In this paper I use the Distributional Morphology framework and semantic Locality Constraints proposed by Arad (2003) to look at category assignments of blends in Modern Hebrew, as well as blends, compounds and idioms in English where relevant. Bat-El (1996) provides an explicit phonological analysis of Modern Hebrew blends, and argues against any morphological process at play in blend formation. I argue, however, that blends and compounds must be accounted for within morphology due to category assignments. I first demonstrate that blends are unquestionably formed by blending fully inflected words rather than roots, and then subsequently reject an analysis that accounts for weakened Locality Constraints by proposing the formation of a new root. Instead, I propose a hypothesis of Idiomatic Root Merge where a root can be an n-place predicate that selects at least an XP sister and a category head. This proposal also entails that there is a structural difference between two surface-similar phrases that have respectively literal and idiomatic meanings.

Individuals and organizations must continuously improve to succeed in today’s competitive economic climate, yet a major dilemma in tough economic conditions is that the resources needed to support such proactive improvement behaviors are limited. Existing theories on organizational resources, stressors, and continuous improvement are relevant yet insufficient for answering the important question of how individuals remain motivated to pursue continuous improvement activities despite minimal organizational resources to support them. Therefore, the goal of this dissertation was to build and test theory on this phenomenon. Inspired by full-cycle research, I began this program of research with a phenomenological study of employees in a manufacturing environment to better understand their appraisals regarding continuous improvement under resource-constrained conditions. The results highlighted the ways in which employees interpret constraints as either a threat or a challenge, and how positive psychological capital (PsyCap) guides these interpretations and subsequent continuous improvement. Informed by this rich data, I proposed a synthesized theoretical model which was tested in two separate contexts. First, I conducted a time-lagged survey study in another resource-constrained environment that demands continuous improvement, namely entrepreneurs launching a new business. To exert more control and to enhance the generalizability of this research, I then conducted an online experiment with participants from various industries and backgrounds. The results of these studies largely supported the theoretical model, documenting in particular the importance of individuals’ challenge appraisals for their ensuing continuous improvement behaviors. The benefits of individuals’ positive psychological resources as a way to enhance the perceived learning opportunities from resource constraints (i.e., challenge appraisal) were also illustrated. Threat appraisals did not produce the expected effects in this context of continuous improvement, and as such, the theoretical model was refined further. Collectively, this research provides answers to the important question of how individuals can find ways to proactively improve in the face of resource constraints, which is a timely and relevant topic across contemporary organizational contexts today. / Thesis (Ph.D, Management) -- Queen's University, 2013-09-27 18:02:23.883

Vulnerable children in Southern Africa are not receiving adequate services to support their human development. The child rights-based approach (CRBA) has become the globally accepted norm informing the quality and variety of multidimensional services children require to realise their rights and ensure their optimal human development. Community- Based Organisations (CBOs) are providing services to children in their communities. Unfortunately, relatively few CBOs in Southern Africa have been able to deliver all the multidimensional services required by vulnerable children to realise their right to survival, protection, development and participation. Yet, in the immediate future, existing CBOs could be capacitated as part of a collaborative approach with governments and donor agencies, to scale up services for vulnerable children. In line with the CRBA and the people centred development approach (PCDA), this research describes the factors that enhance or constrain the services for vulnerable children provided by the CBO, Kuyasa Horizon Empowerment (Kuyasa), in Kayamandi, Cape Town, South Africa. The aim of the case study was to identify and describe these key factors which impact on CBOs service delivery, utilising the CRBA as theoretical framework, so as to provide recommendations for future capacity building with Kuyasa in particular and other CBOs in general. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of research were applied throughout the study using a variety of techniques and instruments. Generally the findings indicate that, in terms of the CRBA, the factors which enhance services for vulnerable children provided by Kuyasa, were (1) their approach to empowerment as a point of departure for other practices and principles, (2) the scope and sequencing of their multidimensional services , (3) the practice of assigning responsibility to children to encourage contribution and the (4) principle of mentorship to validate children‟s iii potential and contribution in the absence of biological fathers. The critical constraints were (1) the variety of challenges children encounter in the community, i.e., sexual abuse, early sexual debut and alcohol abuse, (2) the challenges out of school youth encounter in accessing higher education or employment, (3) conflicting interests which hindered consensus in the participation process and (4) managing complex or prescriptive donor relationships. In light of the critical constraints identified, a collaborative and integrated approach is recommended. The constraining factors identified by this case study cannot be addressed by CBOs in isolation. The challenges children, out of school youth, and CBOs encounter can only be mitigated through a collaborative and integrated approach, where the grassroots level services provided by CBOs are combined with interventions offered by government departments and the development community. Some of the success factors and constraints can be extrapolated and used to inform many similar organisations operating in similar contexts. Finally, framing the findings in terms of the CRBA, promotes advocacy and discourse around a shared theoretical framework. / Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS)

This document examines the theory behind the process leading to my paintings, as well as the content of the images I use. The former will invoke romanticism, infinite possibilities, and the need for having certain parameters and flexible rules. The latter will talk about sentimentality and contemporary culture. I will explain the mechanics of justifying the choice of a particular way of painting: the push and pull between the loaded content of an image versus the language of painting itself.

Declarative process models define the behaviour of business processes as a set of constraints. Declarative process discovery aims at inferring such constraints from event logs. Existing discovery techniques verify the satisfaction of candidate constraints over the log, but completely neglect their interactions. As a result, the inferred constraints can be mutually contradicting and their interplay may lead to an inconsistent process model that does not accept any trace. In such a case, the output turns out to be unusable for enactment, simulation or verification purposes. In addition, the discovered model contains, in general, redundancies that are due to complex interactions of several constraints and that cannot be cured using existing pruning approaches. We address these problems by proposing a technique that automatically resolves conflicts within the discovered models and is more powerful than existing pruning techniques to eliminate redundancies. First, we formally define the problems of constraint redundancy and conflict resolution. Second, we introduce techniques based on the notion of automata-product monoid, which guarantees the consistency of the discovered models and, at the same time, keeps the most interesting constraints in the pruned set. The level of interestingness is dictated by user-specified prioritisation criteria. We evaluate the devised techniques on a set of real-world event logs.

Utilizando informações financeiras de 226 firmas brasileiras nos anos de 2000 até 2015, este estudo buscou investigar se a mispricing (avaliação equivocada do preço das ações) presente no mercado financeiro possui influência nas decisões de investimento dessas firmas. A restrição financeira também foi incorporada ao modelo ao se utilizar os índices KZ, WW e SA na classificação das firmas: financeiramente restrito e financeiramente não restrito. Buscou-se evidenciar como firmas financeiramente restritas e irrestritas ajustam suas fontes de recursos financeiros em resposta à avaliação equivocado dos preços das ações. Estimou-se através do GMM-System um modelo de investimento dinâmico considerando as variáveis de investimento defasado e quadrático, fluxo de caixa, alavancagem, crescimentos das vendas, q de Tobin, e como proxy da mispricing, Accruals discricionárias e Composite Share Issuance. Os principais resultados apontaram que a mispricing atua de maneira positiva no nível de investimento das empresas brasileiras. Elevadas accruals e CSI contribuem para o que o investimento seja impulsionado em virtude da sobrevalorização dos preços das ações e consequente valoração de mercado das firmas. Essa sobrevalorização torna possível a captação de recursos via mercado e a implantação de novos projetos. Os efeitos da mispricing podem inclusive auxiliar na superação de questões de sub-investimentos e propiciar o aumento dos investimentos na economia, atuando como \"relaxador\" das restrições financeiras e incentivando a execução de projetos eficientes. / Through financial information from 226 Brazilian firms between 2000 and 2015, this study investigated whether mispricing in the financial market influences the firm\'s investment decisions. The financial constraint was also incorporated in the study using the KZ, WW and SA indices to classify the firms into two groups: financially and non-financially constraint. It was expected to evidence how financially and non-financially constraint firms adjust their sources of resources in response to stock prices misjudgment. A dynamic investment model was estimated using the GMM-System, considering the lagged and quadratic investment variables, cash flow, leverage, sales growth, Tobin\'s q, and as a proxy for mispricing, discretionary accruals and Composite Share Issuance. The main results pointed out that mispricing acts positively on the level of investments of Brazilian companies. High accruals and CSI would contribute to the investment being boosted by the overvaluation of stock prices and the consequent market value of the firms. This overvaluation would allow the capture of resources via the market and the implementation of new projects. The mispricing effects could also indicate the issues of underinvestment and allow the increase of investments in the economy, presenting a \"relaxing\" effect of financial constraints and encouraging the execution of efficient projects.

O processo de planejamento de empreendimentos residenciais verticais no Brasil tem apresentado deficiências principalmente quanto do confronto das programações que balizam a decisão de investir, da tomada de risco do empreendimento, versus os resultados obtidos a partir do controle de sua implantação. As discrepâncias observadas entre o desempenho esperado na programação e aquelas obtidas nos processos de controle, principalmente quanto a indicadores de prazo e de alocação de recursos mostram a necessidade de se buscar sucessivos aprimoramentos dos processos da programação orientada a prazos. Aspectos como maior consistência no mapeamento de escopo na elaboração do planejamento operacional suportados por redes lógicas, além de uma adequada correlação entre as durações das atividades com as respectivas alocações e nivelamento de recursos merecem ser aprimorados. Uma abordagem para o desenvolvimento de programações operacionais, contemplando recursos para fazer frente aos aspectos acima citado se torna necessária. A ênfase se dá no estreitamento da correlação entre a estimativa das durações das atividades com as respectivas alocações de recursos. O objetivo deste trabalho é propor um método de nivelamento de recursos desenvolvido com o emprego de princípios da Theory of Constraints (TOC). O método de nivelamento consiste de regras heurísticas para programação operacional, complementado por procedimentos para o mapeamento de escopo e de uma biblioteca de redes lógicas elementares para edifícios residenciais verticais. Estes complementos têm por objetivo assegurar um nível mínimo de consistência e adequação do emprego do método de nivelamento ora proposto. Foram desenvolvidos 16 estudos de caso para suportar estes processos complementares, além de 171 testes em 21 redes lógicas para avaliar: os princípios da TOC, calibrar o método, analisar o seu desempenho e demonstrar sua aplicabilidade. Finalmente, concluiu-se que as regras heurísticas que compõem o método proposto nesta Tese são de fácil aplicação, e apresentaram desempenho igual ou superior as melhores regras existentes. / The planning process of construction of vertical housings used in Brazil have shown lacks, mainly when confronting the scheduling guiding the decision-making to invest, concerning the risk of the enterprise, versus the results obtained during the execution control. The discrepancies observed between the expected results regarding scheduling and those observed in the execution control processes, especially those about timeframe and resource allocation indicators, show the necessity to adjust and improve constantly the scheduling processes. Aspects such as greater consistency in defining scope and in the design of operational planning supported by logical networks, along with an appropriate correlation between the duration of activities and the corresponding resource allocation, deserve to be optimized. This study focus on the development of operational scheduling techniques, contemplating resource allocation to deal with those aspects above mentioned. Emphasis is given to the reinforcement of correlation between estimated timeframes for activities and the corresponding resource allocation. The objective of this research work is to propose one method of resource levelling developed using the principles of the Theory of Constraints (TOC). This method consists of a heuristic scheduling process oriented towards operational schedule, complemented by procedures for mapping of scope for the construction of vertical residential buildings and a library of elementary logical networks also oriented towards this type of buildings. The objective of these complements is to guarantee a minimum level of consistency for the simulated implementation model, as well as to insure the adequate use of the levelling resource process proposed here. Sixteen cases studies were developed to support these complementary processes, beyond 171 tests in twenty one logical networks to evaluate the principles of the TOC, to calibrate the method, to analyze its performance and to demonstrate its applicability. Finally, it was concluded that the heuristics rules proposal that compose the method in this Thesis is of easily application, and presented a performance equally or higher than the best existent rules.

Essa tese investiga três problemas: (1) o uso de dados de diferente suporte em geoestatística, (2) simulação multivariada com restrições e (3) verificação da distribuição multivariada. Quando as amostras tem suporte diferente, essa diferença de suporte precisa ser considerada para construir um modelo de teores. A tese propõe a krigagem utilizando covariâncias médias entre as amostras para considerar dados de diferente suporte. A metodologia é comparada com dois métodos: (1) krigagem utilizando covariâncias pontuais entre os dados e (2) o método indireto. A krigagem utilizando covariâncias pontuais entre os dados ignora a diferença de suporte entre os dados. O método indireto trabalha com a variável acumulação, em vez do teor original. A krigagem com covariâncias médias resultou em estimativas mais precisas do que os outros dois métodos. Depósitos minerais multivariados frequentemente têm variáveis que contém restrições de fração e soma. As restrições de fração ocorrem quando uma variável é parte da outra, como a Alumina Aproveitável e Alumina Total em um depósito de bauxita. A Alumina Aproveitável não pode ser maior do que a Alumina Total. Restrições de soma ocorrem quando a soma das variáveis não pode exceder um valor crítico. Por exemplo, a soma de teores não pode ser maior do que cem. A tese desenvolve uma metodologia para cosimular teores com restrições de soma e fração. As simulações reproduzem os histograms, variogramas e relações multivariadas e honram as restrições de soma e fração. As simulações geoestatísticas multivariadas devem reproduzir as relações entre as variáveis. Dentro desse contexto, essa tese investiga a verificação da distribuição multivariada de simulações geoestatísticas. A tese desenvolve uma métrica de distância entre a distribuição multivariada dos dados e das simulações. A métrica desenvolvida foi efetiva para detectar erro e viés. Além disso, a métrica foi usada para comparar métodos de simulação geoestatística multivariada. / This thesis investigates three problems: (1) use of data of different support in geostatistics, (2) multivariate simulation with constraints and (3) verification of the multivariate distribution. When the samples have different support, this difference in support must be considered to build a grade model. The thesis proposes kriging with average covariances between the data to consider data of different support. The methodology is compared with two methods: (1) kriging using point support covariances between the data and (2) the indirect approach. Kriging using point support covariances between the data ignores the difference in support between the data. The indirect approach works with the variable accumulation, instead of the original grade. Kriging with average covariances resulted in more precise estimates than the other two methods. Multivariate mineral deposits often have variables that contain fraction and sum constraints. Fraction constraints occur when a variable is a fraction of the other, such as Recoverable and Total Alumina in a bauxite deposit. The Recoverable Alumina must not exceed Total Alumina. Sum constraints occur when the sum of the variables must not exceed a critical threshold. For instance, the sum of grades must not be above one hundred in a mineral deposit. The thesis develops a methodology to cosimulate grades with sum and fraction constraints. The simulations reproduce the histograms, variograms and multivariate relationships and honor the sum and fraction constraints. Multivariate geostatistical simulations should reproduce the relationships between the variables. In this context, the thesis investigates the verification of the multivariate distribution of geostatistical simulations. The thesis develops a metric to measure the distance between the multivariate distributions of the data and the simulations. The metric developed was effective to detect error and bias. Moreover, the metric was used to compare multivariate simulation methods.

A análise do chute através de técnicas biomecânicas pode auxiliar na compreensão do comportamento e organização do sistema motor. Ao identificar a predominância, emergência ou variabilidade de um padrão de movimento, deve-se considerar a interação de elementos internos e externos ao indivíduo, seja o ambiente onde está sendo executada a ação, as características que envolvem a tarefa ou as particularidades do organismo do executante. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar e comparar o padrão de movimento e o desempenho da habilidade motora chutar, a um alvo, em duas condições: bola parada e bola em movimento. Com o propósito de detectar a influência da faixa etária na execução desta tarefa, participaram deste estudo 10 crianças divididas em dois grupos: G1 (8 a 9 anos) e o G2 (12 a 13 anos). Cada criança realizou 10 chutes a um alvo em ambas as condições. As tentativas foram capturadas por duas câmeras de alta velocidade e foram obtidos dados referentes ao desempenho, variabilidade, coordenação e amplitude do movimento. A análise estatística detectou ajustes na coordenação e amplitude do movimento além de um aumento da variabilidade na condição da bola em movimento. Em relação à idade, foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes na velocidade do pé. Os resultados demonstraram que os grupos etários estudados apresentaram ajustes similares na coodenação do movimento. A condição da bola provocou adaptações no padrão de movimento, entretanto, apesar do aumento nos níveis de variabilidade, não exerceu influência no desempenho do chutar / The analysis of kicking through biomechanics techniques can help the comprehension of behavior and motor system organization. In order to identify the predominance, emergence, or variability of a moving pattern, is imperative to consider the interactions between internal and external elements to the individual, such as the environment where the action is executed, characteristics that are intrinsic to the task or any individual particularity. The aim of the present work was to analyze and compare the performance and movement pattern of the kick realized by children to a target, in two different conditions: stationary and moving ball. To enable us to detect the age influence on the execution of the given task, the experimental group comprised 10 children from different ages: group 1 (G1) children from 8 to 9 years old and group 2 (G2) children from 12 to 13 years old. Each participant performed 10 kicks to the target in both conditions. Attempts were captured by two high speed cameras and were obtained data to analyze performance, variability, coordination and range of motion. Statistical analysis showed adjustments in coordination and range of motion, besides an increase of variability in the condition of moving ball in relation to the stationary ball condition. Regarding the age, it was found differences statistically significant only in the foot velocity. The results showed that the age groups studied had similar adjustments in movement coordination. The moving ball condition led to adjustments in the movement pattern, however, despite the increase in the variability, the performance was not different in relation to the stationary ball condition

by Lai Chi Wai. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [104]-107). / Text in English; abstract also in Chinese. / by Lai Chi Wai. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgment --- p.iv / List of Figures --- p.xi / List of Tables --- p.xii / Chapter 1 --- Introduction to Numerical Relativity --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- The need for numerical approach --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- A brief history of numerical relativity --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- What this thesis concern --- p.4 / Chapter 2 --- Mathematical Formulation --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1 --- The initial value problem --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2 --- The space-plus-time (3+1) formalism --- p.8 / Chapter 3 --- Methods in Numerical Relativity --- p.17 / Chapter 3.1 --- General numerical methods --- p.17 / Chapter 3.2 --- Consistency and stability --- p.18 / Chapter 3.3 --- Difficulties and limitations --- p.20 / Chapter 3.4 --- Strategies specific to numerical relativity --- p.21 / Chapter 3.5 --- Boundary conditions --- p.27 / Chapter 4 --- Detweiler's Scheme --- p.29 / Chapter 4.1 --- Constrainted evolution in numerical relativity --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2 --- Detweiler's Scheme --- p.31 / Chapter 5 --- Constraint Enforcement in Plane Waves --- p.36 / Chapter 5.1 --- General solution for a linearized plane wave --- p.36 / Chapter 5.2 --- Code test --- p.40 / Chapter 5.3 --- Comparison of results with and without Detweiler's scheme --- p.41 / Chapter 5.4 --- Stability of evolution --- p.46 / Chapter 5.5 --- Comparison of Detweiler's scheme and simple diffusion method --- p.50 / Chapter 5.6 --- Two parameter extension of Detweiler's scheme --- p.55 / Chapter 5.7 --- Long time behavior --- p.59 / Chapter 5.8 --- Comparison of Hamiltonian and momentum constraint --- p.63 / Chapter 5.9 --- Indicator of Detweiler's scheme --- p.67 / Chapter 5.10 --- The maximal slicing condition --- p.70 / Chapter 5.11 --- The leaking problem --- p.73 / Chapter 5.12 --- The near-linear plane waves --- p.75 / Chapter 6 --- Constraint Enforcement in MTW Waves --- p.83 / Chapter 6.1 --- MTW waves --- p.83 / Chapter 6.2 --- Linear regime --- p.85 / Chapter 6.3 --- Comparison of results with and without Detweiler's scheme --- p.85 / Chapter 6.4 --- The indicator --- p.90 / Chapter 6.5 --- A comparison of simple diffusion method and Detweiler's scheme with a large amplitude wave --- p.92 / Chapter 7 --- Summary and Conclusion --- p.97 / Chapter A --- The Numerical Scheme of the Code --- p.98 / Chapter B --- Convergence Test --- p.100 / Chapter B.1 --- Plane wave --- p.100 / Chapter B.2 --- MTW wave --- p.102 / Bibliography --- p.104