The topic of the diploma thesis refers to a research carried out by the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, under the leadership of Mr. Jiří Vaníček. The goal of this thesis is to determine and evaluate the effects of monument protection of rural mansions on the life and development of villages, to analyze potential problems and to search for opportunities to ensure further improvements. In its theoretical part, the thesis maps the legislation governing monument protection in the Czech Republic, with a focus on the monument protection of works of folk architecture. Its practical part is based on a sociological survey carried out in the Mladá Boleslav region, namely in villages that are subject to flat monument protection (Mužský Rural Monument Reserve (RMR), Víska RMR, Březinka Rural Monument Zone (RMZ), Skalsko RMZ, Loukov RMZ and Kluky RMZ), in the form of a questionnaire survey and focus-group discussions. The respondents were owners of properties in the protected villages, their mayors and public officials responsible for monument care. The results obtained from the questionnaires are compared with the results obtained from a survey conducted by the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. The results of focus-group discussions were then used for a detailed analysis of the attitudes of all groups involved and for the definition of key areas decisive for mutual relationships between the owners of protected properties, local governments and public administration. A principal issue of the entire thesis is to determine to what extent the lives of people residing in the above-mentioned villages are influenced by the fact that their village has become a rural monument reserve or zone.

The dichotomy of conservation vs. sustainable development has generated numerous debates since the introduction of the latter in the late 1980s. When UNESCO introduced the Biosphere Reserve concept in the early ‘70s, it drew even more attention to the matter. In the recent past, many initiatives to address the issue gained ground not only across Europe, but worldwide. This is the case of ecotourism, a responsible (and sustainable) form of tourism that takes place in natural areas, sustains local communities, and involves a learning experience. Even though it might look like the perfect tool to strengthen the link between conservation and sustainable development, especially in a Biosphere Reserve context, ecotourism faces many challenges. Through a case study of an Italian Biosphere Reserve that was recently awarded with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, Monviso Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, this research aimed at understanding local stakeholders’ stand onthe matter. A series of interviews were conducted and subsequently phenomenologically analysed to explore the possibility for ecotourism to act as a learning tool for sustainable development. Results show that ecotourism had some positive effects in the area, such as the creation of a network for collaboration between various stakeholders, among others. However, negative perception of ecotourism still play an inhibiting role, as it is not perceived asa sufficient source of income. It is discussed that this might be a consequence of two main factors: a lack of proper environmental education and the economic crisis the country is currently facing. Adjustments in the language and methods used in the educational system and a change of course at higher governmental levels might foster ecotourism to become a catalyst by being a learning tool.

The study focuses on the development path of a tourism destination area centered around a special nature reserve and adjacent rural communities in the northern part of Serbia. Utilizing evolutionary economic geography (EEG) as an increasingly present theoretical and conceptual framework in the studies of tourism, this research project employs key EEG concepts of ‘path dependence’ and ‘co-evolution’. ‘Path dependence’ examines different social, economic, institutional and sectoral factors that direct, propel and/or hinder destination development, while ‘co-evolution’ analyzes causal and relational exchanges of stakeholders within and associated with the destination. The objective of this study is to trace developmental and relational trajectories of the nature reserve, tourism enterprises in its vicinity, and the place and role of public sector in these processes. The study, therefore, aims to analyze: (1) how the concept of ‘path dependence’ applies to the tourism development path of the nature reserve; (2) the dynamics of co-evolutionary and relational exchange processes in the nature reserve destination area, namely those occurring between actors operating in both public and private sectors. The two combined EEG approaches, previously not applied within the outlined geographical context, serve to illustrate and explain overall development mechanisms within a tourism destination, relevant economically, socio-culturally as well as environmentally for its region and on the tourism market of Serbia. When methodology is concerned, the study is in form of a case study, with primary data drawn from semi-structured, in-depth interviews and supported with complementary data from relevant scientific articles, government documents, web sites and other publications. The study findings show that the nature reserve in its tourism growth displays a path dependence determined by two seemingly diverging factors: (1) rules and regulations pertaining to protected areas such as nature reserves dictate tourism development and (2) the reserve management entrepreneurial skills play a noteworthy role in shaping its tourism growth. Apart from path dependence, the tourism development path associated with the nature reserve displays path plasticity, which represents a new direction in tourism growth based on the existing infrastructural and managerial framework. Moreover, the study outcomes indicate that levels, directions and intensity of co-evolutionary and relational exchanges among all stakeholders included demonstrate several different patterns. While there is detectable relationship between the nature reserve and most local tourism-related stakeholders, relationships among local stakeholders themselves are rather uneven. Similar patterns are found regarding the involvement of public sector. Public sector is closely linked with the nature reserve, however, its association with other tourism stakeholders in the destination area is uneven.  These findings support the idea that each destination area stands as a unique and complex entity, with various endogenous and exogenous factors shaping its growth.

The task of the thesis is to determine the effects of legislative changes in the area of life insurance in force since 21 December 2012. Legislative change concerns approach to calculating premiums for life insurance. According to the new provisions of the previous procedure considered sexually discriminatory and gender effect had to be removed. The thesis is focused on examining the impact of the new approach to actuarial calculations. First introduces the reader to the general features of life insurance premium calculation for the derivation of individual life insurance products and determining the amount of the reserve. The practical examples show how to change premiums and reserves for men and women at different ages. Regression analysis is then examined whether the age of the insured may have an impact on the amount of the reserve. This thesis presents the possible consequences in access regardless of sex as insurance premiums, and especially on the reserve, which is the main component of capital insurance.

The thesis is dedicated to clarifying the origins and main causes of the economic crisis. In the first part I ilustrate the connection between the monetary policies of central banks and the changes in structure of the production and investments with the help of Austrian Business Cycle Theory. These theoretical assumptions are confronted with the empirical findings from USA throughout the 20th century. The second part discusses other factors leading to the crises, mainly focusing on the 2009 economic crises and various free market and state controlled factors. The thesis discusses these factors from the point of view of theoretical and empirical knowledge of economic science.

D.Phil. / The endocrine system regulates important physiological processes in an organism. Numerous natural and synthetic chemicals are released into the environment and can disrupt the normal functioning of the endocrine system, influencing physiological processes even at relatively low concentrations. These chemicals are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These compounds are highly persistent in nature due to a resistance to biodegradation, and because of their hydrophobicity. EDCs bio-accumulate especially in the fatty tissue of aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Developmental and reproductive disorders are potentially harmful effects of exposure. EDC sources include agricultural and urban runoff, and industrial effluent discharges that eventually pass through sewage- and wastewater treatment plants. These chemicals degrade at various rates and to varying extents during treatment processes, forming many new chemicals. Methods to predict the occurrence of endocrine disruption include the occurrence of intersex, and changes in spermatogenesis and secondary sexual characteristics (SSCs) of supposedly exposed organisms. The urogenital papilla (UGP) is a SSC whose development and morphology is hormonally controlled and may be influenced when exposed to EDCs. The sharptooth catfish (Ciarias gariepinus) is often used in environmental toxicity studies. Sex is determined by the external dimorphic UGP found only in males. Intersex has been observed in this species in South African freshwater systems. A field study was carried out in the Rietvlei (RVD) and Marais (MD) dams in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve (RNR). MD acts as a sedimentation dam before water enters RVD, and is theoretically more polluted. The RNR system receives effluent from various domestic and industrial sources including agriculture, industries, informal settlements and municipal sewage treatment plants. Four sampling surveys, two low and two high flow, were carried out over a period of two years. Supposedly male catfish (n=97) were collected and identified as male or possible intersex based on the UGP. Water and sediment was collected for target EDC and endocrine disrupting metal (EDM) analyses. Fish length and mass, and UGP length and width were measured. Laparotomy was performed and gonads were inspected macroscopically for alterations. A section of the gonad and the entire UGP was removed and processed according to standard techniques for histological analysis. The gonadosomatic- (GSI), hepatosomatic- (HSI) and UGP length (UGPLI) indices were calculated. Fish fat was removed and analysed for target EDCs.

Orientador: Armando Zaupa Remacre / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociencias / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T09:52:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carmo_FredericoAugustoRosado_D.pdf: 2790866 bytes, checksum: 70c1d59f281ee0f7a09af528c73582a9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: O objetivo principal desta tese foi desenvolver a metodologia de cópulas aplicada ao problema de estimativas de reservas condicionadas, corrigindo erros de tonelagem e quantidade de minério de um projeto, via uma abordagem diferente da simulação estocástica condicional. É apresentado um resumo teórico que fundamenta o estudo de cópulas. Inicia-se com a apresentação de definições e conceitos importantes da estatística e da probabilidade. Após uma discussão sobre medidas de correlação, é introduzido o conceito de cópulas, desde sua definição e propriedades básicas até o estudo de alguns tipos de cópulas essenciais para a aplicação nesta tese. É discutida toda a fundamentação teórica desenvolvida para o cálculo de recursos recuperáveis. Os conceitos de curvas de tonelagem e teores são introduzidos, pois são a base da parametrização de reservas minerais. É mostrado como a cópula pode ser utilizada num dos pontos principais da geoestatística mineira, principalmente no que diz respeito ao erro das estimativas. Discorre-se primeiramente sobre o conceito de validação cruzada, apresentando a definição de reserva ilusória, ótima e ideal. É definida a reserva ideal utilizando o conceito de cópulas, onde a krigagem, a simulação seqüencial gaussiana e a cópula são comparadas, mostrando as conseqüências da sobreestimativa e da subestimativa em projetos de cava e seqüenciamento na mineração / Abstract: The aim of this thesis was to develop the applied methodology of copulas in the problem of conditional reserves estimation. The copulas have a different approach from sequential gaussian simulation and in this thesis was used to correct the tonnage and ore quantity of a mining project. It is presented a theoretical summary that is the bases to the study of copulas. It is also' presented a set of definitions and important concepts of the statistics and the probability. After a discussion about correlation measures, is introducing the concept of copulas, begining with the definition and basic properties until the study of some types of essential copulas that was applied in this thesis. Whole the theoretical fundamentation is discussed to developed the calculation of recoverable resources. The concepts of tonnage and grades curves are introduced, therefore they are the base of the parametrization of mineral reserves. It is shown how the copulas can be used in the main points of the mining geostatistics, mainly in what concerns the estimation errors. Firstly the cross validation concept is presented and the illusory, best and ideal reserves are defined. The ideal reserves is defined using the concept of copulas, and the results are compared with the kriging and sequential gaussian simulation. With this comparisons is possible shown the consequences of the upper-estimation and under estimation in an open pit projects and sequential mining layout / Doutorado / Administração e Politica de Recursos Minerais / Doutor em Ciências

The Environmental Education and Interpretation are view as a important mean to develop the consciousness in the academic field and in our day-by-day actions. Practical activities, are one of the techniques used to help the learning process to be more dynamic and participative. Through these activities, the students are guide to know and to discover the world that many times, is known only by the science books. This contact allows the development of values, such as; friendship, charity, respect and citizenship. The Reserve Refúgio do Sauá, located in the city of Campos do Jordão, represents an area where learning, conservation process and leisure are developed, by the focus of Environmental Education. Using the analyses IAPI Attractively Indicators of Interpretation Points ( FREIXEDAS and MAGRO, 1998) the principal points were selected a long the wood trail in its 1.315 meters, inside a patch of Araucária and Podocarpus wood, where the didactic material was concepted. Using Fichas didáticas (didactic files), special elaborate for students enrolled at the 5a to 8a grades of elementary school, contents pictures, maps, activities, games and information about the natural elements that the students can find in the ecosystem, Mata de Araucária e Podocarpus, belong to the Reserve Refúgio do Sauá. Extra information will be given at the Educational Center, where the visitors will learn through broads, pictures and natural elements, such as, stones, leaves, branches, etc. Using these files and walking a long the trail, this paper try to guide the development of environmental conscience among the students that will visit the area, as a powerful tool to help the learning process and to encourage the youth to preserve the nature. For a better evaluation of Fichas didáticas, science and ecology teachers from public and private school from Campos do Jordão, were invited to go to the Reserve and know the material. Teachers were selected according Chizzotti (2001), classified as random simple samples, qualitative type sondagem. At the end of the visit the teachers answered a questionary and made references about the applicability and facility to use the material that has the contents developed in the classes, witch promote the creativity, curiosity and integration with the environment and the development of environmental conscience. / A Educação Ambiental e a Interpretação Ambiental constituem-se em importantes meios para se desenvolver a conscientização ambiental tanto no âmbito acadêmico quanto na prática da cidadania. As técnicas mais difundidas na Educação Ambiental, passíveis de tornar o aprendizado mais dinâmico e participativo são as atividades práticas, nas quais os estudantes são levados a conhecer e a desvendar um mundo, que muitas vezes foi apenas mencionado nos livros de Ciências, na sala de aula. Esse contato permite o despertar de valores como companheirismo, solidariedade, respeito e cidadania. A Reserva Refúgio do Sauá, localizada no município de Campos do Jordão, representa um palco perfeito para a implementação da Educação Ambiental, onde aprendizado, conservação, conscientização e lazer são colocados em prática. Através da aplicação da metodologia IAPI Indicadores de Atratividade de Pontos Interpretativos (FREIXEDAS e MAGRO, 1998) identificou-se os pontos de maior relevância da Reserva ao longo de uma trilha de 1.315 metros de extensão, no interior de um remanescente de Mata de Araucárias e Podocarpus, que serviu de inspiração para o desenvolvimento do material didático proposto. O material didático composto por fichas especialmente preparadas para estudantes de 5a a 8a séries do Ensino Fundamental e de material visual de apoio (placas e folder), que se pretende despertar a consciência ambiental nos visitantes da Reserva Refúgio do Sauá. Informações complementares serão passadas aos visitantes no momento de visita ao Centro Educacional, que deixará em exposição elementos (galhos, pedras, folhas, moldes de pegadas, etc) e painéis explicativos sobre a fauna e flora da Reserva. Para que melhor se pudesse mensurar a validade das fichas didáticas seus méritos e deficiências -, foram convidados professores da rede pública e de escolas particulares de Campos do Jordão, nas disciplinas de Ciências, Ecologia e Educação Ambiental, aos quais foi dado conhecer a área de estudo e o material proposto. A escolha dos professores obedeceu a amostra aleatória simples, classificada como pesquisa qualitativa do tipo sondagem, segundo Chizzotti (2001). Ao final da visita os professores foram convidados a responder uma questionário de avaliação. Através do questionário pode-se constatar a praticidade e aplicabilidade do material dentro do conteúdo abordado em sala de aula, com destaque ao incentivo a criatividade, investigação, integração com o meio e a conscientização ambiental.

How long would modern society cope with a power outage, what would happen to vital systems that we today take for granted in modern society. The Nordic electricity grid is facing a major shift where electricity production from non-renewable sources are to be replaced increasingly by renewable sources. By increasing the penetration of wind and solar power the electric power system might be exposed to disturbances due to decreasing inertia as a result of the electricity transition. Currently the electric power system has different reserves to use to maintain frequency stability but there are other reserves that could help further in the fight for the balance between electricity production and consumption. This project examines whether the new reserve service, fast frequency reserve (FFR), can help the existing frequency containment reserve for disturbed (FCR-D) operation. Therefore, two experiments were conducted using the simulation tool ARISTO, addressing relevant issues involving frequency stability. Motivation for the hypothesis was to investigate if FFR could reduce the frequency transients and improve frequency variations by developing various setups and cases when inertia was retained and when the system inertia was reduced at different stages. The results of the experiments showed that the global minimum frequency, nadir, had increased for all test cases compared to the reference case when using FFR, this proved that the FFR in fact help reducing frequency transients. The results showed furthermore that when the FFR had a duration time of 30 seconds compared to only 5 seconds, the frequency variations could be improved for certain setups for experiment 2.

African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are the most endangered large carnivore in Southern Africa. There are as little as 5,000 individuals globally and less than 450 African wild dogs in South Africa alone. African wild dogs are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Therefore, the time has never been more crucial to conserve the species. With increased human encroachment and inhabitation in and around protected areas, so are increased conflicts between humans and carnivores. Human-wild dog conflict is likely to rise where a common resource is found. Human-carnivore conflicts have often been induced by the uncomfortably close inhabitation of humans in areas predominantly occupied by large carnivores. For this reason, it is becoming vital to establish a harmonious relationship between carnivores and humans. This research investigated the extent and causes of human-carnivore conflict specific to private landowners and the African wild dog in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa between April 2018 and January 2019. The causes of conflict in the Waterberg and levels of tolerance by the farmers for African wild dogs were investigated. The methodology was two-fold, using spatial analyses and an online survey. Three African wild dogs from the same pack were collared using telemetry collars (Tag 2651, Tag 2953 and Tag 3017). These data were used for the spatial analysis part of the research, using Geographic Information System (GIS) to determine the African wild dogs’ home ranges, movement patterns, and proximities to commonalities with humans and preferred land use. The private landowners possibly experiencing human-carnivore conflict were surveyed using an online survey (n = 81), and this information was used to determine the extent of conflict and tolerance of African wild dogs amongst the farmers in the Waterberg. The information gathered will be used by the Endangered Wildlife Trust to develop an early warning system for private landowners affected by the presence of free-roaming African wild dogs in the area. In general, English speaking farmers in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve were more tolerant of African wild dogs compared with Afrikaans speaking farmers. Results also showed that areas near food and water sources are high potential conflict hotspots. The results also showed that African wild dog movement patterns in Waterberg Biosphere Reserve have an influence on conflict hotspot areas during denning season, wet and dry months, different phases of the moon, and overall hunting patterns of African wild dogs. This research facilitated an understanding of aspects of utilisation, persecution, and how to mitigate conflict between humans and African wild dogs within the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. / Dissertation (MSc (Environment and Society))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / GreenMatter Fellowship Mapula Trust Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) National Research Foundation (NRF) / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / MSc (Environment and Society) / Unrestricted