This thesis’s purpose was to study differences between the Scandinavian countries’ crisis management during the coronavirus pandemic based on theories of responsibilization and individualization. The thesis investigates how Sweden, Denmark, and Norway communicated individual and state responsibility during the pandemic and see if the discourse has changed from spring to fall in 2020. The design is comparative, where the method consists of a qualitative text analysis that is used to analyze the Scandinavian countries’ prime ministers’ introductory speech at press conferences regarding the pandemic. The thesis conclusions are that there are noticeable differences in the countries' communication. Sweden communicates a significant state responsibility throughout, but what is characteristic is the extensive individual responsibility. Denmark communicates extensive state responsibility with significant and partly mandatory measures throughout 2020. The individual responsibility is also significant but not as extensive. Norway also communicates a significant state responsibility, but the individual responsibility is communicated primarily in a collective way where everyone together must get through the crisis. There has also been a shift of responsibility from the state to the individual from spring to fall during 2020 in Norway and Sweden where the individual's responsibility increases over time, whereas the same shift cannot be discerned in Denmark. In Sweden the individual responsibility is thus more comprehensive than Denmark and Norway who show more state responsibility.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to take this moment to extend my utmost appreciation for all the support provided by my supervisor, Dr. Russell de Souza. He assisted me along the way and ensured that I was always on the right path to achieve all my goals and checkpoints in every circumstance. I would also like to thank my committee for providing me with fantastic support: Ms. Laura Banfield for always being there to help solve any problem in this process, and Dr. Zain Chagla for providing a plethora of knowledge from the technical perspective of infectious disease and being so patient. Special thanks to Dr. Alexandra Mayhew for her support in our prevalence meta-analysis. Finally, I would like to thank my family, my wife, Dr. Sanjida Rowshan Anannya, for whom I am here today, and my parents, siblings, and in-laws; you are always there for me in every walk of life. You are why I have gotten to where I am today and are my daily inspiration. / Background: Bacteria is a major cause of many infectious diseases, and the treatment for these diseases is antibiotics designed to kill or subdue the growth of the bacteria. However, bacteria evolve, and if an antibiotic prescription is not the right antibiotic for the right patient at the right time with the correct dose and the right route, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) may result. During this pandemic, the use of antibiotics to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients without any bacterial coinfection threatens the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment for current and future bacterial infections. Methods: A systematic search was conducted of the Embase, Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases by generating search terms using the concepts of “COVID-19,” “Bacterial Coinfection,” “Secondary bacterial infection,” and “Antimicrobial resistance” to identify studies that reported the prevalence of antibiotic prescription for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients with and without bacterial coinfection. The pooled estimate of the percentage of the total and confirmed appropriate antibiotic prescriptions provided to hospitalized COVID-19 patients was generated using a random effect meta-analysis with inverse variance weighting. Result: Of 157,623 participants from 29 studies included in our review, 67% (CI 64% to 71%, P<0.00001) were prescribed antibiotics, among which 80% (CI 76% to 83%, P<0.00001) prescriptions were given for the COVID-19 patients without any bacterial coinfections. The use of antibiotics varied during the pre-immunosuppressive period (before 16 June 2020) and post-immunosuppressive period of the pandemic and between the High-Income Countries and Upper and Lower Middle-Income Countries. Conclusion: This Systematic Review and Meta-analysis finds greater than expected use of antibiotics to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients without bacterial coinfections, which can worsen AMR globally. Clear and concrete guidelines for the use of antibiotic prescriptions to treat COVID-19 patients, strict monitoring, and compliance with Antimicrobial Stewardship are needed to prevent over-prescription. / Thesis / Master in Advanced Studies (MAS) / Bacteria is a major cause of many infectious diseases. Before the discovery of Antibiotics in 1928, hundreds of thousands of people used to die due to infectious diseases caused by bacteria. While Antibiotics are essential to treat bacterial infectious diseases, overuse or misuse can accelerate Antibiotic Resistance, a phenomenon when bacteria change and/or develop the ability to escape the drugs designed to kill them. Self-medication, availability of antibiotics without a prescription, and inappropriate dosing of antibiotics can worsen the situation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotics were commonly prescribed as part of the treatment regime for COVID-19, even when a clear bacterial infection was not identified. In our Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, we aimed to see the frequency of antibiotic prescriptions to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients without any bacterial coinfections.

Den ökande trenden med att använda tillverkade nanopartiklar (NPs) i olika tillämpningar i samhället har väckt oro när det gäller deras växelverkan med naturliga ekosystem. Syftet med denna studie är att ta fram data under förhållanden som simulerar realistiska scenarios och syftar till att förstå växelverkan mellan koboltbaserade NPs (Co, Co3O4 och Co SCS) och nickelbaserade NPs (Ni, NiO och Ni SCS) med naturliga nedbrytningsprodukter (biomolekyler, ekokorona) som utsöndras från Daphnia magna. Adsorption, metallfrisättning och stabilitet i närvaro av dessa biomolekyler (EC) i syntetiskt sötvatten (FW) är huvudfokus för denna multianalytiska studie. Förändringar av ytans sammansättning på grund av växelverkan mellan NPs och EC studerades parallellt. Resultaten jämfördes med resultat för NPs i närvaro av naturligt organiskt material (NOM) som tidigare tagits fram av medlemmar i professor Inger Odnevalls grupp vid avdelningen för Yt- och korrosionsvetenskap på KTH. ATR-IR-studierna visade på en tydlig och stark adsorption av EC till samtliga undersökta NPs där NPs av metall- och metalloxider vilka uppvisade den snabbaste adsorptionen. Uppmätta zeta-potentialer bekräftade en större adsorption av EC till NPs av metalloxider jämfört med övriga NPs. NTA-studier visade på en tydlig minskningen av partikelstorleken hos de undersökta NPs vid exponering i FW med EC jämfört med endast FW i vilken NPs av metalloxider uppvisade den mest signifikanta förändringen. Växelverkan mellan EC och NPs resulterade i en ökad metallfrisättning för flertalet av den undersökta NPs, med undantag av Ni SCS NPs. De nickelbaserade NPs uppvisade en lägre frisättningsnivå jämfört med de koboltbaserade NPs. Slutligen visade jämförelsen mellan närvaron av NOM och EC i syntetiskt sötvatten en signifikant skillnad i både zeta-potential och partikelstorlek under korta tider. Resultaten tyder på att adsorption av EC till NPs ger sämre skydd mot partikel-agglomerering än motsvarande adsorption av NOM. / The increasing trend of implementing engineered nanoparticles (NPs) in different societal applications has escalated the concerns on the risk of their interaction with natural ecosystems. With the lack of knowledge on NP interactions with biomolecules in ecosystems, this study provides a rather realistic scenario that aims to understand the interaction of cobalt-based NPs (Co, Co3O4, and Co SCS NPs) and nickel-based NPs (Ni, NiO and Ni SCS  NPs) with natural degradation products (eco-corona biomolecules) excreted from Daphnia magna. As the main focus of this study, the adsorption, dissolution, and stability of NPs in presence of the eco-corona biomolecules (EC) in synthetic freshwater (FW) were investigated by a multi-analytical approach. The effect of surface composition on the interaction of NPs was evaluated in parallel. The results were compared with NPs interacting with natural organic matters (NOM), research results previously performed by members of Prof. Odnevall’s group at the Division of Surface and Corrosion Science, KTH. ATR-IR studies showed a clear and strong adsorption of EC to all the investigated NPs with metallic and metal oxide NPs exhibiting the fastest adsorption. Zeta potential values corroborated the intensive adsorption of EC to metal oxides compared to the other NPs. NTA studies showed the decrease in particle size of the investigated NPs upon the exposure to EC compared to FW only with metal oxide NPs exhibiting the most significant change. The presence of EC enhanced the dissolution of most investigated NPs with Ni SCS NPs as an exception. Furthermore, nickel-based NPs showed lower dissolution than cobalt-based NPs. Finally, the comparison between effects in the presence of NOM and EC in freshwater showed significant differences in zeta potential as well as particle size over short-term exposures suggesting that the adsorption of EC to NPs provides less protection against agglomeration than adsorption of NOM.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the Swedish strategy when dealing with the crisis, have shown that a status quo bias can be highly damaging for bioethical decision-making. The pandemic presented a situation of high levels of uncertainties, where incomparable values such as health and freedom, were being put against each other. Because of this, mathematically oriented utility calculations or maximin principles such as the Precautionary Principle, recommended by the Swedish Corona-Commission, were not applicable. This I conclude since the Precautionary Principle cannot be applied when the outcomes of different alternatives are not comparable in value-terms. To answer the question of what signifies good bioethical decisionmaking during a crisis, risk and uncertainties I therefore present a five-step Crisis Checklist intended to give an overview of what a bioethical decision should entail. / Covid-19 pandemin, och den svenska strategin för att hantera krisen, har visat att ett status quo bias kan vara mycket skadligt för bioetiskt beslutsfattande. Pandemin utgjorde en situation med höga nivåer av osäkerhet, där ojämförbara värden så som hälsa och frihet ställdes mot varandra. På grund av detta var matematiskt orienterade nyttoberäkningar eller maximin principer så som Försiktighetsprincipen, rekommenderad av den svenska Coronakommissionen, inte applicerbara. Detta eftersom Försiktighetsprincipen inte är applicerbar när resultaten av de olika handlingsalternativen inte är jämförbara i värde-termer. För att besvara frågan om vad som utmärker bra bioetiskt beslutsfattande i en kris, under risk och osäkerhet presenterar jag därför en fem-stegs kris-checklista i syfte att ge en överblick till vad ett bioetiskt beslut bör innefatta.

Computed tomography has been widely used in medical diagnosis to generate accurate images of the body's internal organs. However, cancer risk is associated with high X-ray dose CT scans, limiting its applicability in medical diagnosis and telemedicine applications. CT scans acquired at low X-ray dose generate low-quality images with noise and streaking artifacts. Therefore we develop a deep learning-based CT image enhancement algorithm for improving the quality of low-dose CT images. Our algorithm uses a convolution neural network called DenseNet and Deconvolution network (DDnet) to remove noise and artifacts from the input image. To evaluate its advantages in medical diagnosis, we use DDnet to enhance chest CT scans of COVID-19 patients. We show that image enhancement can improve the accuracy of COVID-19 diagnosis (~5% improvement), using a framework consisting of AI-based tools. For training and inference of the image enhancement AI model, we use heterogeneous computing platform for accelerating the execution and decreasing the turnaround time. Specifically, we use multiple GPUs in distributed setup to exploit batch-level parallelism during training. We achieve approximately 7x speedup with 8 GPUs running in parallel compared to training DDnet on a single GPU. For inference, we implement DDnet using OpenCL and evaluate its performance on multi-core CPU, many-core GPU, and FPGA. Our OpenCL implementation is at least 2x faster than analogous PyTorch implementation on each platform and achieves comparable performance between CPU and FPGA, while FPGA operated at a much lower frequency. / Master of Science / Computed tomography has been widely used in the medical diagnosis of diseases, such as cancer/tumor, viral pneumonia, and more recently, COVID-19. However, the risk of cancer associated with X-ray dose in CT scans limits the use of computed tomography in biomedical imaging. Therefore we develop a deep learning-based image enhancement algorithm that can be used with low X-ray dose computed tomography scanners to generate high-quality CT images. The algorithm uses a state-of-the-art convolution neural network for increased performance and computational efficiency. Further, we use image enhancement algorithm to develop a framework of AI-based tools to improve the accuracy of COVID-19 diagnosis. We test and validate the framework with clinical COVID-19 data. Our framework applies to the diagnosis of COVID-19 and its variants, and other diseases that can be diagnosed via computed tomography. We utilize high-performance computing techniques to reduce the execution time of training and testing AI models in our framework. We also evaluate the efficacy of training and inference of the neural network on heterogeneous computing platforms, including multi-core CPU, many-core GPU, and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), in terms of speed and power consumption.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and its demonstrator MeerKAT are being designed to operate over a wide frequency range and are expected to achieve greater sensitivity and resolution than existing telescopes. The radio astronomy community is well aware of the negative impact that radio frequency interference (RFI) has on observations in the proposed frequency band. This is because weak radio signals such as those from pulsars and distant galaxies are difficult to detect on their own. The presence of RFI sources in the telescope’s operating area can severely corrupt observation data, leading to inaccurate or misleading results. Power-line interference and radiation from electric fences are examples of RFI sources. Mitigation techniques for these interference sources in the SKA system’s electromagnetic environment are essential to ensure the success of this project. These techniques can be achieved with appropriate understanding of the characteristics of the noise sources. Overhead power-line interference is known to be caused mainly by corona and gap-type (commonly known as sparking noise) discharges. Sparking noise is the dominant interference for the SKA. It is mainly encountered on wooden pole lines, which are usually distribution lines operated at up to 66 kV AC in the South African network. At this voltage level, the voltage gradients on the lines are insufficient to generate conductor corona. The power requirements for SKA precursors will be below this voltage level. The aim of the research in this dissertation is to evaluate the power line sparking characteristics through measurements and simulation of line radiation and propagation characteristics. An artificially made sparking noise generator, which is mounted on a power line, is used as noise source and the radiation characteristics are measured. Measurements were carried out in different environments, which included a high-voltage laboratory (HV-Lab), a 40m test-line, and another 22-kV test line of approximately 1.5 km. The key sparking noise parameters of interest were the temporal and spectral characteristics. The time domain features considered were the pulse shape and the repetition rate. The lateral, longitudinal and height attenuation profiles were also quantified. Since sparking noise current pulses are injected or induced onto power line conductors, the line will act as an unintentional antenna. The far-field radiation characteristics of the line were evaluated through measurements on physical scale-model structures and simulations. 1/120th and 1/200th scaled lines, using an absorbing material and metallic ground planes, respectively, were simulated in FEKO. The measurements of the constructed scale models were taken in the anechoic chamber. Both measurements and simulations showed that the line exhibits an end-fire antenna pattern mode. Line length, pulse injection point and line configuration were some of the parameters found to affect the radiation patterns. The findings from this study are used to determine techniques to identify the sparking noise, and locate and correct the sources when they occur on the line hardware. Appropriate equipment is recommended to be used for the location and correction of sparking noise. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Vierkante Kilometer Reeks (SKA) en sy demonstrasie projek, die Karoo Reeks Teleskoop (KAT), word ontwerp om oor 'n wye frekwensie-bereik te funksioneer. Beide sal na verwagting beter sensitiwiteit en resolusie as bestaande radioteleskope he. Die radio-astronomie-gemeenskap is deeglik bewus van die negatiewe impak wat radio-frekwensie steurnisse (RFS) op waarnemings in die voorgestelde frekwensieband het. Die rede hiervoor is dat swak radio-seine soos die van pulsars en verafgelee sterrestelsels inherent moeilik is om te bepaal. Die teenwoordigheid van RFS bronne in die teleskoop se onmiddellike operasionele gebied kan waarnemings nadelig beinvloed. Dit lei uiteindelik tot onakkurate of misleidende resultate. Kraglyne en uitstralings van elektriese heinings is voorbeelde van RFS bronne. Metodes om die oorsake van die steurnisse van die SKA se elektromagnetiese omgewing te verminder is noodsaaklik om die sukses van hierdie projekt te verseker. Dit vereis egter deeglike begrip van die eienskappe van hierdie bronne. Steurnisse as gevolg van oorhoofse kraglyne word hoofsaaklik veroorsaak deur korona en gapingtipe ontladings (algemeen bekend as vonkontladings). Vonkontladings word hier beskou as die belangrikste oorsaak van steurnisse vir die SKA. Dit word in die Suid-Afrikaanse netwerk hoofsaaklik aangetref op houtpaal-installasies, wat gewoonlik bestaan uit distribusie lyne wat tot en met 66 kV wisselstroom (WS) bedryf word. By hierdie operasionele spanning is die spanningsgradient op die lyn onvoldoende om korona op te wek. Die kragvereistes vir die SKA se voorafgaande projekte sal sodanig wees dat hierdie spanningsvlak nie oorskry sal word nie. Die doel van die navorsing omskryf in hierdie proefskrif is om die eienskappe van vonkontladings rondom kraglyne te evalueer. Dit word gedoen met behulp van metings en simulasies van uitstralings- en voortplantingspatrone wat met 'n spesifieke lyn geassosieer kan word. 'n Kunsmatige vonkontladingsopwekker word op 'n kraglyn geplaas en dien as bron om die uitstralingspatrone te meet. Metings is uitgevoer in verskillende omgewings, insluitende 'n hoogspanningslaboratorium (HV-Lab), 'n 40 m toetslyn en 'n 22 kV WS toetslyn van ongeveer 1.5 km lank. Die hoof vonkontladings eienskappe van belang is die temporale en spektrale eienskappe. Die tydgebiedeienskappe wat ondersoek is, is die pulsvorm asook die pulsherhalingskoers. Die laterale, longitudinale en hoogte-attenuasie profiele word ook gekwantifiseer. Aangesien stroompulse deur vonkontladings op die kraglyn geplaas of geinduseer word, sal die lyn as 'n ongewenste antenna optree. Die ver-veld uitstralingskenmerke van die lyn is ook geëvalueer deur gebruik te maak van fisiese skaalmodelstrukture en -simulasies. 1/120ste en 1/200ste geskaleerde lynmodelle, wat onderskeidelik 'n absorberende- en metaalgrondvlak bevat, was gebruik om 'n 3 spanlengte kraglyn te simuleer met behulp van FEKO. Metings van die fisiese skaalmodel strukture is in 'n anegoise kamer geneem. Beide die metings en die simulasies toon dat die lyn 'n endpunt uitstralingspatroon het. Lynlengte, die opwekkingsposisie van die stroompuls en die lynkonfigurasie is 'n paar van die parameters wat die uitstralingpatroon beïnvloed, soos in die navorsing aangedui. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie word gebruik om steurnisse as gevolg van vonkontladings op die kraglyn te identifiseer, op te spoor en uiteindelik reg te stel. Toepaslike toerusting word voorgestel wat gebruik kan word vir die identifisering en opsporing van vonkontladings.

Drying contributes a significantly important role in processing of agricultural products in Vietnam, particularly for high-value agricultural exports. Conventionally thermal-based drying techniques have remained critical disadvantages in term of enhancing product quality and process efficiency. The typical disadvantages include deterioration of organoleptic and nutritional properties, highenergy consumption, expensive costs yet low efficiency and hazards to environment change due to the consumption of fossil fuel sources. Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) drying technology has been demonstrated as an innovative solution for drying enhancement in various applications. This paper aims at an overview of the state-of-the-art EHD drying technology to enhance heat and mass transfer in agricultural drying processes. A case study is then presented to demonstrate an even better process efficiency, compared to the state-of-the-art EHD drying technology, and to shorten the gap “research-to-market”. Finally, this study shows obviously potential applications of this innovative technology in sustainable development of food and post-harvesting agricultural processing for Vietnam in the future. / Sấy khô đóng một vai trò quan trọng trong việc chế biến và bảo quản nông sản sau thu hoạch tại Việt Nam, đặc biệt đối với các mặt hàng nông sản cao cấp phục vụ xuất khẩu. Các phương pháp sấy khô bằng nhiệt truyền thống tồn tại nhiều nhược điểm trong việc nâng cao hiệu quả sấy và bảo đảm chất lượng nông sản. Những nhược điểm nổi bật bao gồm: biến đổi thành phần hóa học và giảm giá trị dinh dưỡng của nông sản sau sấy do sử dụng nhiệt trong quá trình sấy, tiêu hao nhiên liệu lớn, chi phí nhiên liệu, lắp đặt và duy trì hệ thống sấy cao nhưng hiệu suất thấp và đặc biệt ảnh hưởng tới môi trường do sử dụng các nguồn nhiên liệu hóa thạch. Công nghệ sấy cải tiến khíđiện động lực học (EHD) hiện tại đã cho thấy tiềm năng thay thế các phương pháp sấy truyền thống. Bài báo tập trung giới thiệu cơ chế sấy các sản phẩm nông sản bằng công nghệ EHD; qua đó tác giả giới thiệu một mô hình sấy đã chế tạo thành công cho hiệu quả thậm chí còn cao hơn các mô hình hiện tại, đồng thời dễ dàng triển khai trong ngành công nghiệp sấy khô nông sản. Nghiên cứu này chỉ ra tiềm năng ứng dụng to lớn của công nghệ EHD trong phát triển bền vững các quá trình sấy khô nông sản cao cấp tại Việt Nam trong tương lai.

Electrical discharges with a variety of different forms (streamers, glow corona, leaders, etc.) broadly exist in nature and in industrial applications. Under certain conditions, one electrical discharge can be transformed into another form. This thesis is aimed to develop and use numerical simulation models in order to provide a better physical understanding of two of such transitions, namely the glow-to-streamer and the streamer-to-leader transitions in air. In the first part, the thesis includes the two-dimensional simulation of the glow-to-streamer transition under a fast changing background electric field. The simulation is performed with a fluid model taking into account electrons. An efficient semi-Lagrangian algorithm is proposed to solve the convection-dominated continuity equations present in the model. The condition required for the glow-to-streamer transition is evaluated and discussed. In order to enable such simulations for configurations with large interelectrode gaps and long simulation times, an efficient simplified model for glow corona discharges and their transition into streamers is also proposed. The second part of the thesis is dedicated to investigate the dynamics of the streamer-to-leader transition in long air gaps at atmospheric pressure. The transition is studied with a one-dimensional thermo-hydrodynamic model and a detailed kinetic scheme for N2/O2/H2O mixtures. In order to evaluate the effect of humidity, the kinetic scheme includes the most important reactions with the H2O molecule and its derivatives. The analysis includes the simulation of the corresponding streamer bursts, dark periods and aborted leaders that may occur prior to the inception of a stable leader. The comparison between the proposed model and the widely-used model of Gallimberti is also presented. / Elektriska urladdningar av olika former (streamers (från engelska), glöd-korona, ledare, etc.) förekommer i stor utsträckning i naturen och i industriella applikationer. Under vissa förhållanden kan en elektrisk urladdning omvandlas till en annan form av elektrisk urladdning. Denna avhandling syftar till att utveckla och använda numeriska simuleringsmodeller för att ge en bättre fysikalisk förståelse av två sådana övergångar, nämligen glöd-till-streamer- och streamer-till-ledar-övergångar, i luft. I den första delen, avhandlas en tvådimensionell simulering av glöd-till-streamer-övergången med ett hastigt föränderligt elektriskt fält i bakgrunden. Simuleringen utförs med en flödesmodell som tar hänsyn till elektronerna. En effektiv semi-Lagrangesk algoritm föreslås för att lösa de konvektionsdominerade kontinuitetsekvationerna i modellen. Vidare utvärderas och diskuteras förutsättningarna för glöd-till-streamer-övergången. För att möjliggöra sådana simuleringar i konfigurationer med stora elektrodavstånd och långa simuleringstider, föreslås också en effektiv och förenklad modell för glöd-korona-urladdningar samt deras övergång till streamers. Den andra delen av avhandlingen är tillägnad att undersöka dynamiken i streamer-till-ledar-övergångar över långa avstånd i luft, under atmosfäriskt tryck. Övergången studeras med en endimensionell termohydrodynamisk modell och en detaljerad kinetisk modell för blandningar av N2/O2/H2O. För att utvärdera effekten av luftfuktighet, innefattar den kinetiska modellen de viktigaste reaktionerna med H2O-molekylen och dess derivat. Analysen innefattar simuleringen av motsvarande streamer-kedjor, mörka perioder och avbrutna ledare som kan förekomma före starten av en stabil ledare. En jämförelse mellan den föreslagna modellen och den allmänt använda modellen av Gallimberti presenteras också. / <p>QC 20170418</p>

Les grands événements de la couronne solaire (comme les flares avec une énergie de l'ordre de 10²³ J) ne suffisent pas à maintenir cette dernière aux températures de plus de un million de degrés qui y sont mesurées. La couronne doit alors être chauffée aux petites échelles, soit de façon continue, soit de façon intermittente. C'est pourquoi afin d'expliquer la température élevée de la couronne, beaucoup d'attention a été accordée aux distributions des énergies dissipées dans les plus petits événements (de l'ordre du mégamètre). En effet, si la distribution en énergie est assez pentue, les plus petits événements, qui sont inobservables, pourraient être les plus gros contributeurs à l'énergie totale dissipée dans la couronne. Des observations précédentes ont montré une large distribution en énergie mais ne permettent pas de conclure sur la valeur précise de la pente, et ces résultats s'appuient sur une estimation peu précise de l'énergie. D'autre part, des études spectroscopiques plus détaillées de structures comme les points brillants coronaux ne fournissent pas assez d'informations statistiques pour calculer leur contribution totale au chauffage. Nous voulons obtenir une meilleure estimation des distributions en énergies dissipées dans les événements de chauffage coronaux en utilisant des données de haute résolution dans plusieurs bandes de l'Extrême Ultra-Violet (EUV).Pour estimer les énergies correspondant aux événements de chauffage et déduire leur contribution, nous détectons des embrillancements dans cinq bandes EUV de l'instrument Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) à bord du satellite Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Nous combinons les résultats de ces détections et nous utilisons des cartes de température et de mesure d'émission calculées à partir des mêmes observations pour calculer les énergies. Nous obtenons des distributions des surfaces, des durées de vie, des intensités et des énergies (thermique, radiative et de conduction) des événements. Ces distributions sont des lois de puissance, dont les paramètres indiquent que la population d'événements que nous avons observé n'est pas suffisante pour expliquer entièrement les températures coronales. Cependant, plusieurs processus physiques et biais observationnels peuvent être avancés pour expliquer l'énergie manquante. / To explain the high temperature of the corona, much attention has been paid to the distribution of energy in dissipation events. Indeed, if the event energy distribution is steep enough, the smallest, unobservable events could be the largest contributors to the total energy dissipation in the corona. Previous observations have shown a wide distribution of energies but remain inconclusive about the precise slope. Furthermore, these results rely on a very crude estimate of the energy. On the other hand, more detailed spectroscopic studies of structures such as coronal bright points do not provide enough statistical information to derive their total contribution to heating. We aim at getting a better estimate of the distributions of the energy dissipated in coronal heating events using high-resolution, multi-channel Extreme Ultra-Violet (EUV) data. To estimate the energies corresponding to heating events and deduce their distribution, we detect brightenings in five EUV channels of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). We combine the results of these detections and we use maps of temperature and emission measure derived from the same observations to compute the energies. We obtain distributions of areas, durations, intensities, and energies (thermal, radiative, and conductive) of events. These distributions are power-laws, but their parameters indicate that a population of events like the ones we observe is not sufficient to fully explain coronal temperatures. However, several processes or observational biases can be advanced to explain the missing energy.

L’effet Biefeld-Brown, du nom de ses découvreurs dans les années 1920, désigne la force électrohydrodynamique (EHD) s’appliquant sur deux électrodes sous haute tension dans l’air. Si l’origine de cette force a pu faire l’objet de certaines spéculations, il est aujourd'hui admis qu’elle repose sur l’accélération par un fort champ électrique d’un volume d’air partiellement ionisé. Cet effet aussi appelé vent ionique intéresse diverses applications : contrôle actif d’écoulement, augmentation du transfert de chaleur par convection forcée, séchage de denrées alimentaires ou encore la propulsion. Cette thèse, présente une étude expérimentale, théorique et numérique du vent ionique dans une configuration modèle à deux électrodes parallèles. Le faible rendement du vent ionique l’a écarté des applications à la propulsion mais des expériences récentes menées en 2013 montrent qu’il permet d’atteindre un rapport poussée/puissance étonnement élevé. Nous montrons dans une première partie, à partir de mesures et de considérations aérodynamique générales que la poussée générée pourrait suffire à contrebalancer la force de traînée pour certains aéronefs ultra-légers. Ces mesures ont permis de quantifier la force EHD et sa dépendance avec la géométrie des électrodes. En outre, la meilleure configuration à deux collecteurs peut produire une poussée presque deux fois plus importante qu’une configuration avec un seul collecteur, à tension fixée. Ces premiers résultats ont été affinés dans un second temps par les mesures PIV qui ont permis la reconstruction de l’écoulement et du champ de force entre les électrodes. Les vitesses mesurées dépassent rarement 3 m/s, et la force volumique est de l’ordre de 10 N/m 3. L’origine physique de la configuration optimale à deux collecteurs a été éclaircie par la mise en évidence des structures de sillages et de leurs effets instationnaires. Par ailleurs, une analyse théorique générale de la force propulsive nous a permis de confirmer sa dépendance explicite avec le rapport courant sur mobilité ionique. Le courant étant directement lié à la physique de la décharge couronne, la seconde partie de la thèse s’est concentrée sur son analyse théorique et numérique. Une analyse asymptotique a ainsi permis de trouver une expression analytique du champ électrique critique et de la caractéristique courant-tension permettant de connaître l’influence de la densité du gaz et de sa composition sur le courant produit dans des électrodes concentriques. Cette approche asymptotique a été associée à une formulation de décomposition de domaine dans le cadre d’une discrétisation par éléments finis pour analyser des configurations plus générales. Une résolution itérative du système d’équations stationnaires non-linéaire couplées par méthode de Newton est proposée, testée et validée. Cette méthode peut être étendue à des géométries plus complexes, permettant ainsi d’obtenir une condition d’injection des charges prenant en compte la physique complexe de la décharge. / The Biefeld-Brown effect, named after its discoverers in 1920s, stands for the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) force applied on two high voltage electrodes in air. The origin of this force has been subject to controverse, but it is establised that it relies on the acceleration of ionized air by a strong electric field. Numerous applications are associated with ionic wind : active flow control, heat transfer enhancement, food drying or even propulsion. At the first glance, the low efficiency is unattractive for propulsion. However recent experiments highlighted a surprisingly high thrust/power ratio. This PhD research aimed to better understand the phenomena, through experiments and theoretical or numerical analysis. First, an experimental study was carried out to quantify the EHD force and its variations with the geometry of the electrodes. For instance, the best position of two collecting electrodes could produce nearly twice more thrust than the one collector configuration, for a given applied voltage. Considering the mass and the aerodynamic of some already existing very light aircrafts, it is shown that the produced thrust could at most balance the aerodynamic drag. This first results were enhanced by PIV measurements, which gave deeper insight into the flow and the force field between the electrodes. The air speed recorded was at most around 3 m/s, while the volumetric force of the order of 10 N/m3. The physical explaination of the optimal two collectors configuration relied partially on the wake flow structures and their unsteady effects. Then, a theoretical analysis of the propulsive force confirmed its explicit dependence on the current to mobility ratio. The discharge current being determined by the corona discharge physics, the second part of this work focuses on its theoretical and numerical analysis. An asymptotic approach of the corona discharge for concentric cylindrical electrodes led to an explicit expression of both the onset surface electric field and the current-voltage law as functions of the gas density, the effective ionization coefficient and the electrodes size. This asymptotic approach was reformulated in the frame of a domain decomposition method, implemented numerically with a finite elements discretization, in order to generalize the asymptotic approach. The iterative algorythm for the steady non-linear coupled system of equations is based on Newton method. This method provides a physically relevant boundary condition for the charge injection and can be applied to more complex geometries.