Cette thèse propose une modélisation aussi générique que possible de la combustion dans les moteurs automobiles dans un cadre de simulation aux grandes échelles. Une première étude aborde la fermeture du terme de transport non résolu pour la flamme de prémélange. Par la suite, un couplage entre les modèles ecfm-les et pcm-fpi est proposé et validé pour intégrer les effets de chimie complexe à la simulation de la flamme de prémélange. Ce travail est étendu par l'adjonction de modélisations spécifiques à l'allumage par bougie et de l'auto-inflammation, toujours en intégrant les effets de chimie détaillée. Des calculs d'application aux combustions anormales dans les moteurs à allumage commandé concluent ce travail.

The thesis deals with a design of a comparing interferometer. It concerns a setup of two interferometers, one of them is a Michelson and another a Fabry-Pérot type. This set-up is made to compare results of length measurements simultaneously performed by each of them. In the Theory, basic principles of Michelson and Fabry-Pérot interferometers are described. A special attention is paid to an innovative method of length measurement with tunable lasers and optical frequency comb. In the Practical Part, so-called Pilot Experimental Setup is described. It is a prototype that has been used to perform basic experiments on comparing of the two above mentioned methods. Based on experimental results and practical experience with the Pilot Experimental Setup, a Final Setup is designed. It comes in a form of a stand-alone instrument.

Is there one or several French languages? What about African French language? The linguistic studies on French in Africa accentuate the uniqueness of the Ivorian popular French. Since Ivorians speak many different languages and as they have no real vehicular language, they appropriated the French which was implanted and imposed at the time of the colonization. Today, we witness the presence of various types of French (acrolectal, mesolectal, basilectal) that people use as a result of the effort to adapt this foreign language to local reality. The main purpose of this study is to classify some of the different characteristic features of the Popular Ivorian French according to previous studies, then to identify those features of Popular Ivorian French in Ahmadou Kourouma’s novel Allah is not obliged. We identified fourteen characteristics which particularize Popular Ivorian French. Most of these characteristics are present in Kourouma’s Allah is not obliged but some are not.  In conclusion, we can see that the Ivoirians have adapted and shapedFrench to create a language they feel at home with. They have added new expressions, neologisms and metaphors in order to better convey their messages and to better understand each others.

Thailand has been one of significant recipients of foreign direct investment (FDI) among developing countries over the last 30 years, and has recorded rapid and sustained growth rates in a number of different industrial categories. Thailand has shown a clear policy transition for foreign investment over time from an import-substitution regime to an export-oriented regime. Before the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis (1985-1996), Thailand had the fastest growing level of exports in manufactured goods among Asian economies. FDI plays a significant role in the Thai economy. Thailand has been pursuing different foreign investment policies at different times depending on the development objectives and economic situation in the country. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the determinants of FDI and foreign portfolio investment (FPI) in Thailand using the extended Gravity Model. Panel data is used to estimate and evaluate the empirical results based on the data for the years 1980 to 2004. It also examines the FDI flows between different locations and their geographical distances in Thailand. The primary research question addresses what factors motivate, attract, and sustain the FDI and FPI in Thailand. In addition, this study also examines the effects of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis on the inflows of FDI and FPI into Thailand. The results show that the inflows of FDI in Thailand, which are supply-driven, are significantly influenced by its 21 largest investing partners. The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis has no impact on the determinants of the inflows of FDI into Thailand, but positively influences the inflows of FPI into Thailand. Our results also show that increases in GDP and trade between investing partners and Thailand potentially attract more FDI and FPI into Thailand. Investing partners closer to Thailand draw more portfolio investment into Thailand than distant partners – emphasising that distance has a negative impact on the portfolio investment but a negligible impact on the FDI.

No description available.

La fibrose pulmonaire idiopathique (FPI) et le syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë (SDRA) de l’adulte constituent des affections sévères du poumon distal, avec un pronostic sombre pour les patients. A ce jour, aucun traitement n’est réellement efficace. De manière intéressante, une hypoxie alvéolaire est retrouvée dans ces pathologies.La thérapie cellulaire utilisant des cellules souches mésenchymateuses humaines (CSMh) pourrait représenter un intérêt thérapeutique chez l’Homme. Cependant, leurs mécanismes d’action sont multiples et encore mal définis. Aussi, nous avons testé in vitro l’hypothèse selon laquelle les CSMh pourraient exercer un effet cytoprotecteur paracrine sur les cellules épithéliales alvéolaires (CEA) soumises à l’hypoxie.Dans une première étude, nous avons montré qu’une exposition prolongée à l’hypoxie telle que celle rencontrée au cours de la FPI induisait des modifications phénotypiques des CEA primaires de rat, évocatrices d’une transition épithélio-mésenchymateuse (TEM). On observe une perte progressive d’expression des marqueurs épithéliaux (TTF1, AQP5, ZO-1 et E-Cadhérine), couplée à l’apparition tardive de marqueurs mésenchymateux (α-SMA et Vimentine). Ces modifications phénotypiques s’accompagnent de l’expression dès les premières heures d’hypoxie de facteurs de transcription impliqués dans la TEM (SNAI1, TWIST1 et ZEB1) ou induits par l’hypoxie (HIF-1α et HIF-2α), et de protéines induisant la TEM (TGF-β1 et CTGF). La co-culture des CEA avec des CSMh en fond de puits prévient les modifications phénotypiques induites par l’hypoxie ainsi que l’expression des facteurs pro-TEM TWIST1, ZEB1, TGF-β1 et CTGF. Cet effet bénéfique des CSM est en partie expliqué par la sécrétion d’un facteur de croissance épithélial, le KGF.Dans une deuxième étude, nous avons confirmé que les CEA entraient en apoptose en condition hypoxique, via l’induction de deux voies de signalisations hypoxiques pro-apoptotiques. D’une part, les facteurs de transcription induits par l’hypoxie HIF sont stabilisés, et une cible pro-apoptotique, Bnip3, est induite. D’autre part, l’hypoxie induit une accumulation d’espèces réactives à l’oxygène délétère pour la cellule, perturbant l’équilibre redox de la cellule, endommageant l’ADN, et conduisant à l’apoptose. Cette accumulation pourrait résulter notamment d’une diminution de l’activité des enzymes anti-oxydantes SOD, en hypoxie. Le manque d’oxygène entraine également l’expression de CHOP, facteur de transcription pro-apoptotique impliqué dans le stress du réticulum endoplasmique, qui va13inhiber l’expression de la protéine anti-apoptotique Bcl-2. Nous avons montré que la culture des CEA en présence de milieu conditionné de CSMh (mc-CSMh) permet de prévenir partiellement l’apoptose des CEA en hypoxie, en modulant la voie de signalisation HIF, et en prévenant l’accumulation et les effets délétères des ROS. L’effet protecteur des CSM impliquerait le KGF comme observé lors de la première étude, mais également le HGF.Ces deux études indiquent que les CSMh sont susceptibles d’exercer des effets cytoprotecteurs paracrines vis-à-vis des CEA soumises à l’hypoxie aiguë ou prolongée, en limitant d’une part les modifications phénotypiques évocatrices de TEM, et d’autre part l’apoptose des CEA via la modulation des voies de signalisations hypoxiques. La sécrétion par les CSMh de KGF et de HGF, facteurs de croissance épithéliaux connus pour leurs effets bénéfiques sur les CEA, explique en partie les effets protecteurs paracrines des CSMh. Nos résultats suggèrent que les effets cytoprotecteurs des CSMh vis-à-vis des CEA pourraient contribuer aux effets bénéfiques des CSMh observés in vivo dans différents modèles animaux de fibrose induite, ou lors d’agressions alvéolaires aiguës. / Acute or chronic alveolar injuries provoke massive apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) that compromises an efficient repair of the alveolar epithelium and leads to lung diseases such as ARDS or IPF. These disorders are commonly associated with local alveolar hypoxia aggravating their progression through the stimulation of AEC apoptosis. Administration of allogenic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to limit lung inflammation and fibrosis in murine models of alveolar injury, through a still poorly understood paracrine mechanism. In a first study, we showed that long term exposure of AEC in hypoxia leads to phenotypic alterations which looks like epithelio-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Co-culture with MSCs prevent hypoxia-induced EMT.In a second work, we studied whether MSC could protect AEC from hypoxia-induced apoptosis and the mechanisms involved. hMSC-conditioned media (hMSC-CM) significantly reduced hypoxia-induced apoptosis of AEC. Such a anti-apoptotic effect was also obtained with ROS scavenger N-acetylcystein or HIF1a inhibitor YC-1. hMSC-CM decreased the protein expression of HIF1α and HIF2α and of their pro-apoptotic target Bnip3 in hypoxic AEC. hMSC-CM also reduced ROS accumulation in hypoxic AEC by enhancing the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes and prevented the induction of CHOP, a pro-apoptotic factor induced by ROS signaling. The paracrine effect of hMSC was partly dependent on KGF and HGF secretion. hMSC prevent via a paracrine effect hypoxia-induced apoptosis of AEC by modulating hypoxic and ROS signaling.These two studies show that MSCs exert cytoprotective effects in vitro against hypoxia-induced apoptosis and EMT in AEC

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the major cause of death or cognitive deficits in industrialized countries. Although studies have indicate that the oxidative stress and functional deficits after TBI are connected events, the mechanisms that outline the development of these cognitive deficits are, still, limited. In this context, we investigated the involvement of oxidative stress markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive species; TBARS and protein carbonylation) and the Na+,K+-ATPase enzyme activity on the spatial learning after one and three months from a fluid percussion injury (FPI) in rats. The results revealed that FPI increase the latency of escape and the number of the errors on the Barnes Maze Test one and three months after FPI. We also found an increase of TBARS and protein carbonylation in parietal cortex after one and three months FPI. In addition, statistical analysis revealed a decrease of the Na+,K+- ATPase enzyme activity in the parietal cortex after FPI (time-dependent). These results suggest that cognitive impairment following FPI may result, at least in part, from increase of two oxidative stress markers, protein carbonylation and TBARS that occurs concomitantly to a decrease in Na+,K+-ATPase activity. Physical exercise, despite the involvement on the generation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), is used on the rehabilitation of TBI. However, although the favorable effects of physical exercise on traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients is well known, the specific mechanisms involved in this protection after TBI has been limited. Thus, we investigated whether physical training protects against oxidative damage (measured by protein carbonylation and TBARS) and neurochemical alterations represented by immunodetection of alpha subunit and activity of Na+,K+-ATPase after FPI in cerebral cortex of rats. The results revealed that physical training protected against oxidative damage induced by FPI. In addition, physical training was effective against Na+,K+- ATPase enzyme activity inhibition and α subunit level decrease after FPI. The Pearson correlation showed that the decrease of the catalytical levels of the Na+,K+- ATPase enzyme α subunit is related with the increasing on oxidative stress markers. Moreover, the physical activity-related protection against free radicals induced by FPI links with maintenance of α subunit immunocontent. These results suggest that the effective protection stimulated by physical exercise on the neuronal damage induced by TBI has connection with the protection of the specific targets from the free radicals action, like Na+,K+-ATPase enzyme. / O Traumatismo crânio-encefálico (TCE) é uma das maiores causas de morte ou déficits cognitivos nos países industrializados. Apesar de os estudos indicarem que o estresse oxidativo e os déficits funcionais que ocorrem após TCE serem eventos interrelacionados, os mecanismos que delineiam o desenvolvimento destes déficits cognitivos são, ainda, limitados. Neste contexto nós investigamos o envolvimento de marcadores de estresse oxidativo (espécies reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico; TBARS e carbonilação protéica) e a atividade da enzima Na+,K+-ATPase no aprendizado espacial um e três meses após um dano de percussão por fluído (FPI) em ratos. Os resultados revelaram que o FPI aumentou o tempo de latência e o número de erros no teste do labirinto de Barnes em um e três meses após FPI. Também encontramos aumento no conteúdo de TBARS e proteína carbonil no córtex parietal em um e três meses após FPI. Além disso, a análise estatística revelou uma diminuição na atividade da enzima Na+,K+-ATPase no córtex cerebral após FPI tempo dependente, sugerindo que o déficit cognitivo induzido pelo FPI se deva pela perda de funcionabilidade de enzimas presentes na células como Na+,K+-ATPase. Perda esta induzida pelo aumento na geração de radicais livres após TCE. Apesar de estar envolvido no aumento da produção de espécies reativas ao Oxigênio (ERO), exercício físico tem sido utilizado na reabilitação de após TCE. Por outro lado, ainda são escassos na literatura estudos que evidenciam a especificidade dos mecanismos envolvidos na proteção induzida pelo exercício físico após TCE. Desta forma, investigamos se o treinamento físico protege contra o dano oxidativo bem como das alterações neuroquímicas representadas pela imunodetecção da subunidade α e da atividade da enzima Na+,K+-ATPase no córtex cerebral de ratos. Os resultados revelaram que o treinamento físico protegeu contra o dano oxidativo induzido por FPI. Além disso, o treinamento físico foi efetivo contra a inibição da enzima Na+,K+-ATPase e a diminuição dos níveis da sua subunidade α após FPI. A correlação de Pearson revelou que a diminuição dos níveis catalíticos da subunidade α da enzima Na+,K+-ATPase se correlaciona com o aumento dos marcadores de estresse oxidativo. Além disso, a proteção exercida pela atividade física contra os radicais livres induzidos por FPI tem relação com a manutenção do imunoconteúdo da subunidade α. A partir destes achados, sugere-se que a efetiva proteção exercida pelo exercício físico no dano neuronal causado induzido pelo TCE se deva pela proteção de alvos específicos a ação de radicais livres, como a enzima Na+, K+-ATPase.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / By definition Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common involvement in all societies and covers the entire set of processes that alone or in combination can damage the brain. In children and adolescents TBI is an interruption in their normal development, with estimates ranging from 200 to 500 cases per 100,000 per year. Most cases are characterized as mild, with few long-term consequences, however, a significant portion of young people suffer more serious injuries. Furthermore, Juvenile TBI is the major cause of death and disability in children and adolescents. An important factor is that the sports and youth have always been closely related. In this sense, it called attention traumas, especially for young people during practice of contact sports such as martial arts, football, ice hockey, baseball. Because of the wide variety of conditions associated with TBI, there is considerable interest in the development and subsequent application of biochemical markers that relate the severity of brain damage with the development of neurological problems such as memory and learning deficits. In this context, this study aimed, at first, to see if the young animals subjected to TBI had cognitive impairment fifteen days after the injury and whether creatine supplementation has protective effect by changing the activity of CK enzyme, modulating the expression of AMPK protein, CREB, p-CREB and BDNF involved in cognitive impairment and histological damage generated by TBI To this end the present study used young male Wistar rats at 35 days of life subjected to TBI or subjected to all processes except TBI were divided into four groups which were randomized to receive the Cr supplementation (300 mg / kg po) was suspended in 0.5% CMC or vehicle (CMC) twice daily for a period of 14 days. it was shown that animals on submitted to TBI showed a reduction in cognitive functions evaluated by 15 days object recognition task after TBI. The animals that received creatine supplementation did not have their compromised functions. Our biochemical data revealed that the activity of the enzyme creatine kinase was increased fifteen days after trauma, in the same period the TBI did not alter the expression of AMPK however creatine supplementation increased its expression, suggesting a connection between CK and AMPK after TBI, since the creatine supplementation was effective in raising the activity of CK while increased expression of AMPK also caused a significant increase in the ratio of CREB and p-CREB in animals that were supplemented. We also note the participation of BDNF, whose expression this increases the animals submitted to the TBI and were supplemented with creatine, protection evidenced by creatine in lesion volume induced by the TBI. / Por definição o Traumatismo Cranioencefálico (TCE) é um acometimento comum em todas as sociedades e abrange todo o conjunto de processos que sozinhos ou em combinação podem danificar o encéfalo. Em crianças e adolescentes o TCE representa uma interrupção em seu desenvolvimento normal, com estimativas que variam de 200 a 500 casos para cada 100.000 ao ano. A maioria dos casos é caracterizada como leve, com poucas consequências a longo prazo, entretanto, uma porção significativa de jovens sofrerá ferimentos mais graves. Além disso, o TCE juvenil é a principal causa de morte e incapacidade em crianças e adolescente. Neste sentido, chama-se a atenção traumas sofridos, principalmente por jovens durante pratica de esportes de contato como as artes marciais, o futebol americano, hóquei no gelo, baseball. Devido a grande variedade de condições associadas ao TCE, há um considerável interesse no desenvolvimento e posterior aplicação de marcadores bioquímicos que relacionem a gravidade do dano cerebral com o desenvolvimento de problemas neurológicos, como déficits de memória e aprendizado. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo, verificar se o se os animais jovens submetidos ao TCE apresentavam déficit cognitivo quinze dias após a lesão e se a suplementação com creatina possui efeito protetor, alterando a atividade da enzima CK, modulando a expressão das proteínas AMPK, CREB, p-CREB e BDNF envolvidas no déficit cognitivo e no dano histológico gerado pelo TCE. Para tal o presente estudo utilizou ratos Wistar jovens machos aos 35 dia de vida submetidos ao TCE ou submetido a todos os processos exceto o TCE, foram divididos em quatro grupos onde foram aleatoriamente separados, para receber a suplementação com Cr (300 mg / kg, p.o), suspensa em CMC a 0,5% ou veículo (CMC) duas vezes ao dia por um período de 14 dias. Foi evidenciado que os animais submetidos ao TCE apresentaram uma redução nas funções cognitivas avaliadas pela tarefa de reconhecimento de objeto 15 dias após o TCE. Já os animais que receberam a suplementação com creatina não tiveram suas funções comprometidas. Nossos dados bioquímicos revelaram que a atividade da enzima creatina quinase estava aumentada quinze dias pós-trauma, no mesmo período o TCE não alterou a expressão de AMPK porem a suplementação com creatina aumentou sua expressão, sugerindo uma conexão entre CK e AMPK após o TCE, uma vez que a suplementação com creatina foi efetiva em elevar a atividade da CK ao mesmo tempo que elevou a expressão de AMPK, também causou um aumento significativo na razão entre CREB e p-CREB nos animais que foram suplementados. Observamos também a participação do BDNF, cuja expressão esta aumenta nos animais que foram submetidos ao TCE e foram suplementados com creatina, na proteção evidenciada pela creatina no volume da lesão induzida pelo TCE.