Dissertations / Theses on the topic '952'

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The katharsis concept exposed in Plato s Fédon was absorbed and incorporated to Epictetus desire exercise. As katharsis was moved from its place of origin to Epictetus s spiritual exercise, it suffered transformations to adapt to the zenonian rule of life conduct. Epictetus strongly believes that to live in conformity with nature one needs to put a lot of effort towards the separation of body and soul. So that, to him, only the men who possesses freedom acquires, at the same time, the ability to accept life as it is, becoming capacitated to receive with complete indifference whatever may destiny bring. To Epictetus the abolition of all soul s enslavement starts with the separation of ours and someone else s and completes itself with the comprehension that someone else s is nothing to us
A noção de katharsis exposta no Fédon de Platão foi absorvida e incorporada à ascese do desejo epictetiana. A katharsis ao ser deslocada de seu lugar de origem para o exercício espiritual epictetiano sofreu transformações para adaptar-se à regra de conduta zenoniana de viver. Epicteto acredita piamente que para se viver em conformidade com a natureza não há como prescindir do esforço de separação da alma do corpo. De modo que, para ele, somente o homem que se apodera da liberdade adquire concomitantemente a habilidade de aceitar a vida como é, capacitando-se a receber com total indiferença seja o que for que o destino traga. Para Epicteto a abolição de todas as escravaturas da alma começa na separação do nosso do alheio e se completa com a compreensão de que o alheio não é nada para nós

A tese visa a uma descrição das partículas gregas ἀλλἀ, ἀτἀρ, μέντοι e καίτοι em Eurípides. De viés funcionalista, tal estudo busca entender os usos de cada partícula na macroestrutura do discurso, suas funções e contextos, e sobretudo o modo como essas partículas articulam e organizam a estrutura do discurso. Para tanto, o estudo realiza análises qualitativas de todas as ocorrências das referidas partículas no corpus e as compara a descrições anteriores. Dois parâmetros principais de análise são empregados: a posição que cada partícula ocupa na estrutura do discurso e o tipo de contraste que ela designa. Como principais referências, consideram-se: o trabalho pioneiro de J. D. Denniston (Greek Particles) e a Gramática Discursivo-Funcional de Hengeveld & Mackenzie.
This dissertation aims to describe the usage of the Greek particles ἀλλἀ, ἀτἀρ, μέντοι and καίτοι in Euripides. Adopting a functionalist perspective, it explores: the uses of each particle within the discourse macrostructure; their functions and their contexts of occurrence; and the way they help to articulate and organize discourse structure. In keeping with this goal, this study performs qualitative analyses of all occurrences of the aforementioned particles in the selected corpus and compares them with earlier descriptions. Two main parameters of analysis are employed: the position that each particle takes in the discourse structure, and the type of contrast that it designates. The main references for this dissertation are the groundbreaking work of J.D. Denniston (Greek Particles) and the Functional Discourse Grammar developed by Hengeveld & Mackenzie.

Este trabalho descreve o projeto, construção e a caracterização de um difratômetro θ-θ de raios X para o estudo de materiais líquidos e policristalinos. A novidade do projeto está no mecanismo que produz as rotações da fonte e do detetor, baseadas no princípio que duas polias concêntricas, com o mesmo diâmetro e ligadas a cintas girarão igualmente quando estas cintas forem puxadas com a mesma força. Com o projeto proposto foi obtida boa reprodutibilidade (۪.002°) e baixa histerese (۪.02°) empregando uma mecânica de baixa pressão. O incremento angular mínimo de 0.0005° é conseguido por um motor de passo que translaciona um carro que, por sua vez, puxa as cintas. O difratômetro foi caracterizado usando a radiação CuKα com uma fonte de laboratório convencional de raios X, com e sem um monocromador curvo de silício. Alguns exemplos de difratogramas de amostras policristalinas e líquidas, obtidas com o equipamento, são também apresentadas
This work describes the design, construction and characterization of a θ-θ X-ray diffractometer for the study of liquid and polycrystalline materials. The novelty of the design is in the mechanism that produces the source and detector rotations, based on the principle that two concentric pulleys with the same diameter and attached to belts will equally rotate when these belts are pulled by the same amount. With the proposed design very good reproductibility ((۪.002°) and low hysteresis (۪.02°) is achieved with low precision mechanics. The minimum angular incremento f 0.0005° is performed by a step motor that drives a translation carriage which, in its turn, pulls the belts. The diffractometer was characterized, using CuKα radiation from a conventional laboratory X-ray source, with and without a curved silicon monochromator. Some examples of diffractograms from powder and liquid samples, obtained with the equipment, are also presented

O que é e como é a σωφροσύνη (ό τι ἐστι καὶ ὁποȋόν τι ἡ σωφροσύνη)? Esta é a questão que Sócrates propõe a seus interlocutores, Carmides e Critias, examinarem juntos no diálogo de juventude de Platão, o Carmides, diálogo tentativo ou de exame (πϵιραστικός). Σωφροσύνη é fazer todas as coisas ordenada e calmamente (τò κοσμίως πάυτα πράττϵιν καὶ ἡσυxῇ)? É um sentimento como pudor ou reserva (άἰδως)? É cuidar de suas próprias coisas (τὸ τὰ αὑτοῡ πράττϵιν)? Σωφροσύνη seria fazer coisas boas (τῶν ἀγαθῶν πρᾱξιν)? Ou, ainda, conhecer-se a si mesmo (τὸ γιγνώσκϵιν ἑαυτόν)? Seria ciência das outras ciências e ciência de si mesma (ἐπιστημῶυ ἐπιστήμη ἐστὶ καὶ αὐτὴ ἑαυτῆς)? Ou seria, finalmente, o conhecimento do bem e do mal (τὸ ἀγαθόν καὶ τὸ κακόν)? Como em outros propriamente chamados diálogos socráticos de Platão (no Laques é a coragem, no Eutífron é a piedade) nos quais se examina se uma virtude particular é conhecimento, no Carmides trata-se de examinar se a σωφροσύνη é conhecimento. Se é, é conhecimento de quê? E qual é, para nós, o benefício desta virtude, concebida como conhecimento? Estas são algumas das questões examinadas por Sócrates neste diálogo. Este trabalho pretende acompanhar passo a passo esta que é a primeira investigação (ἐξέτασις) socrática acerca da σωφροσύνη nos diálogos de Platão. Ou, dito de outro modo, este trabalho pretende acompanhar o passo a passo do filosofar socrático no diálogo Carmides.
What is it and how is σωφροσύνη (ό τι ἐστι καὶ ὁποȋόν τι ἡ σωφροσύνη)? This is the question that Socrates proposes to his interlocutors, Critias and Charmides, examine together in the dialogue of youth of Plato, the Charmides, tentative dialogue or examination (πϵιραστικός). Σωφροσύνη is make all things orderly and quietly (τò κοσμίως πάυτα πράττϵιν καὶ ἡσυxῇ)? Its a feeling like modesty or reserve (άἰδως)? You take care of your own things (τὸ τὰ αὑτοῡ πράττϵιν)? Σωφροσύνη would do good things (τῶν ἀγαθῶν πρᾱξιν)? Or even know himself (τὸ γιγνώσκϵιν ἑαυτόν)? Would be science of other sciences and science of herself (ἐπιστημῶυ ἐπιστήμη ἐστὶ καὶ αὐτὴ ἑαυτῆς)? Or would it be finally the knowledge of good and evil (τὸ ἀγαθόν καὶ τὸ κακόν)? Like in others properly called Socratic dialogues of Plato (in the Laches is the courage, in the Euthyphro is the piety) in which examines whether a particular virtue is knowledge, in the Charmides it is examining whether σωφροσύνη is knowledge. If it is, is knowledge of what? And what is, for us, the benefit of this virtue, conceived as knowledge? These are some of the issues examined by Socrates in this dialogue. This work intends to follow step by step this is that the first Socratic investigation (ἐξέτασις) about σωφροσύνη in the dialogues of Plato. Or, put another way, this work intends to follow step by step the Socratic philosophy in dialogue Charmides.

In vivo expression technology (IVET) is a promoter-trap strategy deigned to identify genes whose expression in induced in a specific environment, typically that encountered in a host. Signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) uses comparative hybridisation to isolate mutants unable to survive specified environmental conditions and has been used to identify genes critical for survival in the host. Both methods have been used to identify virulence genes in S. aureus. The main aim of this project was to find any probable new genes of S. aureus that are essential for biofilm formation and infection mouse model by STM. A library of tagged insertion mutants of S. aureus and a series of selected tags in plasmids of S. aureus strain RN6390 were used. Most of the experiments with both the library and selected tags had problems with cross-hybridisation. All the selected tags were therefore sequenced and 33 tags with less than 50% identity were chosen for future experiments. A library of 825 mutants was made with the 33 selected tags. The mutants were arrayed in 25 pools of 33 mutants. Different tests were done to determine that the new library was reliable for a cross-hybridisation free screening. The library was then used in an infection model in mouse and biofilm formation. A total of 12 mutants with significantly reduced signals were sequenced. 7 out of 12 attenuated mutants showed homology to different genes in S. aureus and other bacteria. Tetrahydrodipicolinate succinylase homolog, opp-2F, acetoin utilization AcuC protein, phosphate ABC transporter, dapD, branched-chain-amino-acid transporter, pepF, and flaR genes were identified. This work was the first STM screening in a biofilm system, and the dapD gene was identified in a biofilm for the first time. 2 out of 12 genes had also been identified in previous STM screens. 5 out of 12 attenuated mutants showed homology to some hypothetical proteins. A hypothetical protein of the same locus was identified in two mutants.

This thesis examines the ways in which homosexual clergy transcend the hypocrisy identified by the study as inherent within the Church of England's approach to them. It explores ways in which the homosexual respondents employ strategies to negotiate cognitive dissonance caused by the Church's stigmatisation of their lifestyle. It concludes by exploring reasons, hitherto largely unidentified, that explain why homosexual clergy choose to remain within the homonegative Church, presenting the Transcendent Vocation as their overarching motivation. This term, coined by the thesis, represents a conviction of God's calling felt so strongly by the homosexual respondents that they were determined to remain within the institution regardless of its treatment of them. Since the decriminalisation of homosexual acts in 1967 and despite subsequent secular liberalisation,' the Church of England has continued to maintain its traditional homonegative teaching. Successive reports have' . expressed the Church's desire to listen to the experiences of homosexuals. Focussing on the lived experiences of twelve heterogeneous homosexual clergymen, this thesis makes an important contribution to the 'listening process' as it explores how attitudes to homosexuality· shown to have developed during the period 1967-2007 have affected them. It provides evidence that homosexual clergymen are victims of hypocrisy on the part of the Church of England, and identifies reasons why they choose to tolerate this situation." Through analysis of interview data, not only from homosexual clergy but also from ten retired heterosexual clergymen whose ministries spanned the forty-year period, the thesis examines how, as secular attitudes became progressively more liberal and legal reforms outlawed discrimination, the Church made increasing use of hypocrisy in its approach to homosexual clergy. It is shown how the Church hypocritically manages to continue to use the services of practising homosexual clergy while officially forbidding them to exist, and that remarkably such clergy accept this state of affairs because of their Transcendent Vocation.

Peasants, workers, worker-peasants, nomenklatura and the state in northern Poland’s ‘Recovered Territories’ have employed a strategy they call ‘kombinacja’ to survive economic transitions into and out of socialism from 1945 to the present. Kombinacja is the process of manipulating space and legal, political, or cultural rules in order to appropriate a resource—food, commodities, labour, information, power—and then combine them into an ersatz product to meet an economic, cultural, or political end. No person, class, institution, or economy ‘owns’ kombinacja. The ‘who’ and ‘what’ are relational. The ‘when’ and ‘where’ are contextual. Yet, it is not ubiquitous; every kombinacja is a form of speech that charts a terrain of economic and political trajectories intended to shift the balance of power at a given point in time. This multi-sited historical ethnography tracks how these ‘arts of combination’ have pirouetted across agrarian and industrial, formal and informal, socialist and capitalist boundaries in the agro-industrial commune of Dobra. The arts of combination were forged through the exploitation of workers in Poland’s industrialising cities during the 19th century, across its popularisation as a survival strategy during Nazi-occupation, and towards its reformulation into an economic stabiliser for both villagers and the state during the ‘socialist’ era from 1945 to 1989. Villagers used kombinacja to access or hide resources from the state in the midst of broken supply chains, bureaucratic gridlock, food shortages, and complex regulations. When commune officials turned a blind eye to kombinacja to stay in power, they too drew from the arts of combination to ‘fix’ formal state problems in the commune. Kombinacja was used to subvert and accommodate the state. Reworking the state through kombinacja to ensure that no one went hungry informalised the command economy and contributed to the incremental breakdown of the local state apparatus into a feudal-like order. I then turn to nomenklatura privatisation, potato pilfering, alcohol consumption, mushroom foraging, and other practices to trace how kombinacja is being reformulated (or not) to rework post-socialism. The arts of combination call attention to practices that cut across a series of binaries - capitalist/socialist, formal/informal, state/non-state - to show how those marginalised by power seek to control the conditions of their subjection and how those in position of power seek to control the conditions of others’ subjection. Building upon J.K. Gibson-Graham’s ‘diverse economies’, the case of kombinacja shows us that informality does not always create alternatives that subjugate hegemony; rather, they can alternatively be used to crystallise a hegemonic imaginary. I suggest a much broader understanding of how informality has been a site of ingenuity and nequality, innovation and suffering, across time and space.

Machines with moving parts give rise to vibrations and consequently noise. The setting up and the status of each machine yield to a peculiar vibration signature. Therefore, a change in the vibration signature, due to a change in the machine state, can be used to detect incipient defects before they become critical. This is the goal of condition monitoring, in which the informations obtained from a machine signature are used in order to detect faults at an early stage. There are a large number of signal processing techniques that can be used in order to extract interesting information from a measured vibration signal. This study seeks to detect rotating machine defects using a range of techniques including synchronous time averaging, Hilbert transform-based demodulation, continuous wavelet transform, Wigner-Ville distribution and spectral correlation density function. The detection and the diagnostic capability of these techniques are discussed and compared on the basis of experimental results concerning gear tooth faults, i.e. fatigue crack at the tooth root and tooth spalls of different sizes, as well as assembly faults in diesel engine. Moreover, the sensitivity to fault severity is assessed by the application of these signal processing techniques to gear tooth faults of different sizes.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico
Neste trabalho consideraremos hipersuperfÃcies n-dimensionais com curvaturas escalar constante na esfera unitÃria S^(n+1). Caracterizaremos as hipersuperfÃcies dadas por produtos de esferas, cuja dimensÃo à n, na esfera unitÃria S^(n+1) e mostraremos que existe vÃrias hipersuperfÃcies compactas com curvaturas escalar constante na esfera unitÃria S^(n+1) que nÃo sÃo congruentes entre si. Em particular, provaremos que se M à uma hipersuperfÃcie n-dimensional (n>3) completa, localmente conformemente plana com curvatura escalar constante n(n-1)r na esfera unitÃria S^(n+1), entÃo r à maior do que um valor prÃ-estabelecido e sÃo provados dois resultados, um envolvendo isometrias e o outro de existÃncia, quando r e S satisfazem determinadas condiÃÃes, onde S à o quadrado da norma se segunda forma fundamental de M.
In this paper we consider n-dimensional hypersurfaces with constant scalar curvature in the unit sphere S ^ (n +1). Characterize the hypersurfaces given by products of spheres whose size is n, the unit sphere S ^ (n +1) and show that there is more compact hypersurfaces with constant scalar curvature in the unit sphere S ^ (n +1) that are not congruent itself. In particular, prove that M is an n-dimensional hypersurface (n> 3) complete with buckle locally flat accordingly constant scalar n (n-1) on the unit sphere S r ^ (n +1) is greater than r a pre-established and two results are proven value, and the other one involving isometries of existence, when are S satisfy certain conditions, where S is the square of the standard is second fundamental form of M.

This thesis fills a gap in the literature on the state-business relations in Japan by examining the relationships between the state and the cultural industries (anime, manga, and video games), a topic that is under-investigated. The concept of the developmental state is used to analyze the Cool Japan policy that the government implements to promote the expansion abroad of the Japanese cultural industries, and to study the reactions of anime studios, manga publishers and video games companies to this policy. Cool Japan testifies that developmentalism is still alive in Japan. Neoliberalism and the globalization process have not caused the demise of the Japanese developmental state, illustrating its adaptation to a new context. The government still assumes that it has a role to play in order to ensure the competitiveness of the domestic economy by conducting industrial policies such as Cool Japan. The Japanese authorities have institutional links with the sectors covered in this research, in particular with their business associations, and a relative degree of autonomy. These are characteristics of a developmental state. This doctoral dissertation offers evidence that Cool Japan is another case of the sectionalism of the Japanese bureaucracy. A very large number of state actors is involved in this policy, thereby raising the issue of the collaboration between them. The main gap identified is about the timing of the Cool Japan policy. Indeed the anime, manga and video games industries started the exports of their products before the implementation of this policy. Before the 2000s, the government ignored them because bureaucrats deemed that they were not profitable and unworthy of their interest. These sectors reject state intervention in their products if they receive a financial assistance.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
Our thesisaims to investigate the Epicurus concept of eακαριjτης, blessedness, as belonged between gods and men, who despite the divine asribute is fact, it is unclear as human asribute. If gods and men have the same asribute we can pass from the fact to the knowledge about gods, founding a theology, since it is supported by elements of the Epicurus doctrine. First of all, we proceed searching the nature of the asribute to the asribution mode, or the possibility to pass from men to gods knowledge, by a the ology taken against filed Epicurean atheism
Nossa tese tem o intuito de investigar a noção de eακαριjτης, beatitude, em Epicuro, como atributo partilhado entre deuses e homens,que apesar de ser fato como atributo divino, é obscuro como atributo humano. Supomos que se deuses e homens partilham de um mesmo atributo é possível passar do fato ao conhecimento, firmando uma Teologia, desde que isso seja corroborado pelos elementos da doutrina de Epicuro. Procedemos, assim, investigando qual a natureza do atributo para passarmos ao modo de atribuição, ou a possibilidade da passagem do conhecimento dos homens aos deuses, por meio de uma Teologia assumida contra o impetrado ateísmo epicurista

La tesi és un estudi florístic, fitogeogràfic i fitosociològic d'un territori de 1.300 km2, a cavall del País Valencià i del Principat de Catalunya.

En el primer dels apartats, relatiu al medi físic, es fa una repassada a l'espai físic on s'ubica el territori estudiat, els aspectes geològics, hidromorfològics i edafològics, així com els climatològics. També s'hi analitza la intervenció humana, tant des del punt de vista de l'ocupació històrica del territori com del que això ha representat per al paisatge i la vegetació dominant. Finalment, s'incidix en aquelles figures de protecció que gaudixen els espais o determinades espècies que s'hi troben.

El segon dels apartats correspon a l'estudi florístic i fitogeogràfic que inclou un catàleg. De cadascun dels tàxons, dels quals se n'ha pogut constatar directament o indirecta la seua presència al territori, s'indica les àrees i els ambients on creix i s'acompanya d'un mapa de distribució. Este mapa fa servir, com a unitats modulars, els quadrats UTM de 10 km de costat, en els que s'ha indicat la presència dels distints tàxons, així com el seu estatus de naturalitat. S'hi recullen 1.665 tàxons considerats com a plenament naturalitzats, dels que 1.549 han estat observats per l'autor; a banda, cal afegir 32 híbrids. Hi ha 191 tàxons més que no disposarien d'un estatus de plena naturalitat, però que si tenen entrada pròpia al catàleg. A més, hem considerat que les referències prèvies detectades de 120 tàxons serien insegures o errònies.

Per a l'elaboració del catàleg florístic es va disposar d'una aïna del tot fonamental, una base de dades amb uns 82.000 registres.

S'ha dut a terme una recopilació de noms populars (1.235) sobre els tàxons que s'inclouen al catàleg.

L'element corològic més representat és, de llarg, el mediterrani, que si es considera en sentit estricte inclou el 51,83% de la flora, i un 60,18% si es fa en sentit ampli. Pel que fa a l'espectre taxonòmic, el fet més remarcable és l'elevada presència de monocotiledònies (20,84%) i la menor rellevància de pteridòfits (1,20%) i gimnospermes (0,48%). En darrer terme, en l'estudi de les formes vitals el grup més representat són els teròfits (36,64%), seguit dels hemicriptòfits (29,43%).

En l'estudi de la vegetació hem reconegut comunitats pertanyents a 28 classes fitosociològiques i presentem inventaris de 189 associacions, de 178 de les quals s'han pogut confegir taules. Per un altre costat, s'esmenten 15 associacions més, la major part provinents de referències d'altri i, si són pròpies, no se'n va poder aixecar cap inventari. Per davall del nivell d'associació, a banda de les subassociacions típiques, se'n recullen 74 subassociacions més. El nombre d'inventaris recollits dins les taules és de 1.357, dels quals 335 han estat incorporats d'altres autors. Resten encara 42 inventaris propis d'associacions que no disposen de taula d'inventari, uns inventaris que apareixen en el text general de l'apartat de vegetació.

La variabilitat fitosociològica descrita fins a la data se'ns ha mostrat insuficient per tal d'abastar la complexitat existent. Això ha fet que haguem necessitat descriure noves unitats sintaxonòmiques, bàsicament associacions i subassociacions. Es proposen fins a 7 associacions, 12 subassociacions i 3 variants noves; a més de 3 combinacions nomenclaturals noves, bona part de les quals (4 associacions, 3 subassociacions, 1 variant i 1 combinació nomenclatural) fan part de l'ordre Thero-Brachypodietalia.

El paisatge vegetal, tot i que la presència de les àrees montanes interiors i del riu Ebro permeten l'establiment d'un bon grapat de comunitats eurosiberianes, apareix dominat per un conjunt de comunitats de clara vocació mediterrània o submediterrània.
The thesis is a floristic, phytogeographical and phytosociological study of a 1.300 km2 territory, between the Valencian Country and Principality of Catalonia.

The first section, relative to the physical environment, is a review about the physical space. The human intervention is also analyzed, from the point of view of the historical occupation of the territory.

The second section corresponds to the floristic and phytogeographical study and includes a taxa catalog, were every taxon is accompanied by a map of distribution. For the elaboration of the floristic catalog was used a data base with aproximately 82.000 records.

1.665 taxa are picked up as fully naturalized, of that 1.549 have been observed by the author. There are 191 taxa more that would not have a status of full naturalness. Moreover, we have considered that the previous references detected of 120 taxa would be insecure or erroneous.

A compilation of popular names (1.235) are included in the catalog.

The more represented chorological element is, of length, the Mediterranean, strictly speaking includes 51,83% of the flora, and 60,18%, if we speak in the broad sense.

In the vegetation study we have communities belonging to 28 phytosociologicals classes, have recognized and present inventories of 189 associations, of 178 of which tables have been able to be fixed. By another side, 15 associations more are mentioned. 7 associations, 12 subassociations and 3 new variants; besides 3 new nomenclaturals combinations are described.

The number of inventories picked up in the tables is 1.357, of which 335 have been incorporated by us from other authors.

The vegetal landscape is dominated by a set of communities with a clear Mediterranean or sub-Mediterranean vocation, in spite of the presence of inner mountains areas and of the Ebro river, allows the establishment of a good bunch of Euro-Siberian community.
La presente tesis es un estudio florístico, fitogeográfico y fitosociológico de un territorio de 1.300 km2, a caballo entre el País Valencià y el Principat de Catalunya.

En el primero de los apartados, relativo al medio físico, se describe el espacio físico donde se ubica el territorio estudiado, los aspectos geológicos, hidromorfológicos y edafológicos, así como los climatológicos. También se analiza la intervención humana, tanto desde el punto de vista de la ocupación histórica del territorio como su repercusión para el paisaje y la vegetación dominante. Finalmente, se incide en aquellas figuras de protección de que disponen los espacios o determinadas especies que en él se hallan.

El segundo de los apartados se corresponde con el estudio florístico y fitogeográfico e incluye un catálogo. De cada uno de los taxones, de los cuales se ha podido constatar directa o indirectamente la presencia en el territorio, se indican las áreas y los ambientes en que crecen y se acompaña un mapa de distribución. Este mapa utiliza, como unidades modulares, las cuadrículas UTM de 10 km de lado, en las cuales se ha indicado la presencia de los distintos taxones, así como su estado de naturalidad. Se refieren 1.665 taxones considerados como plenamente naturalizados, 1.549 de los cuales han sido observados por el autor; a parte, habría que añadir 32 híbridos. Además 191 taxones más no dispondrían de un grado de plena naturalidad, aunque si tienen entrada propia en el catálogo. Así mismo, se considera que las referencias previas detectadas de 120 taxones serían inseguras o erróneas.

Para la elaboración del catálogo florístico se dispuso de un instrumento fundamental, una base de datos con aproximadamente 82.000 registros.

Se ha llevado a cabo una recopilación de nombres populares locales (1.235) sobre los taxones incluidos en el catálogo.

El elemento corológico mayormente representado es el mediterráneo que, si se considera en sentido estricto, incluye el 51,83% de la flora, mientras que si se contempla en sentido amplio llega al 60,18%. En el espectro taxonómico, el hecho más remarcable es la elevada presencia de monocotiledóneas (20,84%) y la menor relevancia de pteridófitos (1,20%) y gimnospermas (0,48%). En el estudio de las formas vitales el grupo más representado son los terófitos (36,64%), seguido de los hemicriptófitos (29,43%).

En el estudio de la vegetación se han reconocido comunidades pertenecientes a 28 clases fitosociológicas y se presentan inventarios de 189 asociaciones, de las cuales se han elaborado tablas de 178. Por otro lado, se mentan 15 asociaciones más, la mayor parte proceden de referencias ajenas y, si son propias, de éstas no se pudo levantar ningún inventario. Por debajo del nivel de asociación, a parte de las subasociaciones típicas, se indican 74 subasociaciones más. El número de inventarios incluidos en las tablas es de 1.357, de los cuales 335 han sido incorporados de otros autores. Quedan todavía 42 inventarios propios de asociaciones que no disponen de tabla de inventario y que aparecen en el texto general del apartado de vegetación.

La variabilidad fitosociológica descrita hasta la fecha se nos mostró insuficiente para reflejar la complejidad existente. Esto hizo necesario describir nuevas unidades sintaxonómicas, básicamente asociaciones y subasociaciones. Se proponen 7 asociaciones, 12 subasociaciones y 3 variantes nuevas; además de 3 combinaciones nomenclaturales nuevas, buena parte de las cuales (4 asociaciones, 3 subasociaciones, 1 variante y 1 combinación nomenclatural) pertenecen al orden Thero-Brachypodietalia.

El paisaje vegetal, a pesar que la presencia de las áreas montanas interiores y del río Ebro que permiten el desarrollo de un buen número de comunidades eurosiberianas, se encuentra dominado por un conjunto de comunidades de clara vocación mediterránea o submediterránea.

Powered orthotic devices can be used to restore mobility to the impaired user, and may thereby assist them in daily living tasks. An investigation is performed herein to examine the feasibility of a powered lower-limb orthotic in assisting the sit-to-stand task by 50% of the required torque. Feasibility is considered via simulation. A three-link sit-to-stand model, which is driven by kinematic data, is developed. Models of a Pneumatic Muscle Actuator and a DC motor are used to determine which of the two technologies can make a more appropriate contribution to the sit-to-stand task. Simulation revealed that both the Pneumatic Muscle Actuator and the DC motor are reasonable actuator choices, and neither limited the ability to achieve 50% torque assistance. The ability to assist the task was, however, limited by the ability to derive a control signal for the actuator from the user-orthotic interface. It was concluded that the user-orthotic interface requires further investigation. It was also found that while both actuator technologies are suitable for contributing 50% of the required torque, the Pneumatic Muscle Actuator is preferable due to its ability to scale to greater torques.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is a valuable source of edible food and organic nitrogen. Soybean cultivar development and cultural practices have been directed toward seed production rather than forage or green manure production. Recent environmental concerns have resulted in renewed interest in the use of organic matter in agriculture. The objective of the present investigation was to determine the effects of cultivar maturity differences and planting dates on biomass production of soybean. The research was conducted on the Western Kentucky University Farm in 1993. The experimental design was a split-split-plot with four replications. The three planting dates (June 2, June 16, and July 6) were main-plots, the three harvest dates were split-plots, and the five cultivars were split-split-plots. The cultivars and their maturity groupings and areas of adaptation are as follows: 'McCall' (00, Minnesota), 'A2506' (II, Iowa), 'FFR561' (V, Kentucky), 'Perrin' (VIII, South Carolina), and 'Laredo1 (undesignated maturity, forage cultivar). Each experimental unit was 45 m2. Seeds were inoculated and broadcast at the rate of 175 kg ha-1 and covered by disking. Average biomass production (oven dry basis) decreased progressively (2918, 2450, and 2088 kg ha-1) for the later planting dates. For the June 2 and June 16 planting dates, biomass yields increased for successive harvest dates; however, for the July 6 planting date, biomass yields did not differ for harvests 2 and 3. When cultivars were compared at the early bloom stage, later maturing cultivars produced more biomass. Laredo was consistently among the highest producers. There were significant interactions involving planting dates, harvest dates, and cultivars. Soybean stands and yields were reduced by inadequate seed covering, by insufficient soil moisture, especially the second planting, and by competition from johnsongrass and pigweed. However, these results indicate that soybean is a good source of green manure during the summer.

Given the predicted increase in the number of family businesses owned and/or managed by siblings (Sibling Partnerships), as well as the lack of understanding and research attention given to such sibling teams, the purpose of this study was to contribute to the more effective functioning of such family businesses in South Africa by identifying the factors that impact on their success. With this purpose in mind, the primary objective was to identify, investigate and empirically test the possible influences of, and relationships between, various factors and the Perceived success of Sibling Partnerships. This study sets out to integrate prior findings and theories on team effectiveness and family relationships, to find support for these theories in the family business literature, and to incorporate these findings into a comprehensive model. The literature study revealed 5 main categories (context, composition, structure, processes, and people) of constructs influencing the Perceived success of sibling teams. Within these 5 main constructs, 13 underlying independent variables were identified and hypothesised to influence measures of effectiveness of sibling teams, namely the dependent variable Perceived success, and the 2 intermediate variables Financial performance and Family harmony. Of the 13 underlying independent variables, 6 were categorised as task-based and 7 as relational-based factors. In addition, hypotheses were formulated for possible relationships between the various task-based constructs (context, composition and structure) and the processes and people constructs. Each construct was clearly defined and then operationalised. Operationalisation was done by using reliable and valid items sourced from tested measuring instruments used in previous studies, as well as several self-generated items based on secondary sources. A structured questionnaire was made available to respondents identified by means of the convenience snowball sampling technique, and the data collected from 371 usable questionnaires was subjected to various statistical analyses. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted, and Cronbach-alpha coefficients were calculated to confirm the validity and reliability of the measuring instrument. The 6 task-based latent variables were confirmed by the exploratory factor analysis. However, all the other latent variables, as originally intended in the theoretical model, could not be confirmed. Instead, 3 dependent variables were identified, namely Financial performance, Growth performance and Satisfaction with work and family relationships, and 6 relational-based constructs, with some changes, did emerge. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was the main statistical procedure used to test the significance of the relationships hypothesised between the various independent and dependent variables. Because of sample size restrictions the conceptual model could not be subjected to SEM as a whole; consequently 10 submodels were identified and subjected to further analysis. The following independent variables were identified as influencing the dependent variables in this study: • Internal context • Complementary skills • Leadership • Shared dream • Fairness • Sibling relationship • Non-family members • No other family members (spouses and non-active siblings) In addition, the factors Complementary skills, Leadership, Past parent involvement, No present parent involvement, and No other family members, were identified as significantly influencing the relationship between the siblings involved in the Sibling Partnership. Furthermore, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Multiple Linear Regression analysis and t-tests were undertaken to determine the influence of demographic variables on the dependent variables. How ownership is shared in a family business involving siblings, the shareholding between the siblings themselves, and the nature of leadership between the siblings, has been found to influence the iv dependent variables in the present study. In addition, a Sibling Partnership is likely to perform most effectively when it is composed of a relatively young sibling team that has a small age gap between the members, and business performance will improve as the siblings gain work experience together, and as the number of employees increase. This study has added to the empirical body of family business research by investigating a particularly limited segment of the literature, namely Sibling Partnerships in family businesses. By identifying and developing various models that outline the most significant factors that influence the success of such family business partnerships, this study offers recommendations and suggestions for managing family businesses involving siblings, in such a way as to enrich their family relationships and to improve the financial performance of their businesses.

Necroptosis, a type of regulated necrotic cell death, involves cell membrane permeabilization and has been implicated in various acute and chronic pro-inflammatory diseases, including ischemia-reperfusion injury and neurodegenerative diseases. By using in vitro reconstitution studies and a chemical inhibitor, the kinase activity of the serine/threonine kinase RIPK1 had been shown to regulate necroptotic signaling downstream of TNF and Toll-like receptors (TLRs). To investigate the contribution of RIPK1 kinase activity to inflammation and necroptosis in vivo, we generated kinase inactive RIPK1 knock-in mice. Utilizing fibroblasts and macrophages from these mice, we demonstrate that RIPK1 kinase activity is required for necroptotic complex formation and death induction downstream of TNFR1 and TLRs 3 and 4. We show that RIPK1 kinase inactive mice are resistant to TNF-induced shock and exhibit impaired upregulation of TNF-induced cytokines and chemokines in vitro and in vivo. By using bone marrow reconstitution experiments, we demonstrate that RIPK1 kinase activity in a non-hematopoietic lineage drives TNF-induced lethality. We establish that RIPK1 kinase activity is required for TNF-induced increases in intestinal and vascular permeability and clotting, and implicate endothelial cell necroptosis as an underlying factor contributing to TNF/zVAD-induced shock. Thus, work in this thesis reveals that RIPK1 kinase inhibitors may have promise in treating shock and sepsis.

This thesis explores a rethinking of community, one without identity. This thinking became possible and necessary because I lived in a little Aboriginal community in south central Western Australia, called Ululla. The Jackman family have made Ululla a home (a home among others, this changes over time), not as a kind of ideal place that would stabilise and centre an identity, but as a place one leaves and returns to, where family gathers and stays for awhile – a number of years or a few months – depending on other forces going on in the region and with kin. What I gained a sense of, was that the claim of another – their work – forces one’s sense of responsibility outward, towards other gatherings across time and space; an extension that does not rest, stay put, but that moves. Extensive relatedness puts a community in motion, forces a thought of community without notions of bounded identity. A community at ‘loose ends’ perhaps, where differences, discontinuities and multiplicity do not become One (Miami Theory Collective 1991). Anthropologists have noted that what Aboriginal people emphasise is regional relatedness and extensive social ties rather than exclusive or restricted groupings (Myers 1986). There is no centring as such, rather relations are pivotal, turning one towards another without rest. As a result, and drawing broadly from Jean-Luc Nancy’s work on community, I think of community as movement and imperative – an outward extension – rather than a retreat or consolidation – an inward concentration. Here, community is not to be controlled or managed or unified (centred, bound-as-one ) but something to go with, to feel happening as an imperative or inclination; a kind of event where one gets ready to respond to the call of others from elsewhere. Following Nancy, I think of community as something that is happening – an event, a call, an inclination – rather than an object of description (Nancy 1990). My thesis draws upon a critique of anthropology and a use of Nancy’s philosophy (Levinas and Lyotard are also important at times) to say something about Ululla. The problem with anthropology, as I argue here, is that it works to secure the identity of a people through uncovering an underlying unity that is supposed to order and sustain the group (Norris 2000); the anthropologist works to centre an identity in order to speak of the group itself. I imagine a different possibility here, one that would reflect Aboriginal social practices of community. The thesis is structured in a non-linear way and is organised around ‘gatherings’ ‘breakaways’ ‘articulations’ and ‘spacings/rhythms’. This organisation means that the form and shape of the community, it’s rhythm if you like, is reflected in the structure of writing itself. Events happen, one is taken away, breakaways and gatherings take place across space.

As a culturally distinctive region, Asia was chosen as the sample for this study. This empirical study investigated what the major trends of democratisation were in Asia between 1981 and 2005: why some countries became democratic while other countries failed to follow suit during that period. The main research hypothesis was: “That is it was mainly economic development that drove democratisation in Asia between 1981 and 2005”. Although some studies have studied the impact of economic development on democratisation in Asia, their findings have been inconclusive and focuses sometimes different. [To investigate the research hypothesis, 24 Asian countries were selected…measurement tools used etc…] For this research work, statistical and case study methods were applied. The data used in the analyses were collected from established data sources e.g. Freedom House (Freedom in the World, n.d.) and United Nations Statistics Division (UN Stat, n.d.). Repeated Measures in Linear Mixed Modeling (LMM) were used to analyse the quantitative data. Three case studies supplemented the findings of statistical analyses. Historical information and institutional and legal facts were also used in the case studies. This study found that increases in the level of economic development along with its equitable distribution in society and positive roles of political actors increase the level of democratisation in Asia. Some pro-democratic political and social institutions, such as tradition of parliamentarianism, and international organisations, for example Bretton wood institutions, also led to democratisation. A low extent of national political divide was found to result in a considerably high level of democratisation in a country where confrontation between major political forces is the main feature of politics. This study also found that a partial democracy with Asian values, economic legitimacy, a lack of corruption and a “systematic control” over opposition politicians can survive, and is not prone to higher level of democratisation. The Taiwan case revealed that, amongst other factors, the role of political actors and economic equity along with economic development is also vital for democratisation. The Singapore case explained how a “hybrid regime” in a rich country outsmarts democratisation. The study of Bangladesh provides an idea about other elements, e.g. lower level of political confrontation, that push for higher levels of democratisation.

“The Sixth Sense: Synaesthesia and British Aestheticism 1860-1900” is an interdisciplinary examination of the emergence of synaesthesia conceptually and rhetorically within the ‘art for art’s sake’ movement in mid-to-late Victorian Britain. Chapter One investigates Swinburne’s focal role as both theorist and literary spokesman for the nascent British Aesthetic movement. I argue that Swinburne was the first to practice what Pater meant by ‘aesthetic criticism’ and that synaesthesia played a decisive role in ‘Aestheticising’ critical discourse. Chapter Two examines Whistler’s varied motivations for using synaesthetic metaphor, the way that synaesthesia informed his identity as an aesthete, and the way that critical reactions to his work played a formative role in linking synaesthesia with Aestheticism in the popular imagination of Victorian England. Chapter Three explores Pater’s methods and style as an ‘aesthetic critic.’ Even more than Swinburne, Pater blurred the distinction between criticism and creation. I use ‘synaesthesia’ to contextualise Pater’s theory of “Anders-streben” and to further contribute to our understanding of his infamous musical paradigm as a linguistic ideal, which governed his own approach to critical language. Chapter Four considers Wilde’s decadent redevelopment of synaesthetic metaphor. I use ‘synaesthesia’ to locate Wilde’s style and theory of style within the context of decadence; or, to put it another way, to locate decadence within the context of Wilde. Each chapter examines the highly nuanced claim that art should exist for its own sake and the ways in which artists in the mid-to-late Victorian period attempted to realise this desire on theoretical and rhetorical levels.

Oceania is an example of a region where traditional security theory based on historical enmity and competition does not fit. A history of amity and cooperation has evolved through regionalism and the region's pre-eminent organisation, the Pacific Islands Forum (the Forum). In 2004, the Forum was tasked to develop the 'Pacific Plan' (the Plan) to facilitate closer cooperation and deeper integration. Security is one of the four pillars of the Plan. The objective of this thesis is to analyse the institutions of the Forum as facilitators of regional security cooperation. The Forum is reviewed and the idea of a logic of action is introduced. To help explain security in an environment with a history of cooperation, traditional security theory is re-defined. A security environment equation is created as a framework to help analyse the Forum's structures and security mechanisms. The Forum Regional Security Committee is examined closely resulting in suggestions to strengthen the region's security environment.

Listed development activities, which may have a substantial detrimental effect on the environment require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). One of the important elements of the EIA process is the submission of a scoping report and/or an environmental impact report (EIR) to the relevant government department and to, specialist and interested and affected parties for review, in order to determine whether the report is adequate and/or whether a greater quantity of information is required before a decision for project approval can be made. Information available in the reports to decision-makers with regard to developments with the potential of affecting wetlands can play a significant role regarding the protection and/or destruction of wetlands. The acceptance of the assessments reports after the authority review process depends, inter aha, upon the quality of the report. However, the current DEAT guideline document on EIA regulations (DEAT, 1998a) does not provide specific guidance to EIA practitioners in considering wetlands within the current EIA, nor any guidance on what a good EIA should include for projects that have the potential of impacting on wetlands, as observed with the World Bank guideline document on EIA and wetlands. Hence, this study aimed at assessing the quality of the EIA assessment reports of four projects with the potential of impacting on wetlands. The objectives of the study included the review by independent reviewers of the quality of four-selected impact reports using a checklist, analysis of the review process results and provision of recommendations to improve the quality of environmental impact reports for projects with the potential of impacting on wetlands. Based on the review results it is concluded that: -The four reports were rated as satisfactory despite some omissions and/or inadequacies observed. -The identification and evaluation of impacts, which forms the core area of the EIA, process was weakly performed. -The review method is fairly robust and consistent/reliable. The following were recommended: -The availability for and use of a quality review checklist by EIA practitioners and authorities as an additional tool to the EIA regulations (DEAT 1997), and the Integrated Environmental Management series (DEAT, 2002) can further improve the quality of the reports for projects with the potential of affecting wetlands. -The availability for and use by EIA practitioners of a wetland review checklist will assist in ensuring that all key aspects are addressed before submission to the relevant authority i.e. the report is scientifically and technically sound; the report is clearly and coherently organised and presented so that it can be understood and that it has addressed all the important issues to make a decision about the proposed development. This will further assist in fast-tracking the approval process usually delayed by the request of additional information from the applicant as a result of inadequate reports. -Regular use of the review checklist by EIA practitioners and authorities for ascertaining the quality of the environmental impact reports will contribute to a baseline of EIR quality for evaluation of Wetlands EIA practice under the new regulations due in 2005.
Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Abstract Islamic Banking, a growing banking segment related consistent with Sharia law and principles. Since its establishment in 1983, the use of Islamic Banking has grown rapidly in Malaysia as a result of the Malaysian government active effort to make “Malaysia, Asia’s Islamic finance hub.” This study investigates the impact of various regulation changes – applicable to both conventional and Islamic Banking – in Malaysia, on the volume of financing of Islamic Banks. The main way to accommodate for possible omitted variable bias was by including control variables including the production index, real effective exchange rate, price index against the return on assets, return on equity and net income margin ratio. This study was conducted using an autoregressive-distributed lag model, and an event study. Ultimately, the abnormal returns for Islamic vs. Conventional Banks – though statistically significant individually during the event studies, on average were not statistically significant. The implication is that were the sample size to be larger, we may be able to find more statistical significance, but given that the bank population in Malaysia is so small, it is hard to find a statistically significant trend.

Organic petrology and RockEval-TOC pyrolysis studies were carried out on over 600 samples of shales, siltstones, marls and coals from forty three sections in the Upper Devonian and Carboniferous strata of the northern part of the Liard Basin and adjacent areas of northern Canada between latitudes 59° 30' N and 60° 30' N and longitudes 121° 30' W and 125° W, to determine the hydrocarbon source potential, thermal maturity and thermal history. The focus of the study is on the optical characteristics and genesis of bitumens and their viability as indicators of thermal maturity. Total organic carbon (TOC) contents indicate that potential oil and gas source rocks occur in the Muskwa, Kotcho, Besa River, Exshaw, Lower Banff, Yohin, Clausen, Golata and Mattson formations; the latter includes thin algal laminites and sapropelic coals. Hydrogen versus oxygen indices indicate that the organic matter comprises Type II kerogen, except for the Golata and Mattson formations which contain mixed Type II and Type III kerogen. Petrographic analysis indicates that the organic components consist of primary and secondary liptinites of marine origin and indigenous microscopic bitumens. In addition, shales in the Golata and Mattson contain structured liptinite macerals, predominantly sporinite derived from Carboniferous mega- and microspores. ... Organic petrology and RockEval-TOC pyrolysis studies were carried out on over 600 samples of shales, siltstones, marls and coals from forty three sections in the Upper Devonian and Carboniferous strata of the northern part of the Liard Basin and adjacent areas of northern Canada between latitudes 59° 30' N and 60° 30' N and longitudes 121° 30' W and 125° W, to determine the hydrocarbon source potential, thermal maturity and thermal history. The focus of the study is on the optical characteristics and genesis of bitumens and their viability as indicators of thermal maturity. Total organic carbon (TOC) contents indicate that potential oil and gas source rocks occur in the Muskwa, Kotcho, Besa River, Exshaw, Lower Banff, Yohin, Clausen, Golata and Mattson formations; the latter includes thin algal laminites and sapropelic coals. Hydrogen versus oxygen indices indicate that the organic matter comprises Type II kerogen, except for the Golata and Mattson formations which contain mixed Type II and Type III kerogen. Petrographic analysis indicates that the organic components consist of primary and secondary liptinites of marine origin and indigenous microscopic bitumens. In addition, shales in the Golata and Mattson contain structured liptinite macerals, predominantly sporinite derived from Carboniferous mega- and microspores.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In a stable economic environment and enabling macro economy, such as Namibia, a small and medium enterprise (SME) sector is vital for the growth and sustainability of the economy. Although several studies have been conducted on SMEs, to the best of the researcher's knowledge, no single study has been conducted with regard to SME development in Namibia with emphasis on the Khomas region. The aim of this study was to explore the progress made, during the last decade in minimising constraints faced by SMEs in key developmental areas, such as access to finance, sound management, business processes, marketing and strategic alliances. In order to adequately address these key developmental areas the research sought to address the following questions: What strategies should SMEs adopt in terms of management, finance, marketing and networking in order to ensure their future viability? What is the institutional capacity from the sample of 50 SMEs in the Khomas region? What are the likely capital and recurrent cost implications with respect to traders wanting to form alliances in the Khomas region? What potential problems are likely to emanate from the SMEs' venturing into the export processing enclave? The government of Namibia, in 1997, recognised the important role SMEs can play in the country's socio-economic development. A number of policy documents were issued to give clear definitions of small businesses and to stipulate government programmes intended to ensure that conditions are favourable and enabling for SMEs' growth in Namibia. This research study explores the impact of the process of development since the passing of the Government SME Policy in 1997. Furthermore, this research looked at policy documents on SMEs, national development plans (NDPs), millennium development goals (MDGs), other developmental goals and government policies relevant to SME development in Namibia. The analysis indicates that the majority (74%) of SMEs in the Khomas region are involved in general dealing, like footstalls, detergent makers and the service industry. According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI 1997: 29), lack of finance is widely regarded as one of the major obstacles to the development of more advanced small businesses. Most of the SMEs do not have sufficient funds to venture into capital intensive programmes like manufacturing activities. As a result, general dealing becomes a better option since it does not require large sums of money to start operating or to expand current operations. Financial institutions have stringent collateral requirements; therefore access to finance is regarded as a major limiting factor for SME growth in the Khomas region. The survey also concluded that most SME owners act as sole proprietors and try to perform all business operations by themselves. They usually fail to keep financial records, due to ignorance of its importance. As a result most SMEs do not know how much money they have used or profits made. This research investigated, concluded and made recommendations on the factors that have assisted or impeded SME development in Namibia, with emphasis in the Khomas region.

In legacy software, non-functional concerns tend to cut across the system and manifest themselves as tangled or scattered code. If these crosscutting concerns could be modularized and the system refactored, then the system would become easier to understand, modify, and maintain. Modularized crosscutting concerns are known as aspects and the process of identifying aspect candidates in legacy software is called aspect mining. One of the techniques used in aspect mining is clustering and there are many clustering algorithms. Current aspect mining clustering algorithms attempt to form clusters by optimizing one objective function. However, the objective function to be optimized tends to bias the formation of clusters towards the data model implicitly defined by that function. One solution is to use algorithms that try to optimize more than one objective function. These multiobjective algorithms have been used successfully in data mining but, as far as this author knows, have not been applied to aspect mining. This study investigated the feasibility of using multiobjective evolutionary algorithms, in particular, multiobjective genetic algorithms, in aspect mining. The study utilized an existing multiobjective genetic algorithm, MOCK, which had already been tested against several popular single objective clustering algorithms. MOCK has been shown to be, on average, as good as, and sometimes better than, those algorithms. Since some of those data mining algorithms have counterparts in aspect mining, it was reasonable to assume that MOCK would perform at least as good in an aspect mining context. Since MOCK's objective functions were not directly trying to optimize aspect mining metrics, the study also implemented another multiobjective genetic algorithm, AMMOC, based on MOCK but tailored to optimize those metrics. The reasoning hinged on the fact that, since the goal was to determine if a clustering method resulted in optimizing these quality metrics, it made sense to attempt to optimize these functions directly instead of a posteriori. This study determined that these multiobjective algorithms performed at least as good as two popular aspect mining algorithms, k-means and hierarchical agglomerative. As a result, this study has contributed to both the theoretical body of knowledge in the field of aspect mining as well as provide a practical tool for the field.

My work concerns the divergent narratives created by fusing varied, often conflicting, textures, colors and fabrics, into a tenuous order. I intend for these otherwise clashing materials to create drama that is simultaneously enthusiastic, epic and ambiguous. While this media's formal properties re an important component of my work, the material's cultural and art-historical associations are also are critical ingredient. In this thesis, I will explore the use of the varied collage material, hierarchical compositions and contemporary influence of 19th Century Romantic themes as they relate to forming a variety of distinctly contemporary narratives in my compositions. I will investigate how my artistic point-of-view is informed by art-history, irony and the work of contemporary painters. Finally, I will discuss how my work engages a contemporary version of the Sublime.

Instagram’s photo-centric social networking model has been found to provide a source of significant social influence on users’ behaviors offline, with such effects being especially prominent amongst adolescents given their position in the midst of a critical neurological/psychological development period. This study aims to use an online self-report questionnaire measuring susceptibility to negative social comparison and likelihood to engage in prosocial behavior as well as a 2x2x2 analysis of covariance to examine the effects of viewing risky stimuli, social desirability, and age (young vs older adolescence) to determine why certain adolescents are more prone to engaging in risky behaviors (defined as smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and using cannabis) than their peers. The researcher proposes those with high susceptibility to engage in negative social comparison as well as a low likelihood to engage in prosocial behavior will be most likely to engage in risky behavior. Additionally, the researcher also predicts that older adolescents viewing risky images with high social desirability feedback will be more willing than any other group to engage in risky behavior. They will also rate the perceived risk of a subsequent risky behavior shown in a photo as less risky than any other group

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária
Este trabalho está dividido em duas partes: a primeira descreve de forma resumida as actividades de Estágio Final de Curso, desenvolvidas na área de Medicina e Cirurgia de Animais de Companhia e Exóticos, no Hospital Escolar da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, durante um período de 6 meses; a segunda consiste na Tese de Mestrado subordinada ao tema “Displasia de Anca em Canídeos”. A Displasia de Anca é uma doença ortopédica hereditária, com elevada prevalência em canídeos, especialmente em raças de porte médio e grande, como o Labrador Retriever, Pastor Alemão e Rottweiler. É a primeira causa de doença degenerativa articular, sendo uma doença progressiva e incapacitante.
ABSTRACT - This work is divided in two parts: the first concerns the activities performed on a 6 month final internship in small animal studies, at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hospital; the second consists of the Masters Degree Thesis entitled “Hip Dysplasia in Dogs”. Hip Dysplasia is a common orthopaedic disease in dogs, especially prevalent in medium to large breeds, such as Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd and Rottweiler. It is the first cause of degenerative joint disease, thus being a progressive and debilitating disease.

Introdução: O declínio de interesse dos estudantes de Medicina pela Medicina Geral e Familiar (MGF) é um problema complexo e multifactorial que ocorre a nível internacional. Como forma de descodificar um pouco esta problemática inerente à decisão de escolha dos estudantes, este estudo pretende verificar a influência do ensino da disciplina de MGF na escolha desta especialidade. Materiais e Métodos: Consistiu na aplicação de dois questionários: um de resposta aberta aos responsáveis pelo ensino da MGF das faculdades de Medicina portuguesas sobre o plano curricular dessa disciplina e outro anónimo e de auto-resposta aos estudantes do 6ª ano de Medicina do ano lectivo 2010/2011 das sete faculdades, sendo constituído por 3 partes (I- Dados sócio-demográficos, II- Escolha da especialidade, III- Ensino da MGF). Resultados: Da amostra de 367 (28,4%) respondentes de um universo de 1290 estudantes, 73,6% eram do sexo feminino. A Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (FMUP) (38,5%) e a Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade da Beira Interior (FCS-UBI) (37,7%) são as faculdades onde os estudantes mais colocam a MGF entre as opções de escolha. No 1º ano de faculdade a MGF estava entre as opções de escolha de 20,1% dos estudantes e no 6º ano, 44,2% colocava a MGF entre as opções de escolha. Numa escala de 1 a 5, as classificações médias mais altas atribuídas ao ensino em geral da MGF foram dadas na FCS-UBI (3,85) e Escola de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade do Minho (ECS-UM) (3,77), assim como nas suas componentes teórica e prática. Discussão/Conclusão: O ensino pré-graduado da MGF é diferente nas sete faculdades, tendo a FCS-UBI e ECS-UM um plano curricular mais longitudinal e com maior carga horária. Os motivos que mais influenciam na escolha da especialidade são os aspectos relacionados com as características desta especialidade, e, os relacionados com o ensino surgem seguidamente. O interesse pela MGF por parte dos estudantes aumenta ao longo do curso, o que revela que o contacto com esta disciplina durante a faculdade leva a uma sensibilização positiva por parte dos estudantes. Torna-se assim necessário actuar sobre o ensino pré-graduado, com intervenções a nível da uniformização e melhoria da organização dos planos curriculares das faculdades de Medicina portuguesas, com o objectivo de conseguir captar para a MGF melhores jovens médicos, em especial os mais vocacionados para a prática médica desta especialidade.
Introduction: The decline of interest of medical students for Family Medicine (FM) is a complex and multifactorial problem that occurs internationally. In order to decode the problematic decision regarding students’ choice, this study aims to determine the influence that MF discipline teaching has in this speciality choice. Materials and Methods: This consisted on the application of two questionnaires: one of open response to those responsible for teaching FM in the portuguese medical schools on the curriculum of this discipline, and another, anonymous and of self-response, to the students of the 6 th year of medical school in the academic year of 2010/2011 of the seven colleges, consisting of 3 parts (I-Data on socio-demographic, II- Specialty choice, III-Teaching of FM). Results: Of the sample of 367 (28,4%) respondents from a universe of 1290 students, 73,6% were female. The Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (FMUP) (38,5%) and the Faculdade Ciências da Saúde da Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI-FCS) (37,7%) are the colleges where more students put FM among their choice options. In the 1st year of medical school FM was 20,1% among the choice options for students and in the 6 th year 44,2% put FM among the choices. On a scale of 1 to 5, the highest average ratings assigned to the general education of FM were given in FCS-UBI (3,85) and Escola Ciências da Saúde da Universidade do Minho (ECS-UM) (3,77), as well as in its theoretical and practical components. Discussion/Conclusion: The pre-graduate teaching of FM is different in the seven colleges, with the FCS-UBI and ECS-UM having a more longitudinal curriculum and more workload. The reasons that most influence the speciality choice are the characteristic aspects of this speciality, and, education-related then arise. The interest in FM by students increases throughout the course, which shows that contact with this subject in college leads to a positive awareness by students. It thus becomes necessary to act on the pre-graduate education, with interventions to standardize and improve the organization of the curricula of medical schools in Portugal, in order to fully attract to FM the best young physicians, especially those more geared for the medical practice of this speciality.

La presente investigación, titulada Diagnóstico del grado de aplicación de la escritura en la lengua yine, tiene por objeto dar cuenta sobre la frecuencia con la que los yine escriben en su lengua. De igual modo, se pretendió determinar las características de la población yine que utiliza con mayor frecuencia la escritura en su lengua y en qué contextos es empleada ésta (educativo, familiar, social, etc.); además de dar a conocer el alfabeto que utilizan para escribir. Para ello, se partió de una investigación mixta (cuantitativa- cualitativa) de tipo descriptiva con un diseño no experimental, cuya metodología planteó la necesidad de recoger la información mediante técnicas como la observación, entrevistas (estructuradas y no estructuradas), así como la aplicación de cuestionarios y encuestas. Además, con el apoyo de informantes se obtuvo datos cuantitativos adecuados para el procesamiento estadístico; así como también valiosos testimonios que permiten brindar una mayor profundidad a los hallazgos. La población en estudio la conforman los habitantes de las comunidades yine del Bajo Urubamba (departamentos de Ucayali y el Cusco), y la muestra seleccionada, a través de la técnica de muestreo no probabilístico intencionado, estuvo constituida por docentes yine que laboran en dichas comunidades; además de los pobladores y autoridades de las mismas cuya lengua materna es el yine. El procedimiento del estudio implicó la realización de tres viajes a las comunidades, los dos primeros para búsqueda de información y el último para la verificación de la información ya obtenida.
Tesis

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010.).
Change has become a normal occurrence within organisations in South Africa, more so in telecommunication organisations due to the rapid technological advances. In a competitive global economy, organisations are forced to stay abreast with technological changes in order to survive. The South African telecommunication industry is no exception as global changes will ultimately result in local changes. Harker (1996: 1) maintains that “a tidal wave of change is headed towards the telecommunication industry”. He mentions that the change experienced within the telecommunications industry will transform the economic, social and political environment for nearly every person in the world. The change taking place is affected by the rapid advancement in technology and convergence of computing, communication and information. Therefore only organisations that are ready for these changes will survive. The research was conducted in a large telecommunication organisation in South Africa (Company A) with over 20 000 employees currently employed in the organisation. Company A is embarking on organisational restructuring initiatives that will involve a number of organisational change processes. Organisational change processes may cause resistance to change as feelings of fear, uncertainty, reduced levels of trust in management and an increase in employee resignations may result (Bovey & Hede, 2001: 372, Coch & French, 1948: 512-548). The purpose of this research was to determine the levels of employee commitment to Company A and employee perceptions of the planned organisational changes at Company A

An important episode of carbon sequestration, Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a (OAE-1a), characterizes the Lower Aptian worldwide, and is mostly known from deeper-water settings. The present work of two Lower Aptian deposits, Madotz (N Spain) and Curití Quarry (Colombia), is a multiproxy study that includes fossil assemblages, microfacies, X-ray diffraction bulk and clay mineralogy, elemental analyses (major, minor, trace elements), Rock-Eval pyrolysis, biomarkers, inorganic and organic carbon content, and stable carbon isotopes. The results provide baseline evidence of the local and global controlling environmental factors influencing OAE-1a in shallow-water settings. The data also improve our general understanding of the conditions under which organic-carbon-rich deposits accumulate. The sequence at Madotz includes four intervals (Unit 1; Subunits 2a, 2b and 2c) that overlap the times prior to, during and after the occurrence of OAE-1a. The Lower Unit 1(3m thick) is essentially siliciclastic, and Subunit 2a (20m) contains Urgonian carbonate facies that document abruptly changing platform conditions prior to OAE-1a. Subunit 2b (24.4 m) is a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic facies with orbitolinid-rich levels that coincides with OAE-1a δ13C stages C4-C6, and is coeval with the upper part of the Deshayesites forbesi ammonite zone. Levels with pyrite and the highest TOC values (0.4-0.97%), interpreted as accumulating under suboxic conditions, and are restricted to δ13C stages C4 and C5. The best development of the suboxic facies is at the level representing the peak of the transgression. Subunit 2c, within δ13C stage C7, shows a return of the Urgonian facies. The 23.35-m section at Curití includes a 6.3-m interval at the base of the Paja Formation dominated by organic-rich marlstones and shales lacking benthic fossils and bioturbation, with TOC values as high as 8.84%. The interval overlies a level containing reworked and phosphatized assemblages of middle Barremian to lowest Aptian ammonites. The range of values and the overall pattern of the δ13Corg (-22.05‰ to -20.47‰) in the 6.3m-interval is comparable with Lower Aptian δ13C stage C7. Thus, conditions of oxygen depletion at this site also occurred after Oceanic Anoxic Event-1a, which developed between carbon isotope stages C3 and C6. Both sites, Madotz and Curití, attest to the importance of terrigenous and nutrient fluxes in increasing OM productivity that led to episodic oxygen deficiency.

This paper considers the pastoral challenge of a diminished experience of liturgy and worship during the Covid-19 pandemic. It explores the ubiquity of the digital realm and a pervasive culture of consumerism as factors in addition to the pandemic contributing to the challenge. We then reflect on the challenge through the theological perspective of Scripture, sacramental theology, Vatican II teaching and liturgical theology before proposing a pastoral plan.

Doutoramento em Biologia
As zonas costeiras, estuarinas e lagunares são consideradas áreas muito produtivas e dotadas de grande biodiversidade sendo, por isso, consideradas de elevado valor ecológico e económico. No entanto, nas últimas décadas tem vindo a verificar-se um aumento da contaminação destes ecossistemas como resultado de diversas actividades antrópicas. As abordagens actualmente disponíveis para avaliação do impacto da poluição em ecossistemas estuarinos e lagunares apresentam diversos tipos de lacunas, pelo que é importante desenvolver metodologias mais eficazes com organismos autóctones. Neste contexto, o objectivo central desta dissertação consistiu em desenvolver e validar métodos ecologicamente relevantes para avaliação da contaminação estuarina e dos seus efeitos, utilizando o góbio-comum (Pomatoschistus microps), quer como organismo-teste quer como espécie sentinela, devido à importante função que desempenha nas cadeias tróficas de diversos estuários da costa Portuguesa. A Ria de Aveiro foi seleccionada como área de estudo principalmente pelo facto de possuir zonas com diferentes tipos de contaminação predominante e de haver conhecimento científico de base abundante e de elevada qualidade sobre este ecosistema. Na primeira fase do estudo, foram investigados os efeitos agudos de dois hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos (HAPs) (benzo[a]pireno e antraceno), de um fuel-óleo e de dois metais (cobre e mercúrio) em P. microps, utilizando ensaios laboratoriais baseados em biomarcadores e em parâmetros comportamentais, os quais foram avaliados utilizando um dispositivo expressamente desenvolvido para o efeito, designado por speed performance device (SPEDE). Como biomarcadores foram utilizados parâmetros envolvidos em funções fisiológicas determinantes para a sobrevivência e desempenho dos animais (neurotransmissão, obtenção de energia, destoxificação e defesas anti-oxidantes), nomeadamente a actividade das enzimas acetilcolinesterase, lactato desidrogenase, CYP1A1, glutationa S-transferases, glutationa reductase, glutationa peroxidase, superóxido dismutase, catalase, tendo ainda sido determinados os níveis de peroxidação lipídica como indicador de danos oxidativos. De forma global, os resultados indicaram que os agentes e a mistura testados têm a capacidade de interferir com a função neurológica, de alterar as vias utilizadas para obtenção de energia celular, induzir as defesas antioxidantes e, no caso do cobre e do mercúrio, de causarem peroxidação lipídica. Foram ainda obtidas relações concentração-resposta a nível dos parâmetros comportamentais testados, nomeadamente a capacidade de nadar contra a corrente e a distância percorrida a nadar contra o fluxo de água, sugerindo que os agentes testados podem, por exemplo, diminuir a capacidade de fuga aos predadores, as probabilidades de captura de presas e o sucesso reprodutivo. Na segunda fase, tendo sido já adaptadas técnicas para determinação de vários biomarcadores em P. microps e estudada a sua resposta a dois grupos de poluentes particularmente relevantes em ecossistemas estuarinos e lagunares (metais e HAPs), foi efectuado um estudo de monitorização utilizando P. microps como bioindicador e que incluiu diversos parâmetros ecológicos e ecotoxicológicos, nomedamente: 20 parâmetros indicativos da qualidade da água e do sedimento, concentração de 9 metais em sedimentos e no corpo de P. microps, 8 biomarcadores e 2 índices de condição na espécie seleccionada. A amostragem foi efectuada em quatro locais da Ria de Aveiro, um considerado como referência (Barra) e três com diferentes tipos predominantes de contaminação (Vagueira, Porto de Aveiro e Cais do Bico), sazonalmente, durante um ano. Os resultados obtidos permitiram uma caracterização ecotoxicológica dos locais, incluindo informação sobre a qualidade da água, concentrações de contaminantes ambientais prioritários nos sedimentos e nos tecidos de P. microps, capacidade desta espécie para bioacumular metais, efeitos exercidos pelas complexas misturas de poluentes presentes em cada uma das zonas de amostragem nesta espécie e possíveis consequências para a população. A análise multivariada permitiu analisar de forma integrada todos os resultados, proporcionando informação que não poderia ser obtida analisando os dados de forma compartimentalizada. Em conclusão, os resultados obtidos no âmbito desta dissertação indicam que P. microps possui características adequadas para ser utilizado como organismoteste em ensaios laboratoriais (e.g. abundância, fácil manutenção, permite a determinação de diferentes tipos de critérios de efeito utilizando um número relativamente reduzido de animais, entre outras) e como organismo sentinela em estudos de monitorização da poluição e da qualidade ambiental, estando portanto de acordo com estudos de menor dimensão previamente efectuados. O trabalho desenvolvido permitiu ainda adaptar a P. microps diversas técnicas bioquímicas vulgarmente utilizadas como biomarcadores em Ecotoxicologia e validá-las quer no laboratório quer em cenários reais; desenvolver um novo bioensaio, utilizando um dispositivo de teste especialmente concebido para peixes epibentónicos baseado na performance natatória de uma espécie autóctone e em biomarcadores; relacionar os efeitos a nível bioquímico com parâmetros comportamentais que ao serem afectados podem reduzir de forma drástica e diversificada (e.g. aumento da mortalidade, diminuição do sucesso reprodutivo, redução do crescimento) a contribuição individual para a população. Finalmente, foi validada uma abordagem multidisciplinar, combinando metodologias ecológicas, ecotoxicológicas e químicas que, quando considerada de forma integrada utilizando análises de estatística multivariada, fornece informação científica da maior relevância susceptível de ser utilizada como suporte a medidas de conservação e gestão em estuários e sistemas lagunares.
Coastal, estuarine and lagoon ecosystems have been considered of high ecological and economic value due to their considerable productivity and biodiversity. However, in the last decades they have been increasingly contaminated as a result of several anthropogenic activities. Since the currently available approaches present several types of limitations, it is important to develop more effective methodologies with autochthonous organisms. In this context, the central objective of this dissertation was to develop and validate ecologically relevant methodologies for the assessment of estuarine contamination and its effects, using the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps) both as test-organism and sentinel species, due to the important role that it plays in food webs of several Portuguese estuaries. The Aveiro lagoon was selected as study area mainly because sites with different types of predominant contamination may be found and a considerable amount of scientific information is available. In the first phase of the study, the acute effects of two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (benzo[a]pyrene and anthracene), a fuel-oil and two metals, copper and mercury, on P. microps were assessed, using laboratory bioassays based on biomarkers and behaviour parameters which were evaluated using a device expressly developed for the purpose thereafter designed as speed performance device (SPEDE). Parameters involved in physiological functions crucial for the survival and performance of animals (neurotransmission, energetic metabolism, detoxification and anti-oxidant defences) were used as biomarkers, namely: acetylcholinesterase, lactate dehydrogenase, CYP1A1, glutathione S-transferases glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase. Lipid peroxidation, an indicator of oxidative damage, was also determined. The overall results indicated that the tested agents and the mixture have the capability to interfere with the neurological function of P. microps, change the cellular pathways of energy production and induce antioxidant defences. Mercury and copper were also found to cause lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, concentration-response relationships were obtained for behaviour parameters, namely the ability of swimming against water-flow and covered distance when swimming against water-flow, suggesting that exposure of fish to tested chemicals may reduce, for example, their ability to escape from predators, their prey-capture rates and their reproductive success. In the second phase of the study, after adaptation of biomarkers’ techniques to P. microps and their validation with two groups of pollutants particularly relevant in estuarine and lagoon ecosystems (metals and PAHs), a monitoring study was performed using P. microps as bioindicator, including several ecological and ecotoxicological parameters, namely: 20 parameters indicative of water and sediment quality, concentrations of 9 metals in sediments and P. microps tissues, 8 biomarkers and 2 condition indexes in the selected species. Sampling was conducted in four sites of the Aveiro lagoon, a reference (Barra) and three contaminated sites with different types of predominant contamination (Vagueira, Aveiro Harbour and Cais do Bico), seasonally during a year. The obtained results allowed the ecotoxicological characterization of sampling areas, including information on water quality, concentrations of metals in sediments and in P. microps body, metals bioaccumulation by this species, effects resulting from exposure to different complex mixtures of pollutants present in distinct sampling areas and possible consequences for P. microps population. Multivariate analysis allowed the integration of all the relevant results, providing important information which could not be obtained by fragmented data analysis. In conclusion, the results of the present thesis indicate that P. microps has suitable characteristics (e.g. abundance, easymaintenance in laboratory, size allowing the determination of different types of effect criteria using a relatively small number of animals, among others) to be used as both test-organism in laboratory tests and sentinel species in monitoring studies, therefore in good agreement with smaller studies previously carried out. This work also allowed the adaptation of several biochemical techniques commonly used as biomarkers in Ecotoxicology to P. microps and their validation both in laboratorial conditions and real scenarios; the development of a new bioassay, using a test device specially designed for epibenthic fish, based on swimming performance of a indigenous species and biomarkers; to relate biochemical effects with behavioural endpoints directly related to the individual contribution (e.g. mortality, reproduction, growth) to the evolution of the population. Finally, a multidisciplinary approach combining ecological, ecotoxicological and chemical methodologies was validated. The integration of data from such approach through multivariate analysis provided important information that may be used as scientific support for conservation and management of estuarine and lagoon systems.

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This thesis defines the strategic utility of Special Operation Forces (SOF), identifies why SOF only provide limited strategic utility, and presents an operational concept for the reorganization, alignment, and employment of SOF to overcome these shortf alls. The thesis is presented in a deductive manner that argues that SOF were designed for strategic purposes, and leads the reader to conclude that reformation must occur for SOF to provide strategic utility and meet their intent. SOF would be in an optimal position to meet their organizational intent by becoming a fifth armed service within the Department of Defense (DoD). Through the creation of mission-based units and a holistic employment strategy, SOF would become a strategic instrument capability of assisting national decision -makers in blending the elements of national power. Finally, the thesis concludes with additional required areas for research to make this concept become a reality, but that are beyond the scope of this study.
Major, United States Army

The neural control of human locomotion is not fully understood. As current experimental techniques provide only partial and indirect access to the neural control network, our understanding remains fragmentary with large gaps between detectable neural circuits and measurable behavioral data. Neuromechanical simulation studies can help bridging these gaps. By testing a hypothesized controller in neuromechanical simulations, one can evaluate the plausibility of the controller and propose experimental studies which can further investigate the hypothesis. Better understanding the control of human locomotion will change the way we design rehabilitation treatment and engineer assistive devices. This thesis first investigates how much of human locomotion control can be explained by spinal reflexes using neuromechanical simulations. It is known that the spinal control is essential in generating locomotion behaviors in humans, which leads to two central questions: “how does the lower layer controller in the spinal cord generate the motor stimulations?” and “how is this lower layer controller modulated by the higher layer brain control to realize different locomotion tasks?” To investigate these questions, we propose a hierarchical control model with two layers, where the lower-layer control consists of spinal reflexes, and the higher-layer sends a few commands to modulate this lower layer control. In neuromechanical simulations, this model can generate diverse human locomotion behaviors, including walking and running, adapting to slopes and stairs, and changing locomotion directions and speeds. Furthermore, its reactions to a range of unexpected disturbances during normal walking are remarkably similar to those observed in human experiments. The simulation results suggest following answers to the central questions: “the motor stimulations of many human locomotion behaviors can be generated by chains of reflexes” and “different locomotion behaviors can be realized by a reflex-based unified controller that is modulated by the higher-layer control.” The latter part of this thesis presents three studies of using the neuromechanical control model either as a simulation testbed for studying human locomotion or as a robotic controller for legged machines. First, the neuromechanical model is used to study human foot biomechanics. The walking simulations with different foot designs suggest that the windlass mechanism in human feet saves metabolic cost during walking, and this saving does not come from the compliance of the feet, which is one component of this mechanism. Second, the age-related skeletal, muscular, and neural changes are applied to the model to investigate why the metabolic cost increases and the regular walking speed reduces in elderly people. The increase of metabolic cost of the elderly model is mostly attributed to weakened muscles, and we find muscle fatigue as a plausible performance criterion that suggests slower walking speed for the elderly model. In the last study, we adapt the neuromechanical model for a bipedal robot ATRIAS. With the controller, ATRIAS could walk on a rough terrain with unknown height changes of +_20 cm in a sagittal plane physics simulation.

In this article open access is defined, and the resources and issues of greatest relevance to the medical librarian are discussed. The economics of open access publishing is examined from the point of view of the university library. Open access resources, both journals and articles in repositories, are already significant and growing rapidly. There are close to 2300 fully open-access peer review journals listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) (320 health sciences titles are included). DOAJ is adding titles at a rate of 1.5 per day. An OAIster search of resources in repositories includes more than 7.6 million items (a rough estimate of the number of articles in repositories, although not all items are full text), and this number will exceed one billion items before the end of 2007. Medical research funders, including the US National Institutes of Health, the Wellcome Trust, the UK Medical Research Council, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, either have implemented or are considering open access policies. This will drive greater growth in open access resources, particularly in the area of medicine. There are implications and leadership opportunities for librarians in the open access environment.

In this paper I have shown the ways in which Schelling thinks through and posits a new conception of freedom. Freedom is reconsidered as the constitutive element of creation, rather than as a derivative property. His investigations into human freedom take into account both a pantheistic world-view and a reconsideration of the meaning of "identity". Specifically, I have shown that Schelling revitalizes these old doctrines in order to maintain their status as living. In this vein we are given over to a reconsideration of the Creation as it relates to freedom. In this paper I focus on Schelling's elaboration on the nature of human freedom and the meeting of necessity and freedom in the person. The "system" of freedom reaches a crucial point in the human being's capacity for good and evil, wherein freedom and necessity intertwine in the will of the individual.