The main contribution of this thesis is a comprehensive analysis of the influence of changes in the population structure on local communities, in particular with respect to the provision of publicly provided goods. The focus is placed on the consequences of two of the major processes of demographic change, namely aging and shrinking. The three main chapters of this contribution consider the effects at the local level from both a theoretical and an empirical perspective. The first model focuses on the influence of population aging on the provision of local publicly provided goods, when the young population may relocate. When aging advances, gerontocracies and social planners substitute publicly provided goods aimed at the mobile young for publicly provided goods for the elderly. However, due to fiscal competition, gerontocracies will provide even more of the publicly provided good for the young than the social planner. The second model considers in a two-period setting, the interaction of a shrinking population when the investments made by the previous generation are long lived. The laissez-faire and welfare maximizing outcomes are computed for two cases; first with no costs of upkeep and second for the case when costs of upkeep accrue. A comparison of the solutions shows that public provision for the first generation is inefficiently low in laissez-faire when there are no costs of upkeep. However, if costs of upkeep accrue, the laissez-faire outcome for the intergenerational publicly provided good may be too high. Chapter four contains an empirical analysis. In a two-stage analysis the efficiency of the provision of child care services in municipalities is evaluated in the German State of Saxony. First, the results of the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) show substantial efficiency differences; the median municipality is up to 28% inefficient. In a second stage bootstrapped truncated regression, determinants of the inefficiency are identified. Explanatory variables such as an uncompensated mayor or a larger share of over 65-year-olds significantly increase inefficiency.

Large-scale radiological accidents have resulted in intakes of radioactive materials by members of the public and occupational radiation workers. However, current methods to evaluate intakes are designed for small numbers of individuals and cannot be easily scaled for large populations as has occurred. A proposed method for high throughput volumes of people to identify and quantify intakes of radioactive material through urine radiobioassay is described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MCNP V6.0 software code was used to model the General Electric Hawkeye V3 Gamma Camera for gamma ray efficiency. Technitium-99m was used to validate the model. The model was used to calculate detection efficiencies and minimum detectable doses for Cobalt-60, Iodine-131, Cesium-137/Barium-137m and Iridium-192. RESULTS: Differences of 8% were observed between measurements of the detection efficiency for Technitium-99m and the MCNP modeled detection efficiency (11.1% vs. 12.0%, respectively). Calculations showed that a dose of 20 mSv could be detected using urine radiobioassay in 6, 3, 2, and 20 days post incident for Type F intakes of Cobalt-60, Iodine-131, Cesium-137/Barium-137m and Iridium-192 respectively. Approximately 1,152 urine samples could be analyzed in an eight-hour shift using a single gamma camera. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the gamma camera for urine radiobioassay allows for high throughput volumes of samples and has sufficient detection sensitivity to meet dose-based decision guidelines.

Submitted by Cleide Dantas (cleidedantas@ufpa.br) on 2014-04-08T11:58:11Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Dissertacao_CaracterizacaoMicroestruturalPropriedades.pdf: 6450063 bytes, checksum: 529d7a41d494d15ecf125132e9a03a1e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Rosa Silva (arosa@ufpa.br) on 2014-06-18T13:00:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Dissertacao_CaracterizacaoMicroestruturalPropriedades.pdf: 6450063 bytes, checksum: 529d7a41d494d15ecf125132e9a03a1e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-18T13:00:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Dissertacao_CaracterizacaoMicroestruturalPropriedades.pdf: 6450063 bytes, checksum: 529d7a41d494d15ecf125132e9a03a1e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / FAPESPA - Fundação Amazônia de Amparo a Estudos e Pesquisas / O trabalho aqui representado retrata de modo comparativo as características mecânicas e microestruturais de metais de solda empregando duas técnicas de soldagem uma já disseminada, FCAW (Soldagem a Arco Voltaico com Arame Tubular) e a outra é inovadora, FCAW-AF (Soldagem a Arco Voltaico com Arame Tubular com Adição de um Arame Frio não energizado) em três níveis de velocidades 6, 8 e 10 m/min. Sendo que este processo variou os diâmetros dos arames frio adicionados, entre 0.8 e 1.0 mm. O metal de base utilizado foi o aço naval ASTM 131 grau A (baixo carbono) em geometria de chapas de 150 mm x 300 mm x 9,5 mm, aplicadas em chanfro em V (Bisel de 22,5º) com ângulo somado de 45º, com leve abertura de raiz de 2,4 mm. A solda usada foi do tipo topo com a aplicação de dois passes, um passe de raiz e o passe de acabamento (ou enchimento). A fim averiguar as condições desses cordões de solda foram realizados 05 tipos de ensaios destrutivos, são eles: dobramento transversal de face, tração, tenacidade ao impacto (tipo Charpy com entalhe em V), microdureza e o ensaio metalográficos. Além das análises não destrutivas como o ensaio visual e o líquido penetrante. De maneira geral, os resultados para o processo FCAW-AF, mostraram-se compatíveis, em relação ao processo FCAW convencional, porém alguns resultados apresentaram valores de propriedades mecânicas menores. Este fato pode, muito provavelmente ter ocorrido pela presença de descontinuidade na junta pelo FCAW-AF. Quanto às caracterizações microestruturais, os resultados da junta FCAW-AF foram semelhantes os da FCAW convencional para todos os níveis estudados. / The work presented here show comparatively mechanical properties and microstructure of weld metals employing two welding techniques, an already disseminated, FCAW (arc welding with cored wire) and the other is innovative, FCAW-AF (arc welding with Adding Tubular Wire with a cold wire is not energized) at three levels of speed 6, 8 and 10 m / min. In this process two diameters of the cold wire 0.8 and 1.0 mm were used. The base metal used was a naval steel ASTM 131 grade A (low carbon) in geometry of plates 150 mm x 300 mm x 9.5 mm, applied to V-groove (Bisel of 22.5°) with angle 45° summed, with mild opening of root of 2.4 mm. The weld used was top type with the application of two passes, one root pass and the pass of finish (or filling). In order to establish of weld conditions 5 types of destructive were carried out: face transverse bend, tension, impact test (Charpy notched type V), microhardness and metallographic test. In addition to the non-destructive analysis visual and penetrating liquid. In general, the results for the process FCAW-CW, show themselves compatibles, regarding the process FCAW conventional, but some results showed smaller values of mechanical property. This fact much probably happened due the presence of discontinuities in the welded joint FCAW-CW. The microstructural characterization presented similar results to FCAW-CW and FCAW conventional for all energy levels studied.

La correction des phénomènes physiques dégradant l'information quantitative en imagerie SPECT fait l'objet de nombreux développements. La résolution du problème est rendu particulièrement délicate pour des acquisitions à l'iode 131 compte tenu de la complexité du spectre d'émission et des nombreux biais quantitatifs qui en découlent. L'objectif de ce travail de thèse a été de mettre en oeuvre une méthode de reconstruction tridimensionnelle complète par modélisation Monte Carlo de la matrice système (F3DMC) et de l'optimiser en vue de son utilisation dans un contexte clinique. Les premiers résultats obtenus sur un fantôme analytique ont nécessité l'utilisation de l'infrastructure de calcul et de stockage massif EGEE et ont mis en évidence l'importance d'obtenir un projecteur statistiquement robuste. Afin de pallier cette difficulté nous avons utilisé une technique d'accélération des simulations fondée sur la tabulation de la fonction de réponse angulaire du couple collimateur/détecteur (ARF). Cette nouvelle méthode a été évaluée et validée pour des acquisitions à l'iode 131 et a montré que, à qualité de signal équivalente, nous pouvions atteindre un facteur d'accélération proche de 100 dans un milieu hétérogène réaliste par rapport à une simulation Monte Carlo standard. Cette méthodologie a été incorporée dans l'algorithme de construction du projecteur puis testée sur le fantôme et sur des données réelles. Cela a permis d'atteindre une robustesse statistique du projecteur nettement supérieure à celle obtenue sans utilisation de la méthode ARF avec une amélioration significative des figures de mérite quantitatives

This thesis aims to produce short-term forecasts for the economic activity in Turkey. As a proxy for the economic activity, industrial production index is used. Univariate autoregressive distributed lag (ADL) models, vector autoregressive (VAR) models and combination forecasts method are utilized in a pseudo out-of-sample forecasting framework to obtain one-month ahead forecasts. To evaluate the models&rsquo / forecasting performances, the relative root mean square forecast error (RRMSFE) is calculated. Overall, results indicate that combining the VAR models with four endogenous variables yields the most substantial improvement in forecasting performance, relative to benchmark autoregressive (AR) model.

The aim of this research thesis is to analyze comparatively migration experiences in reference to changing citizenship rights of Turks from Bulgaria in northern Cyprus. Out-migrations in Bulgaria occurred in various historical chronologies out of different motivation for migration factors, and to places of different destinations. Despite the fact that mass migration flows of Turks from Bulgaria happen to be directed to Turkey, northern Cyprus was selected as a special case for this thesis, where Turks from Bulgaria immigrated during 1990&rsquo / s in great numbers. For the fieldwork, conducted in northern Cyprus in 2006, a research sample of 30-immigrant households of Turks from Bulgaria was interviewed with a qualitative in-depth and face-to-face interaction interview technique. The interview questionnaire was directed either towards one female or male member from each household. During the interviews, lived experiences of immigrant Turks from Bulgaria in both the countries of origin and also destination were asked. Therefore, a comparative before and after migration analyses was aimed. In the light of this, specified socio-economic and socio-cultural research themes referred to the overall interpretations of whether citizenship status of immigrant Turks from Bulgaria was inclusive or exclusive of both into the Bulgarian and northern Cypriot societies. The thesis draws a conclusion of notably revealed relationship between citizenship experiences and the shifting identity perceptions as a result of migration. Interview findings indicate that related to the conditions of their socio-economic and cultural environments in both Bulgaria and northern Cyprus, they were either included or excluded from social citizenship status. Immigrant respondents perceived themselves as excluded in the areas of employment and educational opportunities, cultural activities and in establishing associations in Bulgaria. On the other hand, in northern Cyprus they have perceived themselves as excluded in terms of work life and finding an occupation, high-income opportunities, finding decent accommodation and neighborhood relations. Besides, in the former they perceived themselves as discriminated because of their Muslim-Turkish identity and in the latter because they have been accepted as migrants and a marginally subordinate group in the social hierarchy.

This study aims to provide an analysis of the evolving social development process of the underdeveloped region of Southeastern Anatolia, highlighting the significance of the concept of &ldquo / sustainable development&rdquo / in regards to regional development strategies and the local project of the GAP Administration in Mardin. It also provides a theoretical background with reference to the modernization theory that discourages the development of some regions. This analysis, based on document studies and data gathered from the Social Development for Youth Project Evaluation reports which have been obtained from GAP Administration, also includes my personal experience in Mardin where I worked as a Project Coordinator of this project. This study evaluates what has been done and what can be done in the future in order to obtain the social development in the underdeveloped regions of Turkey by depending on Mardin Youth Center model.

The aim of this study is to put forth the relationship between the transformation of the labor market and the production process and the vocational education and training in Turkey. The Study will reflect the effects of transformation on the individual and society. The research is conducted through interviews with social partners. The study touches upon the reflection of the understanding of new vocationalism adopted in line with the flexibilisation in the organization of work on the vocational and technical education in Turkey. It tries to explain how this new educational approach is shaped on the basis of the main three discourses such as lifelong learning, employability and flexibility. Consequently, the research focuses on the idea that transformation of vocational education and training in Turkey has occurred at discursive level and also based upon the prevailing opinion on the necessity of developing human resources in compliance with the needs of the economy / that the transformation process. Contrary to expectations of the new vocational education and training system, it produces individual who feel themselves anxious and uncertain about the future, fear and feel in insecure, and accordingly, experiences deprivation and social exclusion.

In this thesis, I intend to examine differences between religious communities and practices through a comparative study of funeral ceremonies performed at Hacibayram and Kocatepe Mosques in Ankara. The ethnographic data, which have been collected through eighty-seven funeral ceremony that I attended in these two mosques, shows that there are repetitive patterns among funeral ceremonies performed in the same mosque. When we compare the ceremonial patterns in Hacibayram Mosque and Kocatepe Mosque, it is observed that funeral ceremonies performed in these two mosques is differentiated in terms of material culture, gender and sentiments. There are different variables for these ritual differentiations, such as the nature and composition of a religious community frequenting a mosque, and the meanings and traditions ascribed to a mosque, which affect the way in which prayers are perceived and practiced. Besides, it is also realized that repetitive patterns among funeral ceremonies performed in the same mosque may even differentiate, because of social status and worldview of deceased and mourners.

Les langues, une ressource économique ? Les problèmes de la variété linguistique et des choix linguistiques sont abordés par les entreprises et par leurs salariés sous le double aspect de la communication externe et de la communication interne. Ces questions, qui n'ont fait l'objet jusqu' à présent que d'études statistico-quantitatives, seront traitées dans cette contribution à travers une série d'études de cas qualitatives, couvrant une vaste gamme de secteurs, de branches et de tailles d'entreprises. Une vue d'ensemble de toutes ces études de cas nous permettra de tirer des conclusions générales sur les particularités des choix et politiques linguistiques en milieu d'affaires, que ce soit le mélange spécifique entre adaptation et standardisation, le cas spécial des négociations, les conséquences de la domination d'un certain marché, l'importance de l'organisation des canaux de distribution, l'impact du rapport coûts-bénéfices ainsi que des expériences linguistiques personnelles des hauts responsables. Nous nous pencherons également sur la question de la méthodologie de telles enquêtes, sur les positions inégales du vendeur et de l'acheteur et sur le trade-off entre communication externe et interne dans les entreprises. (abrégé) / Series: WU Online Papers in International Business Communication / Series One: Intercultural Communication and Language Learning