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Philanthropy and social justice in South Africa: addressing underlying causes or mitigating impact?Mahomed, Halima 17 February 2009 (has links)
ABSTRACT
In this Masters Research Report, I argue that different conceptual frameworks play a
central role in influencing whether and why independent funders in South Africa
choose to engage in either social justice philanthropy or traditional philanthropy.
Based on documentary analysis and in-depth interviews with a sample population of
independent funders and experts in the philanthropic field in South Africa, this
research first puts forward a different understanding of social justice philanthropy,
from a South African perspective. Based on this understanding, the research then
reflects that the way in which independent funders conceptualise and operationalize
the reasons why they do the work they do and their roles in relation to other
development role players are the central elements that influence the nature and
scope of the funding approaches, priorities and strategies that they adopt.
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Investigação da interação enzimática e das suas mudanças estruturais durante a hidrólise da biomassa lignocelulósica através de metodologias óticas / Investigation of the enzymatic interaction and its structural changes during lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis by using optics methodologies.Conceição, Fernando Rodrigues da 03 August 2012 (has links)
A investigação do processo de interação da enzima responsável pela hidrólise da biomassa lignocelulósica e das suas alterações estruturais são de suma importância no que diz respeito à otimização da produção do etanol de segunda geração proveniente da biomassa lignocelulósica. Neste contexto, metodologias óticas foram desenvolvidas e empregadas no presente trabalho na caracterização da interação enzimática com substrato celulósico. Basicamente, foram utilizadas espectroscopia de absorção Uv/vis, fluorescência e dicroísmo circular (CD). Fibras de eucalipto e celulose microcristalina (Avicel) foram usadas como substrato. Com o auxílio da fluorescência intrínseca da enzima Celobiohidrolase I de Thrichoderma harzianum (ThCBHI), foi possível desenvolver o método de arraste enzimático que nos permitiu determinar a dependência da interação enzima-substrato com o pH e a temperatura e estimar o número de enzimas adsorvidas na biomassa lignocelulósica. O efeito destes parâmetros sobre as estruturas secundárias da enzima ThCBHI e de sua influencia na interação enzimática também foi estudado. Medidas da seção choque efetiva de absorção demonstraram que a estrutura da ThCBHI sofreu grande influencia do pH e da temperatura, o que foi confirmado de forma complementar pela técnica de CD. Estimativas da fração de cobertura das enzimas na superfície do substrato indicam uma forte dependência da interação enzima-substrato com o pH e temperatura. Observou-se que essa interação é basicamente determinada pelas cargas efetivas acima e abaixo do ponto isoelétrico associado ao modulo de ligação à celulose, CBM. Além disso, o método colorimétrico Somogyi-Nelson (SN) permitiu quantificar com precisão pequenas quantidades de produto da hidrólise da biomassa pela enzima ThCBHI. Os resultados de atividade mostraram forte correlação entre o perfil de interação e as mudanças estruturais sofridas pela enzima ThCBHI. Com essa metodologia foi possível estimar a máxima atividade da ThCBHI durante 24 horas de reação. Os valores do produto nos permitiu computar atividades específicas de 0,1 U/mg e 0,2 U/mg para 25°C e 50°C, respectivamente. / The investigation of the interaction process of enzymes during hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass and the effect of structural changes are issues of fundamental importance in respect to optimization of ethanol second generation production. In this context, optical methodologies were developed and employed in the present work in the characterization of enzymatic interactions with cellulosic substrates. Basically, we used for this purpose absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD). Eucalyptus fibers and microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) were used as substrate. The interaction between enzyme and substrate was determined by the use of enzymatic drag methodology by measuring directly the intrinsic fluorescence of the Thrichoderma harzianum Celobiohydrolases I (ThCBHI) enzymes as a function of the temperature and pH of the reaction medium. The effect of these parameters on the enzyme secondary structure was also subject of the present study. Furthermore, both effective cross-section and molar extinction coefficient of the ThCBHI were determined and correlated to structural changes due to temperature and pH, as confirmed by CD measurements. Estimation of the enzyme covering ration for eucalyptus fiber showed a strong dependence on both temperature and pH due to changes of the effective charges above and below the enzyme isoelectric point and to thermal effects on the enzymatic structure and on the enzyme-substrate interaction associated to the Carbohydrate Binding Modules (CBM). In addition, we use the Somogyi-Nelson methodology to measure very small amount of hydrolyses product. As a result, a strong correlation between interaction profile and ThCBH structural changes was demonstrated. Specific activities of 0,1 U/mg e 0,2 U/mg for 25°C e 50°C, respectively, were found for the eucalyptus fiber.
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Produtividade do setor agropecuário e mudança estrutural no Brasil - uma análise para o período 1981 a 2013 / Agricultural productivity and structural change in Brazil - an analysis of the period of 1981-2013Santos, Péterson Felipe Arias 15 January 2016 (has links)
O setor agropecuário brasileiro experimentou nas últimas décadas elevados ganhos de produtividade, fato esse que tem sido amplamente debatido na literatura econômica sobre o tema. O crescimento da produtividade agropecuária permitiu um amplo processo de liberação de mão de obra para as atividades urbanas e, especialmente, para o setor de serviços, possibilitando a ocorrência de mudança estrutural com redução da importância do setor primário na economia brasileira. A presente dissertação tem, dessa forma, dois objetivos, constituindo-se o primeiro a implementação de um modelo dinâmico de equilíbrio geral ajustado para refletir o padrão de mudança estrutural observado no Brasil entre 1981 e 2013. A análise insere-se na visão de que o crescimento da produtividade do setor primário é condição necessária para a mudança estrutural das economias ao longo de seu desenvolvimento, diferenciando-se, portanto, da abordagem que atribui o processo de mudança estrutural à presença de diferentes elasticidade-renda no consumo dos bens produzidos por cada setor. O segundo objetivo é utilizar o modelo calibrado para examinar um cenário hipotético em que a produtividade agropecuária comportar-se-ia como o observado para a economia brasileira, avaliando suas implicações sobre as participações de três setores (agropecuária, indústria e serviços) no valor adicionado total a preços correntes e no emprego. Especificamente, o modelo utilizado foi inspirado em Verma (2012) que constitui, por sua vez, uma adaptação empírica do modelo teórico proposto por Ngai e Pissarides (2007), e tem como mecanismo para a ocorrência de mudança estrutural o crescimento diferenciado da produtividade total dos fatores (PTF) em cada setor da economia. O modelo base foi calibrado a partir de dados observados e revisão bibliográfica, e solucionado numericamente incorporando as séries de crescimento das PTFs dos três setores, obtidas por decomposição do crescimento à la Solow (1957), e reproduziu de maneira adequada o nível e, principalmente, tendência das participações no valor adicionado. A partir dos resultados obtidos, a simulação realizada sugeriu que em um cenário de baixo crescimento da produtividade agropecuária, a mão de obra do setor não teria sido liberada na magnitude em que efetivamente ocorreu, implicando a manutenção da participação deste setor no emprego e no valor adicionado, às custas do setor de serviços que haveria, então, passado por uma desaceleração do crescimento de suas participações nestas duas medidas de mudança estrutural. / In the last decades, Brazilian agriculture has experienced high productivity gains, as discussed by many studies in the economic literature. The agricultural productivity growth has allowed for a wide transfer of labor from agriculture to urban activities, especially to services sector, enabling the structural change process by reducing the primary sector share in Brazilian economy. This thesis has two objectives; the first one is the implementation of a dynamic general equilibrium model which capture the Brazilian structural change patterns between 1981 and 2013. The second objective is to simulate an alternative scenario in which agricultural productivity would have grown at the same rate as Brazilian economy\'s productivity has grown. More specifically, the model adopted was based on Verma (2012), which is an empirical adaptation of the theoretical model developed by Ngai and Pissarides (2007), which assumes that differences in sectoral total factor productivity (TFP) growth are the main mechanism for structural change occurrence. The baseline model was numerically solved after calibration with real data and literature review, and obtainment of sectoral TFP growth series by growth accounting à la Solow (1957), and it reproduces robustly the level and trend of the three sectors\' value added shares in the economy. The alternative scenario\'s simulation suggests that in the presence of low agricultural productivity growth, the labor would not be released from agriculture at the same magnitude, what would imply in a lower growth of service sector\'s shares in the stylized measures of structural change.
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Structural change, convergence and networks: theoretical and empirical analysesDutta, Aparna 08 April 2016 (has links)
The dissertation consists of three chapters that study topics related to structural change, spatial and network data.
The first chapter considers the problem of testing for a structural change in the spatial lag parameter in a panel model. We propose a likelihood ratio test of the null hypothesis of no change against the alternative hypothesis of a single change. The limiting distribution of the test is derived under the null hypothesis when the number of time periods is large. We also propose a break-date estimator to determine the location of the change point following evidence against the null hypothesis. We present Monte Carlo evidence to show that the proposed procedure performs well in finite samples. We use US state budget data to investigate changes in budget spillovers and the interdependence of fiscal policy within US states.
The second chapter proposes a theory of cross-country migration in the form of labor mobility based on regional and sectoral productivity shocks in a multi-country, multi-sector setting. The productivity model when applied to US state data explains both the nominal and relative flow of workers across the U.S. well, which is taken as the frictionless benchmark. On the other hand, when applied to Europe the model explains the relative flow network well, but predicts a higher nominal flow. This missing mass of migrants is explained by socio-cultural-political barriers. We use dyadic regressions to assess the effects of institutional and cultural "distance" between countries in explaining the "European immobility puzzle".
The third chapter shows that the "iron-law" of convergence (2\%) still holds for the world. We document a structural break in Africa's convergence rate and argue that Africa was not converging before 2000. The world convergence rate before 2000 was driven by Asian and Latin American countries. We show that recent institutional and infrastructural developments have led the African countries on the path of "catching up". We use Least-Absolute-Shrinkage-and-Selection-Operator (LASSO) to select the variables and a double selection method to estimate the treatment effect in a partially linear model. We compare LASSO variable selections with those obtained using Gradient-Boosting-Method (GBM) and Random Forest.
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AvaliaÃÃo do Impacto na ArrecadaÃÃo do ICMS das PolÃticas de Combate à EvasÃo Fiscal no Setor Varejista / Evaluation of the impact of the GST Collection Policies to Combat Tax Evasion in the Retail IndustrySusie de Pontes Lima Marino 09 February 2011 (has links)
nÃo hà / Este trabalho analisa o comportamento do contribuinte do ICMS no tocante à sua decisÃo de evadir tributo, considerando uma maior probabilidade de ser detectado e
a sanÃÃo adotada pelo Fisco, tendo por base a hipÃtese lanÃada por Allingham e Sandmo (1972). Utilizando modelos para identificaÃÃo de quebras estruturais em sÃries temporais, proposta por Bai e Perron (2003), Ã feita uma anÃlise dos impactos causados na arrecadaÃÃo do ICMS, com a ediÃÃo do Decreto n◦ 26.425, de 26 de outubro de 2001, e da Lei n◦ 13.975, de 14 de setembro 2007, os quais permitiram Ã
Secretaria da Fazenda do Estado do Cearà conhecer o montante das vendas quitadas com cartÃo de crÃdito e de dÃbito, aumentando a eficiÃncia do Fisco no tocante à detecÃÃo de potenciais sonegadores. Foram obtidas evidÃncias de que a primeira norma teve um efeito positivo na arrecadaÃÃo dos segmentos envolvidos, enquanto, em relaÃÃo à segunda determinaÃÃo normativa nÃo se identificou mudanÃa estrutural no nÃvel da arrecadaÃÃo do setor. / This paper analyzes the behavior of the ICMS taxpayer regarding his decision to evade taxes, whereas a higher probability of detection and punishment adopted by
the the Treasury Department of the State of CearÃ, based on the hypothesis considered by Allingham and Sandmo (1972). Using models to identify structural breaks in time series, by Bai e Perron (2003), is an analysis of the impacts in the
collection of ICMS with the publication of two norms. The first was edited in October 2001 and the last in September 2007, which allowed the Treasury Department of the State of Cearà know the amount of sales paid off credit and debit card and increasing the efficiency of tax authorities regarding the detection of potential tax evaders. We
obtained evidence that the first norm was issued a positive effect on the collection of segments involved, while the second normative constraint is not identified structural
changes that raise the level of the collection industry.
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De externa etableringarnas framtid : en samhällsekonomisk analys av behov och möjlighet till politisk styrning och planering / Out-of-town retailing : An economic analysis with emphasis on political regulations and planning policiesHellberg, Caroline January 2000 (has links)
<p>The out-of-town retail establishments are part of the dramatic structural changes in the retailing of food and groceries. There are however strong indications suggesting these establishments result in negative externalities concerning areas such as pollution and urban environment. The purpose of this study is to describe and, from an economic perspective, analyse the Swedish political regulations and planning policies concerning the out-of-town supermarkets. The analysis establishes that the current regulations regarding out-of-town retailing do not, due to the occurrence of market failures, produce an optimal situation. It might therefore be necessary to change the planning policies in a more restrictive direction. Unfortunately, information regarding consumer preferences, necessary for an effective institutional regulation, are not available. Further research is thus needed to obtain this information.</p>
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Dagligvaruhandelns strukturomvandling i Gävleregionen (A-region 56)Boglind, Martin, Espås, Rikard January 2008 (has links)
<p>Syfte: Uppsatsens syfte är att beskriva dagligvaruhandelns lokalisering och strukturomvandling i Gävleregionen (A-region 56). Att studera dagligvaruhandeln ger en bild av samhällsförändringen över tiden och en föraning av framtida tendenser.</p><p>Metod: Undersökningen genomfördes med hjälp av data tillhandahållet av Handelns utredningsinstitut (HUI). Dagligvarubutikernas lokalisering visas i geografiska kartor och de olika butikstypernas marknadsandelar studeras för att belysa strukturomvandlingen.</p><p>Resultat & slutsats: Det presenterade resultatet visar ett allt glesare butiksnät med färre och större enheter.</p><p>Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Uppsatsen begränsas till att endast undersöka dagligvaruhandelns lokalisering och strukturomvandlingen i Gävleregionen (A-region 56). En liknande studie över ett större geografiskt område skulle ge en än bättre bild över dagligvaruhandelns utveckling.</p><p>Uppsatsens bidrag: Uppsatsen kan med fördel studeras av intressenter inom samhällsplanering, fastighetsekonomi och handel.</p> / <p>Aim: This paper aims at describing the location and structural change of the daily retail market in the Gävle region (A- region 56). To study the daily retail market gives a picture of the social change over the time and a presentiment of future tendencies.</p><p>Method: The investigation is founded on data supplied by Handelns utredningsinstitut (HUI). The retail location is portrayed in geographic maps and the evolution of the respective market shares of different store size categories are studied in order to elucidate the structural transformation.</p><p>Result & Conclusions: The presented result shows a sparser shop network with fewer and larger units.</p><p>Suggestions for future research: The investigation is limited to the daily retail market location and structural change in the Gävle region (A-region 56). A similar study over a larger geography area would give a better picture over the daily retail markets development.</p><p>Contribution of the thesis: The results are relevant within community planning, real estate economics and trade.</p>
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Finns det något positivt med positiv särbehandling? : A case study of the progress of equality of the sexes in the Swedish armed forces / What are the positive outcomes of affirmative action?Lundin, Jenny January 2006 (has links)
<p>The aim and purpose of this paper is to identify and investigate the effects of affirmative action as a tool to improve the equality of the sexes in a male dominated organisation such as the Swedish armed forces. The study takes a qualitative approach, using feminist theory as a point of departure. Primarily socially based differences between men and women are identified and the resistance towards change is taken into account.</p><p>To understand the impact of affirmative action I have observed the political debate on the subject and contrasted it to the ongoing debate from within the armed forces. Extensive interviews have been held with both men and women from varying ranks and ages to understand what the overall opinion of the method is.</p><p>My results show that there is a widespread animosity towards affirmative action as a method of improving equality. Both in the political debate and within the organisation in question. It is perceived as a method that rather compromises the balance and the equality that already exists in the Swedish armed forces, since women can be accepted on lower merits than men.</p><p>The theoretical framework helps us to understand both the reaction towards the first women that were allowed into the organisation and the response to the latest efforts taken in improving the equality between the sexes.</p>
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Den förvandlade kommunen : Ekonomisk och social tillväxt i Örnsköldsvik 1997-2007Hansson, Kristina January 2008 (has links)
<p>The transformed municipality – Economic and social growth in Örnsköldsvik 1997-2007</p><p>Author: Kristina Hansson</p><p>This thesis focuses on the economic and social growth in the municipality of Örnsköldsvik. It is a single case study and the municipality is studied through economic theories concerning regional growth in the period of 1997-2007. The aim is to analyse whether these theories, such as Åke E. Anderssons and Ulf Strömquists K-society, and other more or less microeconomic assumptions, also are applicable in smaller local contexts. The aim is fulfilled through a mix of text analyses, interviews with leading politicians, civil servants and executives, together with definitions of several quantitative characteristics of economic and social growth. Alternative theories in the thesis concern identity, trust and social capital. Seven independent variables are studied: infrastructure, economic and commercial policy, steering by goals, streamlining, public purchase, marketing and higher education. The results show that while Örnsköldsvik has experienced an extraordinary economic growth, the social growth lags behind. The conclusion is therefore, that economic theories are not enough to explain both economic and social growth at the municipality level. This strengthens the assumption that the explanation to municipal growth in reality lays in the local forces.</p><p>Keywords: structural change, local growth, municipal taxes, public- private cooperation, state-subsidized stimulating measures</p>
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De externa etableringarnas framtid : en samhällsekonomisk analys av behov och möjlighet till politisk styrning och planering / Out-of-town retailing : An economic analysis with emphasis on political regulations and planning policiesHellberg, Caroline January 2000 (has links)
The out-of-town retail establishments are part of the dramatic structural changes in the retailing of food and groceries. There are however strong indications suggesting these establishments result in negative externalities concerning areas such as pollution and urban environment. The purpose of this study is to describe and, from an economic perspective, analyse the Swedish political regulations and planning policies concerning the out-of-town supermarkets. The analysis establishes that the current regulations regarding out-of-town retailing do not, due to the occurrence of market failures, produce an optimal situation. It might therefore be necessary to change the planning policies in a more restrictive direction. Unfortunately, information regarding consumer preferences, necessary for an effective institutional regulation, are not available. Further research is thus needed to obtain this information.
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