The electronic and geometrical structure of free neutral clusters and liquids have been studied using synchrotron-radiation based photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy in combination with lineshape modeling. A novel experimental setup has been developed for studies of liquids, based on the liquid microjet technique. Theoretical lineshapes have been computed using both classical (molecular dynamics) and quantum mechanical (mainly density functional theory) methods. Clusters are finite ensembles of atoms or molecules, ranging in size from a few to several thousand atoms. Apart from being fundamentally interesting, clusters are also promising as building blocks for nano-technology. In this thesis results are presented for rare-gas and molecular clusters, ranging from weakly van-deer-Waals bonded to hydrogen bonded. It is shown that the combination of core-level photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and lineshape modeling can be used to estimate the sizes of clusters. A model for treating the effect of inter-molecular nuclear relaxation upon ionization is proposed. The structure of single-component molecular clusters are investigated by molecular dynamics simulations, validated against XPS data. Finally, the radial structure of a two-component molecular cluster is investigated by XPS. Liquids have been studied for centuries, but still many questions remain regarding the microscopic properties. With the recent development of the liquid microjet technique, new insight into the atomic structure can be obtained. In this thesis we study aqueous solutions using photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). We investigate the structure of surface active molecules by XPS, study the Auger decay after core-level ionization in aqueous potassium chloride (KCl), and follow the changes in molecular structure of glycine as a function of pH.

Dialogical communication is considered to be the most ethical way of practicing public relations. Especially social medias’ potential for engaging in dialogue is mostly not exploited to its full potential. This study aims to shed light on new technology-based firms’ use of dialogical communication on Twitter. The focus hereby is on the formal side of dialogue and not on its content. Moreover possible explanations for the presence or absence of dialogue are taken into consideration. To be able to classify the results they are discussed in the context of the Fortune 500 companies’ use of Twitter. In order to do so a content analysis of both the Twitter profiles and tweets of 89 new technology-based firms was undertaken. The results showed that the Fortune 500 companies were communicating more dialogically than the new technology-based firms did. Bigger companies engaged in dialogue more often. The performance was furthermore improved by listening rather than posting. An implication is that a profound knowledge of communication is necessary in order to use the social medium successfully. A pure knowledge of technology was not found to be beneficial for this public relations practice.

Raman spectroscopy offers much better spectral selectivity but its usage has been limited by its poor sensitivity. The discovery of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect, which results in increased sensitivities of up to 108-fold for some compounds, has eliminated this drawback. A new SERS active substrate was developed in this study. Silver nanoparticle-doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated SERS substrate prepared through chemical and electrochemical reduction of silver particles dispersed in the polymer matrix. Performances of the substrates were evaluated with some biologically important compounds. The specific detection of DNA has gained significance in recent years since increasingly DNA sequences of different organisms are being assigned. Such sequence knowledge can be employed for identification of the genes of microorganisms or diseases. In this study, specific proteasome gene sequences were detected both label free spectrophotometric detection and SERS detection. In label free spectrophotometic detection, proteasome gene probe and complementary target gene sequence were attached to the gold nanoparticles separately. Then, the target and probe oligonucleotide-modified gold solutions were mixed for hybridization and the shift in the surface plasmon absorption band of gold nanoparticles were followed. SERS detection of specific nucleic acid sequences are mainly based on hybridization of DNA targets to complementary probe sequences, which are labelled with SERS active dyes. In this study, to show correlation between circulating proteasome levels and disease state we suggest a Raman spectroscopic technique that uses SERGen probes. This novel approach deals with specific detection of elevated or decreased levels of proteasome genes&rsquo / transcription in patients as an alternative to available enzyme activity measurement methods. First, SERGen probes were prepared using SERS active labels and specific proteasome gene sequences. Then DNA targets to complementary SERGen probe sequences were hybridized and SERS active label peak was followed.

La course à la miniaturisation en microélectronique impose aujourd'hui l'introduction de films métalliques et d'isolants de forte permittivité dans la fabrication des transistors MOS et des capacités MIM afin d'augmenter leur densité tout en maintenant leurs performances électriques. Cependant, l'intégration de ces matériaux doit faire face à certains phénomènes physiques localisés au niveau de l'interface métal/isolant qui peuvent dégrader les performances de ces composants. De ce fait, le choix des matériaux employés ne peut se faire sur la simple considération de leurs propriétés intrinsèques et passe nécessairement par une analyse poussée des propriétés de l'interface qu'ils forment. Nous présentons dans notre étude une caractérisation fine des différentes propriétés de l'interface TiN/Ta2O5 ainsi que leur impact sur les performances de la capacité MIM 5fF.mm-2. Nous étudions dans un premier temps l'effet de la rugosité des interfaces sur les caractéristiques courant-tension de la capacité MIM. Des simulations « in situ » du champ électrique établi dans ce dispositif indiquent alors que la topographie propre à chaque interface peut conduire à des caractéristiques électriques asymétriques. Notre analyse porte ensuite sur les phénomènes fondamentaux qui gouvernent la valeur du travail de sortie des couches métalliques. Cette analyse nécessite l'utilisation d'une technique de microscopie électrique à sonde locale (KFM) qui permet notamment d'observer l'impact de la cristallinité des films sur leurs travaux de sortie. Enfin, l'effet de la composition chimique de l'interface TiN/Ta2O5 sur la hauteur de barrière est présenté. Cette étude, réalisée par spectroscopie de photoélectrons X et UV, permet de construire le diagramme de bande complet de la structure MIS TiN/Ta2O5/Si. On constate alors un décalage important des niveaux du vide aux différentes interfaces induit par la présence de dipôles.

This thesis aspires to advance understanding of how start-up firms’ and small and medium sized firms’(SMEs) network relationships affect acquisition of financing and information necessary to achieve firmbusiness development through the exchange in business relationships. It contributes to research on socialstructure by clarifying how network relationships that facilitate exchange have a positive effect on firmbusiness development, defined as subjective and objective enhancement of firm performance. The empirical setting consists of case studies in entrepreneurial start-up firms and of quantitative researchin SMEs. The findings show that in the start-up phase of firm development, network relationships that areembedded in social attachment and shared cognitive schemes constitute means to acquire informationcontaining referrals to new business partners, thus affecting the structural development of start-ups firms’business network. Findings further show that relationships to banks are important in order to fund thisstructural development. The thesis also shows the effects of banks, as institutional actors, on SMEs’investments in international business relationships and the effects of such investments on SMEs’ businessdevelopment. It is shown that relationships to domestic and local banks in different ways affect SMEs’specific investments in international business relationships. A local bank relationship decreases the SME’srelationship specific investments, while a domestic bank relationship increases relationship specificinvestments. There is however an indirect positive effect of a local bank relationship on the SME’srelationship specific investments, mediated by a positive effect of the SME’s relationships to other localinstitutional actors. The results further show that increases in relationship specific investments promoteSMEs’ business development. Findings made in this thesis also show that institutions, experiencedthrough interaction in the international business relationship, positively affect relationship specificinvestments and the performance enhancement of such investments. A general conclusion drawn fromthe findings presented in this thesis is the relevance of a type of actor - actors that facilitate exchangesamong firms and their business partners who are, or wish to be, independent - to the businessdevelopment of start-ups and SMEs. This thesis challenges banks to increase cognitive alignment with customers of start-up firms and toconsider corporate customers in view of their business relationships and network structure. Theseapproaches are suggested to facilitate bank’s assessment of firm creditworthiness. / <p>QC 20100722</p>

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a sensor protein, activated by aromatic chemical species for transcriptionally regulating xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. AHR is also known to be involved in a variety of pathogenesis such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis, asthma, etc. The AHR signaling induced by xenobiotics has been intensively studied whereas its physiological role in the absence of xenobiotics is poorly understood. Despite a number of ligands of AHR have been reported thus far, further applications are still hampered by the lack of specificity and/or the partially agonistic activity. Thus, a pure AHR antagonist is needed for deciphering the AHR cryptic as well as potential therapeutic agent. The Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) is a bi-functional small molecule containing a ligand and proteolysis inducer. PROTAC recruits the target protein to proteolysis machinery and elicits proteolysis. Thus far, a number of PROTAC have been prepared and demonstrated to effectively induce the degradation of targeted protein in cultured cells, validating PROTAC as a useful research tool. In the present study, PROTACs based on apigenin was prepared and demonstrated to induce the degradation of AHR, providing the proof of concept. To improve activity, a synthetic structure, CH-223191, was optimized for antagonistic activity by positional scanning identifying several AHR antagonists. PROTACs based on the optimal structure were prepared and assessed their biological activity. The products and synthetic scheme described hereby will be helpful for the further understanding on AHR biology as well as for developing therapeutic agents targeting AHR.

La conception des Alimentations Sans Interruption (ASI) a fait l’objet d’améliorations successives ces dernières années afin d’atteindre des niveaux de rendement avoisinant les 95% tout en minimisant leur encombrement. L’utilisation massive de l’électronique de puissance pour ces systèmes conduit à y concentrer tous les efforts de conception pour augmenter à la fois le rendement et la densité de puissance. Les développements constants en électronique de puissance offrent au concepteur des multitudes d’options, parmi elles, les topologies de puissance multi-niveaux et/ou entrelacées pour réduire le volume des composants passifs, les nouvelles technologies des matériaux semi-conducteurs avec l’introduction des composants grand gap, ainsi que l’avancée technologique sur les matériaux utilisés dans les composants passifs. Le choix entre ces options est un compromis pour atteindre les objectifs prédéfinis, particulièrement lorsque d’autres contraintes apparaissent pour limiter l’espace des solutions possibles, notamment l’aspect thermique, les limites technologiques ou les contraintes CEM. Ces travaux proposent la mise en œuvre de dimensionnements par optimisation multi-objectifs de l’ensemble du convertisseur avec toutes ses contraintes. Ceci offre un outil rapide pour comparer les différentes possibilités de conception optimale capable de quantifier le gain apporté au convertisseur par les différentes solutions. Pour ce faire, les différents choix topologiques et technologiques ont été traités par le développement de modèles multi-physiques acceptant des paramètres d’entrée discrets. Ainsi, les convertisseurs optimisés répondent naturellement aux contraintes industrielles cadrées par des catalogues de fournisseurs spécifiques. Pour ce faire, nous avons commencé par dresser les différentes contraintes énergétiques imposées sur l’ASI dans son environnement. L’identification des solutions adaptées à sa conception est réalisée à travers un état de l’art des recherches dans le domaine de l’électronique de puissance. Des modèles génériques des structures de puissance, ainsi que des modèles multi-physiques discrets des composants sont ensuite développés à la base des approches analytiques assurant le bon compromis entre précision et rapidité de calcul. Finalement, une méthodologie d’optimisation multi-objectif et multi contraintes est réalisé sur l’ensemble des solutions pour quantifier les performances atteintes par chacune d’elles. Des travaux expérimentaux nous ont été indispensables pour valider les modèles et les solutions optimales. Sur la base des résultats d’optimisation un convertisseur PFC de 4.2kW/L a été construit est ses performances ont été validées. / The design of Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) has been successively improved in recent years to achieve efficiency levels of around 95% while minimizing their footprint. The massive use of power electronics for these systems is led to focus all design efforts to increase both efficiency and power density. The constant developments in power electronics provide the designer many options, among them the multi-level and/or interleaved power topologies in order to reduce passive components size, the new technologies of semiconductor materials with the introduction of grand gap components and advanced technology on passive components materials. The choice between these options is a compromise to achieve the predefined objectives, particularly when other constraints appear to limit the space of possible solutions, including thermal aspect, technological limitations or EMI constraints. This work proposes the implementation of multi-objective optimization methodology for the design of power converters with all its constraints. This offers a quick tool to compare the different possibilities of design and to quantify the improvement provided to the converter. To do this, different topological and technological choices were studied with the development of multi-physics models. These models can take discrete variables as input. So, optimized converters could meet industrial requirements covered by real components and their datasheets. To do this, we first establish the different constraints imposed on the UPS within its environment. Identifying solutions to design is carried through a state of the art research in the field of power electronics. Generic models of power structures and discrete multi-physical models of the components are then developed based on analytical approaches by ensuring a good compromise between accuracy and speed of calculation. Finally, multi-objective and multi constraints optimization methodology is performed on the set of design choices to quantify the performances achieved by each of them. Experimental work has been essential for us to validate the models and optimal solutions. Based on the optimization results PFC converter of 4.2kW/L was built is its performance has been validated.

This study aims to explore the usage of the digital marketing to acquire and maintain business relationships, or more specifically, digital marketing in B2B start-ups within the Swedish market. Digital marketing is essential for businesses nowadays and has become a significant factor for business companies for improving and implementing their marketing strategies. Furthermore, business relationships have always taken an essential role among companies especially today due to the heightened level of digitalization. This case study attempts to answer two main research questions which this paper investigates on. To provide an exhaustive answer to the research questions: “How digital marketing contributes to acquiring business customers in B2B start-up context?” and “How digital marketing contributes to maintaining business customers in B2B start-up context?”, digital marketing approaches of eight respondents, theoretical implications and additional information will be examined in the upcoming chapters. The study concludes, that it was found that digital marketing is understood as an innovative and effective method for attracting, maintaining and building business relationships. However, the lack of resources is one fundamental reason why start-ups have difficulties in acquiring and maintaining business customers in practicing through digital marketing. Additionally, it was found that digital platforms and tools such as websites, industry specific platforms, and blogs provide the highest advantage for start-ups. Moreover, social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook were in most use for presenting content that is informative, educational and honest. Digital marketing strategies in acquiring and maintaining business relationships are indicated in the analyses which give sufficient details in answering the research questions. The paper will provide suggestions for doing further research in improving the current topic in digital marketing.

Atualmente há grande investimento por parte das empresas em sistemas que não podem parar e, conseqüentemente, em sistemas de gerenciamento para perceber a ocorrência de falhas ou prevê-las e evitar que elas aconteçam. Para amenizar os efeitos de falhas no fornecimento de energia elétrica, que são ainda comuns no país e em boa parte do mundo, são utilizados os no-breaks. Esses equipamentos são projetados para garantir o fornecimento de energia por um tempo definido e limitado nos momentos em que a concessionária de energia elétrica interrompe esse fornecimento. O objetivo principal do presente trabalho é investigar uma solução de gerenciamento de no-breaks que possui como grande diferencial a utilização do paradigma de gerenciamento distribuído por delegação, com o uso do protocolo SNMP, apresentando as vantagens desse paradigma. Para a distribuição de tarefas, a solução utiliza a MIB Script e uma implementação deste padrão (JASMIN – Java Script MIB Implementation) de forma que toda a interatividade com a ferramenta e a automatização dos processos que compõem a solução foi implementada com o uso das ferramentas livres Apache e PHP. O trabalho apresenta uma breve descrição sobre o funcionamento dos no-breaks e destaca a UPS-MIB, MIB padrão para gerenciamento desses equipamentos, além de objetos importantes disponibilizados em outras MIBs proprietárias utilizadas para o gerenciamento de no-breaks. Além disso, o presente estudo sugere o uso de ferramentas para que o sistema de gerência seja responsável pelas estações alimentadas pelos nobreaks, ou seja, quando identificado que está próximo o momento do no-break não conseguir mais alimentar a carga, deve-se desligar a carga com segurança para que não ocorra uma perda de dados maior nem haja danos em componentes. Nota-se que o gerenciamento utilizado neste trabalho, realizado através da ferramenta desenvolvida, facilita a detecção de falhas no sistema de fornecimento de energia, de modo a interagir satisfatoriamente com no-breaks para verificar condições da rede elétrica e tomar decisões pró-ativas com o intuito de manter uma rede de computadores em funcionamento, sem que haja percalços por problemas de falta de energia. / Nowadays most companies are investing in non-stop systems, which leads to investments in management systems to know when a fault occurs or to foresee and avoid them. To reduce the effects of power supply faults (which are common in Brazil and in other parts of the world), people use UPS systems. These equipments are designed to guarantee the power supply for a pre-defined limited time, just in case the power company interrupts the supply. The main goal of this work is to present the implementation of a management application for UPS systems, which has the differential of using the management-bydelegation paradigm, based on SNMP, showing the advantages of this paradigm. The application uses Script MIB and an implementation of this standard (JASMIN - Java Script MIB Implementation) for task distribution, in such a way that all the tool interactivity and process automation was done using the free tools Apache and PHP. The work also presents a brief description about the UPS functioning, and shows UPS-MIB, the standard MIB for UPS management. Additionally the work presents some important objects available in some custom MIBs that are used for UPS management too. This study suggests the use of a set of tools to make the management system responsible for the workstations plugged on the UPS, which means that when the UPS is about to be unable to maintain the load, it should be turned off safely to avoid data losses or hardware faults. One can note that the management done in this work through the developed tool makes easy the fault detection in the power supply system. This leads to a good interaction with the UPS to verify the conditions of the power network in order to take decisions to maintain the computer network running safely.

O objetivo de análise da presente investigação prático-teórica é a série "Habitações", composta por 24 autorretratos fotográficos autorais. O processo artístico consistiu em autofotografar-me em ambientes domésticos de permanência provisória, procurando incorporar algumas de suas características visuais, mediante sobreposições e encobrimentos de têxteis sobre o corpo. Muitos dos tecidos utilizados contém estampas ou cores semelhantes ás presentes no entorno da casa, com a intenção de promover a fusão entre o corpo humano e os ambientes domésticos habitados que o circundam. As tentativas de estabelecer relações entre o corpo humano e o ambiente doméstico possibilitam pensar o autorretrato fotográfico como microterritório subjetivo, na acepção de criar por meio da fotografia ínfimos mundos imaginários, oriundos da vida íntima e da reconfiguração de movimentos cotidianos rotineiros como é o caso do ato de deitar-se, pose repetida em todos os trabalhos. A estratégia de encobrir o corpo impossibilita que a fisionomia do sujeito seja mostrada, apontando reconfigurações do conceito tradicional de autorretrato e indagações sobre a superfície e as aparências físicas dos sujeitos e das coisas. Nessa acepção, o autorretrato fotográfico é encarado como alteridade e ficção, o que possibilita pensá-lo como um microterritório subjetivo. Para refletir sobre essas relações de sentido, latente na série "Habitações", recorro aos autores Deleuze e Guattari, bem como a Rouillé (2009), Berger (2014) e Fabris (2004). Instauro diálogos entre "Habitações" e obras contemporâneas e da História da Arte, destacando-se algumas de autoria de artistas como Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1527-1593), René Magritte (1898-1967), Nino Cais e Cecília Paredes, as quais contribuem para a análise teórico-reflexiva sobre a prática, materializada na série "Habitações". / The analysis object of this practical and theoretical research is the “Habitations” series, composed of twenty-four photographic self-portraits. The artistic process consisted in self photographing me in domestic environments for temporary stay, seeking to integrate some of its visual characteristics by overlays and cover-ups of textiles on the body. Many of the fabrics used contain prints or colors similar to those presents in the surrounding of the house, with the intention of promoting the fusion between the human body and inhabited domestic environments that surround it. The attempts to establish relations between the human body and the domestic environment enables think the photographic self-portrait as subjective micro territory within the meaning created through photography tiny imaginary worlds, coming from inner life and reconfiguration of routine daily movements, such as the act of lying down, pose repeated in all works. The strategy of covering the body prevents the subject's physiognomy is shown, pointing reconfigurations of the traditional concept of self-portrait and inquiries about the surface and the physical appearance of the subjects and things. In this sense, the photographic self-portrait is seen as otherness and fiction, which enables think of it as a subjective micro territory. To reflect on these relations sense, latent in the “Habitations” series, resort to the authors Deleuze and Guattari, as well as Rouille (2009), Berger (2014) and Fabris (2004). Establish dialogues between "Habitations" and contemporary and Art History works, highlighting some authored by artists like Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1527-1593), René Magritte (1898-1967), Nino Cais and Cecilia Paredes, which contribute to the theoretical and reflective analysis of the practice, embodied in the "Habitations" series.