Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Kss'

Thesis advisor: Kevin Bedell
Using the AdS/CFT correspondence, it has been shown that the ratio of shear viscosity to entropy density is bounded from below in strongly coupled field theories with a gravity dual. More recently, this bound has been shown to be grossly violated in novel non-Fermi liquids and the unitary Fermi gas in the presence of superfluid fluctuations above T_c. Nevertheless, a holographic approach to such systems which break the lower bound have been strongly reliant on AdS spacetimes with massive gravitons. In this work, we propose a violation of the viscosity over entropy bound in 3+1 dimensional AdS spacetimes that support stable black hole solutions with non-zero scalar field. Such a black hole is shown to be characterized by a novel phase transition at large negative mass, where the underlying thermodynamics agrees with the Larkin-Ovchinnikov-Fulde-Ferrell (LOFF)-like phase seen in the unitary Fermi gas near Tc and the bound is similarly broken. Such a work paves the way for a holographic description of strongly-entangled quantum fluids at high Reynolds number
Thesis (BS) — Boston College, 2021
Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences
Discipline: Scholar of the College
Discipline: Physics

Driver sleepiness contributes to a large amount of all road traffic crashes. Developing an objective measurement of driver sleepiness in order to prevent eventual traffic accidents is desirable. The aim of this master thesis was to investigate if deep learning can be used to provide a driver sleepiness classification from brain activity signals obtained by electroencephalography (EEG). The intention was to study the classification performance when using different representations of the input data and to examine how various deep neural network architectures and class weighting during training affect the classification.  The data was collected from 12 experiments, where 269 participants (1187 driving sessions) were driving either on real roads or in a moving-base driving simulator, while electrophysiological data was recorded. Several deep neural network architectures were developed, depending on the representation of the input data.  Regardless of which data representation that was used as input to the network, the datawas divided into three datasets: Training 60%, validation 20% and test 20%. The data from each participant, with associated driving sessions, were randomly assigned to the different datasets according to the given percentage, which resulted in a subject-independent sleepiness detection. The output was in the form of continuous regression further rounded to the closest integer and divided into five classes according to Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS = 1-5, 6, 7, 8, 9). The best performance was obtained with a convolutional neural network (CNN) combined with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) architecture, with time series data as input. This gave an accuracy of 41.44%, a mean absolute error of 0.94 and a macro F1-score of 0.37. Overall, the models with time series data showed better classification results compared to those with time-frequency data. Class weighting, giving all classes inverse proportional weight to their appearance, compensated slightly for class imbalance, but all networks had in general difficulties with generalizing to new data.

Driver sleepiness is a cause for crashes and it is estimated that 3.9 to 33 % of all crashes might be related to sleepiness at the wheel. It is desirable to get an objective measurement of driver sleepiness for reduced sensitivity to subjective variations. Using deep learning for classification of driver sleepiness could be a step toward this objective. In this master thesis, deep learning was used for investigating classification of electrophysiological data, electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrooculogram (EOG), from drivers into levels of sleepiness. The EOG reflects eye position and EEG reflects brain activity. Initially, the intention was to include electrocardiogram (ECG), which reflects heart activity, in the research but this data were later excluded. Both raw time series data and data transformed into time-frequency domain representations were fed into the developed neural networks and for comparison manually extracted features were used in a shallow neural network architecture. Investigation of using EOG and EEG data separately as input was performed as well as a combination as input. The data were labeled using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, and the scale was divided into two labels "fatigue" and "alert" for binary classification or in five labels for comparison of classification and regression. The effect of example length was investigated using 150 seconds, 60 seconds and 30 seconds data. Different variations of the main network architecture were used depending on the data representation and the best result was given when using a combination of a convolutional neural network (CNN) and a long short-term memory (LSTM) network with time distributed 150 seconds EOG data as input. The accuracy was in this case 80.4 % and the majority of both alert and fatigue epochs were classified correctly with 85.7 % and 66.7 % respectively. Using the optimal threshold from the created receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve resulted in a more balanced classifier with 76.3 % correctly classified alert examples and 79.2 % correctly classified fatigue examples. The results from the EEG data, both in terms of accuracy and distribution of correctly classified examples, were shown to be less promising compared to EOG data. Combining EOG and EEG signals was shown to slightly increase the proportion of correctly classified fatigue examples. However, more promising results were obtained when balancing the classifier for solely EOG signals. The overall result from this project shows that there are patterns in the data connected to sleepiness that the neural network can find which makes further work on applying deep learning to the area of driver sleepiness interesting.

Falling asleep while operating a moving vehicle is a contributing factor to the statistics of road related accidents. It has been estimated that 20% of all accidents where a vehicle has been involved are due to sleepiness behind the wheel. To prevent accidents and to save lives are of uttermost importance. In this thesis, given the world’s largest dataset of driver participants, two methods of evaluating driver sleepiness have been evaluated. The first method was based on the creation of epochs from lane departures and KSS, whilst the second method was based solely on the creation of epochs based on KSS. From the epochs, a number of features were extracted from both physiological signals and the car’s controller area network. The most important features were selected via a feature selection step, using sequential forward floating selection. The selected features were trained and evaluated on linear SVM, Gaussian SVM, KNN, random forest and adaboost. The random forest classifier was chosen in all cases when classifying previously unseen data.The results shows that method 1 was prone to overfit. Method 2 proved to be considerably better, and did not suffer from overfitting. The test results regarding method 2 were as follows; sensitivity = 80.3%, specificity = 96.3% and accuracy = 93.5%.The most prominent features overall were found in the EEG and EOG domain together with the sleep/wake predictor feature. However indications have been made that complexities might contribute to the detection of sleepiness as well, especially the Higuchi’s fractal dimension.

The concept of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children presents conceptually controversial and practical challenges on several levels. These include the theoretical basis of the disorder, its manifestations in everyday life and identification and assessment procedures. The field has attracted considerable attention from professionals in the areas of education, psychology and health. One of the major areas where ADHD behaviours can present problems is in school settings. The present research derives from, and addresses, English educational perspectives and practices, based in school settings. It was primarily concerned with seeking new insights and generating testable hypotheses concerning incidence, multi-professional identification, assessment and management of the condition and situational variability in ADHD symptoms in schools. The exploratory study was in two related parts. These were undertaken concurrently using a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques and data gathering methods. Part 1 of the research was based on detailed analyses of data from the first countywide ADHD survey covering all schools in a Local Education Authority in the West Midlands (LEA 1) in 2003. Data pertaining specifically to pupils at key stages 1/2 have been extracted from the 2003 survey data and subjected to further descriptive analyses. Comparisons have been made with findings from five other LEA school surveys in order to obtain a more extensive appraisal of the reported incidence of the disorder. Part 2 adopted a case study approach in which data-gathering techniques included the use of field notes, a range of interviews, analysis of documents and observation. Two classroom observation schedules have been devised and used extensively over a two-year period throughout six individual case studies in schools within LEA 1. The case studies have produced a wide range of unique data on the variability of ADHD symptoms across curricular contexts and over time. The findings and hypotheses generated in the present research have significance for inclusive educational practice, highlighting the importance of multi-professional approaches to the identification and management of ADHD and pedagogical and curricular flexibility in schools. These form part of the Government’s ongoing reform of children’s services as set out in Every Child Matters (DfES, 2003) and Removing Barriers to Achievement (DfES, 2004a).

Deux analyses indépendantes du canal de désintegration B0 ! K0s K0s K0s ont été effectuées, utilisant un échantillon de 468 millions de paires B¯B enregistrées par le détecteur BABAR auprès de l'usine à B PEP-II à SLAC National Laboratory. La première analyse est dépendant du temps et integrée sur l'espace de phase. Son but est d'extraire simultanément des deux sous-canaux B0 ! 3K0s (¼+¼−) et B0 ! 2K0s (¼+¼−)K0s (¼0¼0), les paramètres S et C de violation de CP. Il est intéressant de comparer les valeurs mesurées avec les mesures des modes charmonium. Le résultat obtenu est • S = −0.94+0.24 −0.21 ± 0.06 • C = −0.17+0.18 −0.18 ± 0.04 , où la première incertitude est statistique et la deuxième est systématique. Ce résultat est compatible avec la prédiction du modèle standard et les mesures des modes charmonium. La deuxième analyse est une analyse en amplitude (ou dans le plan de Dalitz). Elle est intégrée sur le temps. Son but est d'extraire le rapport de branchement total, ainsi que les rapports de branchement des modes résonnants partiels. C'est la première fois que cette analyse est effectuée pour le canal étudié. Le résultat est • B(B0 ! K0s K0s K0s ) = (6.18 ± 0.47 ± 0.14 ± 0.06) × 10−6 • B(B0 ! f0(980)K0s ; f0(980) ! K0s K0s ) = (2.69+1.25 −1.18 ± 0.35 ± 1.87) × 10−6 • B(B0 ! f0(1710)K0s ; f0(1710) ! K0s K0s ) = (0.50+0.46 −0.23 ± 0.04 ± 0.12) × 10−6 • B(B0 ! f2(2010)K0s ; f2(2010) ! K0s K0s ) = (0.54+0.21 −0.20 ± 0.03 ± 0.44) × 10−6 • B(B0 ! Nonresonant; K0s K0s K0s) = (13.31+2.23 −2.30 ± 0.55 ± 2.77) × 10−6 • B(B0 ! Âc0K0s ; Âc0 ! K0s K0s) = (0.46+0.25 −0.16 ± 0.01 ± 0.19) × 10−6 , où la première incertitude est statistique, la deuxième est systématique et la troisième est liée au modèle de l'amplitude. Aucun signal statistiquement significatif de la résonance controversée fX(1500) n'a été observé. dumm

Kiss Your Comrades consists of my short story collection, Kiss Your Comrades, and a critical commentary, detailing both the writing and research process. Kiss Your Comrades is a collection of linked narratives centring trans perspectives and using storytelling as a method to challenge cis-heteronormativity and explore beyond-the-binary politics. Organised around five recurring trans-queer characters who live on the margins of society, this group is connected through geography and community, with stories emphasising their intimacy and tenacity. Kiss Your Comrades is a trans narrative imagining transness beyond the body. The collection presents transition as a non-linear and ongoing process and constructs transness through friendship and tactics of survival to highlight the community’s muscle of resistance and to celebrate trans-queer resilience. The commentary sets forth the context for, and the particularities of constructing a trans narrative. The first half of the commentary overviews the state of British/American trans writing; examines the transition memoir and the focus on surgical transition as the dominant theme within the mainstream trans narrative. It then moves into a discussion about the gender binary as an oppressive force on trans lives, setting forth the queer theory and scholarship that shaped the characters’ praxis and identities. The second half of the commentary delves into the particularities of constructing a trans narrative; beginning with a discussion of the short form and establishing its shared history with marginalised practitioners, before moving into an examination of linked narratives and short story cycles as a chief structural scheme. Finally, it explores the collection’s thematic depictions of trans lived experience.

Abstract The aim of this work is to present the reader with the problematics related to the history of interracial depictions in visual media, with particular regard to the representation of kissing. In the introduction, I will explain why I have chosen to conduct this research and why I think it could an important contribution for further research studies. In the second chapter, I will describe the origins of the cinematic kiss from its first appearance on the screen, moving on to its evolution through the course of history. In the third chapter, I will focus on the main events which have led to the introduction of the Hays Code and which have revolutionized the representation of the kiss in the American world of visual media and move on to analyse some iconic examples of kisses, first in cinema and then on television. In the fourth chapter, I will analyse all the kiss scenes in the movie Love Actually (2003), which I have chosen since it represents a modern “kissography”, which can help us better understand how the interracial representation of a kiss has changed with time. In the fifth chapter, I will observe how blackness has been represented in the aforementioned movie and how it is being portrayed nowadays. In the conclusions, I will summarize my investigation and discussed what I have found out, stressing the need to constantly address the most recent products of visual media, to understand if they can can be used in a positive way to create a fairer representation of the society we live in, in order to stop perpetuating dangerous racist stereotypes and representations.

The main goal of my diploma thesis is business valuation of EOS KSI. Whole thesis is divided into four parts. Financial analysis, strategy analysis, analysis and forecast of value drivers and final valuation.

Family business is a business in which family members have a large stake in ownership and also a deciding vote on business operation. This thesis deals with what makes the family businesses thriving. The research is conducted using the Good to Great framework by Jim Collins. Based mainly on quantitative and qualitative survey of 8 Czech companies of various fields and sizes, it was discovered that there are some links between the companies' success. These findings yield a set of recommendations, which is provided in the last chapter.

This diploma thesis deals with business process simplification. Basic terms like business or process are defined in the theoretical part of the thesis as well as selected methods of business management such as TPS, KAIZEN, 5S, Six Sigma, etc. The principal concept for this work is described in the second chapter. It’s very important to simplify things and work, which means to identify the essential parts and eliminate the rest (waste). The practical part describes company Kuličkové šrouby Kuřim, a.s. (KSK) and the study of individual processes and impacts upon them. Further on, several process simplifications from various parts of the company are presented. Each individual case is described and analysed.

The thesis is focused on optimizing business processes based on process analysis in connection with a particular company in the segment of small businesses. The goal is optimization of selected major processes of KSB Ltd. The theoretical part explains the difference between procedural and operational procedures, describes the basic methods of process modeling, process modeling standards and selection of appropriate methods for the practical part, with regard to the character of the company KSB Ltd. In the practical part is compiled process analysis of the company and design changes of processes by modifying the methods of the modeling and optimization.

Mestrado em Gestão de Recursos Humanos
Com o objetivo de consolidar e meter em prática algum do conhecimento académico assimilado ao longo do mestrado de Gestão de Recursos Humanos, e sendo o relatório de estágio uma das possibilidades de trabalho final de mestrado, optei pela realização de um estágio e do respetivo relatório. A oportunidade de estágio foi possibilitada pela empresa Kcs IT, uma empresa de consultoria de sistemas de informação, que me acolheu no período compreendido entre 14 de Janeiro de 2013 e 15 de Abril de 2013. O estágio focou-se substancialmente nas atividades relacionadas com os processos de gestão do talento da empresa, com maior incidência nos processos de acompanhamento dos colaboradores. Desta forma, o presente trabalho, inicia-se com a revisão da literatura na área da gestão do talento, fazendo-se uma apresentação dos pontos fundamentais da temática. Numa segunda parte prossegue-se com a caracterização da empresa onde o estágio decorreu, a descrição dos procedimentos adotados na área da gestão do talento pela mesma, bem como as atividades desenvolvidas ao longo do estágio. Por último é apresentado o cruzamento da revisão de literatura com aquilo que se faz dentro da empresa, bem como uma conclusão que realça as mais-valias do estágio curricular como processo de conclusão do mestrado.
Aiming to consolidate and put into practice some of the knowledge learned throughout the academic Master of Human Resource Management and being the internship report one of the possibilities for the final paperwork, I decided for the internship. The internship opportunity was made possible by the company Kcs IT, a consulting firm in information systems, who welcomed me in the period between January 14th, 2013 to the April 15th, 2013. The internship focused substantially on activities related to the processes of talent management of the company, with the highest incidence in monitoring employees. Therefore, this work begins with a review of the literature in the talent management area, by making a presentation of the key points of the subject. In the second part I'll proceed with the company characterization where the internship took place, a description of the procedures adopted by the company in the talent management area as well as the activities along the internship. Finally I'll present the interlacement of literature review with what is done within the company as well as a conclusion of the highlights virtues of the curricular process as an ending of this academic Master degree.

Through its depiction of heroines, romance fiction has the capacity to reflect the attitudes and concerns women face in society. However, the depiction of heroines in romance novels is bound by the constraints publishers place upon them. A vibrant, passionate mid-life heroine gets pushed into a subgenre where romance no longer exists as an option, while a mid-life reader in search of a romance heroine to identify with is relegated to novels where romance is a marginal issue, rather than the main impetus that leads the story. This study, and the novel A Basic Renovation, addresses a neglected demographic of reader and heroine who are marginalised within the romance genre. As well, it gives reasons why heroines need not be characterised in particular roles or situations as they age, and a rationale for why their underrepresentation as romance heroines should end.

The main thesis of this dissertation is that Jezebel is a primary character in 1 Kgs 16 – 2 Kgs 10. This may be observed both in the so-called Elijah and Elisha cycles. One of the main purposes, if not the purpose, of the stories contained within the Elijah cycle is to enhance the polemic against Jezebel and against the Baal cult which had been introduced by her, and not merely to convey events from Elijah‘s ministry. The choice of the characters and details revealed about their background indicate that the Elijah cycle is only partially concerned with the prophet, while it is directed importantly also against the queen and Baal. Elisha‘s ministry follows that of Elijah. His cycle prepares the reader for the punishment of Jezebel by revealing different details of the final moments of the queen‘s life and the events surrounding her death. Even though the reader will find only two direct references to the queen in 2 Kgs 2-8, the text sheds some light on the queen, her character and her death. The narrative also introduces new characters whose role is to be a foil or a contrast to the queen. The thesis, then, argues that Jezebel is a primary character in the narrative of the middle part of the Books of Kings. It must be said, however, that many elements of the argument against Jezebel operate on the narrator‘s, and not on characters‘, level. Besides a few direct references to Jezebel and to her activities, she herself quite often remains absent from the stage. It is only when one raises one‘s sights from the characters‘ to the narrator‘s perspective that he or she may notice abundance of allusions, prefigurations, comparisons, use of foils, and other devices that enhance the argument against the queen and make her a primary character in 1 Kgs 16:29 – 2 Kgs 10.

Bakgrund: Att vara fysiskt aktiv är viktigt för den enskilda individen. Risken att drabbas av knäskada i samband med fysisk aktivitet ökar beroende på valet av aktivitet och antalet timmar aktiviteten utövas. Forskning visar på att aktiviteter och idrotter som innehåller pivoterande moment, accelerationer, decelerationer, hopp och landning är mer knäbelastande än aktiviteter och idrotter som inte innehåller dessa moment. Vid uppföljning och utvärdering av behandling efter en knäskada används i dag olika självskattningsformulär, patient-reported outcome, PRO. Ett i dag vanligt förekommande PRO formulär för utvärdering av aktivitetsnivå är Tegner Activity Scale, TAS. Flera i dag vanligt förekommande aktiviteter och idrotter saknas i TAS. Även vissa aktiviteter och idrotter med hög risk för knäskada saknas i TAS. I dagsläget finns ingen knärelaterad aktivitetsskala som innefattar de tjugo aktiviteter och idrotter med högst skadestatistik samt de mest utövade aktiviteterna och idrotterna i Sverige i dag. Behovet av en ny knärelaterad aktivitetsskala är stort.   Syfte: Syftet med studien var att utveckla en ny innehållsvaliderad knärelaterad aktivitetsskala i PRO format. Metod: Studien genomfördes i två steg. Först utarbetades en ny knärelaterad aktivitetsskala med Tegner Activity Scale, TAS, som grund. TAS jämfördes med deltagarstatistik från Riksidrottsförbundet samt från Svenska korsbandsregistret för att säkerställa att de mest frekvent förekommande aktiviteterna samt de med högst risk för knäskada återfinns i den nya skalan. Därefter tillfrågades experter ur de tre kategorierna: tränare, aktiva och fysioterapeuter med erfarenhet från respektive aktivitet och idrott. Experterna ombads att placera sin specifika aktivitet/idrott i den nya skalan utifrån aktivitetens/idrottens totala knäbelastande moment. Resultat: Efter sammanställning av experternas svar korrigerades den nya aktivitetsskalan och den slutgiltiga aktivitetsskalan färdigställdes, Knärelaterad Aktivitets Skala, KAS. KAS innehåller de tjugo aktiviteter/idrotter med högst incidens för främre korsbandsskada samt de mest frekvent förekommande. I KAS finns 50 aktiviteter/idrotter att välja på. Uppdelningen i tävling och motionsidrott som finns i TAS har tagits bort liksom de arbetsrelaterade momenten. Fyra aktiviteter/idrotter återfinns på en högre nivå i KAS jämfört med TAS.   Slutsats: En ny knärelaterad aktivitetsskala i PRO format utformades.
Background: To be physical active is important. The risk to sustain a knee injury during physical activity is dependent on the choice of activity and the number of hours the activity is exercised. Activities and sports that includes acceleration, deceleration, pivoting, jump and landing brings more load to the knee joint. In evaluation of a knee injury it is today common to use different kinds of patient-reported outcomes, PRO. Tegner Activity Scale, TAS, is one of the most common questionnaire about sport participation today. Several of today common activities and sports are missing in TAS. Also some of the activities and sports with high incidence of knee injury is missing. Today there is no knee related activity scale that includes the activities and sports with the highest incidence of knee injury and the most common exerted activities and sports in Sweden. The need for a new knee related activity scale is big. Aim: The aim of this study was to develop a new content valid knee related activity scale in PRO form. Method: The study was conducted in two steps. First a new knee related activity scale with TAS as basis was made. TAS was then compared with statistics over participation in activities/sports from Riksidrotts Förbundet, RF, and from The Swedish National Knee Ligament Register. This to ensure that the most common activities and the activities with high risk for knee injury was in the new scale. Experts: trainers, actives and physiotherapists, with experience from each of the specific activities and sports were then asked to place their specific activity/sport in the new scale based on their belief of load to the knee joint. Results: The experts response was analysed, the activity scale was corrected and then the new scale, Knee Activity Scale, KAS, was completed. KAS contains 50 activities/sports compared with 22 in TAS. The division in competitive and recreational level from TAS was removed as well as the work-related activities. Four activities/sports was found on a higher level in KAS compered to TAS. Conclusion: A new knee related activity scale in PRO form was designed.

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO
COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOR
FUNDAÇÃO DE APOIO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DO RIO DE JANEIRO
PROGRAMA DE EXCELENCIA ACADEMICA
BOLSA NOTA 10
Neste trabalho apresentamos a teoria de Tomita-Takesaki para uma álgebra de Von Neumann M com vetor cíclico separante u. Usamos o caso finito dimensional para motivar a teoria, depois prosseguimos para os argumentos analíticos geralmente empregados para provar o caso infinito dimensional. Também calculamos os operadores modulares da teoria para três exemplos padrão. Na mecânica estatística quântica, os estados de equilíbrio termodinâmico de um sistema físico com um número de partículas e volume finito são modelados pelos estados de Gibbs, enquanto no caso infinito eles são modelados pelos chamados estados KMS através da abordagem de álgebra de operadores. Mostramos como a teoria de Tomita-Takesaki fornece estados KMS naturais e a unicidade da evolução temporal do sistema físico para esses estados.
In this work we present the Tomita-Takesaki theory for a Von Neumann algebra M with cyclic separating vector u. We use the finite-dimensional case to motivate the theory, and then proceed to the analytical arguments usually employed to prove the infinite dimensional case. Also, we calculate the modular operators from the theory for three standard examples. In quantum statistical mechanics, the thermodynamic equilibrium states of a physical system with finitely many particles and finite volume are modeled by Gibbs states, while in the infinite case they are modeled by the so called KMS states through the operator-algebraic approach.We show how Tomita-Takesaki theory provides natural KMS states and the uniqueness of the time evolution of the physical system for those states.

The master´s thesis focuses on the internal guidelines of the company Quaprotek Manufacturing, k. s. The theoretical bases of internal guidelines will be discussed in the first part and the basic concepts. In the second analytical part of the thesis the selected company will be introduce and analyze and the existing internal guidelines will be analyzed and evaluated. In the last part I will propose necessary internal guidelines, draft the formal aspects of the internal directive of the company and adjust the existing directives and create some missing directives.

We study properties of super-KMS functionals on ℤ₂ graded von Neumann algebras. We prove that if a normal self-adjoint functional ω is weakly super-KMS, then the uniquely defined by the polar decomposition of ω positive functional |ω| is KMS. We construct a graded representation of any von Neumann algebra with a normal self-adjoint super-KMS functional on it as an algebra of bounded operators on a Hilbert space. The grading of the algebra of operators that we obtain is induced from a natural orthogonal decomposition of the Hilbert space. In our construction we have to use the weak super-KMS property and the implications we have derived from it. We present a generalization of the Tomita — Takesaki theorem to the case of (not necessarily positive) self-adjoint normal faithful functionals. We show that for every such functional ω there is a canonically defined *-automorphism group (the analog of the modular group) and a canonical ℤ₂ grading of the algebra, commuting with the automorphism group. The functional ω is weakly super-KMS with respect to them. Furthermore, the canonical automorphism group and ℤ₂ grading are the unique pair of a σ-weakly continuous one-parameter *-automorphism group and a ℤ₂ grading, commuting with each other, with respect to which ω is super-KMS.
Ph. D.

The Master's Thesis analyzes in detail the company STUDENT AGENCY, k.s.. This thesis includes a financial analysis of the years 2008 - 2012, followed by a strategical analysis of STUDENT AGENCY'S current operations. All the gained information is synthesized with the SWOT analysis that creates the base for the author's recommendations regarding the business strategy. The Master's Thesis consists of the introduction, the theoretical section, the practical section and the conclusion. In the introduction the basic facts are explained and the motives for writing this thesis are described. The used methodology is described in the theoretical section and then applied on the company in the practical section. In the closure the summary of the findings is made.

Geotechnical design requires the interpretation of the information obtained from a site investigation. One aspect of the interpretation is the identification of the ground conditions across the site, based on observations at discrete points, such as boreholes. If a computer system is to assist in this process it must be able to compare soils observed at two or more locations, in order to identify whether the soils observed belong to the same horizon. A methodology has been developed whereby the similarity of two soils can be calculated, based on engineering soil descriptions. The qualitative terms are converted into quantitative representations from which a Similarity Number can be derived. Individual Similarity Numbers can be calculated with respect to soil type, consistency, structure and colour. These are normalised to give values between 0 and 100 (with 100 indicating identical features) and combined using appropriate weighting factors to give an Overall Similarity Number which represents a comparison based on these features. Using die quantitative representation of the soil descriptions, a preliminary assessment of the ground conditions can be made. The correlation of the borehole information is approached at two levels. At the site-wide level, an attempt is made to identify marker beds, that is soil layers which 'stand out' from the general ground conditions. A search for possible marker beds is first made at each borehole. The search is then extended to pairs of boreholes and further, the continuity of marker beds is established inside triangles which are formed having the boreholes as vertices. Where continuous layers are observed within triangles, the dip angle and dip orientation are calculated, to form the geometrical parameters on which preliminary conclusions are based. Compatibility (or not) of these parameters between neighbouring triangles is the key factor for assessing continuity of the marker beds. Finally, the detailed ground conditions are examined on a borehole-to-borehole level. At this level, a set of hypotheses about the ground conditions is constructed by looking at pairs of adjacent boreholes. Hence, a set of hypotheses is produced, even for areas for which the site-wide level approach is unable to establish trends.

Speech coding at bit rates near 4 kbps is expected to be widely deployed in applications such as visual telephony, mobile and personal communications. This research focuses on developing a speech coder based on the waveform interpolation (WI) scheme, with an attempt to deliver near toll-quality speech at rates around 4 kbps. A WI coder has been simulated in floating-point using the C programming language. The high performance of the WI model has been confirmed by subjective listening tests in which the unquantized coder outperforms the 32 kbps G.726 standard (ADPCM) 98% of the time under clean input speech conditions; the reconstructed speech is perceived to be essentially indistinguishable from the original. When fully quantized, the speech quality of the WI coder at 4.25 kbps has been judged to be equivalent to or better than that of G.729 (the ITU-T toll-quality 8 kbps standard) for 45% of the test sentences. Further refinements of the quantization techniques are warranted to bring the coder closer to the toll-quality benchmark. Yet, the existing implementation has produced good quality coded speech with a high degree of intelligibility and naturalness when compared to the conventional coding schemes operating in the neighbourhood of 4 kbps.

There has been an ongoing effort to achieve very high quality speech coding at medium transmission bit rates. Consequently, the TIA has chosen the Vector SUM Linear Predictive (VSELP) implementation of an 8 kb/s coder to be the standard for North-American cellular digital telephony. However, it was only recently that, in view of the increased research focus on developing toll-quality speech coding at such bit rates, the CCITT has imposed a set of specifications for standardizing low-delay coders operating at 8 kb/s. The Low-Delay Code Excited Linear Predictive (LD-CELP) suggested by Chen is presently the only potential candidate for CCITT standardization, achieving a one-way coding delay of 10 ms. However, just like the VSELP coding algorithm, the 8 kb/s LD-CELP version does not quite yield toll-quality reconstructed speech. The purpose of the work in this thesis is to establish the minimum requirements for a coding structure capable of generating toll-quality coded speech at 8 kb/s. The purpose of this thesis is to show that, by slightly relaxing the coding delay constraint, perceptual enhancement techniques yield toll quality coding after redesigning and fine-tuning the optimization and quantization procedures of a CELP coder.

This diploma thesis deals with implementation of e-learning at Hettich ČR k.s. company in relation to their customers - joiner workshops and furniture manufacturers. In order to decide whether to implement e-learning in the company, various factors had to be taken into consideration. Firstly, current status of customer training was thoroughly analyzed. Not only basic information about e-learning were studied, but also efficiency criteria of utilization e-learning within the company as well as the outcome of e-learning programs in other firms were researched. Furthermore, comprehensive analysis of internet audience rate among company’s employees was done and questionnaire field survey among customers was carried out.

The main goal of the thesis is to establish market value of the company EOS KSI Česká republika, s.r.o. to the date of 28.2.2009. This thesis is divided into 5 parts: strategic analysis, financial analysis, value creators, financial plan and overall evaluation of the company. As a main method is used DCF Entity and as an additional method the capitalised net revenue method. The value of the company is established as an interval range.

Kiss-1 and its receptor (Kiss-1R) are suggested as a novel pair of metastasis suppressors for several human solid tumours. However, the role of Kiss-1 and Kiss-1R in colorectal cancer remains largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role and signal transduction of Kiss-1 and its receptor in colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer cell lines (HT115, HRT18, RKO and Caco-2) were screened for the mRNA expression levels of Kiss-1 and Kiss-1R. Sublines of cancer cells with differential expression of Kiss-1 and Kiss-1R were created, using ribozyme transgenes to knock down the expression of Kiss-1 and Kiss-1R, respectively. The stabilized transfected cells were used to study the influence of Kiss-1 and Kiss-1R on the function of colorectal cancer cells using by in vitro function assays (growth, adhesion, wounding and invasion assays) and ECIS assay. The influence of Kiss-1 on tumour growth was also tested using an in vivo tumour model. To further explore the receptor activation and signalling pathways downstream of Kiss-1, Kisspeptin-10 was also used in HT115 Kiss-1 knockdown cells. Phosphorylation of Kiss-1 and the effect of Kissthe effect on MMP 1 on MMP 1 on MMP-9 and MMP and MMP -2 were detected using immunoprecipitation and immunoprecipitation and zymographyzymography respectively. The study also investigated Kiss-1 and Kiss-1R expression and their correlation to the clinical outcome in human colorectal cancer, using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Kiss-1 and Kiss-1R played a suppressive role in the invasion and migration of colorectal cancer cells, in that knocking down both Kiss-1 resulted in increased cell-matrix invasion and cellular migration as demonstrated by a series of cell models. Exogenous Kiss-1 (Kisspeptin-10) decreased cellular migration of colorectal cancer cells and required ERK signalling as shown during the ECIS based analyses. The inhibitory influence of Kiss-1 on the motility of cancer cells was via the reduction of MMP-9, shown by zymography. In the in vivo tumour model, tumour growth rate of Kiss-1 knockdown colorectal cancer cells was significantly faster than the control cells. In human colorectal cancer tissues, levels of message expression of Kiss-1 had a negative correlation with Dukes staging, TNM staging, tumour size and lymph node involvement. Kiss -1R expression was significantly decreased in tumour tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. The present study has demonstrated that Kiss-1 and Kiss-1R play a pivotal tumour suppressor role in colorectal cancer. The inhibitory effect on cancer cells involves the regulation of MMPs and the ERK signaling pathway. The molecule pair is candidate prognostic indicator in patients with colorectal cancer.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
The research deals with the participation of witnesses in live news coverage of Kiss Nightclub fire. The tragedy occurred in the city of Santa Maria (RS), on January 27, 2013, caused the death of 242 youths and had worldwide repercussions. The coverage has exposed not only drama of the survivors and families of the victims, but the complexity of journalistic work in an unstructured environment where productive routines are disrupted and hampered access to official sources. From this context enhanced by the immediacy of live coverage, there is the rise of eyewitness sources. As the theoretical part, three perspectives are presented: the constructionist theories, with the understanding journalism as a speech due to a number of conditions and configurative circumstances of the produced content, and governed by a communications contract; the theories of journalism, with the understanding of the central role of sources in the construction of journalistic discourse; and studies of the testimony, with the concept of presumed reliability, truth-effect and reality marking of such testimony. Based on these assumptions, understanding the roles played by the testimonies in coverage and discuss how the constitutive thrill of a disaster situation is aimed, transformed into pathos effect from the manifestation of the testimonies, contributes not only to the target capture, as well as for information. For this, live the entries broadcast by Globo Television Network and its RBS TV affiliate, on January 27, 28 and 29, 2013 are analyzed, from the systematization of Patrick Charaudeau on the discursive means to prove the truth ( designation, reconstruction and elucidation) and to give emotion (pathos effect). On the eyewitnesses manifestation there was a predominance of real evidence (66.7%). However, it is suggested that given the context of the tragic event, the pathos effect is present even in the statements of the target information. Likewise, it is observed that the sequences classified as pathos effect also present informational content. Thus, it is concluded that the communication contract gained new dimensions in disaster situations, making the feeling making gets closer to knowledge making.
A pesquisa trata da participação dos testemunhos na cobertura jornalística ao vivo do incêndio da boate Kiss. A tragédia ocorrida na cidade de Santa Maria (RS), em 27 de janeiro de 2013, provocou a morte de 242 jovens e teve repercussão mundial. A cobertura expôs não só o drama dos sobreviventes e das famílias das vítimas, mas também a complexidade do trabalho jornalístico em um ambiente desestruturado, em que rotinas produtivas são rompidas e o acesso a fontes oficiais dificultado. A partir desse contexto e tensionando com a imediaticidade da cobertura ao vivo, observa-se a ascensão das fontes testemunhais. Como aporte teórico, parte-se de três perspectivas: as teorias construcionistas, com o entendimento de jornalismo como um discurso decorrente de uma série de condições e circunstâncias configuradoras do conteúdo produzido e regido por um contrato de comunicação; as teorias do jornalismo, com a compreensão do papel central das fontes na construção do discurso jornalístico; e os estudos dos testemunhos, com a concepção de confiabilidade presumida, de efeito de verdade e de marcação de realidade desse tipo de depoimento. Com base nesses pressupostos, busca-se compreender os papéis desempenhados pelos testemunhos na cobertura e discutir como a emoção constitutiva de uma situação de tragédia, transformada em efeito patêmico a partir da manifestação dos testemunhos, colabora não só para a visada de captação, como também para a de informação. Para isso, analisam-se as entradas ao vivo veiculadas pela Rede Globo de Televisão e sua afiliada RBS TV, nos dias 27, 28 e 29 de janeiro de 2013, a partir da sistematização de Patrick Charaudeau sobre os meios discursivos de provar a verdade (designação, reconstituição e elucidação) e de conferir emoção (efeito patêmico). Verificou-se na manifestação das testemunhas o predomínio das provas de verdade (66,7%). Entretanto, sugere-se que dado ao contexto trágico do acontecimento, o efeito patêmico esteja presente até mesmo nos enunciados da visada da informação. Da mesma forma, observa-se que as sequências classificadas como patêmicas, também apresentam teor informacional. Assim, conclui-se que o contrato de comunicação ganha novos contornos nas situações de tragédia, fazendo com que o fazer sentir se aproxime do fazer saber.

I detta projekt har det kontrollerande avbördningsskyddet för vattenkraftverk, förkortat KAS, studerats närmare. KAS finns installerat vid många större vattenkraftverk och har till uppgift att automatiskt aktivera öppning av dammluckorna ifall vattennivån skulle stiga över dämningsgräns och både den ordinarie nivåregleringen och manuell reglering skulle utebli. På så sätt kan överströmning av dammen med eventuellt dammbrott som följd förhindras. Eftersom KAS är det yttersta skyddet ställs extra höga krav på tillförlitlighet. Därför behöver de elektiska och mekaniska komponenter som ingår i systemet vara robusta, väl beprövade och ha en lång livslängd. Dessutom ska systemet vara utformat på ett sådant sätt att även om ett fel skulle uppstå ska inte det leda till att hela systemet förlorar sin funktion. Minst lika viktigt som konstruktionen är att de parametrar som styr skyddssystemets funktion är rätt inställda. Det kan bland annat handla om vilken vattennivå som KAS ska aktiveras eller stängas för och om olika luckor ska ha olika aktiveringsnivåer. Vanligtvis beror dessa parametrar på varandra. Eftersom systemet är helt automatiskt måste man vid inställningen av parametrarna ta hänsyn till alla de driftsituationer och felhändelser som kan tänkas inträffa. Detta är särskilt utmanande för system av dammar som ligger geografiskt nära varandra. Det korta avståndet leder till att dammarnas magasinstorlek är liten vilket innebär att stignings- och sänkningsförlopp kan bli väldigt snabba. Det innebär dessutom att om dammluckorna öppnas vid en damm så kommer också åtgärder vid de intilliggande dammarna behöva göras inom kort tid och därför kan kommunikation mellan dammarnas KAS-system vara nödvändig. Fjärrkommunikation riskerar däremot samtidigt att minska funktionssäkerheten och bör därför så långt som möjligt undvikas. Tre dammar som ligger nära varandra är Porjus, Harsprånget och Ligga i Stora Luleälven. I detta projekt har en numerisk modell för att simulera hydrodynamiska förlopp för den aktuella älvsträckan utvecklats i beräkningsprogrammet MIKE 11. Särskild vikt har lagts på att korrekt beskriva flödet genom dammluckor och hantera de numeriska instabiliteter som uppstår vid bland annat simulering av snabba flödesförändringar och uttorkad älvfåra. Med hjälp av simuleringar och beräkningar har en metodik kunnat utvecklas för hur inställningar för KAS kan väljas för system av intilliggande dammar. Metoden bygger på att varje lucka tilldelas en individuell aktiverings- och stängningsnivå. Avståndet mellan aktiveringsnivåer anpassas till vattenytans stigningshastighet för olika flöden och tiden det tar att öppna luckan. Resultaten visar att om inställningarna för de enskilda dammarna väljs rätt kan ett gynnsamt förlopp erhållas för de flesta fallen. Vissa kombinationer av flöden och felhändelser riskerar däremot att leda till stora svallningar och att dämningsgräns överskrids markant inom kort tid efter felhändelsen. Om dessa följder ska undvikas med hjälp av automatik behöver tillrinning uppströms stoppas och magasin nedströms förtappas genom kommunikation mellan dammarnas KAS-system. Simuleringar är ett lämpligt verktyg för att studera de förlopp som kan uppstå vid magasinhantering och för att finna en lämplig reglerstrategi. De exakta värdena för de parametrar som beräknats däremot bör ej tillämpas innan dess att modellens noggrannhet validerats ytterligare.
This Master thesis project concerns the dam overtopping protection system for hydropower plants, abbreviated DOPS. The system is installed at many major hydroelectric power plants and is designed to automatically initiate opening of the spillways if the water level would rise above the retention level and in the absence of both regular automatic control and manual control. In this way, overtopping of the dam with possible dam failure as a result can be prevented. A numerical model for simulating hydrodynamic processes for Porjus, Harsprånget and Ligga in Stora Luleälven has been developed in the computational software MIKE11. Particular emphasis has been on accurately describing the flow through spillways and handling the numerical instabilities that arise from rapidly varying flow and driedout flood beds. Through simulations and calculations, where a large number of scenarios have been tested, a methodology has been developed for setting parameters of the DOPS. This is non-trivial since the dams are geographically close to each other and have limited storage capacity. The method for setting parameters is based on the principle that each spillway is assigned with an individual activation and closing level. The vertical distance between activation levels is adjusted to the water surface rising velocity for different flow regimes and the time it takes for the gate to open. The results show that if the settings for the individual dams are chosen correctly, apropitious progress is achieved for most cases. Some combinations of flow and error events could however lead to large billows and that the retention level is exceeded significantly within a short time after the initial error event. If these consequences are to be avoided using an automatic system, upstream discharge needs to be stopped and the spillways of the dam downstream need to be opened in advance through communication between the DOPS of the dams.

KSL Trading Inc is a trading company in the Jönkoping area that distributes

material for the furniture and interior design industry.

The purpose of this report is to analyze the existing material flow and

warehouse layout as well as to identify the issues there are today at KSL’s

warehouse for board material. When we identified what kind of problems that

existed we were able to design a new plan for the material flow and storage

possibilities. The problems we found where:

• There is no well-organised warehouse layout

• There are no routines to keep the warehouse clean and in order

• There is no formed plan how to handle material

To solve these problems we have used different methods like interviews,

observations, calculations and literature studies. The information we have

gathered from these methods have been analyzed and developed into a result

In the result we have made two time studies on different orders in the existing

layout. We have presented two proposals on layout improvements on the

warehouse that improves the handling and flow of the material. Then we

simulated these orders in one of the two layout proposals to make an estimate

of time improvements. In packing orders we can show on an estimated

improvement in time of 45 %

We have divided the material into eight different families and then performed

an ABC-analysis on these families. We have also analysed how much material

of each family that is stored.

We have designed a new marking label that simplifies the work to maintain the

materials that are stored well in order and structure.

Finally we have been able to draw some overall conclusions on how to improve

the situation for the entire organisation.

We extend the theory of perturbations of KMS states to some class of unbounded perturbations using noncommutative Lp-spaces. We also prove certain stability of the domain of the Modular Operator associated to a ||.||p-continuous state. This allows us to define an analytic multiple-time KMS condition and to obtain its analyticity together with some bounds to its norm. The main results are Theorem 5.1.15, Theorem 5.1.16 and Corollary 5.1.18. Apart from that, this work contains a detailed review, with minor contributions due to the author, starting with the description of C*-algebras and von Neumann algebras followed by weights and representations, a whole chapter is devoted to the study of KMS states and its physical interpretation as the states of thermal equilibrium, then the Tomita-Takesaki Modular Theory is presented, furthermore, we study analytical properties of the modular operator automorphism group, positive cones and bounded perturbations of states, and finally we start presenting multiple versions of noncommutative Lp-spaces.
Apresentamos uma extensão da teoria de perturbações de estados KMS para uma classe de operadores ilimitados através dos espaços Lp não-comutativos. Além disso, provamos certa estabilidade do domínio do Operador Modular de um estado ||.||p-contínuo o que nos permite escrever a condições KMS para tempos múltiplos e obter sua analiticidade junto com majorantes para sua norma. Os principais resultados são o Teorema 5.1.15, o Teorema 5.1.16 e o Corolário 5.1.18. Além disso, nesse trabalho fazemos uma detalhada revisão, com contribuições menores devidas ao autor, começamos com uma descrição de álgebras C* e álgebras de von Neumann, seguida por pesos e representações, um capítulo inteiro é dedicado ao estudo de estados KMS e sua interpretação como estados de equilíbrio térmico, depois apresentamos a Teoria Modular de Tomita-Takesaki, além disso, estudamos as propriedades de analiticidade do grupo de automorfismo modular, cones positivos e perturbações de estados e finalmente, começamos a apresentar múltiplas versões dos espaços Lp não comutativos.

This action research project focussed on the key components of the construct mathematical resilience and how mathematical resilience can be developed in learners who are working towards their GCSE in mathematics. Split-screen lesson objectives, one related to a mathematical skill and the other related to a learning skill, were used to focus the learner’s attention onto each skill. These learning skills were chosen to encourage a particular group of learners to gain the confidence, persistence and perseverance to allow them to work inside the Growth Zone. The overall aim of this action research project was to improve the attainment of learners in their GCSE mathematics examination.

Le volcanisme calco-alcalin orogénique du Quaternaire de l'île de Kos (bordure Sud-Est de l'arc volcanique égéen) est caractérisé par des dépôts pyroclastiques, témoins d'une activité très explosive, issue des deux principaux centres d'émission. Le premier, localisé dans l'actuelle Baie de Kefalos, est à l'origine des explosions hydromagmatiques qui ont édifié un anneau de tufs. Cette éruption donna lieu à la formation d'une caldera de 2 à 3 km de diamètre. L'activité post-caldera, limitée à la bordure Sud-Ouest, met en place des dépôts épais de déferlantes pyroclastiques. L'extrusion du dôme perlitique du Mont zini, ainsi qu'une courte avalanche de type MERAPI, issue des explosions phréatiques au toit solidifié du dôme, sont les dernières manifestations volcaniques à Kefalos. De nombreux xénolites, ramonés lors des explosions, sont indicatifs de la nature lithologique du substratum peu profond. Il est composé de calcaires argileux, de l'ignimbrite soudée miocène, de niveaux gréseux et de laves anté-quatemaires intercalaires. Les principales altérations hydrothermales au sein de certains xénolites sont de type argileux. Elles sont à l'origine de la formation d'une épaisse couverture imperméable au sein de la caldera et du colmatage du circuit hydrothermal des basses températures avant l'éruption de Kefalos. Le deuxième centre volcanique, situé entre KOS et JALI, est à l'origine d'une puissante éruption ignimbritique (0,25- 0,14 M. A. ). Les dépôts mis en place sont ceux des retombées de cendres phréatopliniennes, étalées sur plus de 2 500 km, des déferlantes basales et écoulements ignimbritiques qui ont pu traverser la mer sur 40 km. Les xénolites en surface appartiennent au substratum profond de l'ile (sédimentaire et métamorphique et aux intrusions granitiques, mises en place à faibles profondeurs. Le magma granitique évolue, en présence d'une phase fluide saline importante, à·des conditions magmatiques jusqu'à des conditions tardimagmatiques de sub- surface, suivant un processus de dilution continue. La paragénèse hydrométamorphique à diopside-sphène, dans les enclaves et celle hydrothermale à épidote-actinote, dans les niveaux sédimentaires, caractéristiques d'un cycle convectif des fluides hydrothermaux de hautes températures à partir des masses plutoniques en voie de refroidissement, au moment de l'éruption
The calc-alcaline Quaternary volcanic episodes of Kos Island (South-east margin of Hellenic arc) are caracterized by explosive activity issued from two major vents. The first one, located in the actual gulf of Kefalos, has produced hydromagmatic explosions building up a tuff ring. This eruption of Kefalos has been followed by the formation of a circular collapse caldera of 2-3 km diameter. Post caldera activity is limited in the south-west margin of the caldera and is caracterized by thick pyroclastic surge deposits. The Mont Zini perlitic dome extrusion and a short avalanche of MERAPI type, issued from explosion on wholly solidified dome roof, are the last volcanic events in the Kefalos region. Numerous xenoliths, sampled during these explosive eruptions, can be used as illustration of the subsurface substratum lithology sequence. It consists of Oligocene-Miocene argileous limestones, Miocene welded ignimbrites, siltstones and pre-Quaternary interbedded lava flows. A hydrothermal alteration stage, evidenced by some of the xenoliths, results in clay minerals forming an impermeable cap in the bottom of the caldera and colmating by self-sealing, after the major Kefalos eruption, a hydrothermal low temperature draining system. The most recent volcanic event (0, 25 - 0, 14 M. A. ) that have occurred in Mediterranean area is one of the most powerful ignimbritic eruption. Deposits are phreatoplinian ash-falls, ground surges and ignimbritic flows that have moved above the open sea along 40 km. The xenoliths in the ignimbritic formations are belonging to the deep substratum of Kos (sedimentary and metamorphic) and also to younger plutonic granitic intrusions. The granitic plutons evolved in the presence of an important saline fluid phase from magmatic to retrograde subsurface conditions, according to a continuous dilution process during the coling

La plupart des espèces restreignent leur fertilité à une période limitée de ,'année pour que la naissance des petits ait lieu au moment le plus favorable à leur survie, Par exemple, chez le hams1er Syrien mâle (Mesocricetus 8Ura!US), l'exposition à une phofopériocte courte (PC; 10h lumière / 14h obscurité) mimant la saison hivernale cause une Inhibition de l'axe reproducteur conduisant à une atrophie des testicules en 8 à 10 semaines. Les animaux ne sont alors plus en mesure de se reproduire. Chez les rongeurs salsonniel'8, la lecture du temps annuel se fait par l'intermédiaire de la mélatonine. Une hormone produite par la glande pinéale et doot la libération est proportionnelle à la durée de la nuit. En hiver, lorsque les nuits sont longues (PC), le pic noclume de mélatonlne l'est aussI. Inversement, en été (photopérlode longue, PL), lorsque les nuit sont courtes, la durée du pic nocturne de mélatonlne est réduite. Le message photopérlodique est ainsi converti en message hormonal capable de synchroniser la fonction de reproduction avec les saisons. Bien qu'exerçant un effet puissant sur l'axe gonadotrope, les sites d'actiOnsde la mélatonine demeurent mal connus. Nous avons récemment démontré que la mélatonlne contrôle l'expression de plusieurs gènes Impliqués dans la fonction de reproduction. Parmi ces gènes, Kissl code pour une fanille de pepUdes, les kisspeplines (Kp), qui se llent tous au même récepteur, le Klss1r, Les Kp Jouent un rOle crucial dans l'activation de l'axe gonadotrope car il a été démontré qu'une mutation perte de fonction dans le gène KIss1r empêche le declenchement de 13 puberté aussi bien chez l'être humain que chez la souris. Mon travall de thèse a consisté a étudier l'Implication des Kp dans les cycles saisonniers d'activité de l'axe gonadotrope chez le hamster et s'est articulé autour de trois grands axes. En premier lieu, la cartographie complete du système kisspeptlnergique a été réalisée par immun. Ohistochimle et hybridation in situ non radioactive chez le hamster Syrien mâle en PL (14h lumière 1 10h obscurité) (Ai). Deux populaUons de neurones exprimant l'ARNm du gene Kiss1 et les Kp ont ainsi été identifiées dans le noyau arqué (ARC) et le noyau antéroventrsl péri-ventriculaire (AIJPV). Des fibres à Kp ont été observées dans ces deux structures ainsi que dans d'autres réglons hypothalamiques (noyau préoptique médian, aire pré-optique médiane, aire hypothalamique antérieure, noyau paraventriculaire, hypothalamus dorsomédian) et extra hypothalamiques (noyau du lit de la strie terminale, noyau paraventriculaire du thalamus, amygdale centrale). L'expression du système kisspeptinergique etant fortement dépendante de la photoperiode, la cartographie de ce système a également été réalisée chez des hamstersimputée à la diminution du taux de testostérone. En revanche, dans l'AVPV où la testosterone exerce un rétrocontrOle positif. Nous avons démontré que le diminution de l'expression de Kiss1 en PC ou induite par la mélatonine est due à un effet indirect via la diminution des taux clrculants de testostérone. L 'ensemble de ces résultats Indique que dans l'ARC, la PC réduit l'expression de KIss1 par un effet direct de la mélatonlne sur l'hypothalamus alors que dans l'AVPV, la mélatonine diminue l'expression de Kiss1 via une réduction du taux de testostérone. L 'AVPV est une des réglons sexLJeliement dlmorphiques du cerveau et l'expression de Kiss1 est plus importante chez la femelle que chez le mâle. Afin d'approfondir nos données obtenues chez le mâle, l'effet de la mélatonine et de l'oestradiol sur j'expression de Kiss1 dans l'AVPV a été étudié chez le hamster Syrien femelle el des résultats similaires ont étés obtenus (A3). Dans une troisième partie, nous avons analysé les sites d'action périphériques des Kp (A2). Au laboratoire, nous avions démontré que l'administration chronique intracérébroventrlculaire de Kp durant 4 semaines ré-active l'axe gonadotrope du hamster doré mâle maintenu en PC, indiquant que les Kp sont capables de surpasser l'effet inhibiteur de la mélatonine sur J'axe gonadotrope. Des études précédentes chez le rat et la souris ayant démontré que les Kp stimulent l'axe gonadotrope lorsqu'elles sont administrées par voie cenlrale ~CV) ou périphérique (intrapéritonéale), nous avons étudié l'effet de l'administration chronique périphérique de Kp sur l'axe gonadotrope du hamster mâle maintenu en PC (A2). Nous avons testé différents protocoles d'administration de Kp et démontré que deux injections quotidiennes de Kp durant 5 semaines ré-activent l'axe gonadotrope. Afin d'identifier les structures cibles des Kp periphérlques, nous avons analysé l'expression de cFos aprés l'injection inlrapéritonêale de Kp (A2). Nous avons ainsi mis en évidence une forte activation de l'hypophyse anterieure par les Kp, activation dépendante du GnRH car abolie en présence d'acyJine, un antagoniste du GnRH. En conclusion, ce travail de thèse a permit de démontrer non seulement que Je système kisspeptinergique est fortement dépendant de la photopériode et de la mélatonine (via des mécanismes directs ou faisant intervenir les variations saisonnières du taux de stéroïdes sexuels circulantsJ, mais aussi que les neurones a Kiss1 répercutent l'information photoperiodique sur l'axe reproducteur, en particulier au niveau des terminaisons des neurones il GnRH de l'éminence médiane
To ensure the birth of the offspring at the most favourable time of year, photoperiod (or day-Iength) is "read" by most seasonal breeders to reslrict their fertility 10 a particular season. Annual variations of the photoperiod are translated into the release of the pineal hormone melatonin, the noctumal production of which relies on night-Iength. Previous experiments have demonstrated that the annual variations of melatonin secretion synchronise reproductive activity with seasons. For instance, exposure to a long nocturnal peak of melatonin for 8 to 10 weeks (like in short days conditions, SD) induces a marked gonadal atrophy in male Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Conversely, when transferred back ta long days (LD), a condition in which the nocturnal peak of melatonin is short, hamsters become sexually active within 6 weeks. Despite ils strong action on the reproductive axis, the precise sites and mechanisms of action of melatonin are still unclear. We recentiy reported that in the Syrian hamster, melatonin inhibits the expression of several hypothalamic genes, including Kissl, which might mediate the photoperiodic message to the reproductive axis. Kiss 1 encodes a family of peptides, the kisspeptins (Kp), that ail bind to the same receptor, Kiss1 r. Kp play a crucial role in the activation of the gonadotropic since a loss-of-function mutation in Kiss 1 r prevents puberty humans and rodents. My thesis work consisted in studying the implication of Kiss l-encoded peptides (kisspeptins, Kp) in the seasonal cycles of the reproductive activity. In a first part, the anatomy of the kisspeptinergic system was characterised in the Syrian hamster's brain in bath LD sexually active and SD sexually inactive individu ais. In a second part, investigated how photoperiod affects Kiss 1 expression and finally, in a third part, analysed the effects of exogenous administration of Kp and its site of action on the reproductive axis First of ail, the distribution of Kp fibres and cell bodies was characterised in the Syrian hamster's by immunohistochemistry and non-radioactive in situ hybridlsation. Two populations of Kiss 1 neurones were identified in the Arcuate nucleus (ARC) and in the Anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV). Kp immunoreactive fibres were observed in both nucleus and in other hypothalamic (preoptic median nucleus, preoptic median area, anterior hypothalamic area, paraventricular nucleus, dorsomedial hypothalamus) and extra hypothalamic structures (Bed nucleus of stria terminalis, paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, central amygdala). Since Kiss 1 expression is highly dependent on photoperiod, the distribution of Kp immunoreactive fibres was also analysed in SDadapted hamsters. The number of Kissl and Kp neurones is strongly decreased in SD sexually inactive hamsters. Fibres distribution is identical as in LD but fibres density is higher in SD, probably because of an accumulation of Kp into the fibres. To determine wether these fibres innervate fibres-containing structures or just go through them, we analysed the expression of cFos (a marker of cellular activity) alter an intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of Kp and we found that cFos expression is increased in the preoptic median nucleus, the preoptic medial area, the paraventricular nucleus, the dorsomedial hypothalamus, the bed nucleus of stria terminalis and the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. This indicates that these brain structures areIrlnervalea Dy Kp libres and aclivated upon Kp release. The phenotype of the target neurones however remains to be determined. Ln a second part, 1 analysed how photoperiod affects Kiss 1 expression in the Syrian hamster. First of ail, we demonstrated that Kissl mRNA is highly expressed in the ARC and AVPV in LD-adapted male or female hamsters, while exposition to SD condition drastically reduces the number of Kiss 1 neurones in both structure and sex. Dally melatonin injections mimicking SD-like melatonln levels reduces Kissl expression in ARC and AVPV. By contrast pinealectomy in SD-adapted hamsters Increases the number of Kissl neurones in both nuclei, showing that melatonin mediates the effect of photoperiod on Kiss 1 neurones. The kinetic of melatonin effect on Kiss 1 neurones was also analysed and one or three weeks of daily melatonin injections do not affect Kissl expression whereas alter eight weeks of treatment, Kiss 1 expression reaches its minimal level. Noteworthy, SD exposure induces gonadal regression as weil as a massive reduction in testosterone levels. In rats and mice, testosterone strongly regulates Kissl expression in both ARC and AVPV and the SD- or melatonin-induced reduction in the number of Kissl neurones could be secondary to variations in testosterone plasmatic concentration. As a consequence, 1 also analysed the effect of gonadal hormones on Kissl expression in the Syrian hamster and 1 observed that testosterone up-regulates Kissl expression in the AVPV and down-regulates the number of ARC Kissl neurones. Thus, the SD- or melatonin-induced reduction in the number of ARC Kissl neurones is not secondary to a reduction in testosterone level. By contrast, in the AVPV where testosterone is stimulatory, the SD- or melatonin-induced down-regulation of Kiss 1 expression was found to be mediated by the SD- or melatonin-induced decrease in gonadal hormones levels. Ali together these data indicate that the SD-induced reduction in the number of ARC Kissl neurones is due to a direct effect of melatonin on the hypothalamus whereas the decrease in the number of AVPV Kiss 1 neurones is secondary to a reduction of testosterone levels. The AVPV is a sexually dimorphic brain nucleus with Kissl expression being higher in females. Thus, the effects of melatonin and oestradiol were analysed in females hamsters as weil and similar results were observed. Finally, in a third part, 1 analysed peripheral Kp sites of action. In the lab, we demonstrated that Kp chronic intracerebroventricular treatment for 4 weeks re-activates gonadal activity in SD-adapted male hamsters. This indicates that Kp overpass melatonin inhibitory effect on the reproductive axis. Previous studies showed that Kp trigger LH, FSH and sex steroids release when given centrally or peripherally. 1 thus studied the effect of several protocols of peripheral Kp long-term administration to SDacclimated sexually inactive Syrian hamsters. We demonstrated that 2 daily IP injections of Kp during 5 weeks restore gonadal activity. To identify the structure(s) involved in the peripheral effect of Kp, we studied the expression of cFos alter IP Injection of Kp. The anterior pituitary was found to strongly express cFos and this Kp-induced activation is GnRH-dependent since a GnRH antagonist prevented il. To conclude, this PhD work not only proved that the Kp system is strongly regulated by photoperiod and melatonin (via distinct mechanisms involving both direct effects and seasonal variations in gonadal hormones levels), but also that Kiss1 neurones impacts the photoperiodic message on the reproductive axis, probably at the level of GnRH nerve terminais of the median eminence

La maturation sexuelle se fait en réponse à l'intégration de divers signaux internes homéostatiques et externes. Jusqu'à présent, on ignore en grande partie quels mécanismes sensoriels internes sont impliqués dans le couplage de ces signaux. Chez les mammifères, le début de la puberté est associé à des pulsations élevées de GnRH conduisant à un pic d'hormone stéroïdienne. Le système ligand/récepteur, KISS/KISSR, est un régulateur en amont des neurones producteurs de GnRH. Chez Drosophila melanogaster, un pic d'hormone prothoracicotrope (PTTH) produite par deux paires de neurones (PTTHn) conduit à la production de l'ecdysone, la principale hormone stéroïdienne chez les insectes. PTTH est l'un des premiers signaux à activer la cascade d'événements menant à la maturation. Si la production de PTTH est bloquée, un retard dans le début de la transition du stade juvénile au stade adulte est observé, tandis qu'une maturation précoce est observée lors de la surexpression de PTTH. Ceci indique donc un rôle important des PTTHn dans l'intégration des signaux. Afin de découvrir les signaux intégrés par les PTTHn, nous avons criblé une collection d’ARN interférents dans les PTTHn. Nous avons ainsi identifié le récepteur à l’allatostatine A (AstA-R1) comme un régulateur positif des PTTHn. La perte de fonction de AstA-R1 retarde la maturation avec une augmentation de la taille finale de l’organisme. Une réduction de la quantité du ligand allatostatine A (AstA) a également une incidence sur le déclenchement de la maturation. AstA est produite dans le cerveau par une paire de neurones bilatéraux qui étendent leurs axones vers les dendrites des PTTHn. De plus, les neurones AstA projettent également leurs axones vers les cellules productrices d’insuline (IPCs), connues pour réguler le taux de croissance larvaire. L’inactivation d’AstA-R1 dans les IPCs donne des organismes plus petits. Nos résultats impliquent que les neurones AstA sont capables de réguler le rythme de croissance ainsi que le déclenchement de la maturation en jouant sur deux circuits différents ciblant les PTTHn et les IPCs. De façon intéressante, AstA/AstAR1 est homologue à KISS/KISSR (GPR54), un facteur d’entrée dans de la puberté humaine. Ceci suggère donc qu’un circuit neuronal est conservé au cours de l’évolution pour l'intégration des signaux qui contrôlent le déclenchement de la maturation sexuelle
The onset of puberty occurs in response to the integration of various internal homeostatic and external signals. Up until now, it remains largely unknown which internal sensory mechanisms are involved in the coupling of those signals. In mammals, the onset of puberty is associated with elevated GnRH pulsations leading to a peak of steroid hormones. The KISS/KISSR system is a pivotal upstream regulator of GnRH producing neurons. In Drosophila melanogaster a peak of prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) produced by two pairs of neurons (PTTHn) leads to the production of the insect steroid hormone ecdysone. PTTH is one of the first signals to activate the cascade of events leading to maturation. Once PTTH production is blocked, a delay is observed in the onset of the transition from juvenile to adult stage, whereas precocious maturation is observed upon PTTH over-expression, denoting an important role for PTTHn in the integration of cues. In order to uncover signals integrated by PTTHn we have conducted a biased RNAi screen in PTTHn. After two rounds of screening we identified the GPCR Allatostatin A receptor 1 (AstA-R1) as a positive regulator of PTTHn. AstA-R1 knock down delays maturation with a subsequent increase in final pupal size. Down regulation of its ligand, Allatostatin-A (AstA) on the brain is also affecting the timing of maturation. We found that AstA is produced in the central brain by a bilateral pair of neurons that extend their axons towards the PTTHn dendrites. In addition, AstA neurons also project their axons towards the Drosophila insulin producing cells (IPCs) that are known to regulate larval growth. Knockdown of AstA-R1 on the IPCs leads to smaller pupae. These findings imply that the AstA neurons are able to regulate growth and maturation timing by interacting with 2 different circuits: the PTTHn and IPCs. Unexpectedly, AstA-R1 and AstA genes share a common evolutionary origin with KISSR and KISS, respectively, suggesting a common mechanism between insects and mammals for the integration of signals that control the onset of puberty