In this work, we investigate the general structure and the concepts behind the contemporary electronic voting schemes, with special emphasis on voter verifiable preferential voting, homomorphic tallying and voter privacy. We firstly propose a modification in the Single Transferable Voting (STV) method to be applied to large scale elections with electoral barriers. Our proposal prevents the loss of votes and distributes them securely to the second or higher choices of their voters. This method is most suitably used in e-voting with the voter verifiable &ldquo / Pr&ecirc / t &agrave / Voter: All-In-One&rdquo / scheme that utilizes mix-networks for anonymity. We present a case study considering 2007 Turkish Parliamentary Elections to demonstrate the effect of preferential voting on the election systems that have electoral barriers. After the mathematical formulation of the election procedure, we calculate the wasted votes in 2007 elections and present simulation results for 69 election regions (that have no independent parliament members) by using a combination of &ldquo / modified STV and d&rsquo / Hondt&rdquo / methods, according to four different, politically unbiased scenarios on the distribution of secondary vote choices. Additionally, we modify the &ldquo / Pr&ecirc / t &agrave / Voter: All-In-One&rdquo / scheme by proposing three security enhancing modifications in its ballot construction phase: 1) ballot serial number, 2) digital signature of the first clerk in the mix-net, 3) different random numbers for each row of the ballot. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of multiplicative homomorphic algorithms like RSA for homomorphic tallying. The idea is based on the association of each candidate on the electronic ballot with a prime number, and unique prime factorization of the general vote product. We propose novel randomization methods for homomorphic RSA tallying, and discuss the performance and complexity of the scheme with such randomizations. Our suggestion for an auditable and verifiable e-voting scheme that employs homomorphic RSA tallying with proper randomization has advantages over El Gamal and Paillier tallying, such as having the least encryption complexity and strong anonymity resistant to unlimited computational power.

The rapid disposal of products has detrimental effects on environment which is increasing resource consumption for the production of new products, along with the waste production. Therefore, designing long lasting products has great importance for achieving sustainable consumption and production. The present study analyzes the implications of an approach called post-use design thinking for achieving sustainable consumption and production through product longevity. To explore that approach, two educational industrial design projects are analyzed throughout the study. The results suggest that post-use design thinking should be considered at the early stages of the design process. The idea generation exercises developed specifically for this design thinking seem to be helpful in generating design solutions for post-use phase. The results also indicate that the post-use design thinking is feasible in terms of design and production for glass packaging products, which is the specific case analyzed throughout the research.

In this thesis, an attitude control system based on Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) technique is developed for a hypothetical Earth observation satellite with a long flexible boom. To improve pointing performance of the satellite, the piezoelectric actuators are used as well. The boom is rectangular made of aluminum with the surface bonded piezoelectric layers on all four surfaces. The boom is modeled using finite elements. The pointing performance of the satellite using various metrics is evaluated through simulations. Effectiveness of the piezoelectric actuators is demonstrated.

Pyrite (FeS2) is commonly present in complex sulphide ores in significant amounts. After the enrichment of such ores by flotation, pyrite is either produced as a separate concentrate and sold to acid manufactures or removed and disposed off as tailing. Due to lack of demand from manufacturers, most of pyrites is usually disposed off as tailing. Therefore, pyrite is usually a waste from complex sulphide ores. Yet, it may be a remediation additive for calcareous soils and calcareous- alkali soils deficient in Fe and other micronutrients such as Cu, Zn and Mn. Waste pyrite may be also an alternative amendment to gypsum because of the production of sulphuric acid which is effectively used in the reclamation of calcareous alkali soils. The effectiveness of adding waste pyrite and sulphuric acid produced from waste pyrite to calcareous-alkali soil (Sarayk&ouml / y-Ankara) and calcareous soil (Gaziantep) was studied under laboratory conditions. Pure gypsum was also used as an amendment for the comparison of the effectiveness of waste pyrite in the reclamation of alkali soils. Gypsum, powder waste pyrite and sulphuric acid were applied to the soil with reference to the gypsum requirement (GR) of the soils. Greenhouse pot tests were carried out with wheat as test plant to determine the effect of waste pyrite treatment on the plant yield (wheat) and on the amount of micronutrient (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn) essential for plant growth. Hazard potential of pyritic tailings in terms of heavy metal contamination was also taken into account. The results showed that the soil pH and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), indicators of alkalization, decreased upon pyrite addition to calcareous- alkali soils of Sarayk&ouml / y-Ankara. It was also found that pyritic tailings were effective in the increasing level of essential micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) for plant growth in both soils. This was ascertained by the dry matter yield of the plants in the green house pot tests. Heavy metal toxicity caused by pyrite which is a rightful concern remained well below the legal limits in the soils. Thus, it was concluded that the application of pyritic tailings promoted rapid amelioration of calcareous-alkali soil (Sarayk&ouml / y-Ankara) and calcareous soil (Gaziantep) with no deleterious heavy metal contamination.

中共對冷戰後美日同盟的評估：和平崛起論的困境 中文摘要 本文的研究目的在於探討，由於冷戰時期的美日同盟關係主導東北亞安全戰略情勢的發展，但美日同盟關係在冷戰後不但沒有消失，反而藉由其之後條約的強化分別來達到美日兩國的國家利益，而面對東北亞的另一新興強權－中共，美日兩國的同盟及戰略部署帶給中共的戰略意涵是什麼？至於中共對美日安全同盟的認知，其新興的外交思維「和平崛起」又怎樣與美日關係競爭與合作，以及其後續發展情況會如何？而我們有以下的問題重點： （一）美日安保在各個階段的實施情況為何，以及它所代表的內涵及對美日兩國有何影響？ （二）冷戰前後的國際世界格局有何改變，並且對東北亞有何影響？我們可以從中歸結出什麼樣的總體性指標？並且在另經國際性的變動，如911事件、朝鮮半島核武危機及台海安全問題等等，中共對美日安保的認知有何轉變，並且在經由認知之後產生什樣的行為與政策。 （三）如果將中共如何認知美日安保的問題，納入在東北亞的區域國際關係體系中，並且加入探討影響到美日中三角關係的議題，如朝鮮半島問題、台灣問題等等，會有何不同面向的評價與觀點？ （四）如果從外交政策面向出發，探討冷戰後中共提出新型外交概念的目的，並且著重在胡溫體制下「和平崛起」的外交政策，那它與美日安保同盟體系有何關係與影響？並試圖觀察彙整出中共對外行為的原則、方法與手段。

The aim of this work is to analytically treat the dynamic ion behavior during the evolution of the ion matrix sheath, considering the industrial application plasma source ion implantation for both planar and cylindrical targets, and then to de-velop a code that simulates this dynamic ion behavior numerically. If the sepa-ration between the electrodes in a discharge tube is small, upon the application of a large potential between the electrodes, an ion matrix sheath is formed, which fills the whole inter-electrode space. After a short time, the ion matrix sheath starts moving towards the cathode and disappears there. Two regions are formed as the matrix sheath evolves. The potential profiles of these two regions are derived and the ion flux on the cathode is estimated. Then, by us-ing the finite-differences method, the problem is simulated numerically. It has been seen that the results of both analytical calculations and numerical simula-tions are in a good agreement.

Thesis (M.A.)--Miami University, Dept. of English, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 62-63).

The neo-liberal restructuring of state assets and facilities, which has taken place internationally over the past three decades, as well as in South Africa, has been a matter of great controversy. Privatisation, in particular, has been a polarising issue, especially when applied to fields like healthcare. Supporters of privatisation view it as cutting costs, mobilising funding, expertise and innovation, resulting in improved delivery, and opening possibilities for a spread of ownership. Critics claim the process involves retrenchments, declining services for the (poorer) majority of people, and a focus on the elites as citizens become transformed into customers, and with any economic empowerment going to the already prosperous. This thesis examines these issues by looking at the privatisation of hospitals in South Africa, with a case study of the Netcare-Settlers Public Private Partnership (PPP) (also known as the Settlers Private Hospital) in Grahamstown, South Africa. Netcare is South Africa’s largest private hospital company, and also has substantial operations in the United Kingdom. The thesis sets out the context: a highly inequitable healthcare system in the country, the rise of privatisation in the apartheid and post-apartheid eras, and healthcare privatisation. In terms of the Netcare-Settlers PPP, the thesis examines how the PPP was structured and developed, focusing on the impact of the PPP on non-clinical operations. The thesis argues that the results of the PPP are mixed, that it has greatly improved areas like facilities, maintenance, cleaning and catering, performed less well in increasing the doctor/ patient ratio or in attracting specialists, and is associated with the widespread and problematic use of outsourcing of service workers like cleaners and security. Overall, the PPP has improved healthcare, with some effective sharing of resources between the public and private parts of the hospital, but also relies on a pool of relatively low waged, under-unionised, labour. In terms of the general debate over privatisation, the Netcare-Settlers PPP shows that both supporters and critics have some valid points, and that privatisation in practice is not an either/ or, black/ white, good/ bad proposition, but something more complex. The success and failure of PPPs depend on the details of the contracts, and these can be used to maximise the performance of both the public and private partners. Better contracts may help avoid the uneven results seen at institutions like the Netcare-Settlers PPP.

Wie sah Hoyerswerda während der Industrialisierung aus? Welche Veränderungen hat die Lausitz in den letzten 300 Jahren erlebt? Alte Karten faszinieren nicht nur viele Menschen – sie sind auch immer öfter ganz einfach digital zugänglich. Was oft fehlt, um eine Karte wirklich zu verstehen, ist der so wichtige Kontext. Um die vielen alten Karten und Pläne der Region verstehen zu können, bietet diese Publikation nicht nur eine große Zahl von Hinweisen, sondern liefert auch sozial- und kulturgeschichtliche Hintergründe, die in vielen verschiedenen Ansätzen gemeinsam mit Studentinnen interdisziplinär erarbeitet wurden.:Einleitung Marcel Steller: Woher kommen Karten? Seite 5 Sandra Flöter: Historischer Abriss der Landesaufnahme, Seite 8 Teil I: Karten und Bedeutung Marcel Steller: Kartosemiotik, Seite 10 Marcel Steller: Niederländer in Hoyerswerda – die Schule der Kartographen, Seite 13 Marcel Steller: Hoyerswerda in der DDR – der ideologische Plan, Seite 16 Marcel Steller: Die Stadt im Netz – das Erbe Harry Becks, Seite 18 Magdalena Schaffer: Damerau und die archäologische Kartierung – Spurensuche auf Karten der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts, Seite 20 Lena Friedek: Nomen est Omen – Von der Bezeichnung unserer Ortschaften, Seite 24 Teil II: Karten und Umgebung Sandra Flöter: Die Region und ihre Identitäten, Seite 27 Nienke Tesselaar: Die Fischteiche der Lausitz, Seite 29 Marcel Steller: Immer auf Achse: Reisen und Verkehrskarten, Seite 32 Marcel Steller: Der Fluchtlinienplan von 1892, Seite 38 Marcel Steller: Der Bebauungsplan von 1907, Seite 40 Sandra Flöter: Wirtschafts- und Landschaftsveränderung in der Region, Seite 44 Teil III: Karten und Vergleich 115 Jahre – ein Vergleich, Seite 46 Die Guteborner Heide, Seite 48 Der Flächennutzungsplan von 1952, Seite 50 Literaturverzeichnis, Seite 52 Abbildungs- und Inventarverzeichnis, Seite 55 / What did Hoyerswerda look like during industrialisation? What changes has Lusatia experienced over the last 300 years? Old maps do fascinate many people - they are also increasingly easy accessible digitally. What is often missing to really understand a map is the all-important context. In order to understand the many old maps and plans of the Lusatia region, this publication not only offers a large number of references. It also provides background information on social and cultural history of the region. This research work was compiled in an interdisciplinary framework with many different approaches together with students.:Einleitung Marcel Steller: Woher kommen Karten? Seite 5 Sandra Flöter: Historischer Abriss der Landesaufnahme, Seite 8 Teil I: Karten und Bedeutung Marcel Steller: Kartosemiotik, Seite 10 Marcel Steller: Niederländer in Hoyerswerda – die Schule der Kartographen, Seite 13 Marcel Steller: Hoyerswerda in der DDR – der ideologische Plan, Seite 16 Marcel Steller: Die Stadt im Netz – das Erbe Harry Becks, Seite 18 Magdalena Schaffer: Damerau und die archäologische Kartierung – Spurensuche auf Karten der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts, Seite 20 Lena Friedek: Nomen est Omen – Von der Bezeichnung unserer Ortschaften, Seite 24 Teil II: Karten und Umgebung Sandra Flöter: Die Region und ihre Identitäten, Seite 27 Nienke Tesselaar: Die Fischteiche der Lausitz, Seite 29 Marcel Steller: Immer auf Achse: Reisen und Verkehrskarten, Seite 32 Marcel Steller: Der Fluchtlinienplan von 1892, Seite 38 Marcel Steller: Der Bebauungsplan von 1907, Seite 40 Sandra Flöter: Wirtschafts- und Landschaftsveränderung in der Region, Seite 44 Teil III: Karten und Vergleich 115 Jahre – ein Vergleich, Seite 46 Die Guteborner Heide, Seite 48 Der Flächennutzungsplan von 1952, Seite 50 Literaturverzeichnis, Seite 52 Abbildungs- und Inventarverzeichnis, Seite 55

中亞位於歐亞大陸地理中心，自古以來即為歐亞絲路交匯樞紐及戰略要衝。中亞位置與中共、俄羅斯、歐洲等世界強權的版圖接壤，對這些強權國家而言，中亞不但是通往對方的要道，更是自身的屏障，因此一直是強權必爭之地。 為強化中共與俄羅斯、哈薩克、吉爾吉斯及塔吉克四國的邊界安全和互信機制，1996年4月，五國元首聚集在上海舉行會晤，創建了「上海五國」會晤機制。而後，逐年會晤召開，2001年6月15日更將「上海五國」機制改為「上海合作組織」，並吸收烏茲別克為成員國。六國元首簽署了「上海合作組織」成立宣言和「打擊恐怖主義、分裂主義和極端主義上海公約」。 隨著中共綜合國立持續增長，周邊國家以及世界主要大國對中共崛起可能帶來之威脅充滿疑慮，中共因而提出以「互信、互利、平等、協作」為核心之新安全觀，並透過「上海合作組織」等機制付諸實踐。 中共試圖由結盟策略的運用來擠壓美國、日本兩大強國在東亞地區的既有勢力，進而達到區域強權的目標。中共雖一再強調反對一切形式的恐怖活動，卻又同時強調反對霸權主義，指的即是美國。因此，中共在新安全觀理念成立下的對外多邊合作機制─「上海合作組織」便值得關注、探討。 冷戰後，中亞地區在全球地緣戰略格局中的地位顯著上升，國際強權為追求全球霸主的地位，使中亞地區成為國際強權爭奪的場域。911事件後美國正式取得駐軍中亞的機會，宣告美國的地緣政治勢力進駐中亞。 中亞國家作為強權競逐的場域，雖然加入俄羅斯和中共主導的「上海合作組織」，卻也與美國進行各方面的合作，以謀求本身最大的地緣政治利益。面對美國在中亞地區的經略，中共和俄羅斯透過「上海合作組織」的機制，來抗衡美國侵略中亞的壓力，一場以中亞地區為場景的「新的國際格局」就此展開。