No / Microcarrier cell culture systems provide an attractive alternative to the conventional monolayer cell culture for cell amplification, due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio. Unlike enzymatic methods for removing cells from microcarriers after cell culture, which can lead to irreversible damage of the cells, microcarriers which release cells by temperature adjustment have been developed. This was achieved by grafting a temperature-responsive polymer, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), on the microcarrier surface. This review comprehensively presents various methods to prepare such thermo-responsive microcarriers based on PNIPAAm. These methods include the grafting-to technique, grafting-from technique, grafting-through technique, along with methods leading to PNIPAAm hydrogel beads, seeded polymerization, and non-covalent adsorption. The methods for controlling PNIPAAm grafting density, molecular weight and molecular architecture are also outlined. Further, the efficiency of cell attachment, proliferation and thermally-induced detachment of such thermo-responsive microcarriers is introduced and compared. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This study investigates the nature of Asperger's Syndrome and specifically the social impairments experienced by learners affected by this syndrome. The incorrect social language, narrow interests and repetitive routines, and the deficits of theory of mind, central coherence and executive functioning of learners with Asperger's Syndrome are also outlined, and an attempt is made to relate these impairments to the social difficulties that learners with Asperger's Syndrome may experience in any inclusive setting. Chapters two and three comprise an in-depth literature study on this specific subject, thus forming a basis for the empirical research reported in chapter five. A qualitative research design is used, first to gain information about and understanding of the nature of the social impairments that afflict learners with Asperger's Syndrome, and secondly to gauge the effectiveness of using social stories as a means to assist the social development of affected learners. More specifically, an ethnographic research design has been chosen for its flexibility which readily permits last-minute adjustments to suit any design, and also because it helps to give meaning to personal encounters. The sensitive nature of the topic is another important reason for choosing this approach (ie. interaction with the researcher could be "fine-tuned" to achieve the ends of this adapted interview situation effectively, circumspectly and safely without undue upset for all concerned). The interview responses of two mothers of learners with Asperger's Syndrome, as well as the observation of these learners are reported. The results of the interviews and observations are checked against the literature study for corroboration in order to bring about a more positive awareness of the impairments experienced by these learners. The technique of social stories was investigated as a method of enhancing the social development of learners with Asperger's Syndrome. Three specific social stories were developed for this research in order to test the effectiveness of this method. Positive outcomes were achieved after implementation of the stories. Results of this study indicated that knowledge and understanding of Asperger's Syndrome, as well as positive attitudes, are critical to ensure the acceptance and accommodation of learners with Asperger's Syndrome in the school environment and in society as a whole. Also, the issue of accommodating learners with Asperger's Syndrome in an inclusive setting should receive concerted attention since it can have major implications for their educational prospects. / Educational Studies / Thesis (D. Ed.)

L'évaluation de l'asynchronisme mécanique ventriculaire sous stress a soulevé une attention importante en tant que facteur prédictif de la réponse au traitement de resynchronisation cardiaque (CRT). De plus, il semble exister une relation significative entre le devenir du patient et la présence d’asynchronisme au repos. Plusieurs méthodes échocardiographiques peuvent être utilisées pour évaluer l’asynchronisme. Cependant, parmi toutes les différentes méthodologies ou index existant dans ce domaine, aucun critère ne fait l’unanimité. Cette thèse étudie l'importance des techniques d'imagerie nucléaire dans le cadre de l’évaluation de l’asynchronisme cardiaque induit par le stress en utilisant trois différents modèles canins expérimentaux. Le premier chapitre vise à examiner les effets du stress sur le synchronisme de la contraction du ventricule gauche (VG) en utilisant l'imagerie synchronisée de perfusion myocardique dans une cohorte canine normale. Le stress a été induit par différents niveaux d’infusion de dobutamine sur six sujets sains. Les paramètres hémodynamiques et l’asynchronisme ont été évalués par des mesures de pressions ventriculaires. L'analyse de phase sur l’imagerie s’est effectuée en utilisant un logiciel commercialement disponible (QGS) et un logiciel interne (MHI4MPI), basée sur le déplacement et l’épaississement des parois ventriculaires. L’augmentation de la concentration de dobutamine a démontré une amélioration de la capacité fonctionnelle et une réduction de l’asynchronisme ventriculaire. L’analyse de l’asynchronisme calculée à partir de l’épaississement de la paroi semble plus robuste et plus sensible que l’utilisation du déplacement des parois. (Salimian et. al., J Nucl Cardiol., 2014) Le second chapitre étudie les différents paramètres d’asynchronisme au repos et à différents niveaux de stress dans un modèle de cardiomyopathie dilatée et à QRS étroit. Ce modèle a été créé sur dix chiens par tachycardie via stimulation de l'apex du ventricule droit pendant 3-4 semaines, permettant d’atteindre une fraction d'éjection cible de 35% ou moins. Le stress a ensuite été induit par une perfusion de dobutamine jusqu'à un maximum de 20 μg/kg/min. Les données hémodynamiques et l’asynchronisme ont été analysés par des mesures de pression ventriculaire et l’analyse de l’imagerie dynamique du compartiment sanguin. L’importante variabilité individuelle des sujets inclus dans notre cohorte empêche toute conclusion définitive sur la mesure de l’asynchronisme interventriculaire. Cependant, les différents niveaux de stress, même dans des intervalles rapprochés, ont démontré un effet significatif sur les paramètres hémodynamiques et l’asynchronisme. (Salimian et. al., J Nucl Cardiol., 2015) La troisième section vise à déterminer si l’estimation du mode de stimulation optimal effectuée au repos demeure le choix optimal lorsque le niveau d’activité cardiaque s’intensifie pour des sujets avec bloc auriculo-ventriculaire (AV) et fonction ventriculaire normale. Cinq chiens ont été soumis à une ablation du nœud AV et des sondes de stimulation ont été insérées dans l'oreillette droite pour la détection, l’apex du ventricule droit (VD) et une veine postérolatérale du VG pour la stimulation. Cinq modes de stimulation ont été utilisés : LV pur, biventriculaire (BiV) avec pré-activation de 20 ms du LV (LVRV20), BiV pur, BiV avec pré-activation de 20 ms du VD (RVLV20), VD pur. Des niveaux jusqu’à 20 μg/kg/min de dobutamine ont été atteints. Le stress a modifié l’étendue de l’asynchronisme de base et ce, pour tous les modes de stimulation. De plus, les effets physiologiques intrinsèques du stress permettent une évaluation plus précise de l’asynchronisme ventriculaire, diminuant la variabilité inter-sujet. Le mode de stimulation LVRV20 semble le mode optimal dans ce modèle, supportant l’utilisation de la stimulation bi-ventriculaire. / Assessment of ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (MD) under stress has attracted a large amount of attention as a stronger predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and as a parameter whose variation bears a greater relationship to clinical outcomes than resting-MD either in CRT candidates or another subset of patients. Several echocardiographic methods can be used to assess stress-MD. However, no standardized approach is currently used to explore stress-induced variations in inter- and intraventricular MD. This dissertation studies the importance of nuclear imaging techniques in assessing stress-induced MD variations by providing three different experimental canine models. The first chapter sought to examine the impacts of stress on the left ventricular (LV) synchrony with phase analysis of gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (GMPS) within a normal canine cohort. Stress was induced by different levels of dobutamine infusion in six healthy subjects. Hemodynamic and LV MD parameters were assessed by LV pressure measurements and phase analysis of GMPS using commercially available QGS software and in-house MHI4MPI software with thickening- and displacement-based methodology. The increase of dobutamine level was shown to be in accordance with the improvement of LV functional capacity and reduction of MD parameters. MD analysis based on wall thickening was more robust and sensitive than the global wall displacement. (Salimian et. al., J Nucl Cardiol., 2014) The second chapter investigated the range of difference in inter- and intraventricular MD parameters from rest to various levels of stress in a dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and narrow QRS complex model. Ten large dogs were submitted to tachycardia-induced DCM by pacing the right ventricular apex for 3-4 weeks to reach a target ejection fraction of 35% or less. Stress was then induced by infusion of dobutamine up to a maximum of 20 μg/kg/min. Hemodynamic and MD data were analyzed by LV pressure measurements and gated-blood pool SPECT (GBPS) imaging. Individual differences in the magnitude and pattern of change in the various levels of stress precluded any definitive conclusion about interventricular MD. However, different levels of stress, even in close intervals, showed a significant positive impact on hemodynamic and intraventricular MD parameters. (Salimian et. al., J Nucl Cardiol., 2015) The third chapter sought to examine if the optimal pacing mode at rest could be the best one during the maximum stress level in terms of MD parameters in subjects with an atrioventricular (AV) block and normal function. Five dogs were submitted to AV node ablation and pacing leads were placed in the right atrium for sensing, in right ventricular (RV) apex, and in posterolateral LV vein for pacing in five modes of LV, biventricular (BiV) with 20 ms of LV pre-activation (LVRV20), BiV, BiV with 20 ms of RV pre-activation (RVLV20) and RV pacing. Stress was induced by dobutamine infusion up to a maximum of 20 μg/kg/min. Data analyses were the same as chapter one. Dobutamine stress changed the extent of resting-LV MD at all pacing modes. Intrinsic physiologic effects of stress resulted in more accurate MD assessment with lesser variability in subjects who underwent pacing. LVRV20 was the preferred site of stimulation in this model rather than single-site pacing.

This thesis is composed of two parts - research part, focused on field research of occurence and abundance of the Stone Crayfish and the Noble Crayfish in the basin of Zákolanský stream, and a pedagogical part, project Crayfish in the Czech Republic and their protection, aimed for grammar school students. The literature outline summarizes contemporary knowledge about all five species of crayfish in the Czech Republic. Our native species are the Stone Crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) and Noble Crayfish (Astacus astacus). The non-native are Narrow-clawed Crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus), Spiny-cheek Crayfish (Orconectes limosus) and Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus). Aside from the chapters concerning the particular species and their determination, the literature outline also contains general information about the life and endangerment of crayfish. I have conducted the field research from April to September 2009. I also noted and evaluated the environmental conditions of the crayfish habitats. Based on the adjusted AOPK ČR methodology, I selected eight 100-meter long brook-sections of the Europe-important locality of Zákolanský stream, with the previously confirmed occurrence of crayfish. From the eight sections, I found crayfish only in three. All the captured specimens were of the...

La compagnie Sigfox est reconnue comme un acteur prometteur pour des transmissions de longue-distance et faible consommation, dans le contexte de l'IoT. La modulation à bande ultra étroite (Ultra Narrow Band (UNB)), la technologie de communication choisie par Sigfox, permet de transmettre des informations dans des bandes de signal très étroites (typiquement 100 Hz). A cause de l'imprécision fréquentielle causée par les oscillateurs générateurs de fréquence, il n'est pas réaliste de transmettre des signaux UNB dans des canaux parfaitement orthogonaux. L'accès naturel au canal radio pour le système de UNB est de type ALOHA, avec un aspect aléatoire à la fois en en temps et en fréquence. Cet accès aléatoire peut introduire des collisions qui dégradent la performance du réseau. Le but de cette thèse est de caractériser la capacité des réseaux basés sur UNB, ainsi que d’améliorer la performance en considérant l'aspect aléatoire en temps et en fréquence. La première contribution de cette thèse, est une évaluation de la capacité en théorie et en simulation pour une seule station de base (BS), sous des conditions de canal idéaliste ou réaliste. En conditions idéalistes, nous avons exprimé la capacité pour le cas de l'ALOHA généralisé, et l'avons étendu aux cas de réplications. Pour les conditions réalistes, nous avons pris en compte l'interférence spectrale d'UNB et le path loss (sans et avec Rayleigh fading) afin de caractériser la performance des réseaux UNB, avec l'outil géométrie stochastique. La deuxième contribution est d'appliquer l’annulation successive d'interférence (SIC), qui nous permet d'atténuer les interférences, dans des réseaux de UNB. Nous avons fourni une analyse théorique de la performance des réseaux en considérant le SIC et l'interférence spectrale de UNB, pour le cas de mono-BS. La troisième contribution est l'amélioration de la performance des réseaux UNB, en exploitant la diversité de multi-BS. Nous avons fait une analyse théorique de performance en considérant multi-BS et selection combining (SC). En particulier, nous avons considéré que l’interférence vue par chaque BS est corrélée. Nous avons ainsi démontré mathématiquement que cette corrélation ne peut pas être supprimée dans des systèmes UNB. Ensuite, nous avons appliqué les technologies de la combinaison des signaux plus complexes comme MRC (max ratio combining) et EGC (equal gain combining), ainsi que le SIC à travers multi-BS. Nous avons évalué l'amélioration de performance que chaque technologie apporte, et les avons comparées. Nous avons souligné l'efficacité de ces technologies qui nous permettent d’obtenir des gains importants comparés au cas mono-BS (e.x. 125 fois plus de réduction d'erreur avec SIC globale). La dernière contribution est une validation expérimentale du modèle d'interférence spectrale de UNB, ainsi que la capacité des réseaux UNB, sur un testbed de radio FIT/Cortexlab. / Sigfox rises as a promising candidate dedicated for long-distance and low-power transmissions in the IoT backgrounds. Ultra Narrow Band (UNB), being the communication technology chosen by Sigfox, allows to transmit information through signals whose bandwidth is very limited, typically 100 Hz. Due to the imprecision restraint on electronic devices, it is impossible to transmit UNB signals in orthogonal channels. The natural radio access for this kind of system is thus random ALOHA, in both time and frequency domain. This random access can induce collisions which degrades the networks performance. The aim of this thesis is to characterize the capacity of UNB based networks, as well as to enhance its performance, by considering the randomness in time and frequency. The first contribution of the thesis, is the theoretical and numerical capacity evaluation under idealized and realistic channel conditions, for mono base station (BS) case. Under idealized conditions, we have quantified this capacity for generalized ALOHA case and extended for replications. We highlight the time-frequency duality in UNB systems, and that there exists an optimum replication number for a given network parameter set. Under realistic conditions, we have taken into account the specific spectral interference of UNB systems and propagation path loss (without and with Rayleigh fading) to characterize the performance, with the aid of stochastic geometry. The second contribution is the enhancement of UNB network performance in single BS case. We propose to use successive interference cancellation (SIC) in UNB networks, which allows to mitigate the interference. We have provided a theoretical analysis by considering both SIC and the spectral interference, for mono-BS case. We bring to light the efficiency of SIC in enhancing UNB system performance. The third contribution is the improvement of UNB systems, by exploiting the multiple BS diversity. An analytical performance evaluation considering the simplest selection combining is conducted. In particular, we consider the interference viewed by all the BSs are correlated. Then we apply more complex signal combining technologies such as MRC (max ratio combining) and EGC (equal gain combining), and even interference cancellation across multi-BS in UNB networks. We evaluate the performance improvement that each technology can bring, and compare them with each other. We highlight the efficiency of these multi-BS technologies which allow us to achieve significant performance enhancement compared to mono-BS (e.x. 125 times better performance with global SIC). Last but not least, we experimentally verify the the spectral interference model and network capacity on a cognitive radio testbed.

Thesis (M.S.)-- Air Force Institute of Technology. / The original document contains color images.

This study investigates the nature of Asperger's Syndrome and specifically the social impairments experienced by learners affected by this syndrome. The incorrect social language, narrow interests and repetitive routines, and the deficits of theory of mind, central coherence and executive functioning of learners with Asperger's Syndrome are also outlined, and an attempt is made to relate these impairments to the social difficulties that learners with Asperger's Syndrome may experience in any inclusive setting. Chapters two and three comprise an in-depth literature study on this specific subject, thus forming a basis for the empirical research reported in chapter five. A qualitative research design is used, first to gain information about and understanding of the nature of the social impairments that afflict learners with Asperger's Syndrome, and secondly to gauge the effectiveness of using social stories as a means to assist the social development of affected learners. More specifically, an ethnographic research design has been chosen for its flexibility which readily permits last-minute adjustments to suit any design, and also because it helps to give meaning to personal encounters. The sensitive nature of the topic is another important reason for choosing this approach (ie. interaction with the researcher could be "fine-tuned" to achieve the ends of this adapted interview situation effectively, circumspectly and safely without undue upset for all concerned). The interview responses of two mothers of learners with Asperger's Syndrome, as well as the observation of these learners are reported. The results of the interviews and observations are checked against the literature study for corroboration in order to bring about a more positive awareness of the impairments experienced by these learners. The technique of social stories was investigated as a method of enhancing the social development of learners with Asperger's Syndrome. Three specific social stories were developed for this research in order to test the effectiveness of this method. Positive outcomes were achieved after implementation of the stories. Results of this study indicated that knowledge and understanding of Asperger's Syndrome, as well as positive attitudes, are critical to ensure the acceptance and accommodation of learners with Asperger's Syndrome in the school environment and in society as a whole. Also, the issue of accommodating learners with Asperger's Syndrome in an inclusive setting should receive concerted attention since it can have major implications for their educational prospects. / Educational Studies / Thesis (D. Ed.)

?rea de concentra??o: Qu?mica anal?tica. / Submitted by Jos? Henrique Henrique (jose.neves@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2016-12-21T13:02:41Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) glauber_antonio_reis_andrade.pdf: 2400963 bytes, checksum: 99ec593844d6ba3a1107158d86656739 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2017-01-21T11:09:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 9 bytes, checksum: 42dd12a06de379d3ffa39b67dc9c7aff (MD5) glauber_antonio_reis_andrade.pdf: 2400963 bytes, checksum: 99ec593844d6ba3a1107158d86656739 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-21T11:09:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 9 bytes, checksum: 42dd12a06de379d3ffa39b67dc9c7aff (MD5) glauber_antonio_reis_andrade.pdf: 2400963 bytes, checksum: 99ec593844d6ba3a1107158d86656739 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016 / A Teofilina (TF), Clindamicina (CM), Varfarina (VF) e Verapamil (VP) s?o f?rmacos de baixo ?ndice terap?utico que necessitam de um controle de qualidade rigoroso na elabora??o de suas formula??es. O desenvolvimento de m?todos mais simples e r?pidos para doseamento desses medicamentos ? de grande interesse no setor farmac?utico. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho apresenta uma nova metodologia para determina??o desses f?rmacos por amperometria de m?ltiplos pulsos (MPA) acoplada ao sistema de an?lise por inje??o em batelada (BIA), utilizando o eletrodo de Diamante dopado com Boro (DDB). A an?lise em BIA foi realizada em uma c?lula eletroqu?mica do tipo Wall Jet, onde as inje??es foram realizadas por meio de uma micropipeta autom?tica ou, manualmente, por uma seringa descart?vel para TF, CM e VF, mostrando a possibilidade de diminuir custo do sistema de an?lise. O comportamento eletroqu?mico da TF, CM, VF e VP foi investigado por voltametria c?clica e os eletr?litos suportes escolhidos foram o ?cido sulf?rico 0,1 mol L-1, tamp?o fosfato 0,1 mol L-1 (pH 7,0), tamp?o fosfato 0,1 mol L-1 (pH 7,0) com 10% de ?lcool et?lico e ?cido sulf?rico 0,2 mol L-1, respectivamente. Nesses eletr?litos tr?s f?rmacos apresentaram um ?nico processo de oxida??o: a TF em +1,33V, a CM em +1,18 V e a VF em +0,90 V. J? o VP apresentou tr?s processos de oxida??o entre +1,2V e +1,5V, al?m de um processo de redu??o em +0,2V depende das oxida??es. A detec??o MPA-BIA foi baseada na aplica??o de um pulso de potencial de detec??o e outro de limpeza do DDB para tr?s f?rmacos. Neste caso, os pulsos de potencial para detec??o da TF, CM e VF foram todos aplicados por 100ms em +1,5V, +1,6V e +1,2V, respectivamente. Para determina??o do VP foram utilizados tr?s pulsos de potencial, um para oxida??o do VP (gerador) em +1,6V/50ms, um para redu??o do produto gerado (coletor) e quantifica??o do VP em -0,1V/30ms, e um terceiro em +1,1V/100ms para limpeza da superf?cie do DDB. A velocidade de inje??o da MA foi otimizada em 100?L s-1, exceto para VP que foi de 47?Ls-1, e com a SD a velocidade de inje??o foi de aproximadamente 107 ?Ls-1 pra a TF, CM e VF, proporcionando uma frequ?ncia anal?tica te?rica de pelo menos 53 determina??es por hora desses f?rmacos. Um baixo desvio padr?o relativo (10 medidas) foi obtido para todos os f?rmacos, n?o ultrapassando 3,0% tanto pela inje??o autom?tica quanto pela manual. As curvas anal?ticas foram estabelecidas e uma boa faixa linear foi obtida para todos os f?rmacos com pelo menos duas ordens de concentra??o. Os coeficientes de correla??o linear para todas as regress?es foram maiores que 0,992 em todos os estudos. Os estudos de adi??o e recupera??o mostraram valores pr?ximos a 100 % para todas as amostras farmac?uticas analisadas. O m?todo proposto usando a inje??o autom?tica e manual foi devidamente validado pelo m?todo oficial para cada um dos f?rmacos avaliados. Portanto, a detec??o MPA-BIA usando o eletrodo de DDB mostrou ser uma alternativa mais simples e r?pida para determina??o da TF, CM, VF e VP em formula??es farmac?uticas, possibilitando ainda uma diminui??o do custo do sistema BIA pela substitui??o da micropipeta autom?tica por uma seringa descart?vel. / Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Qu?mica, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2016. / Theophylline (TF), Clindamycin (CM), Warfarin (VF) and Verapamil (VP) are drugs of narrow therapeutic index that require a strict quality control in the preparation of their formulations. Thus, the development of simple and rapid methods for determination of these drugs is very important in the pharmaceutical industry. In this sense, this paper presents a new methodology for determination of these drugs by multiple-pulse amperometry (MPA) coupled to batch injection analysis (BIA), using the boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode. The analysis in BIA system was performed in an electrochemical cell (Wall Jet), where the injections were performed by automatic micropipette or manually by an disposable syringe for TF, CM and VF, showing a possibility to reduction of the analysis cost. The electrochemical behavior of the analytes was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and the support electrolytes were chosen for TF, CM, VF and VP in medium of sulfuric acid 0.1 mol L-1, phosphate buffer 0.1 mol L-1 (pH 7.0), phosphate buffer 0.1 mol L-1 (pH 7.0) with 10% ethyl alcohol and sulfuric acid 0.2 mol L-1, respectively. In these conditions, three drugs exhibited a single oxidation process: TF in +1.33V, the CM in +1.18V and the VF in +0.90V (vs Ag/AgCl). Already the VP presented three oxidation processes between +1.2V and +1.5V, besides a reduction process in +0.20 V that depends on the oxidation. The MPA-BIA detection for three drugs (TF, CM, VF) was based on the application of two potential pulses, one for detection and other for cleaning BDD electrode. In this case, the potential pulses to detection the TF, CM and VF were all applied for 100ms at +1.5V, +1.2V and +1.6 V, respectively. In determination of the VP, were used three potential pulses, one for oxidation of VP (generator potential pulse) in +1.6V/50ms, one for reducing the generated product (collector potential pulse) and performed quantification of VP in -0.1V/30ms, and a third potential pulse at +1.1V/100ms for cleaning BDD electrode. The injection speed using automatic micropipette was 100?L s-1, except for VP that was 47?Ls-1, and injection speed by insulin syringe was approximately 107?Ls-1, which provide theoretical analytical frequency of at least 53 determinations per hour of these drugs. A low standard relative deviation (10 measures) was obtained for all drugs, not extending beyond 3.0% by both injections systems. The analytical curves were established and a good linear range was obtained for all drugs with at least two orders of concentration. The linear correlation coefficients for all regressions were higher than 0.992. The addition and recovery studies show values close to 100% for all drug samples analyzed. The proposed method using automatic and manual injection was validated by official method for each analyte. Therefore, this paper presented a fast and simple method for the determination of TF, CM, VF and VP in pharmaceutical formulations using BIA-MPA detection with BBD electrode. Moreover, this work demonstrated an inexpensive method for application in routine analysis of narrow therapeutic index drugs, mainly using a manual injection in BIA system by an disposable syringe.

Cette thèse a pour but de modéliser les réseaux de capteurs sans fil à faible débit (WSN) basés sur la technique ultra bande étroite. Ce réseau a déjà été déployée par la société SIGFOX et a déjà démontré sa très grande efficacité pour les applications pour l’Internet des objets (IoTs) grâce à sa capacité de communication point à point efficace en terme de puissance consommée, et de sa connectivité de longue portée. Cette étude donne quelques aperçus sur le passage à l’échelle de la technique de l’UNB pour un réseau multipoint à point pour une liaison montante. L’accès au canal spécifique qui est basé sur l’accès multiple par répartition aléatoire de fréquence et de temps (R-FTDMA) est introduit et analysé. En outre, l’impact de l’interférence due à l’absence de stratégie d’ordonnancement à la couche MAC est étudié et modélisé. Notre modèle simplifié nous permet non seulement de décrire la puissance d’interférence agrégée, mais aussi d’évaluer les performances du système d’un tel réseau en matière de taux d’erreur et de probabilité de coupure. De même, la géométrie stochastique est utilisée pour modéliser la distribution spatiale des noeuds afin d’étendre le modèle simplifié dans le canal réaliste où les dégradations de canal sont prises en compte. De plus, le mécanisme de retransmission est considéré pour ce réseau. Cette étude permet de d’identifier le nombre optimal de retransmissions. Le réseau peut être configuré avec un paramètre global unique. Et enfin, cette thèse met en évidence le fait que le réseau de l’UNB Random-FTDMA est très pertinent dans un réseau réaliste, en particulier pour les applications à faible débit, car il allége le coût élevé du réseau, le coût de la synchronisation globale, mais sans perte de performance. / This thesis aims at modeling the low-throughput wireless sensor networks (WSNs) based on ultra-narrow-band technology. Such wireless network is already been deployed by Sigfox company and has proved to be ultra-efficient for the Internet of things (IoTs) applications thanks to its ability of point-to-point communication in terms of power efficiency and long range connectivity. In particular, this thesis gives some insights on the scalability of UNB technology for a multi-point-to-point network in an uplink scenario. The multiple access schemes based on random time and frequency selection are introduced and analyzed. Furthermore, the interference impact due to the lack of scheduling strategy at the MAC layer is studied and modeled. Our simplified model using rectangular function allows us not only to describe the aggregate interference power but also evaluate the system performance of such network in terms of the bit-error-rate and outage probability. Besides, the geometry stochastic is used for spatial node distribution in order to extend the simplified model in the realistic channel communication where the channel impairments are taken into account. Besides, the retransmission mechanism is considered for such network. This study argues an optimal number of retransmission. The network can be configured with a unique global parameter. Last but not least, this thesis highlights the fact that the UNB network using Random-FTDMA schemes is very relevant in a realistic network, especially for low-throughput applications, because it bypasses the high network cost, the cost of global synchronization but without loss of performance.

This dissertation investigates the revitalisation of Tonga, an endangered minority language in Zimbabwe. It seeks to establish why the Tonga people embarked on the revitalisation of their language, the strategies they used, the challenges they encountered and how they managed them. The Human Needs Theory propounded by Burton (1990) and Yamamoto’s (1998) Nine Factors Language Revitalisation Model formed the theoretical framework within which the data were analysed. This case-study identified various socio-cultural and historical factors that influenced the revitalisation of the Tonga language. Despite the socio-economic and political challenges from both within and outside the Tonga community, the Tonga revitalisation initiative was to a large extent a success, thanks to the speech community’s positive attitude and ownership of the language revitalisation process. It not only restored the use of Tonga in the home domain but also extended the language function into the domains of education, the media, and religion. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M.A. (Sociolinguistics)