Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) are now widely being used to uniquely identify Integrated Circuits (ICs). In this work, we propose a novel Set-Reset (SR) Flip-flop based PUF design. For a NAND gate based SR flip-flop, the input condition S (Set) = 1 and R (Reset) = 1 must be avoided as it is an inconsistent condition. When S=R=1 is applied followed by S=R=0, then the outputs Q and Q' undergo race condition and depending on the delays of the NAND gates in the feedback path, the output Q can settle at either 0 or 1. Because of process variations in an IC, the NAND delays are statistical in nature. Thus, for a given SR FF based $n$-bit register implemented in an IC, when we apply S=R=1 to all flip-flops followed by S=R=0, then we obtain an $n$ bit string that can be interpreted as a signature of the chip. Due to process variations, the signature is highly likely to be unique for an IC. We validated the proposed idea by SPICE-level simulations for 90nm, 45nm, and 32nm designs for both intra- and inter-chip variations to establish the robustness of the proposed PUF. Experimental results for 16-, 32-, 64-, and 128-bit registers based on Monte-Carlo simulations demonstrate that the proposed PUF is robust. The main advantage of the proposed PUF is that there is very little area overhead as we can reuse existing registers in the design.

Les dernières évolutions technologiques en matière de laser ont permis l'observation de nouveaux phénomènes hautement non-linéaires lors de l'interaction de ces sources brèves et intenses avec la matière. Du point de vue moléculaire, ces processus, tels que l'affaiblissement de la liaison ou la génération d'harmonique, sont consécutifs à la création au sein de l'ion d'un paquet d'onde vibrationnel après ionisation par effet tunnel de la molécule neutre. Il est généralement admis dans nombre d'articles que cette transition électronique conduit à une distribution des états de vibration conforme à celle prédite par l'approximation de Condon. Afin de vérifier la validité de cette assertion, nous avons mis en place un dispositif expérimental original permettant une mesure fiable de l'excitation vibrationnelle de H2+ après ionisation de la molécule neutre par un champ laser intense. Les résultats obtenus contredisent fortement le postulat selon lequel la transition aurait lieu préférentiellement à la séparation internucléaire d'équilibre (approximation de Condon) et remettent en cause les interprétations des expériences de dynamique moléculaire précédentes. En faisant varier la longueur d'onde, nous avons également mis en évidence les processus dominants et l'importance de la structure électronique au sein des différents domaines d'ionisation. Ces mesures ouvrent des perspectives intéressantes quant à la mise en place d'expériences de dynamique moléculaire utilisant un faisceau d'ions moléculaires d'excitation vibrationnelle connue. / The continuing development of femtosecond laser technology allows the study of new, highly non-linear phenomena in laser-molecule interaction. Most scientists agree that the first step of all these processes is the creation of an elctronic wavepacket in the continuum by tunnelling ionisation of the neutral molecule. As a rule, most publications were also unanimous about the vibrational population created in the ion, asumed to be properly described by the classical Condon approximation. Thanks to a unique setup we were able to measure in an unambiguous way the vibrational distribution created by intense-laser-field ionisation. Our study shows a discrepancy between our results and the one predicted by the Condon approximation. Other wavelength-dependent measurements reveal the dominant processes for the different ionisation regimes. These results open new experimental perspectives for the study of the molecular dynamics.

Existe-t-il un consensus scientifique sur les conditions de la durabilité ? Est-il possible de construire un indicateur unique de soutenabilité faible ? Quelles sont les composantes objectives et subjectives des indicateurs ? Peut-on envisager des indicateurs objectifs de soutenabilité ? Quelles voies de recherche sont-elles nécessaires pour développer des indicateurs de développement durable ? Telles sont les questions auxquelles cet ouvrage tente de répondre. La comparaison des courants de la soutenabilité faible et de la soutenabilité forte nous sert de fil conducteur pour évaluer la part normative et la part objective du choix des paramètres et de leur méthode d'agrégation. L'agrégation arithmétique implique des hypothèses de substituabilité entre les facteurs, ce qui relève de la soutenabilité faible. La pondération, toujours normative, peut être explicite ou se traduire par le choix d'une unité ou dimension unique. Nous redéfinissons la soutenabilité faible comme étant la réduction de la complexité à une dimension unique. Il y a dès lors autant d'indicateurs de soutenabilité faible que de choix possibles de cette dimension unique. En particulier, l'empreinte écologique par habitant relève d'une forme "écologique" de soutenabilité faible. Le prix de marché est l'unité fondamentale de mesure de sa forme "économique". Nous montrons que les acteurs ne savent pas bien identifier leur intérêt et qu'ils ne sont pas parfaitement égoïstes, ce qui introduit un biais non systématique remarquable dans toute mesure en unité monétaire. La soutenabilité forte se caractérise par la multiplicité de dimensions ou "capitaux critiques" dont le dépassement d'un seul suffit à déterminer la non soutenabilité. Les différentes formes de soutenabilités faibles peuvent représenter des capitaux critiques parmi d'autres. Nous présentons une typologie des acteurs et du partage des responsabilités, également susceptible d'introduire des grandes divergences dans les résultats publiés. Quelques études de cas illustrent ces différents éléments dans des contextes contrastés. L'empreinte écologique de consommation se limite en particulier à une responsabilisation du seul consommateur, alors que les comptes nationaux permettent d'envisager la coresponsabilité de l'ensemble des acteurs. L'indicateur de "dématérialisation de l'économie" appliqué à un village indien montre la pertinence de mesurer l'utilisation absolue de matière sans pondération monétaire. Il est par ailleurs possible de minimiser le coût de dépollution sans toucher à la limite absolue d'émissions globales de centrales thermiques. Les deux dimensions, coûts sociaux et bénéfices environnementaux, peuvent donc être traitées séparément. En conclusion, il est possible d'identifier, dans chaque calcul d'indicateur de développement durable, une composante relativement objective de soutenabilité "forte" et une composante "faible", négociable, de partage des droits et responsabilités. / We study how different world views may influence how to develop sustainable development indicators. The comparison of weak sustainability and strong sustainability serves as a guide to estimate the share of objective versus normative choice of parameters and their method of aggregation. We then present a typology of actors and shared responsibilities, which may also introduce large discrepancies in the results published. Some case studies illustrate these different elements in contrasting contexts. It appears that it is possible to identify in each calculation of sustainable development indicator, a relatively objective component of sustainability and a negotiable component of shared rights and responsibilities.

This doctoral thesis is comprised of four papers that all relate to the subject of Time Series Analysis. The first paper of the thesis considers point estimation in a nonnegative, hence non-Gaussian, AR(1) model. The parameter estimation is carried out using a type of extreme value estimators (EVEs). A novel estimation method based on the EVEs is presented. The theoretical analysis is complemented with Monte Carlo simulation results and the paper is concluded by an empirical example. The second paper extends the model of the first paper of the thesis and considers semiparametric, robust point estimation in a nonlinear nonnegative autoregression. The nonnegative AR(1) model of the first paper is extended in three important ways: First, we allow the errors to be serially correlated. Second, we allow for heteroskedasticity of unknown form. Third, we allow for a multi-variable mapping of previous observations. Once more, the EVEs used for parameter estimation are shown to be strongly consistent under very general conditions. The theoretical analysis is complemented with extensive Monte Carlo simulation studies that illustrate the asymptotic theory and indicate reasonable small sample properties of the proposed estimators. In the third paper we construct a simple nonnegative time series model for realized volatility, use the results of the second paper to estimate the proposed model on S&P 500 monthly realized volatilities, and then use the estimated model to make one-month-ahead forecasts. The out-of-sample performance of the proposed model is evaluated against a number of standard models. Various tests and accuracy measures are utilized to evaluate the forecast performances. It is found that forecasts from the nonnegative model perform exceptionally well under the mean absolute error and the mean absolute percentage error forecast accuracy measures. In the fourth and last paper of the thesis we construct a multivariate extension of the popular Diebold-Mariano test. Under the null hypothesis of equal predictive accuracy of three or more forecasting models, the proposed test statistic has an asymptotic Chi-squared distribution. To explore whether the behavior of the test in moderate-sized samples can be improved, we also provide a finite-sample correction. A small-scale Monte Carlo study indicates that the proposed test has reasonable size properties in large samples and that it benefits noticeably from the finite-sample correction, even in quite large samples. The paper is concluded by an empirical example that illustrates the practical use of the two tests.

The main part of the thesis is applications of the Strong Artin conjecture to number theory. We have two applications. One is generating number fields with extreme class numbers. The other is generating extreme positive and negative values of Euler-Kronecker constants. For a given number field $K$ of degree $n$, let $\widehat{K}$ be the normal closure of $K$ with $Gal(\widehat{K}/\Bbb Q)=G.$ Let $Gal(\widehat{K}/K)=H$ for some subgroup $H$ of $G$. Then, $$ L(s,\rho,\widehat{K}/\Bbb Q)=\frac{\zeta_K(s)}{\zeta(s)} $$ where $Ind_H^G1_H = 1_G + \rho$. When $L(s,\rho)$ is an entire function and has a zero-free region $[\alpha,1] \times [-(\log N)^2, (\log N)^2]$ where $N$ is the conductor of $L(s,\rho)$, we can estimate $\log L(1,\rho)$ and $\frac{L'}{L}(1,\rho)$ as a sum over small primes: $$ \log L(1,\rho) = \sum_{p\leq(\log N)^{k}}\lambda(p)p^{-1} + O_{l,k,\alpha}(1)$$ $$ \frac{L'}{L}(1,\rho)=-\sum_{p\leq x} \frac{\lambda(p) \log{p}}{p} +O_{l,x,\alpha}(1). $$ where $0 < k < \frac{16}{1-\alpha}$ and $(\log N)^{\frac{16}{1-\alpha}} \leq x \leq N^{\frac{1}{4}}$. With these approximations, we can study extreme values of class numbers and Euler-Kronecker constants. Let $\frak{K}$ $(n,G,r_1,r_2)$ be the set of number fields of degree $n$ with signature $(r_1,r_2)$ whose normal closures are Galois $G$ extension over $\Bbb Q$. Let $f(x,t) \in \Bbb Z[t][x]$ be a parametric polynomial whose splitting field over $\Bbb Q (t)$ is a regular $G$ extension. By Cohen's theorem, most specialization $t\in \Bbb Z$ corresponds to a number field $K_t$ in $\frak{K}$ $(n,G,r_1,r_2)$ with signature $(r_1,r_2)$ and hence we have a family of Artin L-functions $L(s,\rho,t)$. By counting zeros of L-functions over this family, we can obtain L-functions with the zero-free region above. In Chapter 1, we collect the known cases for the Strong Artin conjecture and prove it for the cases of $G=A_4$ and $S_4$. We explain how to obtain the approximations of $\log (1,\rho)$ and $\frac{L'}{L}(1,\rho)$ as a sum over small primes in detail. We review the theorem of Kowalski-Michel on counting zeros of automorphic L-functions in a family. In Chapter 2, we exhibit many parametric polynomials giving rise to regular extensions. They contain the cases when $G=C_n,$ $3\leq n \leq 6$, $D_n$, $3\leq n \leq 5$, $A_4, A_5, S_4, S_5$ and $S_n$, $n \geq 2$. In Chapter 3, we construct number fields with extreme class numbers using the parametric polynomials in Chapter 2. In Chapter 4, We construct number fields with extreme Euler-Kronecker constants also using the parametric polynomials in Chapter 2. In Chapter 5, we state the refinement of Weil's theorem on rational points of algebraic curves and prove it. The second topic in the thesis is about simple zeros of Maass L-functions. We consider a Hecke Maass form $f$ for $SL(2,\Bbb Z)$. In Chapter 6, we show that if the L-function $L(s,f)$ has a non-trivial simple zero, it has infinitely many simple zeros. This result is an extension of the result of Conrey and Ghosh.

The main part of the thesis is applications of the Strong Artin conjecture to number theory. We have two applications. One is generating number fields with extreme class numbers. The other is generating extreme positive and negative values of Euler-Kronecker constants. For a given number field $K$ of degree $n$, let $\widehat{K}$ be the normal closure of $K$ with $Gal(\widehat{K}/\Bbb Q)=G.$ Let $Gal(\widehat{K}/K)=H$ for some subgroup $H$ of $G$. Then, $$ L(s,\rho,\widehat{K}/\Bbb Q)=\frac{\zeta_K(s)}{\zeta(s)} $$ where $Ind_H^G1_H = 1_G + \rho$. When $L(s,\rho)$ is an entire function and has a zero-free region $[\alpha,1] \times [-(\log N)^2, (\log N)^2]$ where $N$ is the conductor of $L(s,\rho)$, we can estimate $\log L(1,\rho)$ and $\frac{L'}{L}(1,\rho)$ as a sum over small primes: $$ \log L(1,\rho) = \sum_{p\leq(\log N)^{k}}\lambda(p)p^{-1} + O_{l,k,\alpha}(1)$$ $$ \frac{L'}{L}(1,\rho)=-\sum_{p\leq x} \frac{\lambda(p) \log{p}}{p} +O_{l,x,\alpha}(1). $$ where $0 < k < \frac{16}{1-\alpha}$ and $(\log N)^{\frac{16}{1-\alpha}} \leq x \leq N^{\frac{1}{4}}$. With these approximations, we can study extreme values of class numbers and Euler-Kronecker constants. Let $\frak{K}$ $(n,G,r_1,r_2)$ be the set of number fields of degree $n$ with signature $(r_1,r_2)$ whose normal closures are Galois $G$ extension over $\Bbb Q$. Let $f(x,t) \in \Bbb Z[t][x]$ be a parametric polynomial whose splitting field over $\Bbb Q (t)$ is a regular $G$ extension. By Cohen's theorem, most specialization $t\in \Bbb Z$ corresponds to a number field $K_t$ in $\frak{K}$ $(n,G,r_1,r_2)$ with signature $(r_1,r_2)$ and hence we have a family of Artin L-functions $L(s,\rho,t)$. By counting zeros of L-functions over this family, we can obtain L-functions with the zero-free region above. In Chapter 1, we collect the known cases for the Strong Artin conjecture and prove it for the cases of $G=A_4$ and $S_4$. We explain how to obtain the approximations of $\log (1,\rho)$ and $\frac{L'}{L}(1,\rho)$ as a sum over small primes in detail. We review the theorem of Kowalski-Michel on counting zeros of automorphic L-functions in a family. In Chapter 2, we exhibit many parametric polynomials giving rise to regular extensions. They contain the cases when $G=C_n,$ $3\leq n \leq 6$, $D_n$, $3\leq n \leq 5$, $A_4, A_5, S_4, S_5$ and $S_n$, $n \geq 2$. In Chapter 3, we construct number fields with extreme class numbers using the parametric polynomials in Chapter 2. In Chapter 4, We construct number fields with extreme Euler-Kronecker constants also using the parametric polynomials in Chapter 2. In Chapter 5, we state the refinement of Weil's theorem on rational points of algebraic curves and prove it. The second topic in the thesis is about simple zeros of Maass L-functions. We consider a Hecke Maass form $f$ for $SL(2,\Bbb Z)$. In Chapter 6, we show that if the L-function $L(s,f)$ has a non-trivial simple zero, it has infinitely many simple zeros. This result is an extension of the result of Conrey and Ghosh.

Bakgrunden till studien var ett gemensamt intresse kring ungdomars identitetsutveckling. Då inga studier kring hur just hemmaplanslösningar kan bidra till en positiv identitet gått att finna, så blev det intressant att genomföra en studie kring detta. Studiens syfte är att utifrån ett personalperspektiv öka förståelsen för vilken innebörd arbetet med hemmaplanslösningar har då det gäller att ta tillvara och stärka ungdomars positiva identitetsprocesser. För att kunna besvara detta syfte har frågeställningar utvecklats som först handlar om hur en personalgrupp beskriver att identitetsskapande sker i deras verksamhet och hur de sedan beskriver att hemmaplanslösningar kan bidra till att stärka dessa ungdomar i en positiv riktning. Studien har utgått ifrån ett socialkonstruktionistiskt perspektiv som har varit genomgående i hela uppsatsen. För att samla in vårt material har sex stycken enskilda kvalitativa intervjuer genomförts som sedan har analyserats och bearbetats med hjälp av en kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultatet visar på att personalgruppen beskriver identitetskapande som något socialt format med och av individens kontext. De beskriver också att hemmaplanslösningar kan bidra till en stärkt identitetsprocess genom deras arbetsmetoder, människosyn och sätt att vara. Vår tolkning och slutsats blir att personalen anser sig i sitt arbete med hemmaplanslösningar kunna påverka ungdomars identitetsskapande i en positiv riktning. Eftersom studien har ett personalperspektiv hade vidare forskning kring ett ungdomsperspektiv varit intressant att genomföra. / The background to our research is a common interest in adolescent identity development. We have found no previous studies of how home solutions can contribute to a positive identity development so we considered it interesting to do such a study. The purpose of the research is based on a staff point of view to increase understanding of the meaning to the work with home solutions when it comes to taking advantage of and strengthen young people's positive identity processes. In order to answer this purpose, we have chosen to problematize questions about how identity formation takes place in their activities and how they with home solutions can strengthen these young people in a positive direction. We have used a social constructionist point of view throughout this research. To collect our material we have done six individual qualitative interviews that have been analyzed and processed using a qualitative content analysis. Our results shows that the staff group describes identity as socially constructed with and by the individuals context. They also describe that home solutions can contribute to a stronger identity development through their work, their view of man and ways of being. Our interpretation and conclusion is that the staff considers their work with home solutions contributes to influence young people's identity development in a positive direction. Since our study has a staff point of view it would be interesting to do further research on a youth perspective.

The literature on the capabilities of weak states to withstand pressure from strong states suggests that more often than not, weaker states tend to give into the stronger power. What are the motivating factors that enable weak states to withstand pressure from strong states? To ensure that the International Criminal Court (ICC) does not gain jurisdiction over its nationals, the United States is currently seeking to sign Bilateral Immunity Agreements (BIAs) with all countries under the rubric of the American Servicemembers' Protection Act. This thesis examines through a comparative case study analysis how a number of African Countries are able to withstand the pressure to sign a BIA by taking advantage of internal and external institutional structures and mechanisms. It also fills a gap in the literature by examining one regions response to the BIAs relative to the U.S. position concerning the ICC.

The purpose of the current study is to revise the wording of the items in the Strong Black Woman (SBW) attitudes scale and investigate the psychometric properties of this revised scale (renamed the SBW Cultural Construct Scale, SBWCCS). Another goal is to determine if the scale predicts racial identity, stress, and social support. The sample consisted of 152 women of African descent, who were recruited from a community based organization. An exploratory factor analysis on the SBWCCS scale suggested a 3-factor model consisting of (1) caretaking, (2) affect regulation, and (3) self-reliance. These factors parallel those found in the original scale (Thompson, 2003). The internal consistency was adequate for the overall scale and the caretaking subscale, but somewhat low for affect-regulation and self-reliance. The SBWCCS scale predicted centrality of racial identity and stress (measured as perceived stress and number of stressful events). Specifically, women who reported higher levels on the SBWCCS also reported higher levels of centrality and stress. In addition, higher levels on the caretaking subscale predicted lower reciprocity of social support. Other aspects of racial identity (public and private regard) and social support (received and satisfaction) were not predicted by SBWCCS. Methodological limitations and implications for future research are discussed.

Convexity in graphs has been widely discussed in graph theory and G. Chartrand et al. introduced the convexity number of oriented graphs in 2002. In this thesis, we follow the notions addressed by them and develop an extension in some related topics of convexity in directed graphs. Let D be a connected oriented graph. A set S subseteq V(D) is convex in D if, for every pair of vertices x, yin S, the vertex set of every x-y geodesic (x-y shortest directed path) and y-x geodesic in D is contained in S. The convexity number con(D) of a nontrivial oriented graph D is the maximum cardinality of a proper convex set of D. We show that for every possible triple n, m, k of integers except for k=4, there exists a strongly connected digraph D of order n, size m, and con(D)=k. Let G be a graph. We define the convexity spectrum S_{C}(G)={con(D): D is an orientation of G} and the strong convexity spectrum S_{SC}(G)={con(D): D is a strongly connected orientation of G}. Then S_{SC}(G) ⊆ S_{C}(G). We show that for any n ¡Ú 4, 1 ≤ a ≤ n-2 and a n ¡Ú 2, there exists a 2-connected graph G with n vertices such that S_C(G)=S_{SC}(G)={a,n-1}, and there is no connected graph G of order n ≥ 3 with S_{SC}(G)={n-1}. We also characterizes the convexity spectrum and the strong convexity spectrum of complete graphs, complete bipartite graphs, and wheel graphs. Those convexity spectra are of different kinds. Let the difference of convexity spectra D_{CS}(G)=S_{C}(G)- S_{SC}(G) and the difference number of convexity spectra dcs(G) be the cardinality of D_{CS}(G) for a graph G. We show that 0 ≤ dcs(G) ≤ ⌊|V(G)|/2⌋, dcs(K_{r,s})=⌊(r+s)/2⌋-2 for 4 ≤ r ≤ s, and dcs(W_{1,n-1})= 0 for n ≥ 5. The convexity spectrum ratio of a sequence of simple graphs G_n of order n is r_C(G_n)= liminflimits_{n to infty} frac{|S_{C}(G_n)|}{n-1}. We show that for every even integer t, there exists a sequence of graphs G_n such that r_C(G_n)=1/t and a formula for r_C(G) in subdivisions of G.