Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:32:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DeniseHIPO_DISSERT.pdf: 4556175 bytes, checksum: 89c325ea02bf77fa8472508c05c7634d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-16 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / The correct histological diagnosis of vascular lesions in the oral mucosa is critical, especially in defining the treatment and prognosis, as some vascular lesions show spontaneous involution and others do not show such behavior. This study analyzed the expression immunohistochemistry of human glucose transporter protein (GLUT-1), in oral benign vascular tumors and to reclassify such lesions according to with his immunoexpression. In addition, we evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1?), the main transcription factor involved in cellular adaptation to hypoxia. We analyzed 60 cases of benign oral vascular tumors: 30 cases with histological diagnosis of HEM and 30 cases of oral pyogenic granuloma (PG). The results of this research showed that of the 30 lesions initially classified as HEM, only 7 showed immuno-positivity for GLUT-1, remaining with the initial diagnosis. The remaining 23 were reclassified as vascular malformation (VM) (13 cases) and PG (10 cases). All cases in the sample with an initial diagnosis of PG were negative for GLUT-1, demonstrating the accuracy of histological diagnosis of these lesions. Concerning to the immunoexpression of HIF-1?, the Mann-Whitney test revealed a statistically significant difference between the cases of GP and MV (p = 0.002), where the median of GP (m=78) was higher than the MV (m=53). Based on these results, this study showed that a histological diagnosis alone is not always sufficient for the correct diagnosis of oral HEM and that HIF-1? participates in the pathogenesis of vascular lesions / O correto diagn?stico histol?gico de les?es vasculares em mucosa oral ? fundamental, sobretudo na hora de definir o tratamento e progn?stico, visto que algumas dessas les?es apresentam involu??o. Este trabalho analisou a express?o imunohistoqu?mica da prote?na humana transportadora de glicose (GLUT-1), em tumores vasculares benignos orais e reclassificou tais les?es de acordo com sua imunoexpress?o. Al?m disso, avaliou a express?o imuno-histoqu?mica do fator 1 induz?vel por hip?xia (HIF-1?), principal fator de transcri??o envolvido na adapta??o celular ? hip?xia. Foram analisados 60 casos de tumores vasculares benignos orais, sendo 30 casos com diagn?stico histol?gico de HEM e 30 casos de granulomas piog?nicos orais (GP). Os resultados desta pesquisa demonstraram que das 30 les?es inicialmente classificadas como HEM, apenas 7 apresentaram imuno-positividade para GLUT-1, permanecendo com o diagn?stico inicial. As 23 restantes foram reclassificadas em malforma??o vascular (MV) 13 casos e GP 10 casos . Todos os casos da amostra com diagn?stico inicial de GP apresentaram-se negativos para GLUT-1. Quanto ? imunoexpress?o do HIF-1?, o teste de Mann-Whitney revelou diferen?a estatisticamente significativa entre os casos de GP e MV(p=0,002), onde a mediana do GP (m=78) foi superior a da MV (m=53). Com base nesses resultados, este estudo mostrou que o diagn?stico histol?gico por si s? nem sempre ? suficiente para o diagn?stico correto do HEM oral e que o HIF- 1? participa da patog?nese das les?es vasculares

Vasos de pressão e tubulações são equipamentos essenciais em industrias químicas, petroquímicas, refino de petróleo, entre outras. A operação segura deste tipo de equipamento é um fator determinante, visto que falhas podem variar desde grandes perdas financeiras até consequências catastróficas. Avaliação de descontinuidades encontradas em inspeções podem ser realizadas através de metodologias de fitness for service, as quais são baseadas na mecânica da fratura, que teve grande desenvolvimentos nos últimos 40 anos. Estas metodologias são consagradas como sendo seguras para garantir a integridade de equipamentos em operação. Este trabalho utilizará primeiramente a metodologia de “fitness for service” empregando o guia BS7910 para avaliar um caso de um bocal de oito polegadas de diâmetro unido a um casco de dezesseis polegadas de diâmetro com uma grande descontinuidade do tipo falta de penetração em sua solda. A metodologia de fitness for service será comparada com o resultado do teste experimental, o qual foi realizado através de um teste hidrostático destrutivo monitorado através do ensaio de emissão acústica. Por fim, será realizada uma análise não linear utilizando não linearidade física e geométrica através do método de elementos finitos. A comparação dos resultados numéricos, experimentais e os analíticos obtidos pela aplicação da BS7910 permitiram a obtenção de várias conclusões que são expostas neste trabalho. A metodologia de ajuste ao uso utilizando a BS7910 foi conservativa para o caso estudado. O modo de falha dominante utilizando a BS7910 foi o colapso plástico que foi coerente com o teste experimental. O ensaio de emissão acústica não teve correlação entre a energia acumulada dos sinais captados e a criticidade de descontinuidades entre um bocal e um tampo, o que salientou que para aplicações semelhantes os dados devem ser analisados cuidadosamente uma vez que regiões sujeitas a colapso plástico como no caso do bocal estudado podem emitir sinais de menor intensidade que descontinuidades onde existe a interação entre os modos de fratura e colapso plástico. A análise não linear utilizando não linearidades física e geometria teve o resultado 5,8% maior que a pressão de ruptura no teste experimental que foi de 14,7MPa, o que pode ser considerado um resultado com um bom grau de aproximação. / Pressure vessels and pipes are essential equipment in the chemical, petrochemical, petroleum refining, among others. The safety operation of this equipment is an important aspect, since failures can vary from large financial losses to catastrophic consequences. Evaluation discontinuity found in inspections can be perfomed by fitness for service methodology which is based on fracture mechanics, which had great developments in the last 40 years. These methodologies are known as being the best way to ensure the integrity of equipment while in operation. This work first uses the fitness for service methodology according BS7910 guide to evaluate lack of weld penetration in eight-inch nozzle attached to a shell with sixteen inches in diameter. The methodology of fitness for service was compared with the experimental test result, which was performed by a destructive hydrostatic test monitored by acoustic emission test. Finally, finite element method was performed using nonlinearity physical and geometric tecniques. The comparison of numerical, experimental and analytical results obtained by the application of BS7910 allowed us to obtain several conclusions that are exposed in this work. The methodology using the BS7910 was conservative for the case study. The dominant failure mode using the BS7910 was the collapse of plastic that was consistent with the experimental test. The acoustic emission technique had no correlation between the stored energy of the picked up signals and criticality of discontinuities between a nozzle and a head, which pointed out that for similar applications data must be analyzed carefully since in regions subjected to plastic collapse such as in the case studied nozzle can generate signals of lower intensity that discontinuities where there is an interaction between the modes of fracture and plastic collapse. The nonlinear analysis result using physics and geometry nonlinearities was 5.8% higher than the rupture pressure of the experimental test was 14.7 MPa, being considered a result with a good degree of accuracity.

Ce travail de thèse s'est déroulé dans le cadre du programme H2E (Horizon Hydrogène Énergie) piloté par Air Liquide et en partenariat industriel avec Composites Aquitaine. Le stockage d’hydrogène sous forme gazeuse impose que les réservoirs bobinés en composite carbone/époxy utilisés résistent à des pressions internes en service allant de 350 à 700bar.L’état de l’art montre que le procédé d’enroulement filamentaire et son application à des épaisseurs de matériaux composites importantes peuvent générer des variations, dans l’épaisseur, des contraintes résiduelles d’origine thermique, de la teneur en fibres et en porosités et de l’épaisseur des couches. Ces hétérogénéités peuvent alors être à l’origine de modifications des propriétés mécaniques du composite. Notre travail s’est donc appuyé sur la caractérisation physico-chimique à l’échelle des constituants (mesure de températures, nano-indentation, analyse d’images et microtomographie) ainsi que la caractérisation mécanique à l’échelle de la couche de référence mais également à l’échelle de la structure (essais plans spécifiques sur éprouvettes bobinés et essais hors-plan).Les hétérogénéités de la matière ainsi identifiées sur le réservoir ont été intégrées dans un modèle de calcul analytique permettant d'étudier leurs influences sur sa pression d'éclatement. La conception d'un essai de mise sous pression interne d'un anneau a par ailleurs permis de vérifier le comportement mécanique de la structure réelle. / This PhD work was conducted in the H2E (Horizon Hydrogen Energy) program coordinated by Air Liquide and with the industrial partnership of Composites Aquitaine. The hydrogen storage under gaseous form needs the filament-wound carbon/epoxy composite vessels used to resist to service pressures between 350 to 700bar.The influences of the process and of the thickness of the structure on its mechanical behaviour were determined by precise bibliographic work and were supposed to generate thermal residual stresses and also to be responsible of variations in the thickness and fibre content of the plies. These heterogeneities could modify the mechanical properties of the composite material. Our work focuses, first of all, on the physical chemistry characterization at the constituents scale (temperature measurement, nano-indentation, image analysis and microtomography) and then on the mechanical characterization of the reference ply and also of the structure (dedicated tests on filament-wound samples and out-of-plane tests).The material heterogeneities identified on the vessel were integrated in an analytical calculation model to study their influences on its burst pressure. The development of an internal pressure test allows us to verify the global mechanical behaviour of the real structure.

Vasos de pressão e tubulações são equipamentos essenciais em industrias químicas, petroquímicas, refino de petróleo, entre outras. A operação segura deste tipo de equipamento é um fator determinante, visto que falhas podem variar desde grandes perdas financeiras até consequências catastróficas. Avaliação de descontinuidades encontradas em inspeções podem ser realizadas através de metodologias de fitness for service, as quais são baseadas na mecânica da fratura, que teve grande desenvolvimentos nos últimos 40 anos. Estas metodologias são consagradas como sendo seguras para garantir a integridade de equipamentos em operação. Este trabalho utilizará primeiramente a metodologia de “fitness for service” empregando o guia BS7910 para avaliar um caso de um bocal de oito polegadas de diâmetro unido a um casco de dezesseis polegadas de diâmetro com uma grande descontinuidade do tipo falta de penetração em sua solda. A metodologia de fitness for service será comparada com o resultado do teste experimental, o qual foi realizado através de um teste hidrostático destrutivo monitorado através do ensaio de emissão acústica. Por fim, será realizada uma análise não linear utilizando não linearidade física e geométrica através do método de elementos finitos. A comparação dos resultados numéricos, experimentais e os analíticos obtidos pela aplicação da BS7910 permitiram a obtenção de várias conclusões que são expostas neste trabalho. A metodologia de ajuste ao uso utilizando a BS7910 foi conservativa para o caso estudado. O modo de falha dominante utilizando a BS7910 foi o colapso plástico que foi coerente com o teste experimental. O ensaio de emissão acústica não teve correlação entre a energia acumulada dos sinais captados e a criticidade de descontinuidades entre um bocal e um tampo, o que salientou que para aplicações semelhantes os dados devem ser analisados cuidadosamente uma vez que regiões sujeitas a colapso plástico como no caso do bocal estudado podem emitir sinais de menor intensidade que descontinuidades onde existe a interação entre os modos de fratura e colapso plástico. A análise não linear utilizando não linearidades física e geometria teve o resultado 5,8% maior que a pressão de ruptura no teste experimental que foi de 14,7MPa, o que pode ser considerado um resultado com um bom grau de aproximação. / Pressure vessels and pipes are essential equipment in the chemical, petrochemical, petroleum refining, among others. The safety operation of this equipment is an important aspect, since failures can vary from large financial losses to catastrophic consequences. Evaluation discontinuity found in inspections can be perfomed by fitness for service methodology which is based on fracture mechanics, which had great developments in the last 40 years. These methodologies are known as being the best way to ensure the integrity of equipment while in operation. This work first uses the fitness for service methodology according BS7910 guide to evaluate lack of weld penetration in eight-inch nozzle attached to a shell with sixteen inches in diameter. The methodology of fitness for service was compared with the experimental test result, which was performed by a destructive hydrostatic test monitored by acoustic emission test. Finally, finite element method was performed using nonlinearity physical and geometric tecniques. The comparison of numerical, experimental and analytical results obtained by the application of BS7910 allowed us to obtain several conclusions that are exposed in this work. The methodology using the BS7910 was conservative for the case study. The dominant failure mode using the BS7910 was the collapse of plastic that was consistent with the experimental test. The acoustic emission technique had no correlation between the stored energy of the picked up signals and criticality of discontinuities between a nozzle and a head, which pointed out that for similar applications data must be analyzed carefully since in regions subjected to plastic collapse such as in the case studied nozzle can generate signals of lower intensity that discontinuities where there is an interaction between the modes of fracture and plastic collapse. The nonlinear analysis result using physics and geometry nonlinearities was 5.8% higher than the rupture pressure of the experimental test was 14.7 MPa, being considered a result with a good degree of accuracity.

Plusieurs études ont montré que la productivité des forêts et des cultures décroît sur l’ensemble de la planète en réponse au changement climatique, et que les risques de mortalité liée à la sécheresse s’accroissent. Ces mortalités massives ont été observées dans tous les écosystèmes forestiers et seraient dues à un dysfonctionnement hydraulique des plantes, causé par de l’embolie xylémiène. Le spectre interspécifique de résistance à l'embolie a été largement étudiée, mais peu d'attention a été accordée à la variabilité intra-spécifique de ce trait. C’est pourquoi, l’objectif de ce travail de thèse était d’améliorer notre compréhension de la variabilité intra-spécifique de la résistance à l’embolie chez une espèce cultivée(Helianthus annuus L.) et chez un conifère (Pinus pinaster). Nous avons déterminé la vulnérabilité à l’embolie de quatre variétés de tournesol, présentant des différences significatives de P50 (pression induisant 50% de perte de conductivité hydraulique), allant de -2.67 à -3.22 MPa. Un compromis entre sécurité hydraulique et croissance a été observé mais pas entre la sécurité hydraulique et la capacité de transport de l'eau du xylème. Seuls quelques caractères anatomiques, tels que la densité des vaisseaux et la surface du lumen, présentent une corrélation avec la résistance à l’embolie. Dans un second temps, nous avons phénotypé pour la résistance à l’embolie et la densité du bois 477 génotypes de P. pinaster, issus d’une F2 de pleins-frères correspondant à la 3ème génération consanguine obtenue par auto-fécondation d’un hybride inter-provenance “Corse × Landes. La variabilité de la P50 au sein de l’espèce était extrêmement faible (CVP=5.6%). D’autre part, nous avons mis en évidence l’absence de compromis entre sécurité hydraulique et densité du bois. La part de variance du caractère P50 expliquée par QTLs (PEV)correspondait à 23.6% de la variance phénotypique totale mais aucun QTL commun n’a pu être détecté entre P50 et densité du bois, suggérant qu’au sein de cette famille, la plus forte résistance à l’embolie de certains génotypes n’est pas liée à un bois plus dense. Une analyse multi-caractère du fonctionnement de la feuille et du xylème a été réalisée via l’étude de la dynamique saisonnière de la fluorescence du photosystème II et des traits hydrauliques de la tige, sur une famille de pleins-frères d’un hybride interprovenance “Maroc × Landes” de P. pinaster ; en réponse à une diminution du potentiel hydrique,l’efficience du photosystème II et la conductance stomatique ont tous deux diminué, induisant une décroissance rapide du taux d’assimilation. La résistance à l’embolie du xylème n’a pas montré de relation significative avec les traits foliaires. L’absence de compromis entre ces caractères permet donc d’envisager la sélection génétique de génotypes à la fois efficients et résistants. / As a consequence of current global climate change, forest and crop ecosystems are decreasing inproductivity worldwide and are under increased threat of widespread drought-induced mortality due tohydraulic failure caused by xylem embolism. The range of embolism resistance across species has been intensively studied but little attention has been paid to intraspecific variability. This thesis aimed thereforeat improving our understanding of the intraspecific variation in embolism resistance in one crop species(Helianthus annuus L.) and one conifer species (Pinus pinaster). In the first place, vulnerability to embolism was determined across four sunflower accessions with significant variations in P50 (pressure inducing 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity) ranging between -2.67 and -3.22 MPa. A trade-off between hydraulic safety and growth was observed but not between hydraulic safety and efficiency. Only few anatomical traits, such as vessel density and vessel lumen area, were found related to embolism resistance.Secondly, we phenotyped 477 P. pinaster full-sib F2 genotypes corresponding to a three-generation inbred pedigree obtained by the self-pollination of an inter “Corsica × Landes” provenance hybrid, for embolismresistance and wood density. The variability for P50 within species was remarkably low (CVP=5.6%). Wealso found a lack of trade-off between hydraulic safety and wood density. The phenotypic variance explained by QTLs (PEV) detected for P50 accounted for 23.6% of the phenotypic variation but no QTL collocated between P50 and wood density, suggesting that embolism resistant genotypes in this family are not dependent on denser wood. A multi-trait analysis of leaf and xylem functioning was performed through seasonal measurements of photosystem II fluorescence and stem hydraulic traits on a full-sib family of aninter “Morocco × Landes” provenance hybrid of P. pinaster; it revealed that with decreasing water potential, the efficiency of both photosystem II and stomatal conductance decreased which resulted in rapid decrease in assimilation rate. Xylem resistance to embolism was found having no relationship with leaf functioning traits. The absence of trade-off between these traits makes it possible to consider selection for both efficient and resistant genotypes.

No description available.

The Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is a complex system tasked with ensuring the safety of navigation within specified areas known as VTS areas. Earlier research in the domain has often focused on the decision support systems and other tools employed by the VTS operators to provide the vessels in the area with VTS services. Consequently, less effort has gone into looking at the system itself and the human factors aspects of the system. This study uses the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) to create a functional model of the VTS. It looks at how a VTS works, what the different components are and how these components are related. The main purpose of the FRAM model is to serve as a basis for future application by identifying the functions that constitute the system, and to illuminate the potential variability therein. To demonstrate how it might be used, an instantiation of an observed scenario will be presented. A structural description of the VTS is also presented, which aims to serve as an introduction to the domain for readers who are previously unfamiliar with it. The functional model shows that a lot of the potential variability seems to lie in the functions that rely heavily on human interaction, which is to be expected, as human performance is highly variable. It also shows that the availability and reliability of relevant information is crucial in order to be able to provide the VTS services, and if the information for some reason is unavailable or insufficient it seems likely to cause variability.

Les pontages aorto-coronaires sont réalisés afin d’assurer une reperfusion myocardique. Un modèle de circulation coronaire serait utile pour prédire les effets des interventions pharmacologiques et pathophysiologiques en particulier les pontages coronaires. Dans ce travail, nous étudions des patients avec des sténoses coronaires sévères. Nous avons créé un modèle basé sur l’analogie hydraulique/électrique qui décrit le système artériel coronaire mathématiquement. Les simulations permettant de calculer les pressions et les flux dans les artères natives sténosées, les branches collatérales et les capillaires. Dans notre modèle biomécanique, les capillaires sont représentés par leur résistance hydraulique ; la résolution des équations de mécanique des fluides dans un tel réseau est complexe raison pour laquelle nous avons utilisé un modèle électrique. Dans ce modèle, chaque segment d’artère coronaire est représenté par un modèle de circuit analogue avec une résistance R, une capacitance C et une inductance L. Notre système artériel coronaire a été modélisé en présence de pontages. Dans cette analogie hydraulique/électrique, les pressions et les flux correspondent au voltage électrique et au courant. L’imagerie diagnostique seule est insuffisante pour prédire les résultats d’un traitement donné pour un patient unique de par ses lésions. La notion de Pw (pression distale à la thrombose) est proportionnelle au flux collatéral dans cette région. Un index basé sur des mesures de pression a été proposé par Pijls afin de déterminer la significativité fonctionnelle de la collatéralité et de faciliter la prise de décision chez les patients avec une collatéralité équivoque. Cet index est nommé Collateral Flow Index (CFI). Toutefois, la relation entre le flux collatéral et la valeur de Pw n’est pas aussi simple en particulier lorsqu’il s’agit de vaisseaux multisténosés. Nous avons donc développé un CFI modifié et démontré que le nouvel index de pression du flux collatéral est plus sensible aux variations des pressions distales aux thromboses, Pw, pouvant ainsi décrire le rôle du flux collatéral plus précisément. De plus, ce nouvel index reflète la balance entre deux chutes de pression : (Pw-Pv) correspondant au flux distal à la thrombose et (Pao-Pw) correspondant au flux collatéral. Nous avons également analysé les facteurs les plus importants qui déterminent la perfusion du territoire droit. Sept nouveaux patients ont également été étudiés. Le caractère temps-dépendant des résistances capillaires a été introduit afin de prendre en compte le collapsus des vaisseaux coronaires en systole dû à la contraction ventriculaire. Une des conclusions majeures est que la revascularisation complète est totalement justifiée chez nos patients. Enfin, la dernière partie a été consacrée à l’étude du Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR). Notre modèle est maintenant utilisé afin d’évaluer la fonctionnalité de la circulation coronaire après revascularisation. / Bypass grafting is performed to obtain myocardial reperfusion. Coronary artery diseases induce the development of a coronary collateral circulation. However, developed collaterals are a risk factor for restenosis. We study the case of severe coronary diseases. We proposed a model based on hydraulic/electric analogy. The simulations allow to know the pressures and flow rates with the hope that these computations will augment the surgeons experience. The reductions of the stenosed arteries were estimated from angiographic observations. Flow rates are measured with a flowmeter.In the biomechanical model of this coronary network, the capillaries are represented by their hydraulic resistances. Full resolution of the fluid mechanics equations in such a network is complicated, reason why we used an analog electrical model. In the electrical model, each segment of the coronary artery is simulated by an equivalent analog circuit model. Our coronary artery system was modeled in the presence of bypasses. In this hydraulic/electric analogy, pressure and flow rate correspond to electrical voltage and current. The so-called coronary wedge pressure Pw (pressure distal to the thrombosis) is proportional to collateral flow to this area. An index based on pressure measurements has been proposed. This index is called Collateral Flow Index (CFI). However, the relationship between the collateral flow and the Pw value is not simple. That’s why we developed another CFI and demonstrated that the proposed new pressure based index of collateral flow is more sensitive to the variations of the values of the pressure distal to the thrombosis and could thus describe the role of collateral flow. Moreover, this new index is likely to reflect the balance between the two pressure drops: (Pw- Pv) driving the flow distal to the thrombosis and (Pao- Pw), driving the collateral flow. We also studied the flow rate toward the right heart territory and demonstrated that the influence of capillary and collateral resistances cannot be analyzed separately. We also analysed the most important factors that determine the right territory perfusion using a mathematical analysis which confirmed that the CFI does not fully reflect the flow rate delivered to the occluded territory. In particular, the capillary and collateral resistances are demonstrated to have a major influence on the perfusion of the right occluded territory. Even if the CFI may be improved by a more appropriate combination of the measured pressure values, collateral flow and microvascular status determination in patients with three-vessel disease remains a challenge. Another part of this work integrated seven new patients. Simulated profiles of flow rates and pressures were obtained in case of fixed and variable resistances. The last part was dedicated to the study of the Fractional Flow Reserve. Our model is now used to evaluate the functionality of the coronary circulation after revascularization.

No description available.

L’expédition maritime peut se diviser en deux phases complémentaires, et dépendantes l’une de l’autre. Sans ordre de primauté on peut observer une période qui voit le navire en mer et une période qui voit le navire à quai. Chacune de ces phases sont tour à tour le précédent et le corollaire de l’autre. Le navire marchand ne saurait naviguer sans faire escale, et ne saurait faire escale sans avoir navigué.Pourtant face à ce qui semble une évidence, la chronologie des faits dans sa réalisation, ne permet pas aisément d’arrêter la fin de la navigation et de faire débuter la période de l’escale. Les règlementations internationales et locales qui régissent le transport maritime influencent l’approche du navire marchand vers le port d’escale, son accueil une fois accosté, et ses activités commerciales. Ces mêmes activités qui seront à leur tour encadrées par un contexte contractuel particulier, le concours d’intervenants, tant publics que privés, qui auront néanmoins le même objectif : que le navire et sa marchandise soient en sécurité une fois à quai.Mais l’escale du navire marchand se trouve être également un théâtre où des évènements parfois inattendus se produisent et viennent bouleverser les opérations prévues, retarder le navire dans ses manœuvres, ou tout simplement l’empêcher de repartir du port.Les différentes phases de l’escale, les règlements, les contrats qui s’y attachent, et ceux qui les exécutent ainsi que tous les évènements, parfois fortuits, qui peuvent se produire durant le séjour du navire marchand dans le port, amènent à nous demander s’il existe une unité dans la notion d’escale du navire marchand / Maritime forwarding can be divided into two complementary phases, and dependent one on the other. Without order of primacy we can observe one period which sees the ship at sea and a period which sees the ship at quay. Each one of these phases are in turn the precedent and the corollary of the other. The trading vessel could not sail without making call, and could not make call without have sailed. However in front of what seems obviousness, the chronology of the facts in its realization, does not easily to permit to determine the end of navigation and to make begin the period of the call. The international and local regulations which govern the maritime transport influence the approach of the trading vessel towards the port of call, its reception once she is accosted, and its commercial activities. These same activities which will be in their turn framed by a particular contractual context, the intervention of some participants, as well public as private, who will have nevertheless the same objective: that the ship and its goods are in safety once at quay. But the stopover of the trading vessel is being also a theatre where sometimes unexpected events occur and come to upset the operations envisaged, to delay the ship in its operations, or quite simply to prevent it from setting out of the port. The various phases of the stopover, the regulations, the contracts which are in relation with, and those which carry out them, as all the events, sometimes fortuitous, which can occur during the stay of the trading vessel in the port, bring to ask to us whether there exists a unit in the concept of stopover of the trading vessel