On the homotopy invariance of configuration spaces

For a closed PL manifold M, we consider the configuration space F(M,k) of ordered k-tuples of distinct points in M. We show that a suitable iterated suspension of F(M,k) is a homotopy invariant of M. The number of suspensions we require depends on three parameters: the number of points k, the dimension of M and the connectivity of M. Our proof uses a mixture of Poincare embedding theory and fiberwise algebraic topology.Comment: Published by Algebraic and Geometric Topology at http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/agt/AGTVol4/agt-4-35.abs.htm

Globalisation and language policy in Tunisia: Shifts in domains of use and linguistic attitudes

This thesis builds on previous studies on the linguistic situation, attitudes and domains of language use in the Maghreb countries undertaken by Marley (2000, 2004, 2005, 2008) in Morocco, Benrabah (2007a, 2007b), in Algeria, and by Jabeur (1999) Daoud (2001, 2011a, 2011b) and Bahloul (2001) in Tunisia. It explores the shifts in the domains of language use, the differences in linguistic attitudes between generations in Tunisia and the role played by globalisation in this process. In order to investigate the ways in which domains of use and attitudes to English and French are shifting, a questionnaire was administered to a group of 100 teachers aged 40 to 60 and a group of 200 students aged 17 to 19. SPSS data analyses showed some statistically significant differences between the two groups. With respect to domains of use, the younger group uses significantly more English as a lingua franca, in chatting online, reading for pleasure, watching TV programmes and listening to songs. Teachers, by contrast, use significantly more French in activities such as reading and watching TV programmes. French remains the preferred foreign language of the older generation, but they believe it is threatened by English in Tunisia, whereas the younger generation preferred English. One main reason for these differences could be what the older generation consider to be the negative impact of globalisation on French and its positive impact on English. Interesting qualitative data were also extracted from the responses to a vox pop questionnaire submitted to 100 lay people in the street and from essays written by two groups of 25 students. These confirmed that the majority of Tunisians consider English to be the most useful foreign language in Tunisia and that it should be given more importance in academic settings due to its world status as an international lingua franca.This thesis also investigates language policy in Tunisia by analysing all relevant extracts from the speeches of Ben Ali, Tunisia’s ex-president, and interviews conducted with the three senior inspectors of the three main languages. Policy has promoted English over French in two ways: first, Arabic rather than French is now the vehicle for the teaching of the human and natural sciences in the Basic Education and, second, new measures in favour of English have simultaneously been taken in and outside academia. To conclude, the findings of this study contribute to knowledge in three ways: Firstly, by identifying differences in domains of language use and attitudes between generations in contemporary Tunisia, secondly, by scrutinizing the way students, teachers and lay people feel about French and English, the two main rival foreign languages in the country and, thirdly, by exploring the political discourse which influences the language situation both directly, through language policy, and indirectly, through hearts and minds

Globalisation and language policy in Tunisia : shifts in domains of use and linguistic attitudes

This thesis builds on previous studies on the linguistic situation, attitudes and domains of language use in the Maghreb countries undertaken by Marley (2000, 2004, 2005, 2008) in Morocco, Benrabah (2007a, 2007b), in Algeria, and by Jabeur (1999) Daoud (2001, 2011a, 2011b) and Bahloul (2001) in Tunisia. It explores the shifts in the domains of language use, the differences in linguistic attitudes between generations in Tunisia and the role played by globalisation in this process. In order to investigate the ways in which domains of use and attitudes to English and French are shifting, a questionnaire was administered to a group of 100 teachers aged 40 to 60 and a group of 200 students aged 17 to 19. SPSS data analyses showed some statistically significant differences between the two groups. With respect to domains of use, the younger group uses significantly more English as a lingua franca, in chatting online, reading for pleasure, watching TV programmes and listening to songs. Teachers, by contrast, use significantly more French in activities such as reading and watching TV programmes. French remains the preferred foreign language of the older generation, but they believe it is threatened by English in Tunisia, whereas the younger generation preferred English. One main reason for these differences could be what the older generation consider to be the negative impact of globalisation on French and its positive impact on English. Interesting qualitative data were also extracted from the responses to a vox pop questionnaire submitted to 100 lay people in the street and from essays written by two groups of 25 students. These confirmed that the majority of Tunisians consider English to be the most useful foreign language in Tunisia and that it should be given more importance in academic settings due to its world status as an international lingua franca. This thesis also investigates language policy in Tunisia by analysing all relevant extracts from the speeches of Ben Ali, Tunisia’s ex-president, and interviews conducted with the three senior inspectors of the three main languages. Policy has promoted English over French in two ways: first, Arabic rather than French is now the vehicle for the teaching of the human and natural sciences in the Basic Education and, second, new measures in favour of English have simultaneously been taken in and outside academia. To conclude, the findings of this study contribute to knowledge in three ways: Firstly, by identifying differences in domains of language use and attitudes between generations in contemporary Tunisia, secondly, by scrutinizing the way students, teachers and lay people feel about French and English, the two main rival foreign languages in the country and, thirdly, by exploring the political discourse which influences the language situation both directly, through language policy, and indirectly, through hearts and minds.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Modélisation et simulation thermique des circuits intégrés tridimensionnels

Depuis leur apparition, les circuits intégrés connaissent une évolution exponentielle dans de nombreux axes. Les circuits intégrés tridimensionnels (3D) gagnent de l'intérêt sur le marché en raison d’une multitude d’avantages comme une taille réduite, un grand nombre de fonctionnalités, une faible consommation d'énergie et une bande passante élevée. Mais en raison de leur architecture tridimensionnelle basée sur une superposition de couches multiples dans une dimension compacte, ces circuits présentent de nouveaux défis en termes de contrôle de température. Le recours à la simulation thermique est incontournable pour permettre de prédire la température et aider le concepteur de ce type de circuit à évaluer de multiples alternatives avant la phase de fabrication. Une simulation efficace doit être précise, facile à réaliser, générique et doit prendre en compte l’aspect évolutif des circuits. Les simulateurs thermiques actuels sont couteux, gourmands en mémoire et peinent à modéliser les futurs circuits intégrés et à suivre leur évolution. Ce mémoire introduit ICTherm : un outil de simulation thermique précis, générique, code ouvert et facile à utiliser. ICTherm est basé sur un ensemble de solveurs numériques et de méthodes d'optimisation assurant une simulation efficace pour les états permanents et transitoires. Une implémentation flexible de l'approche proposée assure la portabilité du code et la facilité de la mise à jour de l'outil. Une interface utilisateur ergonomique est proposée pour permettre une représentation simple des données à saisir ainsi qu’un module de sortie graphique facilitant l'interprétation des résultats pour les utilisateurs. Un ensemble de modules et d'options est proposé pour assurer la modélisation de tout type de circuit intégré tridimensionnel. Nous avons validé l’outil ICTherm proposé à travers divers problèmes thermiques représentatifs. La précision des résultats est semblable à celle des outils commerciaux comme Comsol et nos résultats montrent la capacité de l'outil à modéliser et à simuler de futurs circuits avec de nouvelles contraintes comme les circuits optiques.----------ABSTRACT : Since their appearance, the integrated circuit experiencing an exponential evolution in many axis. The three-dimensional integrated circuits are a class of those new ICs that gain more and more interest in many market fields due to their considerable benefits as small size, big number of functionalities, low power consumption and high bandwidth. Because of this 3D architecture based on a superposition of multiple layers in a compact dimension, the 3D ICs carries new challenges in terms of design complexity, devices testing and effective temperature control. Making an efficient design of such devices require multi-discipline skills in electrical, mechanical and thermodynamic fields which constitute a big challenge for the designers. Therefore new, efficient thermal modelling and simulation solutions are required. Thermal modelling and simulation of an integrated circuit aims to reproduce its thermal behaviour in order to predict its components temperature. An efficient heat transfer simulation of the circuit allows to predict the heat and help the designer to evaluate multiple alternatives while the layout and power output of the device are still subject to modifications. This work present ICTherm: an efficient, accurate, generic, open source and easy to use thermal simulation tool. ICTherm is based on a set of numerical solvers and optimization methods ensuring an efficient simulation for both steady and transient states. Flexible software implementation of the proposed approach is offered ensuring the code portability and the ease upgrade of the tool. An ergonomic user interface is proposed as a representation of the needed inputs; like circuit architecture, geometries, simulation parameters; and the thermal schema output to facilitate the use of the simulation tool and results interpretation for users. A set of modules and options are proposed to increase the ability to model any type of three-dimensional integrated circuits. We evaluated the tool on a various representative thermal problems. The accuracy of the results is similar to commercial state of art tools like Comsol and our results show up the capacity of the tool to model and simulate future circuits with new constraints like optical circuits

Globalisation and language policy in Tunisia : shifts in domains of use and linguistic attitudes

This thesis builds on previous studies on the linguistic situation, attitudes and domains of language use in the Maghreb countries undertaken by Marley (2000, 2004, 2005, 2008) in Morocco, Benrabah (2007a, 2007b), in Algeria, and by Jabeur (1999) Daoud (2001, 2011a, 2011b) and Bahloul (2001) in Tunisia. It explores the shifts in the domains of language use, the differences in linguistic attitudes between generations in Tunisia and the role played by globalisation in this process. In order to investigate the ways in which domains of use and attitudes to English and French are shifting, a questionnaire was administered to a group of 100 teachers aged 40 to 60 and a group of 200 students aged 17 to 19. SPSS data analyses showed some statistically significant differences between the two groups. With respect to domains of use, the younger group uses significantly more English as a lingua franca, in chatting online, reading for pleasure, watching TV programmes and listening to songs. Teachers, by contrast, use significantly more French in activities such as reading and watching TV programmes. French remains the preferred foreign language of the older generation, but they believe it is threatened by English in Tunisia, whereas the younger generation preferred English. One main reason for these differences could be what the older generation consider to be the negative impact of globalisation on French and its positive impact on English. Interesting qualitative data were also extracted from the responses to a vox pop questionnaire submitted to 100 lay people in the street and from essays written by two groups of 25 students. These confirmed that the majority of Tunisians consider English to be the most useful foreign language in Tunisia and that it should be given more importance in academic settings due to its world status as an international lingua franca. This thesis also investigates language policy in Tunisia by analysing all relevant extracts from the speeches of Ben Ali, Tunisia’s ex-president, and interviews conducted with the three senior inspectors of the three main languages. Policy has promoted English over French in two ways: first, Arabic rather than French is now the vehicle for the teaching of the human and natural sciences in the Basic Education and, second, new measures in favour of English have simultaneously been taken in and outside academia. To conclude, the findings of this study contribute to knowledge in three ways: Firstly, by identifying differences in domains of language use and attitudes between generations in contemporary Tunisia, secondly, by scrutinizing the way students, teachers and lay people feel about French and English, the two main rival foreign languages in the country and, thirdly, by exploring the political discourse which influences the language situation both directly, through language policy, and indirectly, through hearts and minds.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Le rôle de l’audit externe dans la transparence de la communication financière. Une revue de littérature

La multiplication des scandales financiers à l’échelle mondiale invoque l’utilité et la pertinence de l’information financière publiée. Ce qui a mené à donner une grande importance au rôle joué par l’auditeur externe dans la qualité de l’information financière. En effet, l’information financière dépend de la responsabilité du contrôle des auditeurs externes qui ont pour mission d’attester que les comptes sont réguliers, sincères et reflètent une image fidèle des résultats des sociétés, dont le but principal, est d’instaurer la confiance vis-à-vis des investisseurs et d’obtenir des financements importants. Le présent travail, cherche à examiner la relation entre certains attributs de l’audit externe pour une communication financière de qualité, et ce à travers une revue de littérature