This thesis extends Kim and Nelson's (1999) plucking model for real GDP to include correlated innovations. The resulting correlated innovations unobserved components (UC) model allows for both asymmetric transitory movements and correlation between the permanent and transitory innovations. Applying the extended model to U.S., Canadian and Australian GDP, I show that the GDP series can be usefully decomposed into a permanent component, a symmetric transitory component, and an additional occasional asymmetric transitory shock. Incorporating correlated innovations in the model changes the allocation of volatility between the permanent and transitory components. For the U.S., correlated innovations were found to be significant and the permanent component accounted for a larger share of the volatility in GDP. For Canada and Australia, correlated innovations were not significant and the fitted model produced smooth permanent component and volatile transitory component estimates. / Graduate

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

O ser humano desenvolve uma série de atividades motoras bilaterais que, aparentemente, deveriam ser simétricas, tais como o salto, o agachamento e o caminhar. Porém, quando um dos membros inferiores sofre um acometimento estrutural, estas tarefas passam a ser realizadas de forma assimétrica. Quando uma assimetria está presente mesmo após um período de reabilitação, devida atenção deve ser tomada, pois, provavelmente, o membro acometido ainda apresenta algum déficit e o membro contralateral está sendo sobrecarregado. Um exemplo disso é a lesão do Ligamento Cruzado Anterior (LCA) que, mesmo após o período total de reabilitação, os sujeitos podem apresentar déficits no membro operado. A pesar da grande quantidade de trabalhos relacionados à lesão e à reconstrução do LCA, poucos analisam a simetria do movimento entre os membros inferiores durante a realização de tarefas bipedais. Sendo assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a simetria entre os membros inferiores desses sujeitos, durante a realização das seguintes tarefas: agachamento bipedal com e sem carga e salto bipedal com contramovimento. A amostra foi composta por 34 indivíduos, divididos em dois grupos: 17 sujeitos do grupo LCA (todos submetidos à reconstrução do LCA, tendo como enxerto os tendões flexores e com mais de um ano de cirurgia) e 17 indivíduos do grupo controle (sem qualquer afecção nos membros inferiores). Para coleta dos dados foi utilizado um sistema de análise cinemática 3D, composto por seis câmeras de emissão de sinais infra-vermelhos, além de um sistema de análise cinética, composto por duas plataformas de força. Pôde-se observar que, durante o 6 agachamento sem carga, não foram detectadas assimetrias. Já no agachamento com carga, observou-se que os sujeitos do grupo LCA são mais assimétricos nas variáveis: potência articular do joelho e razão entre os momentos de quadril e joelho. Na realização do salto, além dessas assimetrias, o grupo LCA apresentou déficits nos seu membro operado, em relação ao membro contralateral, nas seguintes variáveis: potência mecânica, potência articular do joelho e razão entre os momentos de quadril e joelho. Os resultados do presente estudo mostram que os sujeitos submetidos à reconstrução do LCA, mesmo após um ano de pós-operatório, e mesmo após o retorno à prática esportiva, ainda apresentam assimetrias entre seus membros inferiores. Sugere-se a revisão dos protocolos de reabilitação, tendo em vista que a presença dessas assimetrias pode predispor esses sujeitos à lesão do membro contralateral, assim como de casos de recidiva. Os protocolos atuais enfatizam a realização de exercícios bipedais em cadeia fechada os quais possibilitam alguns padrões de compensação, enquanto que exercícios unipedais em cadeia aberta isolam mais o grupo muscular a ser exercitado. / Human beings develop various bilateral motor activities that should supposedly be symmetrical, for example; jumping, squatting and walking. However, when one of the lower limb suffers from a structural injury, these tasks are then performed asymmetrically. When asymmetry is present, even after a rehabilitation period special attention must be paid to it, because the injured limb may still present some deficits and the contralateral limb may be overloaded. An example of this is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. The patient can present deficits in the operated limb even after the rehabilitation period has been completed. In spite of the vast amount of studies related to ACL injuries and reconstruction, only few of them analyze the symmetry of the movement between the lower limbs during the execution of bipedal tasks. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the symmetry between the lower limbs of these patients, during the accomplishment of the following tasks: bipedal squat with and without load and bipedal jump with countermovement. The analysis was based on 34 people, divided in two groups: 17 patients in ACL group (all admitted for ACL reconstruction, having the flexor tendons as graft and more than a year after the surgery) and 17 people in the control group (without any lesion in the lower limbs). For data collection, a 3D-kinematics analysis system was used, composed of six cameras with an infrared signal emission, also in addition to a kinetic analysis system composed of two force plates. It was possible to observe that asymmetries were not detected during the squat without a load. However, in the squat with a load, it was observed that the ACL group were more asymmetrical in the 8 following variables: knee power and ratio between hip and knee moments. During jumping, beyond these asymmetries, deficits were observed in the operated limbs of the ACL group, in relation to the contralateral limb, in the following variables: mechanical power, knee power and ratio between hip and knee moments. The results of this study show that the patients admitted for ACL reconstruction, even after one year of postoperative treatment and returning to practical sports, still present lower limb asymmetries. It is suggested to review the rehabilitation protocols considering that the presence of these asymmetries can predispose these people to contralateral limb injuries, as well as cases of reinjury. The current protocols emphasize the accomplishment of closed chain bipedal exercises which make some compensations possible, whereas unipedal open chain exercises isolate the muscular group to be exercised.

Using a large sample of mergers and acquisitions from 27 countries over a 16-year period, I investigate how differences in tax and financial reporting policies affect the premium and structure of cross-border mergers and acquisitions. I find evidence that firms pay a premium to reduce the tax risk associated with strict transfer pricing rules. Further analysis segments acquisitions into those that are strictly financial versus those that are more strategic. Financial acquisitions are those where the acquirer is making the purchase for investment purposes rather than strategic reasons. These financial transactions generally lead to less integration between the two companies and therefore less inter-company transactions involving transfer pricing. Evidence based on this segmentation suggests that only differences in transfer pricing risk for non-financial acquisitions are priced. The results suggest that while on average non-financial acquirers will pay a higher premium to reduce transfer pricing risk regardless of industry, only those in highly scrutinized industries with high levels of intangibles, such as pharmaceuticals, will demand a discount for transactions which increase transfer pricing risk. In tests of acquisition structure, I find that shareholder-level capital gain taxes influence the structure of an acquisition. The influence of shareholder-level taxes is reduced by the presence of information asymmetry concerning the acquirer’s stock value. However, higher quality financial reporting reduces information asymmetry and improves the tax efficiency of acquisition structure providing tangible economic benefit to shareholders.

Using a large sample of mergers and acquisitions from 27 countries over a 16-year period, I investigate how differences in tax and financial reporting policies affect the premium and structure of cross-border mergers and acquisitions. I find evidence that firms pay a premium to reduce the tax risk associated with strict transfer pricing rules. Further analysis segments acquisitions into those that are strictly financial versus those that are more strategic. Financial acquisitions are those where the acquirer is making the purchase for investment purposes rather than strategic reasons. These financial transactions generally lead to less integration between the two companies and therefore less inter-company transactions involving transfer pricing. Evidence based on this segmentation suggests that only differences in transfer pricing risk for non-financial acquisitions are priced. The results suggest that while on average non-financial acquirers will pay a higher premium to reduce transfer pricing risk regardless of industry, only those in highly scrutinized industries with high levels of intangibles, such as pharmaceuticals, will demand a discount for transactions which increase transfer pricing risk. In tests of acquisition structure, I find that shareholder-level capital gain taxes influence the structure of an acquisition. The influence of shareholder-level taxes is reduced by the presence of information asymmetry concerning the acquirer’s stock value. However, higher quality financial reporting reduces information asymmetry and improves the tax efficiency of acquisition structure providing tangible economic benefit to shareholders.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

abstract: String players have been identified as the most affected group of instrumentalists suffering from musculoskeletal disorders, and most of the problems are related to posture. The high prevalence of injuries among string players suggests that there is room in the music curriculum for a program tailored to this population and that can provide both immediate and long-term solutions. Pilates is a mind-body conditioning method of exercises and a philosophy that shares many similarities with string playing technique and performance, which suggests that its practice can be beneficial to improve not only the posture of string players but also various other areas. Studies about Pilates as a treatment show the varied areas in which Pilates can help, which are all of interest to instrumentalists. However, the application of Pilates into the music curriculum as a way to help string players improve awareness and reduce injuries has not yet been fully explored. This document addresses the similarities between Pilates and string playing, identifies postural tendencies of string players, and demonstrates how specific Pilates exercises can help counteract asymmetries, restore balance, and reduce the number of musculoskeletal injuries of string players. All anatomical drawings included in this document were adapted from other sources, as cited, or originally drawn by the author. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Music 2017

O ser humano desenvolve uma série de atividades motoras bilaterais que, aparentemente, deveriam ser simétricas, tais como o salto, o agachamento e o caminhar. Porém, quando um dos membros inferiores sofre um acometimento estrutural, estas tarefas passam a ser realizadas de forma assimétrica. Quando uma assimetria está presente mesmo após um período de reabilitação, devida atenção deve ser tomada, pois, provavelmente, o membro acometido ainda apresenta algum déficit e o membro contralateral está sendo sobrecarregado. Um exemplo disso é a lesão do Ligamento Cruzado Anterior (LCA) que, mesmo após o período total de reabilitação, os sujeitos podem apresentar déficits no membro operado. A pesar da grande quantidade de trabalhos relacionados à lesão e à reconstrução do LCA, poucos analisam a simetria do movimento entre os membros inferiores durante a realização de tarefas bipedais. Sendo assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a simetria entre os membros inferiores desses sujeitos, durante a realização das seguintes tarefas: agachamento bipedal com e sem carga e salto bipedal com contramovimento. A amostra foi composta por 34 indivíduos, divididos em dois grupos: 17 sujeitos do grupo LCA (todos submetidos à reconstrução do LCA, tendo como enxerto os tendões flexores e com mais de um ano de cirurgia) e 17 indivíduos do grupo controle (sem qualquer afecção nos membros inferiores). Para coleta dos dados foi utilizado um sistema de análise cinemática 3D, composto por seis câmeras de emissão de sinais infra-vermelhos, além de um sistema de análise cinética, composto por duas plataformas de força. Pôde-se observar que, durante o 6 agachamento sem carga, não foram detectadas assimetrias. Já no agachamento com carga, observou-se que os sujeitos do grupo LCA são mais assimétricos nas variáveis: potência articular do joelho e razão entre os momentos de quadril e joelho. Na realização do salto, além dessas assimetrias, o grupo LCA apresentou déficits nos seu membro operado, em relação ao membro contralateral, nas seguintes variáveis: potência mecânica, potência articular do joelho e razão entre os momentos de quadril e joelho. Os resultados do presente estudo mostram que os sujeitos submetidos à reconstrução do LCA, mesmo após um ano de pós-operatório, e mesmo após o retorno à prática esportiva, ainda apresentam assimetrias entre seus membros inferiores. Sugere-se a revisão dos protocolos de reabilitação, tendo em vista que a presença dessas assimetrias pode predispor esses sujeitos à lesão do membro contralateral, assim como de casos de recidiva. Os protocolos atuais enfatizam a realização de exercícios bipedais em cadeia fechada os quais possibilitam alguns padrões de compensação, enquanto que exercícios unipedais em cadeia aberta isolam mais o grupo muscular a ser exercitado. / Human beings develop various bilateral motor activities that should supposedly be symmetrical, for example; jumping, squatting and walking. However, when one of the lower limb suffers from a structural injury, these tasks are then performed asymmetrically. When asymmetry is present, even after a rehabilitation period special attention must be paid to it, because the injured limb may still present some deficits and the contralateral limb may be overloaded. An example of this is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. The patient can present deficits in the operated limb even after the rehabilitation period has been completed. In spite of the vast amount of studies related to ACL injuries and reconstruction, only few of them analyze the symmetry of the movement between the lower limbs during the execution of bipedal tasks. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the symmetry between the lower limbs of these patients, during the accomplishment of the following tasks: bipedal squat with and without load and bipedal jump with countermovement. The analysis was based on 34 people, divided in two groups: 17 patients in ACL group (all admitted for ACL reconstruction, having the flexor tendons as graft and more than a year after the surgery) and 17 people in the control group (without any lesion in the lower limbs). For data collection, a 3D-kinematics analysis system was used, composed of six cameras with an infrared signal emission, also in addition to a kinetic analysis system composed of two force plates. It was possible to observe that asymmetries were not detected during the squat without a load. However, in the squat with a load, it was observed that the ACL group were more asymmetrical in the 8 following variables: knee power and ratio between hip and knee moments. During jumping, beyond these asymmetries, deficits were observed in the operated limbs of the ACL group, in relation to the contralateral limb, in the following variables: mechanical power, knee power and ratio between hip and knee moments. The results of this study show that the patients admitted for ACL reconstruction, even after one year of postoperative treatment and returning to practical sports, still present lower limb asymmetries. It is suggested to review the rehabilitation protocols considering that the presence of these asymmetries can predispose these people to contralateral limb injuries, as well as cases of reinjury. The current protocols emphasize the accomplishment of closed chain bipedal exercises which make some compensations possible, whereas unipedal open chain exercises isolate the muscular group to be exercised.

Title: Strength asymmetries of female soccer players according to playing position Objectives: The aim of this diploma thesis was to characterize the unilateral and bilateral asymmetries of knee flexors and extensors in elite football players based on player positions and to define the characteristic isokinetic strength profile for each playing positions. Methods: The research group consisted of 66 female football players who play in the highest czech league. The players completed laboratory testing under the supervision of qualified experts, which took place according to the standard conditions described in the methodological part of this study. In the case of players, we examined the strength asymmetries in the flexors and extensors of the knee and compared them between the 4 basic positions in football. Results: After summing the data from all angular velocities (60ř.s-1 , 180ř.s-1 , 300ř.s-1 ) we found that 33% of our attackers had quadriceps asymmetries above 10%, which was the most of all posts. This is followed by goalkeepers with 28% and midfielders with 25%. The lowest percentage of quadriceps asymmetries was recorded in defenders 22%. Even in the case of hamstrings, we recorded the most asymmetries (> 10%) in attackers, up to 46%. For midfielders and defenders, it was the same result for...

This work is aiming to the area of biomechanics and deals with the experimental finding of appropriate kinematic ratios of crank mechanism on racing bicycle and transtibial prosthesis of racing cyclists with an assessment of kinematic ratios depending on the overall athletic performance. The primary aim of the work is investigation of the impact of inappropriate existing kinematic ratios of leg prosthesis and crank mechanism on the kinematics and dynamics of top athlete. The work presents experiments that proposes find out appropriate kinematic ratio of the length of kinematic members and possibility to improve overall athletic performance. The measurement is supplemented about cycling analysis of racer realized via cameras tracking system and measuring muscle activity by EMG. The work also includes a description of impact of various factors on cycling.