The Lower Permian Admiral Formation redbeds in north-central Texas are famous for their well-studied vertebrate fauna. Taphonomical and paleoecological aspects, however, are inadequately understood. The prerequisite for taphonomical interpretations is an analysis of the depositional environments. Low relief and low regional dip expose extensive paleoslopes in western Archer County. Three major depositional systems may be recognized: a fine-grained meanderbelt, a low sinuosity fine-grained fluvial system, and a tidal flat. The small scale of the sedimentation (average sandstone thickness 1. 5 m) is remarkable. Four types of vertebrate occurrences can be distinguished: Type 1: Mass death bonebeds are situated in a floodbasin facies comprised of gray and red mudstones with abundant Psaronius roots (a swamp-dwelling tree fern) which is associated with the fluvial systems. Such basins were covered by a dense swamp forest with a high diversity of vertebrates. This type is exemplified by the Geraldine Bonebed, which has yielded at least 45 partly articulated skeletons representing 4 genera of tetrapods, and remains of another 8 vertebrate taxa. The bones were found on a layer of fern, seed fern, and conifer foliage and wood. This occurrence was formed by a single catastrophic event, possibly a forest fire, which drove the animals of the swamp forest into a pond, where they died of suffocation and were concentrated into a bonebed by physical processes (wind). Type 2: Lag bonebeds, situated on the landward margin of tidal flat environments, are represented by the Rattlesnake Canyon Bonebed which consists mainly of a calcareous concretion conglomerate, which contains fragmentary bone, serpulid worm colonies (brackish water!), and calamitelean wood. The diversity of forms represented by articulated material is low. The ubiquitous predator Dimetrodon and an amphibian, Trimerorachis, which tolerates brackish water, are common. This type was deposited as lag in a storm washover deposit. Type 3: Ponds (abandoned channels, etc.) which contained a fauna dominated by aquatic forms (the fishes Xenacanthus and Ectosteorachis, and the amphibian Archeria) were gradually filled by fine-grained sediment and organic debris (vertebrates, plants). These oxbow lakes were probably rimmed by stands of Calamites. Four examples are described. Type 4: Single, complete skeletons examplified here by Diadectes are occasionally found in red floodplain mudstones. / text

The purpose of the research study was to identify the implications of the licensing processrelated costs for coupling high temperature reactor(s) (HTR) to the SASOL coal-to-liquid (CTL) process (hereafter known as nuclear coal-to-liquid (NCTL)). This was achieved by formulating a licensing plan using SASOL Secunda as a case study. The secondary objectives of the study were: To analyse the national nuclear regulatory (NNR) act, regulation and authorisation, relevant to the licensing of the NCTL production plant; identify variables influencing licensing and evaluating the relative significance from the perspective of relevant stakeholders; and evaluate the magnitude of the activity-base costs. In order to achieve these goals, an in-depth literature review was conducted to understand the application of nuclear licensing and related concepts. These concepts consisted of several key elements, ranging from South Africa’s legal requirements from the perspective of the national energy regulator; environmental impact assessment; NNR’s nuclear installation site license, nuclear installation license – including commissioning and decommissioning. A mixed experimental approach consisting of qualitative (explorative) and quantitative (descriptive) survey designs were utilised in this study to achieve the primary aim and secondary objectives. Three (3) structured measuring instruments such as a telephonic interview, in-depth interviews and self-administered surveys were utilised in this study to collect data. The data collected revealed three (3) short comings. Short comings were addressed thereafter; ten (10) problems were also identified, to which solutions were suggested. From the results of the study and empirical evidence, a quantified assessment of the risk of time and cost of licensing the NCTL production plant was achieved; it was shown that the overall timelines of the licensing plan for the NCTL production plant was estimated at 8 years as suggested by international best practise; total licensing costs was estimated at ZAR 918,599,904.00 in 2013 value. This study concluded with several recommendations in respect of engagement with the NNR, of which the following are important: To gain clarity on the requirements on the content of site safety reports; provide direction on how to apply for multiple nuclear installation licenses for installations for construction on a common site after granting multiple nuclear installation site licenses and public participation process; and distinguish whether the safety authority has the required human resource capable of handling two (2) license applications per year. / MIng (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The purpose of the research study was to identify the implications of the licensing processrelated costs for coupling high temperature reactor(s) (HTR) to the SASOL coal-to-liquid (CTL) process (hereafter known as nuclear coal-to-liquid (NCTL)). This was achieved by formulating a licensing plan using SASOL Secunda as a case study. The secondary objectives of the study were: To analyse the national nuclear regulatory (NNR) act, regulation and authorisation, relevant to the licensing of the NCTL production plant; identify variables influencing licensing and evaluating the relative significance from the perspective of relevant stakeholders; and evaluate the magnitude of the activity-base costs. In order to achieve these goals, an in-depth literature review was conducted to understand the application of nuclear licensing and related concepts. These concepts consisted of several key elements, ranging from South Africa’s legal requirements from the perspective of the national energy regulator; environmental impact assessment; NNR’s nuclear installation site license, nuclear installation license – including commissioning and decommissioning. A mixed experimental approach consisting of qualitative (explorative) and quantitative (descriptive) survey designs were utilised in this study to achieve the primary aim and secondary objectives. Three (3) structured measuring instruments such as a telephonic interview, in-depth interviews and self-administered surveys were utilised in this study to collect data. The data collected revealed three (3) short comings. Short comings were addressed thereafter; ten (10) problems were also identified, to which solutions were suggested. From the results of the study and empirical evidence, a quantified assessment of the risk of time and cost of licensing the NCTL production plant was achieved; it was shown that the overall timelines of the licensing plan for the NCTL production plant was estimated at 8 years as suggested by international best practise; total licensing costs was estimated at ZAR 918,599,904.00 in 2013 value. This study concluded with several recommendations in respect of engagement with the NNR, of which the following are important: To gain clarity on the requirements on the content of site safety reports; provide direction on how to apply for multiple nuclear installation licenses for installations for construction on a common site after granting multiple nuclear installation site licenses and public participation process; and distinguish whether the safety authority has the required human resource capable of handling two (2) license applications per year. / MIng (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Includes supplemental material. / This report outlines the results of a two quarter Total Ship Systems Engineering (TSSE) Capstone design project undertaken by the students at the Naval Postgraduate School. The project was under the direction of Professors C.N. Calvano and R.Harney. / Currently, no system exists that provides a sea-based distributed aviation platform capability. The emergence of Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) / Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs), the continued U.S. Navy focus on the littorals, the desire for force distribution, the need for operational cost reductions, and the advent of Network Centric Warfare (NCW) all continue to support the requirement to re-evaluate how littoral operations will be conducted in the future. Given this background, a bottom-up design of a ship supporting a primarily UAV/UCAV air wing in a low to medium threat environment is of significant interest. SEA ARCHER meets this interest. This report outlines a design that meets the future needs for distributed aviation with a high-speed, highly automated platform. Large gains in reduced manning through automated systems for both operation and damage control helpmeet the demanding needs for the future of the Navy at reduced operational costs. The report will outline both the Mission Needs Statement (MNS) and Operational Requirements Document (ORD) for the ship that was developed. The analysis of alternatives that was conducted to determine relative size requirements for the ship in presented in the next section. The concept design that resulted as a result of the Total Ship Systems Engineeing process in then presented. Finally, a detailed look at the analysis and trade studies that were conducted in presented in order to show the more detailed analysis that was conducted in designing the ship.

Operating at the boundaries of philosophy of mind, cognitive science, politics and social theory, this thesis aims to develop an interdisciplinary model of the relationship between agency and structure. This thesis explores the question of why the agency/structure argument in the social sciences has not yet been resolved and argues for an interdisciplinary model of agency to be utilised by social theory. In the wake of poststructuralism there has been a gravitation back towards characterising the terms of this debate in more strongly dichotomous terms, arguing for the autonomy of agency in particular as a natural kind. This trend can be seen most clearly in Archer's analytical dualism within the morphogenetic theory of social elaboration, where the desire for the clarity of dualist terms has become tangled with claims to ontology. I suggest that this tendency is not limited to social theory, but is characteristic of the neoliberal political environment from which such theory is being produced, understood and utilised. Understanding the way in which our political and social context influences the ways in which we may understand or conceptualise a problem such as this, establishing the logical intuition and methods which we use to do this kind of deductive reasoning, is key for both performing the philosophical task of engaging in the agency-structure debate, but is thoroughly interrelated with how we need to conceptualise that relationship itself. It is both the method and the content, the 'how' and the 'what', of investigating the relationship between external social structures and the feeling of autonomous authorship and choice. I argue that the political value system inherent to neoliberal and economic logics, which prioritise and naturalise individuality and autonomous, internal agentic capacity, works to make the experience of agency appear inevitable and universal. This thesis engages with the assumptions that underpin this illusion, looking to philosophy of mind in order to etch out a framework for understanding agency. This framework has two necessary components. Firstly, that it acknowledges the experience of agency as real, and that as a way-of-being-in-the- world it is necessary to continue to explore how individuals experience agency in their environments. Secondly, and most importantly, that this 'realism' about agency, does not inevitably indicate that agency has an ontological and epistemological reality that transcends the particular social and political contexts in which it makes sense. The thesis explores how the fundamental components of agency, intelligence and cognition are produced in the interrelationships between a subject and their physical, social and political environment. The argument presented is that deliberative consciousness and self-awareness emerge as a response to, and as an effect of, complex social interaction. In contrast to Archer's conception of the sui generis, causal efficacy of reflexive agency, this thesis argues that smooth, embodied, coping with the environment is the preferred mode of interacting with the world. By critically engaging with the idea that those studying social dynamics should conceptualize agency as internal and inherent the thesis explores and critiques the prevalent use of the term 'agency' within social theory, arguing that an explicit engagement with what agency is is an understudied but fundamental and necessary philosophical task within sociology. A strong position is proposed that social institutions not only precede the self-aware, experience of choice and autonomy, but actively produce it. This proposition stands in opposition to dualistic notions of agency and structure as they are conceived by critical realism. This has widespread political implications in a field that often assumes agency to be an intrinsic part of human nature that stands outside of socialisation. This goal of this thesis is to demonstrate that in order to understand the experience of agency within our particular contexts and how it manifests as a force for social change, social theory must engage critically with philosophy of consciousness.

This document is the result of the research done in preparation for the two thesis-recitals given in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Music Performance. The recitals and the document are devoted to selected art song composers from Great Britain, the United States, and Canada. The purpose of the research was to obtain a historical and stylistic understanding of the repertoire to be performed in the thesis-recitals. The methodology used for the elaboration of this document included review of relevant literature, score analysis, listening to recordings by major performers, and the preparation for performance itself. The first chapter is focused on the fact that Great Britains most distinguished composers have been influenced by musical practices from the European continent. John Dowland, Henry Purcell, Benjamin Britten, and the composers from the so-called British Musical Renaissance are taken into account. The second chapter is dedicated to three major figures in art song composition in the United States: Charles Griffes, Samuel Barber, and Ned Rorem. The chapter highlights the fact that these composers share two important features: their styles have roots in musical practices of continental Europe and today they are considered among the most truly American voices. The third chapter focuses on Jean Coulthard, Violet Archer, and R. Murray Schafer as examples of how Canadian composers have used the European artistic heritage in the process of creating their own styles. The document concludes that, in addition to creativity and personal artistic values, two other factors seem to have been important in allowing this group of composers to become models of the national voice of their own countries: a strong awareness of musical and literary heritage and an open acceptance of foreign influences.

This document is the result of the research done in preparation for the two thesis-recitals given in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Music Performance. The recitals and the document are devoted to selected art song composers from Great Britain, the United States, and Canada. The purpose of the research was to obtain a historical and stylistic understanding of the repertoire to be performed in the thesis-recitals. The methodology used for the elaboration of this document included review of relevant literature, score analysis, listening to recordings by major performers, and the preparation for performance itself. The first chapter is focused on the fact that Great Britains most distinguished composers have been influenced by musical practices from the European continent. John Dowland, Henry Purcell, Benjamin Britten, and the composers from the so-called British Musical Renaissance are taken into account. The second chapter is dedicated to three major figures in art song composition in the United States: Charles Griffes, Samuel Barber, and Ned Rorem. The chapter highlights the fact that these composers share two important features: their styles have roots in musical practices of continental Europe and today they are considered among the most truly American voices. The third chapter focuses on Jean Coulthard, Violet Archer, and R. Murray Schafer as examples of how Canadian composers have used the European artistic heritage in the process of creating their own styles. The document concludes that, in addition to creativity and personal artistic values, two other factors seem to have been important in allowing this group of composers to become models of the national voice of their own countries: a strong awareness of musical and literary heritage and an open acceptance of foreign influences.

A importância da tragédia clássica, assim como da arte grega em geral, tem sido analisada não só individualmente mas, também, em relação a muitas obras que foram produzidas na história da literatura. William Shakespeare, por exemplo, escreveu várias peças que contém elementos de tragédia, ou possuem uma visão trágica da vida Hamlet, uma das obras mais conhecidas do autor, pode ser lembrada como sendo uma tragédia moderna. A própria ideia de tragédia moderna é importante neste trabalho, já que através de alguns conceitos, pode-se explicar a transposição de elementos de tragédia clássica a s obras de diferentes períodos históricos, com as necessárias e naturais transformações que a tragédia sofreu devida a s diferenças de tempo, espaço, cultura, etc. De qualquer modo, o efeito duradouro desta antiga forma de arte pode dar origem a inúmeros estudos. Será analisada nesta dissertação a visão trágica do romance The Portrait of a Lady, de Henry James, publicado em 1881, atrav6s das ações da personagem principal e nas mudanças que ocorrem no rumo dos acontecimentos dentro do romance. Isabel Archer, a heroína do romance em estudo, enfrenta ambiguidade e contradições internas ao julgar e escolher a ação que ira tomar, ação esta que ira modificar o rumo de sua vida. Apesar de haver, também, na tragédia clássica, um herói, ou heroína, enfrentando a difícil questão de decidir qual ação deve tomar, esta decisão não só depende muitas vezes de fatores externos ( questões familiares, de estado, ou influencia divina), mas pode influir nestas próprias questões. / The importance of classical tragedy, and Greek art in general, has been analyzed in itself and in relation to many works which were produced throughout the history of literature. The idea of "modern tragedy" is important in this sense, since it will explain the transportation of elements of Greek tragedy to literary works of diverse historical periods, with the necessary and natural transformation tragedy went through due to the differences of time, place, culture, etc. In any case, the long-lasting influence of this ancient form of art is a source of a great number of studies The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James, published in 1881, is a modern novel which will be analyzed in this dissertation as having a tragic view of life. This can be seen through the actions of the principal character and in the turn of events which occur. The modern elements of tragedy present in the novel will be related to the classical ones to analyze the dilemma the heroine, Isabel Archer, faces, and to describe the ambiguity and contradictions this heroine deals with in judging and choosing the action she will take The necessity to organize the narrative patterns which indicated the tragic view in James' novel, led to a brief review of some ideas taken from semiotics, specifically those connected to the study of the polarity of signs in language. In this way, signs could be extracted from the novel to form two pairs of poles which functioned as a means of interpreting the tragedy of the heroine, Isabel, through the ambiguity present in the images used in narrative.