Classical time series analysis has well known methods for the study of seasonality. A more recent method of functional data analysis has proposed phase-plane plots for the representation of each year of a time series. However, the study of seasonality within functional data analysis has not been explored extensively. Time series analysis is first introduced, followed by phase-plane plot analysis, and then compared by looking at the insight that both methods offer particularly with respect to the seasonal behavior of a variable. Also, the possible combination of both approaches is explored, specifically with the analysis of the phase-plane plots. The methods are applied to data observations measuring water flow in cubic feet per second collected monthly in Newport, TN from the French Broad River. Simulated data corresponding to typical time series cases are then used for comparison and further exploration.

For the Himba, deeply embedded cultural symbols—traditional daily way of life, traditional beliefs about the sacredness of cattle, and religious beliefs of ancestral worship—are of ancient origin and have been retained in their culture throughout all of recorded history. While they still exist in Himba society today, some scholars have observed a potential widespread generational shift in adherence to these core cultural values and beliefs. This study presents the findings of 41 in-depth interviews with members of the Himba tribe in northern Namibia—specifically Opuwo and Otutati—ages 18 to 65. It examines the degree to which cultural differences are emerging as a result of exposure to various influences including modern media. Special attention is given to differences among generational groups—young, middle-aged, and older Himba—that have occurred in the Himba daily way of life. Cultural differences are indicated by beliefs regarding dress and living style, cattle, and ancestral worship—the three major, deep-rooted Himba cultural symbols. Three theoretical explanations for culture change are discussed in order to explain observed differences among generational groups. Implications for culture change are provided as well as areas requiring future study. This study is unlike any other conducted among the Himba in that it formally addresses the degree to which cultural change of core cultural values exists. Himba culture has proven to be resilient to foreign influences, but some observers suggest that this is changing. Given the resources, times, and methodological restraints involved in this study, it was necessary to limit its scope to just an exploration of the existence of a potential widespread generational difference in Himba cultural values, and not an in-depth exploration of the reasons behind it. This research hopes to provide a foundation of research from which subsequent researchers can progress in our collective understanding of what Himba generational changes are occurring and how these potentially unprecedented changes have occurred.

No description available.

Like Alike explores notions of pleasure and beauty through an examination of mundane activity. Pleasure is simple, uncomplicated niceness. Pleasure is forgettable and related to the norm. Beauty is complicated and hardly predicted. Finding beauty in the banal provides an escape from mundane life. The banal, then becomes unforgettable. The nondescript, everyday experience becomes important and gains meaning. Like Alike's electronic format is adapted from the original format of an artist book.

This thesis deals with the relationship between Working Memory, Working Memory Span tasks and general factor g and Broad cognitive abilities. Measured constructs are introduced in the theoretical part, with their evolution, various methods of their measurement and studies investigating the relation between them. The empirical part of the research has been conducted to verify the relationship between Working Memory and general intelligence factor g. It has been done to reveal the relationship between Working Memory Span tasks and Broad cognitive abilities as well. The question concerning the influence of the use of strategy while performing the automatic version of Working Memory Span tasks has been investigated as well.

D.Phil / The Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act of 2003 and the Employment Equity Act of 1998 have disrupted the labour market in South Africa by accelerating the need to appoint senior black managers in organisations. There is at the same time an undersupply of candidates meeting the requirements because of the education system and job reservation policies under the apartheid government. One of the outcomes of the operating environment is a perception that there is an abnormally high job mobility rate among senior black managers. The South African Employment Equity Act of 1998 defines blacks as Coloureds, Indians and Africans. The biggest challenge facing corporate South Africa is to retain senior black skill. The research problem the study attempts to solve is to understand factors that lead to senior black managers‟ mobility. Little research has been done in this regard. The objective of the study is to present a model that can assist in better retention of senior black managers. The model will present solutions for any sub groups that may emerge. This study also investigates the perceptions of senior black managers with regard to factors that influence their decision to change jobs.

Dans le cadre du projet ECOMEF visant à éco-concevoir un outil de bûcheronnage pour la mécanisation des peuplements feuillus, les travaux de thèse présentés ici concernent la modélisation du système bois court, et plus particulièrement des opérations d’abattage et de façonnage (ébranchage et billonnage). Des modèles ont été développés afin d’étudier la transmission de l’effort d’entraînement au tronc par les rouleaux ainsi que l’opération d’ébranchage par choc. Parallèlement, différents démonstrateurs ont été réalisés afin de mener un certain nombre d’essais expérimentaux, qui ont permis, d’une part, une meilleure compréhension des phénomènes étudiés, et d’autre part le recalage des modèles théoriques. Enfin, une simulation dynamique multicorps a été mise en place, afin d’étudier plus précisément l’adaptation de différentes architectures cinématiques de châssis articulés aux flexuosités du tronc rencontrées dans les essences feuillues. Celle-ci intègre l’ensemble des modèles analytiques développés et permet une approche globale à travers l’interaction des modèles les uns avec les autres. / The research work presented here and realized within the framework of the ECOMEF project - which aims to develop a harvester head more specifically designed to process and fell broad-leaved trees – focuses on the modeling of the cut-to-length logging process, and particularly on the felling and processing (delimbing and bucking) operations. Several models have been developed in order to study the transmission of the feed force to the trunk or the delimbing process. In the same time, different benches have been designed in order to carry out experimental tests that allow a better understanding of the considered phenomenons as well as the experimental characterization of the models’ parameters. Finally, a multi-body dynamic simulation has been developed, in order to study the adaptation of different kinematic architectures of articulated frames to the crooked trunks specific to broad-leaved trees. This simulation contains each analytic model and allow a global study of the phenomenon by considering the interaction between each model.

Community genetics research investigates the influence of intra-specific genetic variation on species interactions. This rapidly growing research field consists of more than one approach to explore how a significant portion of the environment of a focal species is differentially defined by the expressed genomes of other interacting species. While the basic concept of community genetics is well supported empirically, there is still a set of pertinent issues in need of further investigation. The initial research addressed herein focused on the extent to which the magnitude of a community genetic effect can be moderated when acting in concert with other forces in nature, i.e. the interaction between community genetic effects and the effects of other eco-evolutionary processes such as competition and parasitism. Subsequent research investigated the impact of genetic variation of host plants in agro-ecosystems on the performance (reproductive success) and behaviour (distribution and feeding-site choice) of plant-associated pests such as aphids, especially when pests and their hosts were subject to plant-mediated interactions. In addition, the differential effects of Indirect Ecological Effects (IEEs) and Indirect Genetic effects (IGEs) on the emergence of shared (extended) phenotypes between natural enemies (i.e. biological control agents and phytophagous insects) were examined. I provide clear evidence for significant effects of the genetic variation of host plant on aphid performance, behaviour and intra- and inter-specific competition. My findings also give credence to the concept of reciprocal moderation between plant genotype and aphid competition. I also provide observations on competition that segues into less antagonistic and possibly into a more cooperative form of interaction. In addition, I establish novel systems of economically important crop genotypes, noxious sap-feeding aphid species and root-galling nematodes. I also devise an amalgamated approach to interpret the interwoven set of mechanisms that underpin the observations presented and conclusions drawn. I also provide further investigation on the role of Indirect Ecological Effects (IEEs) between root-knot nematodes and sap-feeding aphids, and demonstrate the influence of in-plant variation on the interaction between the spatially separated plant consumers. Furthermore, I use a quantitative genetic experimental design in order to demonstrate a differential impact of parasitoid genotype on the behaviour of its aphid host. As such, I provide some of the clearest evidence to date that the phenotype of an organism can be the product of the genes expressed in another organism via Inter-specific Indirect Genetic Effects (IIGEs). Finally, I conducted research on epiphytic bromeliads and their associated faunal communities in the tropics. Here I demonstrate that the influence of intra-specific genetic variation of the host plant on the associated ecological communities may be more universal than previously conceived, with a plausible role for such variation in the maintenance of biological diversity. My research provides evidence for the genetic basis of species interactions and, interestingly, a genetic basis for the evolutionary arms-race between foragers and their hosts. My doctoral work adds new evidence to the increasing literature on the evolutionary importance of (Genotype x Genotype) interactions and (Genotype x Genotype x Environment) interactions in shaping the dynamics of pest communities, which in turn can affect plant phenotype and can influence the properties and services of the focal ecosystem in which the inter-players live and interact.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T19:24:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Samara Rodrigues[1].pdf: 1486003 bytes, checksum: 31d0e0cb1c9c341ca0e307d3684010b1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-07-08 / Weeds can negatively affect the quantity and quality on orchards fruit yield. They usually occur in clusters in a given area, not evenly distributed throughout the entire field. Thus, the site-specific application of herbicides makes possible the use of control methods, decreasing the entire cost. In this work, both spatial and temporal variability of broad-leafed and narrow-leafed weeds were evaluated in an orchard of pear trees, using tools of precision agriculture. The experimental area has 1.24 ha, cultivated with 146 pear trees (variety ―Pêra D água‖), located in Nova Laranjeiras, Paraná State, Brazil. The orchard s productivity was through two distinct harvests, given the different reaping point of its fruits. Eighteen pear trees were selected as reference for the four samplings of broad-leafed and narrow-leafed weeds populations, performed per tree, using a 0.5 m x 0.5 m (0.25 m2) wooden frame. Data collected were then used to elaborate maps of mean incidence from both types of weeds. The methodology used was efficient to quantify both types of weeds, since it allows to build maps of the spatial and temporal incidence of both types of plants (broad and narrow). Pear yield showed little correlation with weed incidence. The weeds showed spatial and temporal dependence and such dependence was different due to the leaf type (broad or narrow) and of the position (under the tree canopy or between lines). The western region showed the highest incidence of weeds in the experimental area. / As plantas daninhas podem afetar negativamente a quantidade e a qualidade da produção de frutíferas. Normalmente ocorrem em agrupamentos em uma determinada área, não se distribuindo regularmente. Assim, a definição de unidades de manejo para controle de plantas daninhas viabiliza a aplicação de métodos de controle, diminuindo os custos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a variabilidade espacial e temporal das plantas daninhas de folhas largas e estreitas, em um pomar de pereiras, visando definir unidades de manejo. A área experimental tem 1,24 ha, cultivada com 146 pereiras da variedade ―Pêra D'água‖, fica no município de Nova Laranjeiras, Paraná, Brasil. A produtividade do pomar foi obtida em duas colheitas distintas em função da maturação diferenciada dos frutos. Foram selecionadas dezoito árvores de pêra como referência para os quatro períodos de amostragens da população de plantas daninhas de folhas largas e estreitas, utilizando-se um quadro de madeira de 0,5 m x 0,5 m (0,25 m2). Os dados levantados foram usados então para elaborar mapas de incidência de ambos os tipos de plantas daninhas. A metodologia adotada para quantificação das plantas daninhas foi considerada eficiente, pois permitiu que se construísse mapas da incidência espacial e temporal de ambos os tipos de plantas (largas e estreitas). A produtividade de pêra apresentou fraca correlação linear com a incidência de plantas daninhas. As plantas daninhas apresentaram dependência espacial e temporal e esta dependência foi diferente em função do tipo de folha (larga ou estreita) e da posição (copa - linha de plantio ou nas entre-linhas). A região oeste apresentou a maior incidência de plantas daninhas na área experimental.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:47:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Samara Rodrigues[1].pdf: 1486003 bytes, checksum: 31d0e0cb1c9c341ca0e307d3684010b1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-07-08 / Weeds can negatively affect the quantity and quality on orchards fruit yield. They usually occur in clusters in a given area, not evenly distributed throughout the entire field. Thus, the site-specific application of herbicides makes possible the use of control methods, decreasing the entire cost. In this work, both spatial and temporal variability of broad-leafed and narrow-leafed weeds were evaluated in an orchard of pear trees, using tools of precision agriculture. The experimental area has 1.24 ha, cultivated with 146 pear trees (variety ―Pêra D água‖), located in Nova Laranjeiras, Paraná State, Brazil. The orchard s productivity was through two distinct harvests, given the different reaping point of its fruits. Eighteen pear trees were selected as reference for the four samplings of broad-leafed and narrow-leafed weeds populations, performed per tree, using a 0.5 m x 0.5 m (0.25 m2) wooden frame. Data collected were then used to elaborate maps of mean incidence from both types of weeds. The methodology used was efficient to quantify both types of weeds, since it allows to build maps of the spatial and temporal incidence of both types of plants (broad and narrow). Pear yield showed little correlation with weed incidence. The weeds showed spatial and temporal dependence and such dependence was different due to the leaf type (broad or narrow) and of the position (under the tree canopy or between lines). The western region showed the highest incidence of weeds in the experimental area. / As plantas daninhas podem afetar negativamente a quantidade e a qualidade da produção de frutíferas. Normalmente ocorrem em agrupamentos em uma determinada área, não se distribuindo regularmente. Assim, a definição de unidades de manejo para controle de plantas daninhas viabiliza a aplicação de métodos de controle, diminuindo os custos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a variabilidade espacial e temporal das plantas daninhas de folhas largas e estreitas, em um pomar de pereiras, visando definir unidades de manejo. A área experimental tem 1,24 ha, cultivada com 146 pereiras da variedade ―Pêra D'água‖, fica no município de Nova Laranjeiras, Paraná, Brasil. A produtividade do pomar foi obtida em duas colheitas distintas em função da maturação diferenciada dos frutos. Foram selecionadas dezoito árvores de pêra como referência para os quatro períodos de amostragens da população de plantas daninhas de folhas largas e estreitas, utilizando-se um quadro de madeira de 0,5 m x 0,5 m (0,25 m2). Os dados levantados foram usados então para elaborar mapas de incidência de ambos os tipos de plantas daninhas. A metodologia adotada para quantificação das plantas daninhas foi considerada eficiente, pois permitiu que se construísse mapas da incidência espacial e temporal de ambos os tipos de plantas (largas e estreitas). A produtividade de pêra apresentou fraca correlação linear com a incidência de plantas daninhas. As plantas daninhas apresentaram dependência espacial e temporal e esta dependência foi diferente em função do tipo de folha (larga ou estreita) e da posição (copa - linha de plantio ou nas entre-linhas). A região oeste apresentou a maior incidência de plantas daninhas na área experimental.