Cette thèse vise à réaliser une étude approfondie sur le développement de méthodologies pour l’analyse de systèmes complexes. Cela comprend l’étude des systèmes hors d’équilibre, des systèmes d’auto-assemblage, et les systèmes biologiques désordonnés. Les méthodes développées recouvrent principalement la RMN, tel que la mesure de diffusion (DOSY) mais également d’autres techniques telles que la spectrométrie de masse, le dichroïsme circulaire (CD), la microscopie électronique (EM) et diffusion des rayons X aux petits angles (SAXS). La partie N-terminale du récepteur des androgènes (AR) est utilisée comme un système complexe. D’après la littérature, il est connu que cette région joue un rôle important pour l’activité du récepteur, et elle est également décrite comme étant intrinsèquement désordonnée. Les résultats que j’ai acquis durant la thèse m’ont permis d’identifier une courte région de ce domaine, impliquée dans la formation réversible de fibres amyloïdes, par modulation des conditions d’oxydo-réduction du milieu. Les résultats révèlent un aspect inconnu du mécanisme de AR. / My PhD project was focused on the development of methods for the analysis of complex systems and their biophysical characterization. This includes the study of large chemical libraries, self assembly systems, protein-ligand interaction studies and disordered biological systems. A wide range of biophysical methods were used for this purpose. Specially, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(NMR) but also other techniques such as mass spectrometry, circular dichroism (CD), electron microscopy (EM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The N-terminal Domain of the Androgen Receptor is studied as an example of a complex system. This region plays an important role in receptor activity, and is also described as being intrinsically disordered. The results obtained during my thesis shown a short conserved region involved in the amyloid fibers formation under oxidative conditions. These results open new possibilities to understand the mechanism of the AR activity.

In recent years, some of the research within the field of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) seems to have gone through a re-orientation, shifting focus from form to practice. This has highlighted the dynamic nature of languages and identities performed in interaction, leading to the conceptualization of ‘English as a multi-lingua franca’, which refers to placing emphasis on multilingualism in ELF interactions. While much of ELF research has favored in-person spoken interaction, the increasing presence of electronically mediated intercultural communication (EMIC) in society encourages a consideration of online communication as a setting for ELF usage. Online interactions veer between written and spoken communication, thus providing many ways for speakers to express their linguistic identities and show ownership of the language produced. As such, in this paper a temporary multilingual social configuration was observed with regards to participants’ linguistic behavior. Six participants were asked to engage in discussion throughout one week in an online group chat, with the aim of acquiring further insight into how linguistic identity is performed in relation to language ownership and linguistic innovation by ELF speakers within the context of an online environment. The EMIC data was supported by individual interviews that took place prior to the group discussion, and follow-up interviews after the chat had ended. Through a qualitative thematic analysis, the research questions were discussed in relation to the three main focal issues of the study, i.e., linguistic identity, language ownership and linguistic innovation. The findings are in line with recent research that indicate that ELF is a multilingual practice that is shaped by its speakers, as well as the specific context of the interaction.

Voices reveal information about the speaker, such as their age, what they are feeling and how they look. Vocal modulation is sometimes used by role-players, mostly game masters, in a tabletop role-playing context, to portray non-playable characters. This study investigated whether signal processing software could be used to enhance the vocal qualities of the speaker so that they represent different creatures with certain attributes. A listening test was conducted in which 24 participants evaluated different processings for physical attributes related to Dungeons & Dragons depiction of the creatures orc and elf with the purpose of finding design approaches for a vocal modulation software. The results showed that none of the processings were perceived to be very much like the suggested creature, but it was found that some processings were more effective than others to create desirable attributes. It was also shown that the same processings does not work equally well for different voice inputs.

Nonlinear time history analysis is increasingly being used in the design of tall steel structures, but member sizes still must be determined by a designer before an analysis can be performed. Often the distribution of story strength is still based on an assumed first mode response as determined from the Equivalent Lateral Force (ELF) procedure. For tall buckling restrained braced frames (BRBFs), two questions remain unanswered: what brace distribution will minimize total brace area, while satisfying story drift and ductility limits, and is the ELF procedure an effective approximation of that distribution? In order to investigate these issues, an optimization algorithm was incorporated into the OpenSees dynamic analysis platform. The resulting program uses a genetic algorithm to determine optimum designs that satisfy prescribed drift/ductility limits during nonlinear time history analyses. The computer program was used to investigate the optimized distribution of brace strength in BRBFs with different heights. The results of the study provide insight into efficient design of tall buildings in high seismic areas and evaluate the effectiveness of the ELF procedure.

Thesis (M. Tech. (Biomedical Technology)) -- Central University of technology, Free State, 2013 / Electromagnetic fields are present wherever electricity is created. The frequency range of these electromagnetic fields is from extremely low to extremely high. The fields present in domestic areas fall within the extremely low frequency range. These fields are created by domestic electrical appliances and telecommunication. There has been much debate on the effect of exposure to these fields on human health. Research has not yet been able to prove adverse effect of these fields on human health. In fact, the benefits of magneto therapy has been recognized and used for several decades. Recently a specific electromagnetic signal has been under investigation for its ability to stimulate the immune response. This signal is produced by a patented generator, called Immunent Activator. Studies performed with the Immunent Activator signal on farm animals revealed increased feed conversion and decreased intestinal lesions of animals with intestinal infections. Most of the research was performed on fish and fowls and evidence of similar findings in mammals is lacking. In the current study, mice were exposed to the Immunent BV signal for seven days, after which immune cell counts were performed and compared to the immune cell counts of a control group of mice which received no electromagnetic exposure. It was found that the T-lymphocyte population of immune cells in the exposed group of mice was statistically significantly higher than that of the control group. The neutrophil count was statistically significantly lower in the exposed group compared to the control group. These findings revealed evidence of immune stimulation in the mice which were exposed to the Immunent Activator signal. Suggestions for further research could be made with regard to specific mechanisms of immune stimulation. The findings of this and other related studies hold benefits for the farming and health industry.

This study employed multiple assessments, including sleep/resting waking EEG (visual scoring and power spectral analysis) and psychomotor vigilance task, to access effects of varying pulse-modulated microwaves (such as: 'talk', 'listen' and 'standby' mode signals) emitted from a standard mobile phone. The idea was prompted by a finding that the pulse modulation frequencies of mobile phone signals correspond to the frequencies of brain delta and alpha waves. Thereby it is possible the brain is able to recognize and respond to the low-frequency components of the mobile phone signals. Supporting evidence comes from repetitively reported EEG alpha and spindle effects of the 2, 8 and 217-Hz pulsed microwave exposure. Furthermore, brain imaging (EEG and PET) studies reveal 'low-frequency pulse-modulated waves' rather than the 'microwave frequency carrier waves' is the sine qua non for inducing these brain physiological effects [Huber et al., 2002, 2005; Regel et al., 2007a]. On the other hand, recent converging evidence, from molecular, behavioural and electrophysiological level, have shown that brain plasticity is a continuous process from waking to sleep and, sleep, a well-defined physiological condition, is 'shaped' by the waking experiences. The latter findings suggest certain sleep EEG features may characterize levels of cortical plasticity during wakefulness. The work presented in this thesis was inspired by these studies and aimed to understand how the real mobile phone signals with different low-frequency pulsing components [such as 'talk' (8, 217 Hz pulsed), 'listen' (2, 8, 217 Hz pulsed) and 'stand by' mode < 2 Hz pulsed)] change human brain electrical activities from waking to sleep. We approached this question based on EEG analysis in two domains: (1) EEG visual scoring; (2) EEG spectral analysis from relaxed waking to the deeper stages of non-NREM sleep. We also looked at the effects on the psychomotor vigilance performance. Results suggest 'talk' and 'Iisten/standby' modes have inverse effects on the distinctive thalamo-cortical oscillation modes and may thus impart inverse effects on their sleep structures. The implications of this study are of practical importance as it suggests the thalamo-cortical oscillations can be modulated by synchronizing rTMS/tDCS/DBS and sleeplwaking EEG. This concept may be applied to modulate the brain oscillation modes for enhancing sleep-dependent brain plastiCity or information processing.

This is a case study on the communication between Nordic and Chinese business people using English as a lingua franca in their business communication. The aim of this paper is to establish if misunderstandings in communication occur between Chinese and Nordic language speakers (Finnish and Swedish) in a business environment and, if they do, what the nature of these misunderstandings is. In this paper, recorded conversations are analysed to establish if there are misunderstandings between the parties. The recordings were made at a global industrial company in Sweden and in China. Interviews with the participants were also carried out in order to establish their own ideas concerning the communication flow and to find out if the participants are themselves aware of using any particular communication strategies when interacting with one another. The results of the case study show that there were some misunderstandings in the communication between Nordic and Chinese business people; however, there were not any particularly serious misunderstandings with respect to the company’s business aims and objectives. The results indicate that the parties use communication strategies to enhance their messages and to determine if a message has been conveyed successfully. The strategies that were commonly used were confirmations in the form of follow-up questions and speaking slowly. Written or non-verbal communication were found to be used as a supplement to verbal communication. A strategy that the participants themselves noted as successful was keeping their messages short and simple. This is also known as the KISS-principle. The result of the study indicates potential misunderstandings caused by the Chinese using Yes as an act of active listening rather than agreement and it is suggested that an awareness of this cultural difference may help improve the intercultural communication between the parties.

This paper investigates the roles of disagreement and trust in multicultural teamwork on an English-medium master's programme at an Austrian business university. The teamwork project - assigned by the content teacher - took place mostly outside the classroom and simulated business practice both in terms of the tasks and the multicultural context. Each team comprised two Austrian students and two international students, resulting in an English as a lingua franca (ELF) setting. The teams were observed and audio-/video-recorded, with the analysis focusing on an early stage of the project where they laid the groundwork for the team mental models in terms of establishing the team goals, relationships and communicative practices. Additionally, retrospective interviews were conducted at the end of the project with each of the team members and the lecturer to gain emic insights into the project. The findings suggest a symbiotic relationship between disagreement and trust, in which high levels of trust and the construction of a psychologically safe space allow the team members to disagree with and challenge each other without damaging their relationships, leading to better decisions. In turn, these decisions can contribute to a sense of shared success that strengthens the team's joint identity.

Sur la base du principe de géomimétisme permettant l'utilisation de matériaux naturels comme le graphite, le diamant, le quartz a, la pyrite, etc. comme structures hôtes modèles, de nouvelles stoechiométries sont proposées. Leurs structures cristallines sont optimisées et discriminées sur la base de critères énergétiques, moyennant des calculs ab initio au sein de la théorie fonctionnelle de la densité (DFT). On proposera ainsi, par exemple XC3N3 (avec X = B, Al, P, Ga ou As), CN2 et C2N, ou encore SiNF. Les résultats obtenus ont permis notamment de proposer de nouveaux ultra-durs dans la classe de carbonitrures ternaires BC3N3, comme BC3N3 rhomboédrique qui présente un module de compressibilité de 358 GPa, un mécanisme de décomposition des carbonitrures (CVD) riches en azote initié la formation de N2 gazeux ou d'un radical cyanogène .C = N, ou enfin une nouvelle classe de matériaux, les silico-nitrofluorures dont l'archétype serait SiNF.

Given the international status and importance of English, English language study has attracted millions of Chinese learners. Apart from those who study abroad, more and more Chinese students are motivated to study in English-medium Transnational Higher Education (THE) programmes inside China. English is a diversifying and fragmenting language that has various functions and can be used for different purposes. Whilst, according to many scholars, English has broken free from the ownership of ‘native English’ speakers, Chinese learners of English are still worried about conforming to ‘native-speaker models’ of English and so falling victim to an English linguistic imperialism project, driven by English-medium THE programmes. Accordingly, this research sets out to investigate, the extent to which Chinese learners, in a UK affiliated THE programme in China, feel the need to orientate to or identify with ‘native English’ and its speakers, and run the risk of becoming victims of English linguistic imperialism. Results from a combination of methods: questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews, show that students’ orientations towards and identification with English and its speakers are diverse, complex and multi-dimensional, and have gone beyond affiliation with ‘native English’ speakers. Studying in English-medium THE programmes does not necessarily lead to English linguistic imperialism, but is a process of interaction where learners may consciously mediate ‘native English’ norms and express individual, local, national or international identities, literally taking advantage of the programmes’ material benefits and deliberately learning the language for international communication. This research suggests that learners in THE programmes are conscious of the overall context individually, nationally and internationally and feel free to orientate to English in ways that are suitable for their own purposes and which represent their preferred identity.