This study attempts to develop an understanding of the iterative and multi-scaled process involved in transforming the state from below by examining the relationship between two of the most politicised rights-based legislations in India: the Right to Information Act (RTI) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). Based on one and a half years of ethnographic and interview based research, and five years of working with the RTI campaign, I examine the reciprocal relationship between the rights to information and work, and the multi-scaled activism necessary to instantiate both. First, I trace different phases of the struggle for the right to information, beginning with the creation of alternative public spheres, Jan sunwais (or rural public hearings) that responded to demands for the right to work in rural Rajasthan. Second, as this demand culminated in a broad-based advocacy network, I examine the role of actors from diverse institutional arenas that succeeded in passing the national RTI legislation. I also look at how the same national network of activists introduced the public accountability mechanism of social audits, inspired by the Jan sunwai, into the new right to work law or NREGA. Finally, bringing the process full circle, I look at the ongoing efforts of the MKKS and the Suchna Evum Rozgar Adhikar Abhiyan (The Right to Information and Work Campaign) to implement the right to work on the ground in rural Rajasthan. In contrast to existing studies, I provide a more comprehensive analysis of the interdependent struggle for rights to information and work as one long iterative process to transform the state from below. I conclude with some reflections on the different vision of “transparency” and “accountability” emerging from rural grassroots struggles and what the RTI and NREGA experiences teach us about the possibilities for their realisation.

Orientador: Adilson Fransozo / Banca: Valter José Cobo / Banca: Wagner Cotroni Valenti / Banca: Rogério Caetano da Costa / Banca: Antonio Leão Castilho / Resumo: A dinâmica populacional de Persephona lichtensteinii e de P. punctata foi investigada segundo os seguintes aspectos: estrutura populacional, proporção sexual, tamanho de início da maturidade sexual e período reprodutivo. Um total de 138 indivíduos de P. lichtensteinii e 343 indivíduos de P. punctata foi obtido em coletas mensais, de janeiro de 1998 até dezembro de 1999, na região de Ubatuba, litoral norte do Estado de São Paulo. Machos e fêmeas não apresentam diferenças significativas nos valores médios de LC, e os valores de LC50 (mm) foram semelhantes para os dois sexos, sendo 21,73mm (machos) e 21,93mm (fêmeas) para P. lichtensteinii e 25,2mm (machos) e 26,6mm (fêmeas) para P. punctata. Para ambas as espécies, machos e fêmeas ocorrem em proporções equivalentes em todas as análises (total de indivíduos, somente jovens e somente adultos). Períodos reprodutivos contínuos são sugeridos, embora o baixo número de indivíduos obtidos, especialmente para P. lichtensteinii, dificulte as análises. O padrão de distribuição das duas espécies é distinto, provavelmente devido a diferenças nas preferências em relação à composição granulométrica do sedimento, com P. punctata sendo mais abundante em transectos mais rasos (5m), enquanto P. lichtensteinii apresente maior abundância nos transectos de 10m. Apesar destas diferenças nos padrões de distribuição, as semelhanças dessas características populacionais confrontadas com as informações sobre P. mediterranea disponíveis na literatura, permitem-nos propor que tais características sejam conservativas para o gênero Persephona / Abstract: The population dynamics Persephona lichtensteinii and P. punctata was investigated according to the following aspects: population structure, sex ratio, size at onset of the sexual maturity and reproductive period. A total of 138 individuals of P. lichtensteinii and 343 individuals of P. punctata was found in monthly collections from January 1998 and December 1999 in Ubatuba, northern coast of São Paulo. Males and females did not show significant differences in mean CW, and the values of CW50 (mm) were similar for both the sexes, with 21.73mm (males) to 21.93mm (females) P. lichtensteinii and 25.2mm (males) and 26.6mm (females) P. punctata. For both species, males and females occur in equal proportions in all analysis (total individuals, isolated youth and isolated adults). Continuous reproductive periods are suggested, although the low number of individuals, especially for P. lichtensteinii, make the analysis difficult, probably due to differences in preferences regarding the composition of the sediment grain size, with P. punctata being more abundant in shallower transects (5m), while P. lichtensteinii at higher abundance in transects of 10m deep. Despite of such differences in the distributional patterns of these two species, the similarities of population features, compared to the information available in the literature for P. mediterranea, allow us to propose that the characteristics are conservative for the genus Persephona / Doutor

While multiple questions drive this project, one fundamental query lays at its center. How did American approaches to mortality, their own and others, during the early national period (roughly 1770 to 1850) shape both their understanding of themselves and their environment? The answer to that question exposes a distinct set of values revolving around preparation for death, and acknowledgment and respect for their own (and others mortality), which Americans imbibed from various and disparate sources. More specifically, the first half of the project examines how the letters they wrote and read, the sermons they listened to, the mourning rituals they practiced, the burial grounds they utilized, and the novels and poetry they consumed all combined to create a shared knowledge base and approach to death during the early republic. Uniquely, these principles found strength through a conscious linking of mortality to the natural world. Americans understood their own death as part of a larger, both positive and negative, perfected natural system created and perpetuated by God. The American approach towards mortality, however, was not static and the nineteenth century bore witness to the emergence of a sentimentalized, sanitized, and less human inclusive vision of mortality during 1830s and beyond. Ironically, nature remained central to the way Americans experienced death, however, in a consciously aesthetic, romantic, controlled manner. It is written into the present where rolling and manicured lawns combine together with still ponds to create bucolic scenes of peaceful rest among scenes of beauty. The old, grim, but no less natural lessons of worms, dirt, decay, and dissolution no longer hold sway, ignoring the vital and humbling connection between human bodies and the natural world that was understood in the early republic. This shift (and the focus of the second half of the dissertation), was spurred on by numerous interrelated but distinct factors ranging from urban growth, disease, foreign immigration, and changing cultural sentiments. Americans during the 1830s, 40s, and 50s redefined their relationship to death and in doing so consciously turned away from a vibrant, dynamic, and humbling vision of mortality grounded in the natural world.

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were an,y differences between what Utah high school band teachers perceive as important skills, activities, behaviors, knowledge, and concepts in the context of the rehearsal and their assessment of the degree to which these i terns ·were applied during the rehearsal period. A survey questionnaire listing twenty band rehearsal instructional items was used to obtain the data. Sixty-one percent of the sample responded to the survey. The sample included all high school band teachers in the state of Utah. A correlation coefficient was computed between respondent's ratings of the validity of the instructional item to the band rehearsal and the degree to which the respondents applied that item in their rehearsals. There was a positive correlation between these ratings for all twenty items. Some items, however, had a lower correlation coefficient than others showing a lesser degree of congruency between opinion of validity and application.

Henry Black was born in Adelaide in 1858, but arrived in Japan in 1864 after his father became editor of the Japan Herald. In the late 1870s, Henry Black addressed meetings of members of the Freedom and People�s Rights Movement. His talks were inspired by nineteenth-century theories of natural rights. That experience led to his becoming a professional storyteller (rakugoka) affiliated with the San�y� school of storytelling (San�yuha). Black�s storytelling (rakugo) in the 1880s and 1890s was an attempt by the San�y�ha to modernise rakugo. By adapting European sensation fiction, Black blended European and Japanese elements to create hybridised landscapes and characters as blueprints for audiences negotiating changes synonymous with modernity during the Meiji period. The narrations also portrayed the negative impacts of change wrought through emulation of nineteenth-century Britain�s Industrial Revolution. His 1894 adaptation of Oliver Twist or his 1885 adaptation of Mary Braddon�s Flower and Weed, for example, were early warnings about the evils of child labour and the exploitation of women in unregulated textile factories. Black�s kabuki performances parallel politically and artistically inspired attempts to reform kabuki by elevating its status as an art suitable for imperial and foreign patronage. The printing of his narrations in stenographic books (sokkibon) ensured that his ideas reached a wide audience. Because he was not an officially hired foreigner (yatoi), and his narrations have not entered the rakugo canon, Black has largely been forgotten. A study of his role as a mediator of modernity during the 1880s and 1890s shows that he was an agent in the transfer to a mass audience of European ideas associated with modernity, frequently ahead of intellectuals and mainstream literature. An examination of Black�s career helps broaden our knowledge of the role of foreigners and rakugo in shaping modern Japan.

A long period fiber grating (LPFG) is formed by inducing the periodic refractive index variation along a fiber. A lot of work has been done to fabricate the LPFGs in the photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) to function as all-fiber band-rejection filters, interferometers, and sensing applications. In this thesis, we propose a novel LPFG based on the gel-filled PCF. The PCF filled with the UV gel was exposed to the high-intensity UV light through the mask. The periodic index variation is formed along the fiber in the cladding region, resulting in the LPFG. By measuring the propagation losses of our LPFG, three spectral dips in the transmission bands are observed at 872 nm, 1309 nm, and 1418 nm as the grating period is 600 £gm, which indicates the mode coupling from the fundamental core mode to the higher order modes (HOMs) of the gel-filled PCFs. By using a full-vector finite-difference frequency-domain (FDFD) method, we numerically calculate the phase match condition for our LPFGs. The calculated resonant wavelengths are 875 nm, 1319 nm, and 1415 nm. Very good agreement between the measured resonant wavelengths and the numerical results is obtained. We also fabricate the selectively gel-filled LPFGs to reduce the propagation losses by utilizing a simple selectively blocking technique. In addition, we measure and discuss the sensing sensitivities of the UV-induced LPFGs, including the temperature, strain, curvature, torsion, and surrounding refractive index (SRI) sensitivities. The measured sensitivity to temperature is 1.7 nm/¢XC from 25 ¢XC to 45 ¢XC. As the surrounding refractive index is increased to 1.377, the dip position has a maximum shift of 2 nm. Compared with other LPFGs, the UV-induced LPFGs are more insensitive to bending and strain due to the complete cladding structure. This could benefit the stability of the temperature sensors, based on our UV-induced LPFGs.

The research focuses on the war between Jin(®Ê°ê) and Qin (¯³°ê)during the Spring and Autumn period (¬K¬î®É´Á) in China, emphasizing on the 21 battles between Jin and Qin over hundred and twenty six years starting from 672 B.C. till 546 B.C.. Events commenced with Jin attacked Li Jung (Æz¦¥) in 672 B.C. and ending just before the second cease fire treaty (²Ä¤G¦¸«Ú§L¤§·ù) in the Spring and Autumn period in 546 B.C.. The discussion topics include the rationale, proceedings of events and outcome of the battles, with an evaluation of power distribution after the battles. This thesis comprises of 5 chapters: The first chapter is the preface, explaining the motives and aims of this research. It also includes the scope, methods and related literature review of the research. The second chapter dwell on the Battle of Hanyuan (Áú­ì¤§¾Ô), with Duke Hui of Jin (®Ê´f¤½) and Duke Mu of Qin (¯³¿p¤½) as the main background characters. The third chapter is on the most important battle between Jin and Qin - the Battle of Yao (Ù⤧¾Ô) and four of its related battles. The fourth chapter focuses on the Battle of Linghu (¥Oª°¤§§Ð), Battle of Hequ (ªe¦±¤§¾Ô), Battle of Masui (³ÂÀG¤§¾Ô), Battle of Li (òR¤§§Ð) and 11 other related battles. The conclusion is in three parts: the effect of battles, the findings of research and the integrated analyses. Six important points are made to finalize the importance of battles in the maintenance of relationship between Jin and Qin.

Common sunflower is a competitive annual native dicot found in disturbed areas, on roadsides, dry prairies, and in row crops. Common sunflower is a competitive weed, but little data exist on interference, economic impacts, and competition in field corn. Field studies were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to 1) define the density-dependent effects of common sunflower competition with corn; 2) define the necessary weed-free periods of common sunflower in corn; 3) evaluate common sunflower control with herbicides; 4) and define the economic impact of common sunflower interference with corn. Corn grain yield was significantly reduced when common sunflower densities reached 1 plant/m of row and potentitially damaging common sunflower densities occurred if allowed to compete for more than 2 to 4 wk after planting for maximum corn yield. No significant corn yield reduction occurred if common sunflowers emerged 8 wk after planting. Growing degree day (GDD) heat units for corn showed that the critical point for control of common sunflower was approximately 300 GDD. Atrazine applied PRE, atrazine followed by (fb) glyphosate or halosulfuron POST, glyphosate POST, halosulfuron POST, and halosulfuron plus nicosulfuron POST controlled >87% of common sunflower. Atrazine applied PRE in a 30-cm band, nicosulfuron POST, and atrazine broadcast plus S-metolachlor PRE showed significantly lower common sunflower control and corn grain yield, when compared to atrazine PRE fb glyphosate POST. Economic impact of one sunflower/6 m of crop row caused a yield loss of 293 kg/ha. Various corn planting densities showed that corn yield can be reduced 1990 kg/ha with common sunflower competition. Corn planting densities of 49400 and 59300 plants/ha provided the greatest net returns with or without the presence of common sunflower competition. The highest net returns occurred with no common sunflower competition in 2006 and 2007, at $3,046/ha and $2,687/ha, respectively, when net corn prices were $0.24/kg ($6.00/bu). Potential control costs of various herbicide treatments revealed net returns of $1,156 to $1,910/ha in 2006 and $1,158 to $1,943/ha in 2007. Determining the economic impact of common sunflower interference in field corn allows producers to estimate the overall net return based upon density and duration of common sunflower interference, while considering varying net corn prices, crop planting density, and herbicide application costs.

Based on analyzing the macro and micro factors in Singapore¡¦s social welfare policy, this thesis proposes the frame work of ¡§state corporatism¡¨ to explain Singapore¡¦s social welfare policy. Since 1959 Singapore be independent from Britain, Lee Kuan Yew had led the PAP government in an authoritarian style and promoted a paternal social welfare. The core ideas of Singapore¡¦s social welfare policy, voluntarism and communitarianism, strongly related to the personal ideology of Lee Kuan Yew and the confucian society in Singapore. In the macro background of nation¡¦s level, we can divide the society into the subgroups as ethnic groups, opposition parties, class groups and voluntary welfare organizations (VWOs). These four groups worked through the four phrases in Singapore¡¦s social welfare policy : pre-corporatism period, exclusive corporatism period, inclusive corporatism period and extrinsic corporatism period. The whole presentation of Singapore¡¦s social welfare policy can be observed from their negotiation, interaction and bargaining with the government. This thesis conludes that the strategy of Singapore¡¦s social welfare policy is ¡§using greater quantity and quality of voluntarianism to fill up the retreat of state¡¨. Therefore in the history of Singapore¡¦s social welfare policy, when comparing to the other social groups, the extent of VWOs corporating with the government was much greater than the others and their influential power in social welfare policy during these four periods turned from weak to moderate, and strong eventually.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 211-229). Also available on the Internet.