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Cette thèse concerne les phénomènes de propagation de certaines équations d'évolution dans des habitats périodiques. Dans la première partie, nous étudions les phénomènes d'expansion de certaines équations d'intégro-différence spatialement périodiques. Tout d'abord, nous établissons une théorie générale sur l'existence des vitesses de propagation pour des systèmes d'évolution noncompacts, sous l'hypothèse que les systèmes linéarisés ont des valeurs propres principales. Ensuite, nous introduisons la notion d'irréductibilité uniforme des mesures de Radon finies sur le cercle. On démontre que tout opérateur de convolution généré par une telle mesure admet une valeur propre principale. Enfin, nous prouvons l'existence de vitesses de propagation pour certains équations d'intégro-différence avec des noyaux de dispersion uniformément irréductibles. Dans la deuxième partie, nous étudions les phénomènes de propagation de front pour des équations de réaction-diffusion spatialement périodiques avec des non-linéarités bistables. Nous nous concentrons d'abord sur les solutions de type fronts pulsatoires. Sous diverses hypothèses, il est prouvé que les fronts pulsatoires existent lorsque la période spatiale est petite ou grande. Nous caractérisons aussi le signe des vitesses et nous montrons la stabilité exponentielle globale des fronts pulsatoires de vitesse non nulle. Nous étudions ensuite les solutions de type fronts de transition. Sous des hypothèses convenables, on prouve que les fronts de transition se ramènent aux fronts pulsatoires avec une vitesse non nulle. Mais nous montrons aussi l'existence de nouveaux types de fronts de transition qui ne sont pas des fronts pulsatoires. / This dissertation is concerned with propagation phenomena of some evolution equations in periodic habitats. The main results consist of the following two parts. In the first part, we investigate the spatial spreading phenomena of some spatially periodic integro-difference equations. Firstly, we establish a general theory on the existence of spreading speeds for noncompact evolution systems, under the hypothesis that the linearized systems have principal eigenvalues. Secondly, we introduce the notion of uniform irreducibility for finite Radon measures on the circle. It is shown that, any generalized convolution operator generated by such a measure admits a principal eigenvalue. Finally, applying the above general theories, we prove the existence of spreading speeds for some integro-difference equations with uniformly irreducible dispersal kernels. In the second part, we study the front propagation phenomena of spatially periodic reaction-diffusion equations with bistable nonlinearities. Firstly, we focus on the propagation solutions in the class of pulsating fronts. It is proved that, under various assumptions on the reaction terms, pulsating fronts exist when the spatial period is small or large. We also characterize the sign of the front speeds and we show the global exponential stability of the pulsating fronts with nonzero speed. Secondly, we investigate the propagation solutions in the larger class of transition fronts. It is shown that, under suitable assumptions, transition fronts are reduced to pulsating fronts with nonzero speed. But we also prove the existence of new types of transition fronts which are not pulsating fronts.

More than 1100 debris flows were mobilized from shallow landslides during a rainstorm from 9 to 13 September 2013 in the Colorado Front Range, with the vast majority initiating on sparsely vegetated, south facing terrain. To investigate the physical processes responsible for the observed aspect control, we made measurements of soil properties on a densely forested north facing hillslope and a grassland-dominated south facing hillslope in the Colorado Front Range and performed numerical modeling of transient changes in soil pore water pressure throughout the rainstorm. Using the numerical model, we quantitatively assessed interactions among vegetation, rainfall interception, subsurface hydrology, and slope stability. Results suggest that apparent cohesion supplied by roots was responsible for the observed connection between debris flow initiation and slope aspect. Results suggest that future climate-driven modifications to forest structure could substantially influence landslide hazards throughout the Front Range and similar water-limited environments where vegetation communities may be more susceptible to small variations in climate.

Nas últimas décadas foram desenvolvidos estudos que associaram a coordenação das braçadas do nado crawl, expressa pelo índice de coordenação (IdC), ao desempenho de nadadores. Outro conjunto de estudos apontou que, em comparação à condição de apneia, a respiração afeta o desempenho dos nadadores. No entanto, não se sabe se a coordenação entre respiração e braçada está associada ao desempenho, e de que maneira isto ocorre. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a associação entre a coordenação e o desempenho de nadadores no nado crawl, considerando a coordenação entre braçadas e, de forma original, a coordenação entre a braçada e a respiração. Participaram 30 nadadores do gênero masculino com idade média de 14,1 anos (±0,99). A tarefa consistiu em nadar a distância de 100 metros utilizando o nado crawl no menor tempo possível, distribuída em quatro parciais de 25 metros, simulando uma prova de 100 metros. Foi utilizada como medida de desempenho a velocidade média (Vm); como medidas complementares, a frequência de braçadas (FBr) e o comprimento de braçada (CBr); e, de coordenação, o índice de coordenação (IdC) e o índice de respiração (IdR). A análise de variância de medidas repetidas foi utilizada para detectar diferenças nas medidas de desempenho, complementares e IdC entre as quatro parciais de 25 metros. Para verificar as diferenças no IdR entre a segunda e a quarta parciais de 25 metros foi utilizado o teste t de Student. O teste de correlação de Pearson permitiu a análise das relações do IdC e do IdR com as medidas de desempenho. Determinou-se como significância estatística alpha<=0,05. Os resultados mostraram que, para nadar 100 metros crawl no menor tempo possível, os nadadores são mais velozes (Vm) na parte inicial da prova simulada; mantêm FBr e CBr inalterados e IdC em oposição nas quatro parciais de 25 metros; mantêm a coordenação entre braçada e respiração (IdR), mas, qualitativamente, mudam de em atraso na segunda parcial para simultânea na quarta parcial. Em relação ao objetivo do presente estudo, os resultados permitem concluir que: 1) Há associação entre a coordenação da braçada com a respiração (IdR) e o desempenho (Vm): os nadadores que realizaram a inspiração após a empurrada, foram os que apresentaram velocidade mais baixa para nadar a quarta parcial de 25 metros; e 2) Há associação entre coordenação de braços e desempenho: semelhante aos resultados parciais de um estudo com nadadores de baixa velocidade (SEIFERT et al., 2007), os nadadores que realizaram maior IdC, foram os que apresentaram velocidade mais baixa para nadar os 100m, a primeira, terceira e quarta parciais de 25 metros. Portanto, além da coordenação entre braços, a coordenação entre braçada e respiração está associada ao desempenho de nadadores. Em estudos futuros, o conhecimento sobre a coordenação entre a braçada e a respiração e sua associação com o desempenho deve continuar a ser objeto de investigação / In the last decades, studies have been developed associating the coordination of front crawl strokes, expressed by the index of arm coordination (IdC), to the performance of swimmers. Another set of studies indicate that, compared to the apnea condition, breathing affects swimmers performance. However, it is unknown whether and how the coordination between breathing and stroke is associated with performance. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between coordination and performance of swimmers in the front crawl, considering the coordination between strokes and, in an original way, the coordination between stroke and breathing. Participants were 30 male swimmers with an average age 14.1 (± 0.99) years. The task consisted of swimming the distance of 100 meters using the front crawl in the shortest possible time, distributed in four parts of 25 meters, simulating a 100 meters race. As a performance measure, the average speed (Vm) was used; as complementary measures, stroke frequency (FBr) and stroke length (CBr); and, as coordination measures, the index of arm coordination (IdC) and the index of respiration (IdR). The analysis of variance of repeated measurements was used to detect differences in performance measures, complementary and IdC among the four partials of 25 meters. To verify the differences in the IdR between the second and fourth partials of 25 meters the Student\'s t-test was used. The Pearson\'s correlation test allowed the analysis of the relations of IdC and IdR between the performance measures. Statistical significance was defined as alpha <=0.05. The results showed that, in order to swim 100 meters front crawl in the shortest possible time, swimmers are faster (Vm) in the initial part of the simulated race; they maintain FBr and CBr unchanged and IdC in opposition in the four partials of 25 meters; they maintain the coordination between stroke and breathing (IdR), but, qualitatively, they change from delayed in the second partial to simultaneous in the fourth partial. Related to the aim of the present study, the results allow to conclude that: 1) There is an association between arm and breathing coordination (IdR) and performance (Vm): the swimmers who carried out the inspiration after the push were the ones who presented lower speed to swim the fourth partial of 25 meters; and 2) There is an association between arm coordination and performance: similar to the partial results of a study with low speed swimmers (SEIFERT et al., 2007), the swimmers who performed the highest IdC were the ones who presented the lowest speed to swim the 100m, the first, third and fourth partials of 25 meters. Therefore, in addition to arm coordination, the coordination between stroke and breathing is associated with the performance of swimmers. In future studies, knowledge about the coordination between stroke and breathing and its association with performance should continue to be investigated

abstract: The International Energy Agency (IEA) anticipates the global energy demand to grow by more than 25% by 2040, requiring more than $2 trillion a year of investment in new energy supply (IEA, 2018). With power needs increasing as populations grow and climate extremes become more routine, power companies seek to continually increase capacity, improve efficiency, and provide resilience to the power grid, such that they can meet the energy needs of the societies they serve, often while trying to minimize their carbon emissions. Despite significant research dedicated to planning for industrial projects, including power generation projects as well as the pipeline projects that enable power generation and distribute power, there are still endemic cost overruns and schedule delays in large scale power generation projects. This research explores root causes of these seemingly systemic project performance issues that plague power generation projects. Specifically, this work analyzes approximately 770 power and pipeline projects and identifies how project performance indicators (i.e., cost and schedule performance) as well as planning indicators, compare in two regulatory environments, namely nonregulated and regulated markets. This contributes explicit understanding of the relationship between project performance and regulatory environment, both quantitatively and qualitatively, to the pipeline and power project planning and construction bodies of knowledge. Following an understanding of nonregulated versus regulated markets, this research takes a deeper dive into one highly-regulated power sector, the nuclear power sector, and explores root causes for cost overruns and schedule delays. This work leverages gray literature (i.e., newspaper articles) as sources, in order to analyze projects individually (most academic literature presents data about an aggregated set of projects) and understand the public perception of risks associated with such projects. This work contributes an understanding of the risks associated with nuclear power plant construction to the nuclear power plant construction body of knowledge. Ultimately, the findings from this research support improved planning for power and pipeline projects, in turn leading to more predictable projects, in terms of cost and schedule performance, regardless of regulatory environment. This enables power providers to meet the capacity demands of a growing population within budget and schedule. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2020

Au début des années 1990, au terme d’une décennie de guerres internes, le Salvador et le Nicaragua ont été les théâtres d’une multiplication sans précédent d’associations de développement et d’ONG humanitaires. Provenant des anciennes mouvances révolutionnaires du Front sandiniste de libération nationale au Nicaragua et du Front Farabundo Martí pour la libération nationale au Salvador, ces organisations nouvelles ont été le signe de l’apparition d’un militantisme professionnel et technicisé proche de « l’humanitaire-expert » et en rupture avec les engagements politico-militaires qui avaient jusqu’alors dominé les scènes militantes centraméricaines. Comment dès lors comprendre l’émergence de ces phénomènes associatifs ? Nés à la croisée de bouleversements sociaux et politiques majeurs, entre la fin des guerres, l’effondrement des gestes révolutionnaires et l’avènement de régimes démocratiques, ces faits associatifs ont d’abord été le fruit d’une conversion de leurs dirigeants. Anciens cadres révolutionnaires du parti-État sandiniste et des guérillas salvadoriennes, ceux-ci occupaient en effet déjà à la fin des années 1980 la tête des mouvances associatives du Front sandiniste et du Front Farabundo Martí. Or c’est là, au sein de ces nébuleuses, que ces acteurs se sont saisis de schèmes humanitaires nouveaux et de registres managériaux, entraînant dans leur sillage « l’ONGisation » de leurs organisations et l’investissement de causes féministes, indigénistes ou environnementalistes. De sorte que l’histoire de ces associations et de leur émergence est l’histoire de cette conversion. D’où le choix de ce travail de retracer le parcours de ces militants depuis leur basculement dans la lutte armée et les organisations révolutionnaires jusqu’à leur conversion à l’humanitaire-expert et leur insertion dans le monde des ONG. Ce faisant, ce travail met en résonance plusieurs analyses. Une réflexion d’abord sur les modalités de basculement dans la violence armée et d’incorporation aux organisations de guérillas. Une réflexion ensuite sur les logiques de conversion politique et de reconversion professionnelle des acteurs politico-militaires. Une réflexion enfin sur la naissance des milieux associatifs et la constitution de carrières militantes. Et au travers de ces analyses se dessine in fine une enquête plus générale sur la nature même des phénomènes associatifs au Salvador et au Nicaragua, leurs usages et leurs fonctions, et montrent le rôle de « supports » sociaux et politiques qu’ils jouent aujourd’hui dans les nouvelles démocraties centraméricaines. / At the beginning of the 1990s and after a decade of internal wars, El Salvador and Nicaragua were the stages of an unprecedented growth of development’s organizations and humanitarian NGOs. Originating from the former revolutionary movements of Sandinista National Liberation Front in Nicaragua and from Farabundo Marti National Front in El Salvador, those new organizations were a sign of professional technologized militancy close to « expert humanitarian work » but also breaking with the military-political commitments which had preponderated over the Central American activist scene so far. How then can we understand the emergence of those voluntary phenomena? Resulting from major social and political disruptions, as well as the end of wars, the collapsing of revolutionary actions and the advent of democratic regimes, those voluntary actions first started with the conversion of their leaders. As former revolutionary officers of the Sandinista state-party and of the Salvadorian guerrillas, by the end of the 1980s those were already heads of the non-profit movements of Sandinista Front and Farabundo Marti Front. Yet this is in the middle of this political maze that those leaders seized upon a new humanitarian framework as well as managerial repertories, bringing in their wake the « NGOzation » of their organizations and their commitment to the feminist as well as indigenist and environmentalist causes. In this way, the history of the emergence of those organizations is actually the history of that conversion. Hence the choice that has been made to work on recounting the activists’ paths from the moment they turned into an armed conflict and revolutionary organizations to their actual conversion into expert humanitarian work and the world of NGOs. In order to do this work several analyses have been compared; first, a reflection about the ways and means of their changeover into armed violence and their enlistments in guerrillas’ organizations; then a thought about the mindset of political conversion and the career change of the military-political leaders; then finally a reflection about the birth of the non-profit domain and the development of activists’ careers. And so, through these analyses appears a more general study on the true nature of voluntary phenomena in El Salvador and Nicaragua, and on their practices and functions, that shows the roles they play as social, political supports in the new Central American democracies nowadays.

The 1924-1927 United Front period has long been understood within a civil war context. The major revolutionaries of ethnic Han origins and the myriad of Comintern advisors that played significant roles have subsequently all been evaluated in those terms. My work decenters the civil war narrative in order to dislodge the rigid labels that have historically accompanied the identities of the Guomindang and the Chinese Communist Party. When re-evaluating the activities of the First United Front as a loosely defined tactical alliance, the White Terror -perpetrated by the GMD onto Communists and their affiliated members – then becomes a moment of permanent dichotomization of Communist and Nationalists groups. Analyzing the activities of the First United Front without rigid Communist and Nationalists labels, aids in clarifying the organizations actions. Moreover, when viewing these activities within the broader context of a global anti-colonial movement, the shared goals of the tactical alliance become more comparable to many of the ideological tenets driving self-determination in the twentieth century.

This thesis describes the CCP united front work in the Czech Republic and challenges the current understanding of the Chinese diaspora's role in the PRC's influence in countries with small Chinese communities. Through an analysis of primary Chinese-language sources contextualized using secondary literature, the study presents the first overall picture of the CCP united front work in a European country. It identifies the main united front groups within the Czech Chinese diaspora and describes their engagement with the Czech and PRC political systems, as well as pan-European Chinese diaspora associations. The main finding is that, while these organizations play an auxiliary role to the Party-state organs and channels PRC uses for interacting with Czech and European politics, their importance and activity is higher than noticed in previous research. The study further finds that the trans-national mobility of the European Chinese migrant communities, well- established in previous scholarship, influences united front work in its treatment of the continent as single space. The creation of pan-European Chinese associations is actively supported by the PRC organs that engage them on higher level than groups restricted to specific countries. The relevance of previous research on European Chinese diaspora to...

Detta examensarbete, vilket utförts hos Expektra, har bidragit till design, utveckling ochimplementation av ett webbaserat användargränssnitt för en av deras produkter, Predict Demand.För projektgenomförande har projektet inneburit att ta reda på olika metoder för att utvärdera derasnuvarande prototyp med utgångspunkt i människo-datorinteraktion och interaktionsdesign. Detta ärvärdefullt när det kommer till designen- och vidareutvecklingsprocessen för generellaanvändargränssnitt. I projektet har man även undersökt olika hjälpmedel och ramverk som föreffektiv implementeringen av gränssnittet.Resultat av design och implementation har i slutet av projektet utvärderats av två användare hos enreferenskund för tjänsten. Trots att antalet svar är begränsat och därmed inte är av statistisksignifikans kan svaren analyseras och ge input till vidareutveckling av gränssnittet. Svaren vargenomgående positiva till hur den slutgiltiga designen blev och alla de olika delar som togs upp ienkäten. När fler har anslutit sig till denna tjänst kan det göras ett nytt enkät-utskick för att få ettmer omfattande resultat.Detta examensarbete har fokuserat på front-end delen vilket innebär att inget av back-end kommertas upp i denna rapport. Man har även gjort avgränsningen att i tidigt skede bara fokusera på desenaste versionerna av webbläsaren Chrome. / This master thesis, which has been carried out at Expektra, has contributed to design, developmentand implementation of a web based interface for one of their products, Predict Demand. For theimplementation, the project has considered different methods to evaluate their prototype withfooting in human-computer interaction and interaction design. This is valuable when it comes to thedesign and further development process for general user interfaces. The project has also looked atdifferent tools and frameworks to make the implementation more efficient.The result of the design and implementation has at the end of the project been evaluated by two endusers from a reference customer for this service. Even though the number of responses was limitedand therefore of no statistical significance the answers can be analyzed and give input for furtherdevelopment of the interface.The answers from the questionnaire were positive of how the finished design turned out as well asall the different parts that were inquired about. When more customers have joined the service therecan be a new attempt with the questionnaire to be able to get a more comprehensive result.This master thesis has focused on the front-end part which means that no back-end relatedinformation will be covered. One of the early limitations that were decided was to only focus on thelatest version of the Chrome web browser.

A critical and important part of the medical diagnosis is the montioring of the biopotential signals. Patients are always connected to a bulky and mains-powered instrument. This not only restricts the mobility of the patients but also bring discomfort to them. Meanwhile, the measureing time can not last long thus affecting the effects of the diagnosis. Therefore, there is a high demand for low-power and small size factor ambulatory biopotential measurement systems. In addtion, the system can be configured for different biopotential applications.The ultimate goal is to implement a system that is both invisible and comfortable. The systems not onlyincrease the quality of life, but also sharply decrease the cost of healthcare delivery. In this paper, a continuously tunable gain and bandwidth analog front-end for ambulatory biopotential measurement systems is presented. The front-end circuit is capable of amplifying and conditioning different biopsignals. To optimize the power consumption and simplify the system architecture, the front-end only adopts two-stage amplifiers. In addition, careful design of the critical transistors eliminates the need of chopping circuits. The front-end is pure analog without interference from digital parts like chopping and switch capacitor circuits. The chip is fabricated under SMIC 0.18 μm CMOS process. The input-referred noise of the system is only 1.19 μVrms (0.48-2000Hz).Although the power consumption is only 32.1 μW under 3V voltage supply, test results show that the chip can successfully extract biopotential signals.