The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact that the proliferation of regional trade agreements have had on the Multilateral Trading System and whether by allowing regional trade agreements under the World Trade Organization rules, the members of the World Trade Organization have not unwittingly weakened the multilateral trading system. It also examined the effect the proliferation of regional trade agreements have had on the special and deferential treatment for developing countries within the system.

Les tecnologies de la informació i la comunicació han evolucionat molt ràpidament en els darrers 5 anys, impregnant tots els àmbits de la societat. Aquest canvi va alhora estretament relacionat amb un canvi social, també a tots els nivells. Noves demandes, nous reptes i noves necessitats a les que cal fer front. El món educatiu no està al marge. Si bé les tecnologies no són agents de canvi de per se, són moltes les eines i recursos tecnològics que poden ajudar a millorar certs aspectes i en facilitar el canvi tant metodològic com procedimental. Centrant-nos en l'educació superior, de totes aquestes noves eines hem triat els blocs per la seva ràpida popularització, senzillesa d'ús i la gran diversitat de possibilitats que ofereixen. La tesi pretén mostrar que la utilització del bloc a la docència universitària afavoreix l'aprenentatge autònom de l'estudiant i és un sistema de creació de coneixement que pot servir tant pel professor com per a l'estudiant, des del punt de vista dels processos d'ensenyament - aprenentatge en el marc de l'Espai Europeu d'Educació Superior. I alhora pot ser una eina de gestió de la informació, socialització i intercanvi per a l'investigador. En el primer context, s'han dut a terme dos estudis de casos en situacions educatives reals. En un es tracta d'un ensenyament totalment a distància, a la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya i en l'altre, educació presencial a la Universitat de Barcelona. L'ús dels blocs en els dos casos, es centra en la reflexió de l'estudiant sobre el propi procés d'aprenentatge. I des del punt de vista de l'investigador, aquesta investigació, també pretén explorar les possibilitats d'aquesta eina basant-se en el seu ús per a l'elaboració de la pròpia tesi, d'una forma més etnogràfica, a partir de la creació del bloc www.blocdeblocs.net . Aquest anàlisi es fa des de dues vessants: per una banda la comunicativa i de relacions socials (com ha permès posar en contacte persones interessades en el mateix tema, usuaris de blocs, professors, etc.) I obtenir informacions, conèixer experiències, etc. i per altra la creació conjunta de coneixement (fer aportacions al bloc que s'han anat enriquint amb els comentaris, crítiques i valoracions d'altres persones. És a dir, a partir de reflexions personals, aquestes s'han anat transformant i sobretot enriquint amb altres aportacions i punts de vista, posant a prova les possibilitats que es defensen l'ús d'aquesta eina. / The use of ICTs and the adoption to the European Higher Education Area will imply changes in the way students learn and also the way professors teach. The new professor's role will demand an active participation and the use of more resources and new strategies to attend to the emerging needs.Weblogs are a very flexible and easy to use tool that can enhance teaching and learning process. From digital portfolios to self-reflection writings, there are plenty of possibilities.We present two case studies, one based on a first degree face-to-face students, and another based on an online masters degree.The main purpose is to analyze some educational practices of using weblogs in higher education and try to set up some considerations for professors who want to start using it.

Les propriétés mécaniques des polymères et des copolymères à blocs ont été étudiées par simulation de type dynamique moléculaire (modèle billes-ressorts). Les échantillons polymères ont été générés par la méthode de " radical like polymerisation ". Ces échantillons ont été soumis à des essais de traction uniaxiaux et triaxiaux dans le but d'étudier leurs réponses mécaniques. Dans la première partie de ce travail on a comparé deux méthodes de traction : " méthode de traction homogène" et la traction " pilotée par les bords " de l'échantillon. Les résultats montrent que les deux méthodes sont équivalentes à faible vitesse de traction. Le changement de distance entre enchevêtrement dans un polymère modèle sous traction est analysé, les résultats montrent que le désenchevêtrèrent des chaines est plus prononcé lorsque la déformation de l'échantillon est uniaxiale du fait de la relaxation latérale de l'échantillon. La nucléation des cavités dans les polymères amorphes soumis à une déformation triaxial a été également étudiée. On a trouvé que les cavités se forment dans des zones qui sont caractérisées par un faible module d'incompressibilité élastique. Ces zones sont identifiables dès le début de la déformation à une température très basse (T~0K). La seconde partie de ce travail se concentre sur la simulation de la réponse mécanique des copolymères à blocs. L'influence de l'architecture moléculaire sur le comportement mécanique de l'échantillon a été analysée. Les résultats montrent que le comportement mécanique des échantillons est piloté par le taux des chaines liantes qui assurent la transmission des contraintes entre les phases. Le flambement des lamelles dans les copolymères à blocs a été également étudié, l'influence de la taille de l'échantillon et de la vitesse de déformation sur la réponse mécanique de l'échantillon a été explorée. Les résultats montrent un changement de mode du flambement selon la vitesse de déformation imposée. Un nouveau modèle qui prend en compte le facteur cinétique du flambement est proposé pour décrire la compétition entre les modes.

In the last twenty years, regional trade agreements have proliferated. These have usually taken the form of customs unions (CUs) or free trade areas (FTAs). This thesis concentrates mostly on the formation and behaviour of CUs. Union members levy a common external tariff (CET) on non-members. Existing theoretical models, however, do not agree on how the CET rate is chosen. Every model imposes a different choice rule exogenously. In this thesis, for the first time, plausible choice rules, based on the CU's social welfare function, are derived endogenously. The strategic behaviour of members and non-members, reveals that responsibility for CET choice tends to be assumed by the member that can induce the rest of the world to levy those tariffs members prefer to face. Relatively few general results exist describing the relationship between country characteristics and trade bloc formation. Here, new light is shed on this issue, by systematically analysing bloc formation in an asymmetric world, and investigating the role of preferences in coalition formation. It is found that global free trade is most likely to arise when all countries are similar. Customs unions tend to form between relatively well-endowed countries or those with similar preferences. It is also demonstrated that CUs will usually Pareto dominate FTAs, except where preferences differ significantly. The role of transfers in CU formation has received relatively little attention in the regionalism literature. In this thesis, optimal intra-union transfers are introduced and their impact on CET choice is investigated. The impact of transfers on CU behaviour depends on the direction of the transfer. When the relatively inelastic member is the recipient, the CU responds less aggressively to non-member tariff choices than it does when transfers are not permitted. However, if the relatively elastic member is the transfer recipient, the union's aggression increases. Moreover, when one union member exercises a similar degree of control over both CET and transfer choice, then the equilibrium CET tends to be lower than in the corresponding no-transfers situation.

Thesis (M.A.)--Dalhousie University, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-154).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Arizona State University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [243]-267).

A integração produtiva com o MERCOSUL, nos últimos, anos tem recebido uma atenção especial na agenda de políticas internacionais do governo brasileiro. Esse fato pode ser explicado pelo número crescente de empresas brasileiras que procuram integrar sua produção com empresas da Argentina, Uruguai, Paraguai e Venezuela. Dentro desse contexto, o objetivo geral desta tese é analisar as relações funcionais dos fatores relacionados à natureza da firma e à formação de blocos econômicos que interferem nas estratégias de integração produtiva no MERCOSUL. Para entender o objeto de estudo desta tese, foi desenvolvida uma base teórica com foco nas abordagens epistemológicas das estratégias de integração produtiva, na teoria da firma e na formação de blocos econômicos. Logo após, foi apresentado um modelo teórico, fundamentado em hipóteses, as quais são baseadas na abordagem teórica da firma e nos estudos de formação de blocos econômicos. A pesquisa realizada utilizou uma abordagem mista, dividida em três etapas. Na primeira etapa, foram coletados 137 questionários, e serviu para a purificação do instrumento de Coleta de Dados. Na segunda etapa, com a coleta final de 516 respondentes, foi feita a análise dos dados quantitativos. Para isso, utilizou-se a Modelagem de Equações Estruturais (MEE), avaliando individualmente os construtos e discutindo as relações do modelo estrutural e suas hipóteses. Logo após a interpretação dos dados quantitativos, utilizou-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo para interpretar as relações validadas ou não na MEE. Nessa fase, foram realizadas 11 entrevistas semiestruturadas, que tiveram como objetivo analisar os achados teóricos e empíricos do trabalho. Após a validação e análise do modelo, foram feitas as considerações finais dos achados desta pesquisa. Constatou-se que a integração produtiva no MERCOSUL trata-se de um tema evidente, especialmente pelas complexas relações existentes nos fatores que antecedem (influenciam) sua prática. Como pode ser depreendida na base teórica e na análise dos resultados, a materialização dos benefícios da integração envolve um profundo processo de reorganização estratégica da estrutura produtiva das empresas e dos países-membros do MERCOSUL. Desse modo, o presente estudo pretendeu contribuir para a discussão dos estudos de internacionalização da produção em blocos econômicos, incentivando futuros debates que venham a contribuir para a evolução desse campo. / In recent years, the productive integration with Mercosur has received special attention in the international political agenda of the Brazilian government. This fact can be explained by the increasing number of Brazilian companies that seek to integrate their production with companies in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela. Within this context the overall aim of this thesis is to analyze the functional relationships of the factors related to the nature of the firm and the formation of economic blocks that interfere with productive integration strategies in MERCOSUR. To understand the subject matter of this thesis, it was developed a theoretical basis with a focus on epistemological approaches of integration strategies in production, the theory of the firm and the formation of economic blocs. Soon after, it was presented a theoretical model based on assumptions related to the theoretical approach of the firm and in studies about the formation of economic blocs. The survey used a mixed approach, divided into three steps. In the first stage 137 questionnaires were collected. This first stage was the cleansing function of the instrument Data Collection. In the second stage, with the final collection of 516 respondents, it was analyzed the quantitative data. For this matter we used the Structural Equation Modeling (MEE), evaluating the individual constructs and discussing the relationships of the structural model and its assumptions. Soon after the interpretation of quantitative data, we used the technique of content analysis to interpret the relationships validated in the MEE. This phase was conducted by eleven semi-structured interviews aimed to analyze the findings of the theoretical and empirical work. After validation and analysis of the model, it was made the final considerations of the findings of this research. It was found that the productive integration in MERCOSUR is clearly an issue, especially the complex relationships that exist in the factors leading (influencing) their practice. As can be deduced from the theoretical basis and analysis of results, the realization of the benefits of integration involves a thorough process of strategic reorganization of production structures and member countries of MERCOSUR. Thus, this study aimed to contribute to the discussion of studies about the internationalization of production blocs, encouraging future research which may contribute to the evolution of this field.

Ce travail de thèse s'inscrit dans le cadre d'une collaboration entre Arkema - Groupe de Recherches de Lacq (GRL) et le Laboratoire Hétérochimie Fondamentale et Appliquée (LHFA) et porte sur la synthèse et l'étude de la nanostructuration de copolymères à blocs constitués d'au moins un bloc biodégradable en vue de préparer des masques de gravure par nano-lithographie. Le premier chapitre est dédié à la description des approches lithographiques développées afin de faire le point sur les principales avancées ainsi que sur les verroux technologiques à lever concernant la miniaturisation des composants électroniques via les approches top-down et bottom-up. Un intérêt particulier a été porté sur l'approche bottom-up reposant sur l'auto-assemblage dirigé de copolymères à blocs étant donné que des morphologies bien définies et de faibles dimensions sont accessibles. Les propriétés du PS-b-PMMA ainsi que celles de copolymères à blocs constitués d'un bloc biodégradable sont également discutées afin de souligner l'importance du développement de nouveaux copolymères à blocs. La deuxième partie de ce manuscrit porte sur la synthèse et la caractérisation de copolymères à blocs par polymérisation organocatalysée et contrôlée par ouverture de cycle (ROP) de lactones et de carbonates. Une étude de la nanostructuration de copolymères à blocs composés de poly(ε-caprolactone), de poly(β-butyrolactone) ou de poly(triméthylène carbonate) a été réalisée afin d'évaluer les morphologies ainsi que les espacements de domaines correspondants. La forte incompatibilité des blocs des copolymères synthétisés a permis l'observation de nanostructurations lamellaires et cylindriques ayant des espacements de domaines de l'ordre d'une dizaine de nanomètre. Nous avons également remarqué que la cristallisation du bloc de poly(ε-caprolactone) empêche la nanostructuration à grande échelle des copolymères correspondants. Dans une troisième partie, nous avons tout d'abord cherché à inhiber la cristallisation de la poly(ε-caprolactone) par copolymérisation aléatoire. Une évaluation de la réactivité du co-monomère, ainsi que du taux minimum requis pour rompre totalement la cristallinité du copolymère, en fonction de la structure du co-monomère employé a été effectuée. La synthèse de copolymères à blocs constitués d'un bloc de copolyester aléatoire amorphe ("PCLam.") a par la suite été réalisée pour évaluer l'impact de l'inhibition de la cristallinité sur la nanostructuration de ces nouveaux copolymères à blocs. Cette stratégie a permis la ségrégation de phase en nano-domaines de géométries bien définies. Des morphologies cylindriques présentant un espacement de domaines compris entre 15,3 et 19 nm ont été déterminées par analyses SAXS et par microscopie (AFM) dans le cas de films minces préparés à partir de "PCLam."-b-Krasol H-b-"PCLam.". / The present work is in the frame of a collaboration between Arkema - Groupe de Recherche de Lacq (GRL) and the Laboratoire Hétérochimie Fondamentale et Appliquée (LHFA). This work consists in the preparation of block copolymers containing at least one biodegradable block in order to study their nanostructuration aiming at preparing etching mask by nanolithography. The first part of this work is dedicated to the description of lithographic processes in order to summarize the major advances and the technological bolts to unlock concerning the electronic component miniaturization by top-down and bottom-up approaches. Particular interest has been given to the bottom-up approach based on the direct self-assembly of block copolymer due to the fact that well defined morphologies are accessible at small scale. The properties of the PS-b-PMMA as well as those of block copolymers containing one biodegradable block are also discussed to underline the importance of the development of new block copolymers. The second part of this manuscript concerns the synthesis and characterization of block copolymers by organocatalyzed controlled ring opening polymerization (ROP) of lactones and carbonates. A study of block copolymer nanostructuration has been performed for copolymers containing one block of poly(ε-caprolactone), poly(β-butyrolactone) or poly(trimethylene carbonate) in order to determine their morphologies and the corresponding domain-spacing. The high block incompatibility of the synthesized copolymers enables lammellar and cylindrical nanostructurations with domain-spacing in the order of ten nanometers. We also noticed that the crystallization of the poly(ε-caprolactone) block prevent the large-scale nanostructuration of the corresponding copolymers. In a third part, we got interested to inhibit poly(ε-caprolactone) crystallization by random copolymerization. Co-monomers reactivity and their minimal loading required to fully inhibit copolymer crystallinity have been determined to investigate the impact of co-monomer structure. Then, block copolymers containing one or two amorphous random copolyester block(s) have been synthesized to evaluate the impact of crystallinity inhibition on their nanostructuration ability. This strategy allowed the phase segregation in nano-domains of well defined geometries. Cylindrical morphologies presenting a domain spacing between 15.3 and 19 nm have been determined by SAXS analysis and microscopy (AFM) in the case of thin films prepared from "PCLam."-b-Krasol H-b-"PCLam.".

Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-05T18:29:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-03. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2016-02-05T18:32:56Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000697754.pdf: 680931 bytes, checksum: 5a61ac3a97c2a48d7f8ce7672611edcc (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / O presente trabalho é uma reflexão sobre o processo da integração regional na Comunidade de Desenvolvimento da África Austral (SADC). Aborda os desafios e limites para o aprofundamento da integração, no período que vai desde a reestruturação da SADC em 2001 até à dificuldade de estabelecimento da União Aduaneira em 2010. Durante esse período, o processo de integração regional progrediu lentamente sem que houvesse distribuição igual de ganhos entre os países pertencentes ao bloco. Argumenta-se que a múltipla filiação dos Estados da SADC tem sido obstáculo para o aprofundamento da integração regional. Analisa-se os principais desafios para o aprofundamento da integração e desenha perspectivas para o futuro. / This work intends to reflect on the process of regional integration in Southern African Development Community (SADC). It discusses the challenges and limits to the deepening of integration in the period from the restructuring of SADC in 2001 to the difficulty of establishing the Customs Union in 2010. During this period, the regional integration process has moved slowly and there was no equal distribution of gains among the SADC member states. The argument hereof sugests as the main obstacles to further integration: the multiple membership of SADC member states to the various regional blocs.

O Programa de Pós-Graduação em Relações Internacionais é instituído em parceria com a Unesp/Unicamp/PUC-SP, em projeto subsidiado pela CAPES, intitulado "Programa San Tiago Dantas" / Orientador: Luis Ayerbe / Banca: Tullo Vigevani / Banca: Carlos Eduardo de Carvalho / Resumo: O presente trabalho é uma reflexão sobre o processo da integração regional na Comunidade de Desenvolvimento da África Austral (SADC). Aborda os desafios e limites para o aprofundamento da integração, no período que vai desde a reestruturação da SADC em 2001 até à dificuldade de estabelecimento da União Aduaneira em 2010. Durante esse período, o processo de integração regional progrediu lentamente sem que houvesse distribuição igual de ganhos entre os países pertencentes ao bloco. Argumenta-se que a múltipla filiação dos Estados da SADC tem sido obstáculo para o aprofundamento da integração regional. Analisa-se os principais desafios para o aprofundamento da integração e desenha perspectivas para o futuro. / Abstract: This work intends to reflect on the process of regional integration in Southern African Development Community (SADC). It discusses the challenges and limits to the deepening of integration in the period from the restructuring of SADC in 2001 to the difficulty of establishing the Customs Union in 2010. During this period, the regional integration process has moved slowly and there was no equal distribution of gains among the SADC member states. The argument hereof sugests as the main obstacles to further integration: the multiple membership of SADC member states to the various regional blocs. / Mestre