. Foram estudados FinFET\'s do tipo-n e do tipo-p. Os dispositivos estudados foram irradiados não polarizados. Foram extraídas curvas da corrente de dreno em função da tensão aplicada na porta em baixos e altos campos elétricos longitudinais e verticais e avaliado o comportamento dos dispositivos nas regiões de corte e condução. Foi medida também a curva da corrente de dreno em função da tensão aplicada no dreno para a obtenção dos principais parâmetros analógicos, como o ganho de tensão intrínseco, a transcondutância máxima em saturação e a condutância de saída. Todas as curvas foram extraídas para FinFETs de porta tripla de corpo com deferentes dimensões de comprimentos de canal (35, 70, 130 e 1000 nm) e diferentes larguras das aletas (20, 130 e 1000 nm). Devido às cargas induzidas no óxido de isolação pelas radiações ionizantes de prótons, os dispositivos com larguras das aletas mais estreitas apresentaram altas correntes de fuga no dreno na região de corte, tanto com campo elétrico longitudinal decorrente de uma polarização de dreno de 50 mV, quanto para campo elétrico longitudinal decorrente de uma tensão de dreno de 800 mV. Foi observado também, reduções nos valores das tensões de limiar nos dispositivos radiados em torno de 50 mV nos dispositivos estudados quando comparado as condições dos dispositivos pré-radiados. Nos parâmetros analógicos, houve redução significativa no ganho intrínseco de tensão nos dispositivos do tipo-n com maior comprimento de canal após as radiações ionizantes, ao comparar com dispositivos não radiados. O ganho intrínseco de tensão nos dispositivos tipo-n não radiado com comprimento de canal de 1000 nm é em torno de 55 dB. Este valor foi reduzido para cerca de 40 dB nos dispositivos com comprimento de canal de 1000 nm após a radiação. A principal influência na degradação do ganho intrínseco de tensão se deve a alteração da condutância de saída nos dispositivos radiados com comprimento de canal de 1000 nm. / The bulk triple gate fin field effect transistor (Bulk-FinFET) is a devie with comercial aplication and have some advantages versus triple gate SOI (silicon on insulator) FinFET. These advantages are due the low cost of wafer and more quantity of manufacturers; also process more compatible with conventional technologies of silicon substrate and better thermal dissipation. Aerospace applications are subject to particles and electromagnetic ionizing radiation. The permanent effects of ionizing radiation create positive charges on transistor oxide. The gate and isolation oxide are affect by ionizing radiation can lead degrade and failures. This work evaluates the influence of 60 MeV proton ionizing radiation in bulk FinFETs. The electrical performance on analogs CMOS ICs application after ionizing radiation when compared with non-radiated devices. This radiation has a radiant energy higher than ionizing radiation present on space regions, so this work looks the worst case. So if these devices work with these extreme ionizing radiations, these devices will work in natural environment. It was studied n type and p type FinFETs. The studied devices were irradiated non polarized. It were extracted figures of drain current in function of gate voltage in low and high, longitudinal and vertical electrical field, was evaluated the devices behavior on off and conduction region. The extracted, also, the figure of drain in function of gate voltage to obtain the main analog parameters, like intrinsic voltage gain, maximum transconductance in saturation and output conductance. All the figures was extracted for tri gate bulk FinFETs with different channel length dimensions (35, 70, 130 and 1000 nm) and different weight fins (20, 130 and 1000 nm). Due induced charges on isolation oxide by proton ionizing radiation, the devices with narrow fins presented high leakage current on off region, in both longitudinal electrical fields, with 50 mV and 800mV polarization in drain voltage. It was observed also, reduction on threshold voltage on radiated devices around 50 mV if compared with non-radiated devices. In the analog parameters has a significant reduction on voltage intrinsic gain on largest channel length n type devices after ionizing radiation when compared with non-radiated devices. The intrinsic voltage gain on non-radiated n type devices with 1000 nm of channel length is around of 55 dB and this value was reduced to 40 dB on 1000 nm of channel length radiated devices. The main influence on voltage intrinsic gain degradation due to change on output conduction on 1000 nm of channel length radiated devices.

Le Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-[alpha]) est une cytokine pro-inflammatoire qui occupe un rôle central dans la physiopathologie de nombreuses pathologies inflammatoires et particulièrement l'arthrite. La neutralisation de cette cytokine par l'utilisation d'anticorps anti-TNF-[alpha] a montré son efficacité dans la polyarthrite rhumatoïde et est aujourd'hui le traitement de référence pour la prise en charge de cette pathologie. Cependant, un tiers des patients traités par anticorps anti-TNF restent réfractaires ou ne répondent pas à ce traitement. Dans ce contexte, il apparait nécessaire de développer des approches nouvelles ou complémentaires pour renforcer l'arsenal thérapeutique actuellement disponible. L'utilisation d'oligonucléotides triple hélice (TFO) permet de moduler l'expression génique de manière spécifique par interaction avec la double hélice d'ADN. Dans cette étude, nous avons évalué les potentialités anti-inflammatoires d'un TFO anti-TNF-[alpha] in vitro sur les synoviocytes et chondrocytes articulaires et in vivo dans deux modèles d'arthrite expérimentale. Ce TFO interagit avec le promoteur du gène du TNF-[alpha], et son activité inhibitrice a été comparée à celle d'une approche par ARN interférence in vitro. Dans les modèles d'arthrite aigue et chronique, l'injection intra-articulaire préventive de TFO anti-TNF-[alpha] permet une amélioration significative des symptômes arthritiques. Particulièrement, le traitement par le TFO diminue sensiblement l'inflammation synoviale et les lésions ostéocartilagineuses articulaires. Ces résultats sont les premiers à montrer la possibilité d'utiliser un TFO in vivo et offrent d'intéressantes perspectives thérapeutiques / Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-[alpha]), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases, including arthritis. Neutralization of this cytokine by anti-TNF-[alpha] antibodies has shown its efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis and is now widely used. Nevertheless, some patients currently treated with anti-TNF-[alpha] remain refractory or become non-responder to these treatments. In this context, there is a need for new or complementary therapeutic strategies. Triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFO) can inhibit gene expression with high sequence-specificity by interacting with the DNA double-strand. In this study, we investigated if an anti-TNF-[alpha] TFO had a therapeutic activity on inflammatory processes in vitro and in vivo, as judged from effects on two rat arthritis models. This TFO interacted with the TNF-[alpha] gene promoter, and its inhibitory activity was verified and compared to that of siRNA in vitro. A local intra-articular preventive injection of TFO in both acute and chronic arthritis models significantly reduced the development of the disease. Furthermore, the TFO efficiently blocked synovitis and cartilage and bone destruction in the joints. The results presented here provide the first evidence that gene targeting by anti-TNF-[alpha] TFO modulates arthritis in vivo, thus providing proof of concept that it could be used as therapeutic tool for TNF-[alpha]-dependent chronic inflammatory disorders

Esta dissertação pretende analisar a Guerra do Paraguai (1864-1870) como um problema da literatura brasileira, investigando a incorporação dos fatos históricos como objeto literário, a adequação aos gêneros e a construção de um posicionamento sobre a guerra por meio das obras. Para tanto, estuda-se a construção do heroísmo pelos poetas épicos e condoreiros, partindo-se das primeiras publicações sobre o tema nos jornais da época e das epopeias Riachuelo, de Pereira da Silva, e Glorias Brasileiras, de Antonio de Castro Mendonça Furtado, até a apropriação do tema da guerra pelos poetas do condoreirismo. Em seguida, investiga-se a crítica feita ao conflito por meio da literatura satírica publicada pela imprensa ilustrada do período, analisando as contribuições e limitações de seu ponto de vista. Finalmente, trataremos da assimilação do tema pela prosa ficcional de Joaquim Manuel de Macedo, Alfredo dEscragnolle Taunay e Machado de Assis / This dissertation sets out to analyze the War of the Triple Alliance (1864-1870) as an issue of Brazilian literature, investigating the incorporation of historical facts as literary objects, the adjustment of styles and the construction of a position on the war through the oeuvres. To this end, the building of heroism by the epic and condordorist poets is studied, from the starting point of the first publications on the theme in the newspapers of the day and the Riachuelo, by Pererira da Silva, and Glorias Brasileiras (Brazilian Glories), by Antonio de Castro Mendonça Furtado, epopees, up to the appropriation of the war theme by the poets of condorism. Thereafter, there is investigation of the criticism of the conflict through the the satirical literature published by the illustrated press of the period, analyzing the contributions and limitations of their point of view. Finally, we will deal with the assimilation of the theme by the fictional prose of Joaquim Manuel de Macedo, Alfredo d\'Escragnolle Taunay and Machado de Assis

Increased interaction between scientists and the social environment is considered to be one of the characteristics of modern science. This interaction can occur through collaboration between different sectors in society. In connection to this, the Triple Helix model claims that interaction between university, industry and public sectors, is key to modern innovation development. So far, cross-sector interaction between actors in environmental science has been scarcely studied in a scientific manner. Most studies carried out in the area have disregarded the actual practice of such collaborations and what happens in projects where these sectors interact. As this has become a common way to solve environmental problems, it is of considerable importance to gain more knowledge about this process. The objective of this research was to study and explain cross-sector collaboration. Using the interactive research method, characterised by joint learning and interaction with the participants, this was explored through two case studies. The method was well suited for studying ongoing interactions between the university, industry and public sectors. The first case was an international collaboration between representatives of the Triple Helix sectors. Here, olive-mill wastewater in Greece was the focus. The Triple Helix framework was used both on the intended analytical level and at a management level closer to the actor level of the participants. The second case was a three-year environmental research project in the Kalmar region where strong university-industry collaboration was carried out in order to find wastewater treatment solutions in the wood industry. This collaboration was extended to include more actors in the region during the process. The actual practice of these cases showed the importance of a dialogue between participants. Triple Helix can be used as an initial framework for such a dialogue through which the model is redefined by input from all sectors.

The interaction of radiation with integrated circuits can provoke transient faults due to the deposit of charge in sensitive nodes of transistors. Because of the decrease the size in the process technology, charge sharing between transistors placed close to each other has been more and more observed. This phenomenon can lead to multiple transient faults. Therefore, it is important to analyze the effect of multiple transient faults in integrated circuits and investigate mitigation techniques able to cope with multiple faults. This work investigates the effect known as single-event-induced charge sharing in integrated circuits. Two main techniques are analyzed to cope with this effect. First, a placement constraint methodology is proposed. This technique uses placement constraints in standard cell based circuits. The objective is to achieve a layout for which the Soft-Error Rate (SER) due charge shared at adjacent cell is reduced. A set of fault injection was performed and the results show that the SER can be minimized due to single-event-induced charge sharing in according to the layout structure. Results show that by using placement constraint, it is possible to reduce the error rate from 12.85% to 10.63% due double faults. Second, Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) schemes with different levels of granularities limited by majority voters are analyzed under multiple faults. The TMR versions are implemented using a standard design flow based on a traditional commercial standard cell library. An extensive fault injection campaign is then performed in order to verify the softerror rate due to single-event-induced charge sharing in multiple nodes. Results show that the proposed methodology becomes crucial to find the best trade-off in area, performance and soft-error rate when TMR designs are considered under multiple upsets. Results have been evaluated in a case-study circuit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), synthesized to 90nm Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) library, and they show that combining the two techniques, the error rate resulted from multiple faults can be minimized or masked. By using TMR with different granularities and placement constraint methodology, it is possible to reduce the error rate from 11.06% to 0.00% for double faults. A detailed study of triple, four and five multiple faults combining both techniques are also described. We also tested the TMR with different granularities in SRAM-based FPGA platform. Results show that the versions with a fine grain scheme (FGTMR) were more effectiveness in masking multiple faults, similarly to results observed in the ASICs. In summary, the main contribution of this master thesis is the investigation of charge sharing effects in ASICs and the use of a combination of techniques based on TMR redundancy and placement to improve the tolerance under multiple faults.

Il existe une comorbidité entre douleur et dépression. Si les antidépresseurs inhibiteurs de recapture de monoamines représentent le traitement de première intention des troubles dépressifs unipolaires, certains d’entre eux sont également recommandés en première ligne de traitement des douleurs neuropathiques. L’objectif de ce travail a été d’étudier les propriétés analgésiques de ces antidépresseurs dans des modèles animaux co-exprimant des éléments de phénotypes douloureux et dépressifs. Pour cela nous avons développé des tests d’évaluation comportementale de la douleur chez la souris. Ces tests permettent de décrire la sensibilité douloureuse des animaux et d’évaluer les effets pharmacologiques de substances de référence et innovantes.Nous avons ainsi démontré que la fluoxétine, inhibiteur sélectif de la recapture de sérotonine (ISRS), possède des effets antalgiques sur les altérations de sensibilité d’un modèle d’anxiété/dépression chez la souris : le modèle CORT. La caractérisation d’un phénotype douloureux chronique chez ces souris renforce la pertinence de ce modèle neuropsychopharmacologique, puisqu’il exprime une des comorbidités fréquentes des pathologies dépressives. De plus, l’efficacité antalgique de la fluoxétine dans ce modèle plaide en faveur d’une modulation de la composante affective de la douleur par les ISRS.De plus, nous avons caractérisé l’effet antalgique d’une nouvelle classe d’antidépresseurs monoaminergiques, les triples inhibiteurs de recapture des monoamines capables d’augmenter à la fois les concentrations intracérébrales de sérotonine, noradrénaline et dopamine. Pour ce faire, nous avons développé un modèle de douleurs induites par injections répétées d’oxaliplatine chez la souris et comparé l’efficacité de différents traitements sur ces douleurs. Les souris « oxaliplatine » développent une hyperalgie mécanique, ainsi qu’une allodynie et hyperalgie au froid. Ces altérations de la sensibilité douloureuse sont corrigées par l’administration aigüe d’un triple bloqueur (indatraline) en faisant intervenir des mécanismes probablement supra-spinaux. La composante dopaminergique de ces substances apporte un intérêt dans le profil antalgique. Par ailleurs, les souris « oxaliplatine » développent des traits caractéristiques d’un phénotype anxio-dépressif et l’indatraline semble avoir des effets antidépresseurs dans ce modèle, ouvrant la possibilité d’une participation de la DA à la composante affective de la douleur et plus d’effets sur l’influx somatosensoriel. L’ensemble de nos travaux fait ressortir l’importance du développement et de l’utilisation de modèles animaux co-exprimant douleurs et anxiété/dépression afin de mieux définir les mécanismes liant ces pathologies et d’optimiser les critères de développement des futurs antidépresseurs et analgésiques. / High comorbidity is described between depression and pain disorders. Monoaminergic reuptake inhibitors represent the first choice of treatment for depression and serotonin and norepinephrin reuptake inhibitors are also recommended for the treatment of neuropathic pain disorders. We aims at evaluating analgesic effects of these drugs in animal models sharing anxio-depressive and painful phenotype. We first developed tests to assess pain sensitivity in mice and analgesic properties of pharmacological compounds. Depressive phenotype was assessed using various behavioural paradigms of anxiety/depression.We thus show that fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), provide antinociceptive effects in a mice model of anxiety-depression: the CORT model. Fluoxetine may thus exert its analgesic effect by modulating the affective aspect of pain in addition to a putative influence on sensory mechanisms. Moreover we characterized analgesic effects of a new generation of antidepressant, the triple reuptake inhibitors, which simultaneously potentialisate serotoninergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission, in a mice model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy. Our results support that indatraline provide a better analgesic profile than escitalopram and venlafaxine in pain relief in oxaliplatin-treated mice. Although other investigations are required to quantify the putative involvement of DA in the therapeutic action of indatraline, the benefit can be attributed to this additional component. Indeed, reinforcement of descending control pathways though 5-HT and NE systems has been proposed to participate in the analgesic properties of dual reuptake inhibitors. The fact that indatraline was able to enhance dopaminergic transmission in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex argues in favor of a more potent action upon this inhibitory descending control of pain. Results with indatraline in the depression paradigm cannot rule out the possibility that the antidepressant property of the TRI accounts for its analgesic effect.This work provides a support for the need of animal models sharing anxio/depressive and painful phenotype in order to define mechanism responsible for such co-mobidity and optimize the development of newer antidepressants and pain killers.

Esta pesquisa realiza um estudo da relação entre universidades-centros de pesquisa e empresas no setor de biomateriais, no estado do Paraná (Brasil). Os dados foram levantados por meio de entrevistas exploratórias realizadas com onze líderes de grupos de pesquisa, com representantes dos setores de pesquisa e desenvolvimento de quatro empresas ligadas ao setor de biomateriais e com os responsáveis pelos Núcleos de Inovação Tecnológica das universidades contempladas pela pesquisa. Os resultados das entrevistas com os pesquisadores mostram as motivações para o estabelecimento das parcerias, as principais dificuldades, bem como as lacunas que dificultam o avanço das pesquisas no estado. As entrevistas exploratórias com os representantes das empresas identificaram as motivações para o estabelecimento das parcerias, as formas utilizadas para identificar os pesquisadores, as principais dificuldades, bem como as principais lacunas nesta relação. Foi realizada também uma pesquisa bibliográfica a respeito dos mecanismos governamentais de apoio, na qual foram levantadas as principais legislações federais sobre o processo de inovação, as legislações locais e os principais mecanismos de subvenção atuantes no estado. Por fim, foram identificadas e analisadas as boas práticas implantadas pelas empresas e universidades-centros de pesquisa. Este trabalho finaliza com a apresentação de dois protocolos de boas práticas disponibilizados para empresas e instituições de pesquisa, e um protocolo de ações para o governo, com o objetivo de aprimorar esta relação, tão importante para o desenvolvimento científico-tecnológico no país. / This research conducts a study of the interaction between universities-research centers and companies on the biomaterials industry in the state of Paraná (Brazil). Data were collected through exploratory interviews with eleven leaders of research groups, with representatives of research and development areas of four companies linked to the biomaterials sector and with those responsible for Technological Innovation Centers in universities covered by this study. The results of the interviews with the researchers show the motivations for the establishment of partnerships, the main difficulties, as well as the gaps that hinder the progress of research in the state. The exploratory interviews with representatives of companies identified the motivations for the establishment of partnerships, the ways used to identify the researchers, the main difficulties, as well as the main gaps in this regard. It was also performed a bibliographic research regarding government support mechanisms, in which were surveyed main federal laws about the process of innovation, local laws and the mechanisms of subvention in the state. Finally, were identified and analyzed the best practices implemented by companies and universities-research centers. This study concludes with the presentation of two protocols of best practices made available for companies and research institutions, and a protocol of suggestions to the government, aiming to improve these relations, so important to the scientific and technological development in this country.

In this thesis, we investigate flow past an array of micro-electro-mechanical-type (MEMS-type) heating elements placed on a flat surface, where MEMS devices have hump-shaped surfaces, using the triple deck theory. In this work we start by investigating the problem with a single heating element. MEMS devices can be used to control the fluid dynamics over the surface. Hence, we present a review of the boundary layer and the triple deck theories, followed by a literature review of the problem of flow past an array of MEMS devices. Next, we formulate our problem with the aid of the method of matched expansions for supersonic and subsonic flows. Thirdly, we solve analytically the linear version of the problem for supersonic flows. Thereafter, the non-linear problem is solved numerically where a detailed description of a hybrid method to solve the formulated non-linear problem for supersonic flow is exhibited. Fourthly, for subsonic flows we continue investigating flow past a heating element placed on a flat surface. Linear analysis of this problem is conducted. A novel numerical method to solve the non-linear problem for subsonic flows is described. The results are then discussed. In a similar context, we formulate a problem which can be considered as an the extension of previous subsonic flow problem to the three dimensional case. Analytical results are obtained using the Fourier transform where the linear approximation of the problem is considered and numerical results are then obtained using the Fast Fourier Transform. Finally, we consider a case of transonic flow past a heating element placed on a flat surface, where MEMS device has a hump-shaped surface. This transonic flow problem is non-linear in the upper deck and the lower deck equations where they should be solved simultaneously. Hence, a numerical method is required where we will use a finite difference method in stream-wise direction and Chebyshev collocation method in the wall normal direction. The results are then analysed. In conclusion, the use of localised heating elements in boundary layers for flow types considered in the thesis can contribute to the possibility of favourably controlling the fluid flow perturbations.