Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) can be classified into two categories namely Nyquist-rate ADCs and OversampledADCs. Nyquist-rate ADCs can process very high bandwidths while Oversampling ADCs provide high resolution using coarse quantizers and support lower input signal bandwidths. This work describes a Reconfigurable ADC (R-ADC) architecture which models 14 different ADCs utilizing four four-bit flash ADCs and four Reconfigurable Blocks (RBs). Both Nyquist-rate and Oversampled ADCs are included in the reconfiguration scheme. The R-ADC supports first- and second-order Sigma-Delta (ΣΔ) ADCs. Cascaded ΣΔ ADCs which provide high resolution while avoiding the stability issues related to higher order ΣΔ loops are also included. Among the Nyquist-rate ADCs, pipelined and time interleaved ADCs are modeled. A four-bit flash ADC with calibration is used as the basic building block for all ADC configurations. The R-ADC needs to support very high sampling rates (1 GHz to 2 GHz). Hence switched-capacitor (SC) based circuits are used for realizing the loop filters in the ΣΔ ADCs. The pipelined ADCs also utilize an SC based block called Multiplying Digital-to-Analog Converter (MDAC). By analyzing the similarities in structure and function of the loop filter and MDAC, a RB has been designed which can accomplish the function of either block based on the selected configuration. Utilizing the same block for various configurations reduces power and area requirements for the R-ADC. In SC based circuits, the minimum sampling capacitance is limited by the thermal noise that can be tolerated in order to achieve a specific ENOB. The thermal noise in a ΣΔ ADC is subjected to noise shaping. This results in reduced thermal noise levels at the inputs of successive loop filters in cascaded or multi-order ΣΔ ADCs. This property can be used to reduce the sampling capacitance of successive stages in cascaded and multi-order ΣΔ ADCs. In pipelined ADCs, the thermal noise in successive stages are reduced due to the inter-stage gain of the MDAC in each stage. Hence scaling of sampling capacitors can be applied along the pipeline stages. The RB utilizes the scaling of capacitor values afforded by the noise shaping property of ΣΔ loops and the inter-stage gain of stages in pipelined ADCs to reduce the total capacitance requirement for the specified Effective Number Of Bits (ENOB). The critical component of the RB is the operational amplifier (opamp). The speed of operation and ENOB for different configurations are determined by the 3 dB frequency and DC gain of the opamp. In order to find the specifications of the opamp, the errors introduced in ΣΔ and pipelined ADCs by the finite gain and bandwidth of the opamp were modeled in Matlab.The gain and bandwidth requirements for the opamp were derived from the simulation results. Unlike Nyquist-rate ADCs, the ΣΔ ADCs suffer from stability issues when the input exceeds a certain level. The maximum usable input level is determined by the resolution of the quantizer and the order of the loop filter in the ΣΔADC. Using Matlab models, the maximum value of input for different oversampling ADC configurations in the R-ADC were found. The results obtained from simulation are comparable to the theoretical values. The cascaded ADCs require digital filter functions which enable the cancellation of quantization noise from certain stages. These functions were implemented in Matlab. For the R-ADC, these filter functions need to run at very high sampling rates. The ΣΔ loop filter transfer functions were chosen such that their coefficients are powers of two, which would allow them to be implemented as shift and add operations instead of multiplications. The R-ADC configurations were simulated in Matlab. A schematic for the R-ADC was developed in Cadence using ideal switches and a finite gain, single-pole operational transconductance amplifier model. The ADC configuration was selected by four external bits. Performance parameters such as SNR, SNDR and SFDR obtained from simulations in Cadence agree with those from Matlab for all ADC configurations.

Dans le grand ensemble géographique de l’Empire romain, la région du delta du Rhin demeurait une zone marginale, aux frontières du monde connu : son environnement naturel deltaïque et son éloignement du centre méditerranéen attisaient son caractère sauvage et méconnu. Néanmoins, pendant plus de quatre siècles, la région des embouchures rhénanes fut incluse dans le vaste empire de Rome, hôte d’une occupation humaine dynamique. L’historien s’intéressant au delta du Rhin à l’époque romaine sera toutefois rapidement confronté à des sources classiques insuffisantes, subjectives, généralement l’œuvre de témoins indirects. Plusieurs chercheurs choisissent ainsi de se tourner vers un matériel archéologique jugé plus fiable, plus au diapason des réalités régionales. Or, le décalage entre témoignages littéraires et données matérielles, loin d’entraîner un désaveu des auteurs anciens, offre un angle d’approche prometteur puisque, en vérité, les représentations véhiculées dans les sources littéraires anciennes constituent non pas un reflet réaliste de la situation régionale, mais bien un reflet réaliste des représentations que se faisait Rome de la situation régionale. La position périphérique du delta du Rhin, loin du centre méditerranéen, aux limites de l’œkoumène, participa ainsi à la construction dans la société gréco-romaine d’une image déformée de la région, une image qui exacerbait l’hostilité de l’environnement naturel, qui exagérait l’austérité de l’occupation humaine, qui surestimait l’assujettissement des hommes aux contraintes du milieu. Cette étude montre ainsi que les représentations romaines de l’environnement naturel deltaïque ont influencé la nature de l’occupation régionale, la vision romaine des populations locales ainsi que les interactions des hommes avec un milieu naturel caractérisé à la fois par sa situation deltaïque et frontalière. Elle exploite de façon novatrice le concept de représentations et crée un dialogue fécond entre sources historiques et données paléoenvironnementales / Among the Roman Empire’s great geographical reach, the Rhine delta area remained a marginal zone, at the frontier of the known world: its deltaic natural environment and its remoteness from the Mediterranean center emphasized its savage and obscure character. Nevertheless, during more than four centuries, the Rhine delta area was included in the vast Roman Empire, host of a dynamic human occupation. An historian interested by the Rhine delta area during the Roman era will, however, rapidly be confronted by insufficient and subjective classical sources which are generally the work of indirect witnesses. Many researchers choose therefore to turn themselves toward archaeological material considered as more reliable, a more accurate depiction of regional realities. Yet, discrepancies between literary testimonies and material data, far from resulting in the rejection of ancient authors, offer a promising approach angle because, in truth, representations conveyed by ancient literary sources do not constitute a realistic reflection of the regional situation but do constitute a realistic reflection of Rome’s representations of the regional situation. The Rhine delta’s peripheral position, far from the Mediterranean center, at the limit of the oikoumene, contributed to the construction of a deformed image of the region within Greco-Roman society, an image which exacerbated the natural environment’s hostility, which exaggerated the human occupation’s austerity, which overestimated the subjection of men to the area’s constraints. This study thus demonstrates that Roman representations of the natural deltaic environment did influence the regional occupation’s nature, the Roman vision of local populations as well as the interactions of men with a natural environment characterized by both its deltaic and frontier situation. The study innovates in its use of the concept of representations and creates a fertile dialogue between historic sources and paleoenvironmental data

Em 1993, a Organização Mundial da Saúde declarou a tuberculose (TB) como uma emergência global devido à sua relevância epidemiológica e a necessidade de seu controle. Atualmente, a TB ainda é considerada um problema de saúde pública e requer o desenvolvimento de vacinas e terapias que sejam mais eficazes na sua prevenção e tratamento. Nesse sentido, o Laboratório de Vacinas Gênicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto estuda há mais de dez anos a eficácia da vacina gênica DNAhsp65 na profilaxia e terapia da TB. Com o intuito de complementar o conhecimento existente sobre os mecanismos imunes desencadeados pela vacina DNAhsp65, assim como sua associação às drogas convencionais utilizadas no tratamento da TB, objetivou-se neste trabalho a caracterização de células natural killer (NK), T natural killer (NKT), e T ?? na imunoterapia da tuberculose experimental com a vacina DNAhsp65, no tratamento com as drogas rifampicina (RIF) e isoniazida (INH), e na associação DNAhsp65-drogas. Inicialmente, camundongos BALB/c foram infectados com Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) cepa H37Rv no dia 0 e nos dias 1, 7, 15, 30 e 70 após a infecção, foi promovida a eutanásia dos animais infectados ou não (controle) para análise das células T não convencionais no pulmão por citometria de fluxo. No dia 30 após a infecção, os animais infectados receberam os diferentes tratamentos: vacina DNAhsp65, vetor pVAX1, drogas RIF e INH, ou as drogas em associação à vacina. Dez dias após o fim dos tratamentos, foi promovida a eutanásia dos animais para análise das populações celulares no pulmão e linfonodo por citometria de fluxo, imunohistoquímica e PCR em tempo real. Os animais somente infectados com Mtb apresentaram aumento significativo no número das células NK (CD3-CD49b+), NKT (CD3+CD49b+) e T ?? (CD3+??+) logo na primeira semana após a infecção, e esta diferença em relação aos animais controle permaneceu em até 70 dias após a infecção. Entre as células NK presentes no pulmão, observou-se predominância da subpopulação CD11bhighCD27low em todos os animais. Nos animais infectados, verificou-se aumento significativo das subpopulações de NK: CD11bhighCD27high e CD11blowCD27high, nos dias 7 e 15 e somente no dia 15 após a infecção, respectivamente. Entre a população de células T ?? presentes no pulmão, houve predomínio do fenótipo CD27- em animais controles e infectados nos diferentes tempos experimentais. Quanto aos animais infectados com Mtb e tratados com DNAhsp65, verificou-se aumento significativo de células T ?? produtoras de IFN-? e IL-17 no pulmão, e apesar de não ter sido observada diferença na freqüência de células NK e NKT neste grupo, as células NK apresentavam maior expressão da molécula FasL relacionada à morte celular induzida por apoptose. Nos grupos drogas e DNAhsp65-drogas observou-se aumento da freqüência de células T ?? no pulmão, assim como aumento de células NK produtoras de IL-10 e que expressavam o marcador de ativação CD69. Os resultados deste trabalho mostram mais uma vez a eficácia da vacina DNAhsp65 e da associação DNAhsp65- drogas no tratamento de animais infectados com Mtb e sugerem que células T não convencionais como as células NK, NKT e T ?? podem participar na modulação da resposta immune na TB. Estes achados devem ser levados em consideração no desenho de novas estratégias terapêuticas e também profiláticas para a TB. / In 1993, the World Health Organization declared tuberculosis (TB) as a global emergence due to its epidemical relevance and the need to improve its control. Nowadays, TB still remains a public health problem and requires the development of more effective vaccines and therapies. In this sense, the Laboratory of Genetic Vaccines from the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto studies, for more than ten years, the efficiency of the genetic vaccine DNAhsp65 in TB prophylaxis and therapy. In order to complement the knowledge about the immune mechanisms triggered by DNAhsp65 vaccine and by its association with conventional drugs used in TB, our aim in this work was to characterize natural killer (NK), natural killer T (NKT) and gamma-delta (??) T cells in the immunotherapy of experimental tuberculosis with the DNAhsp65 vaccine, in the treatment with rifampicin and isoniazid drugs and in the association DNAhsp65-drugs. Initially, BALB/c mice were infected with Mtb strain H37Rv on day 0, and on days 1, 7, 15, 30 and 70 after infection, infected animals or not (control) were euthanized for lung cell analysis by flow cytometry. On day 30 after infection, infected animals received the following treatment: DNAhsp65 vaccine, pVAX1 vector, rifampicin and isoniazid drugs, or drugs in association with DNAhsp65. Ten days after the end of treatment, animals were euthanized for lung and lymph node cell analysis by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and real time PCR. Infected animals showed a significant increase of NK (CD3-CD49b+), NKT (CD3+CD49b+) and ?? (CD3+??+) T cells in the first week of infection and this difference compared to control animals remained until 70 days after infection. Within the lung NK cell population, we observed a predominance of CD11bhighCD27low phenotype in all animals. In infected animals, we verified a significant increase of the following NK cell subpopulations: CD11bhighCD27high and CD11blowCD27high on days 7 and 15, and only on day 15 after infection, respectively. Within the lung ?? T cell population, there was a predominance of CD27- ?? T cell in control and infected animals in the different experimental times. In infected animals and subsequently vaccinated with DNAhsp65, we verified a significant increase in ?? T cells producing IFN-? and IL-17 in the lungs. Although we have not seen any differences in NK and NKT cells in this group, NK cells showed higher expression of FasL molecule related to induced cell death by apoptosis. In DNAhsp65-drugs and drugs groups, we observed an increase in lung ?? T cells frequency, as well as increase in NK cells producing IL-10 and expressing CD69, an activation marker. Our results confirm the effectiveness of DNAhsp65 vaccine and its association with drugs in Mtb infected animals and suggest a modulation in the immune response through unconventional T cells such as NK, NKT and ?? T cells. These findings should be taken into consideration in the design of new therapeutic and prophylactic strategies for TB.

Verificou-se a ocorrência dos teores totais e disponíveis de mercúrio nos sedimentos de fundo e em suspensão, e de mercúrio total em amostras de lambari (Astianax altiparanae) capturadas no ribeirão Guamium, bacia do rio Piracicaba, S.P. As concentrações foram correlacionadas aos diferentes usos dos solos limítrofes à bacia; pequena ocupação urbana com uso agrícola no distrito de Tanquinho (à montante), agrícola (médio-Guamium) e industrial (à jusante). Para tanto, foram conduzidas amostragens representativas do sedimento e da ictiofauna da bacia de drenagem nos períodos de seca e de chuva; (sedimento de fundo julho de 2008 e março de 2009) (sedimento em suspensão mar/2009); (peixes setem/2005 e fever/2006). As amostras de sedimentos de malha inferior a 0,063 mm foram solubilizadas em água-régia (3HCl + 1HNO3), as amostras de peixe foram liofilizadas e digeridas em solução nitro-sulfo-perclórica, em sistemas abertos de decomposição. A determinação de Hg nos extratos foi conduzida por espectrometria de fluorescência atômica (AFS), estando o intervalo de concentração de Hg total nos sedimentos de fundo, para o período de seca, entre 0,040 a 0,105 mg kg-1 Hg e disponível entre 0,018 e 0,064 mg kg-1. Neste mesmo substrato, para o período de chuvas, esse teor apresentou concentrações entre 0,54 a 0,13 mg kg-1 Hg e disponível de 0,010 a 0,052 mg kg-1. Em relação aos sedimentos em suspensão (época chuvosa), os teores de Hg estiveram entre 0,040 a 0,120 mg kg-1 e o disponível em 0,028 a 0,081 mg kg-1. Para a ictiofauna, cujo comprimento variou de 44 a 135 mm, o teor de Hg esteve entre 0,18 e 1,90 mg kg-1 Hg. Os valores de Hg encontrados nos substratos peixe e sedimentos (total e biodisponível) foram correlacionados com parâmetros físico-químicos do meio como, temperatura, pH, condutividade e oxigênio dissolvido da água. Para o sedimento, através dos valores de Eh e pH, construiu-se diagrama de estabilidade para o elemento mercúrio. Complementa-se a abordagem biogeoquímica do estudo, avaliando-se a influência do uso do solo no meio hídrico, através da determinação de \'delta\'13C nos sedimentos amostrados ao longo da bacia hidrográfica / There was the occurrence of total and available mercury in bottom sediments, suspended and total mercury in samples Astyanax altiparanae seizure in the river Guamium, Piracicaba river basin, SP. Concentrations were correlated to different uses land adjacent to the basin, a small urban and agricultural use, the district of Tanquinho (upstream) of the city of Piracicaba, agriculture (medium Guamium) and industrial (downstream). Representative sampling, of the sediment and the fish fauna of the drainage basin were conducted during periods of drought and rain, (bottom sediment in july 2008 and march 2009) (suspended sediment mar/2009) (fish septem/2005 and feb/2006). Samples of sediment less than 0.063 mm mesh were dissolved in 3HCl with 1HNO3, the fish samples were freeze dry and digested in solution, sulfo-nitro-perchloric, in open systems. The determination of Hg in the extracts was conducted by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), while the concentration range of total Hg in bottom sediments for the period of drought between 0.040 to 0.105 mg kg-1 Hg and available between 0,018 and 0.064 mg kg-1. In the same substrate, for the rainy season, this level showed concentrations between 0.54 to 0.13 mg kg-1 Hg and available from 0.010 to 0.052 mg kg-1. Regarding the suspended sediments (rainy season), the concentrations of Hg were between 0.040 to 0.120 mg kg-1 and available in 0.028 to 0.081 mg kg-1. For the fishes, whose length ranged 44-135 mm Hg content was between 0.18 and 1.90 mg kg-1 Hg. Values of Hg found in fish and sediment substrates (total and bioavailable), were correlated with physicochemical parameters of the medium as, temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen from the water. For the sediment through the values of Eh and pH, was constructed diagram of stability for the element mercury. Evaluating the influence of land use on the aquatic environment, through the determination of \'delta\'13C in sediments sampled along the river basin

[pt] A perspectiva de entrada de novos concorrentes e a atual rede de postos revendedores existentes no mercado estão intimamente ligadas à inserção do segmento de combustíveis nos trilhos do mercado livre. Esta pesquisa estuda as possibilidades de retenção de postos revendedores por parte das distribuidoras de combustível. Tomando por base o modelo Delta (Hax e Wilde), investiga os atributos que possam vir a ser valorizados pelos clientes nas três perspectivas abordadas pelo modelo: economia do produto, economia do consumidor e economia do sistema. O estudo adota uma pesquisa de campo para identificação e avaliação dos atributos tanto por parte dos postos revendedores quanto das distribuidoras. Os resultados mostram os tanto graus de preferência quanto às discrepâncias entre eles no que diz respeito aos atributos avaliados por cada entidade - revendedor e distribuidora. Os resultados podem auxiliar as distribuidoras a melhorar seus posicionamentos estratégicos e a caminhar melhor na trajetória do modelo Delta, rumo à retenção de revendedores. / [en] The perspective of entry of new competitors in the market and the actual service stations network are closely linked to the insertion of the combustible segment in the open market. This research studies the possibilities of service stations` retention by the combustibles distributors. Taking the Delta model (Hax e Wilde) as base, investigates the attributes that can be valorized by the clients on the three perspectives of this model: product economy, consumer economy and system economy. The study uses a field research to identify and evaluate the attributes from the service stations as much as the distributors part. The results show the grades of preference and the discrepancies between them in concern of the evaluated attributes for each instance - retail and distributor. The results can also help the distributors to improve theirs strategical positioning and to walk toward the retail loyalty using the way of Delta Model.

Em 1993, a Organização Mundial da Saúde declarou a tuberculose (TB) como uma emergência global devido à sua relevância epidemiológica e a necessidade de seu controle. Atualmente, a TB ainda é considerada um problema de saúde pública e requer o desenvolvimento de vacinas e terapias que sejam mais eficazes na sua prevenção e tratamento. Nesse sentido, o Laboratório de Vacinas Gênicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto estuda há mais de dez anos a eficácia da vacina gênica DNAhsp65 na profilaxia e terapia da TB. Com o intuito de complementar o conhecimento existente sobre os mecanismos imunes desencadeados pela vacina DNAhsp65, assim como sua associação às drogas convencionais utilizadas no tratamento da TB, objetivou-se neste trabalho a caracterização de células natural killer (NK), T natural killer (NKT), e T ?? na imunoterapia da tuberculose experimental com a vacina DNAhsp65, no tratamento com as drogas rifampicina (RIF) e isoniazida (INH), e na associação DNAhsp65-drogas. Inicialmente, camundongos BALB/c foram infectados com Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) cepa H37Rv no dia 0 e nos dias 1, 7, 15, 30 e 70 após a infecção, foi promovida a eutanásia dos animais infectados ou não (controle) para análise das células T não convencionais no pulmão por citometria de fluxo. No dia 30 após a infecção, os animais infectados receberam os diferentes tratamentos: vacina DNAhsp65, vetor pVAX1, drogas RIF e INH, ou as drogas em associação à vacina. Dez dias após o fim dos tratamentos, foi promovida a eutanásia dos animais para análise das populações celulares no pulmão e linfonodo por citometria de fluxo, imunohistoquímica e PCR em tempo real. Os animais somente infectados com Mtb apresentaram aumento significativo no número das células NK (CD3-CD49b+), NKT (CD3+CD49b+) e T ?? (CD3+??+) logo na primeira semana após a infecção, e esta diferença em relação aos animais controle permaneceu em até 70 dias após a infecção. Entre as células NK presentes no pulmão, observou-se predominância da subpopulação CD11bhighCD27low em todos os animais. Nos animais infectados, verificou-se aumento significativo das subpopulações de NK: CD11bhighCD27high e CD11blowCD27high, nos dias 7 e 15 e somente no dia 15 após a infecção, respectivamente. Entre a população de células T ?? presentes no pulmão, houve predomínio do fenótipo CD27- em animais controles e infectados nos diferentes tempos experimentais. Quanto aos animais infectados com Mtb e tratados com DNAhsp65, verificou-se aumento significativo de células T ?? produtoras de IFN-? e IL-17 no pulmão, e apesar de não ter sido observada diferença na freqüência de células NK e NKT neste grupo, as células NK apresentavam maior expressão da molécula FasL relacionada à morte celular induzida por apoptose. Nos grupos drogas e DNAhsp65-drogas observou-se aumento da freqüência de células T ?? no pulmão, assim como aumento de células NK produtoras de IL-10 e que expressavam o marcador de ativação CD69. Os resultados deste trabalho mostram mais uma vez a eficácia da vacina DNAhsp65 e da associação DNAhsp65- drogas no tratamento de animais infectados com Mtb e sugerem que células T não convencionais como as células NK, NKT e T ?? podem participar na modulação da resposta immune na TB. Estes achados devem ser levados em consideração no desenho de novas estratégias terapêuticas e também profiláticas para a TB. / In 1993, the World Health Organization declared tuberculosis (TB) as a global emergence due to its epidemical relevance and the need to improve its control. Nowadays, TB still remains a public health problem and requires the development of more effective vaccines and therapies. In this sense, the Laboratory of Genetic Vaccines from the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto studies, for more than ten years, the efficiency of the genetic vaccine DNAhsp65 in TB prophylaxis and therapy. In order to complement the knowledge about the immune mechanisms triggered by DNAhsp65 vaccine and by its association with conventional drugs used in TB, our aim in this work was to characterize natural killer (NK), natural killer T (NKT) and gamma-delta (??) T cells in the immunotherapy of experimental tuberculosis with the DNAhsp65 vaccine, in the treatment with rifampicin and isoniazid drugs and in the association DNAhsp65-drugs. Initially, BALB/c mice were infected with Mtb strain H37Rv on day 0, and on days 1, 7, 15, 30 and 70 after infection, infected animals or not (control) were euthanized for lung cell analysis by flow cytometry. On day 30 after infection, infected animals received the following treatment: DNAhsp65 vaccine, pVAX1 vector, rifampicin and isoniazid drugs, or drugs in association with DNAhsp65. Ten days after the end of treatment, animals were euthanized for lung and lymph node cell analysis by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and real time PCR. Infected animals showed a significant increase of NK (CD3-CD49b+), NKT (CD3+CD49b+) and ?? (CD3+??+) T cells in the first week of infection and this difference compared to control animals remained until 70 days after infection. Within the lung NK cell population, we observed a predominance of CD11bhighCD27low phenotype in all animals. In infected animals, we verified a significant increase of the following NK cell subpopulations: CD11bhighCD27high and CD11blowCD27high on days 7 and 15, and only on day 15 after infection, respectively. Within the lung ?? T cell population, there was a predominance of CD27- ?? T cell in control and infected animals in the different experimental times. In infected animals and subsequently vaccinated with DNAhsp65, we verified a significant increase in ?? T cells producing IFN-? and IL-17 in the lungs. Although we have not seen any differences in NK and NKT cells in this group, NK cells showed higher expression of FasL molecule related to induced cell death by apoptosis. In DNAhsp65-drugs and drugs groups, we observed an increase in lung ?? T cells frequency, as well as increase in NK cells producing IL-10 and expressing CD69, an activation marker. Our results confirm the effectiveness of DNAhsp65 vaccine and its association with drugs in Mtb infected animals and suggest a modulation in the immune response through unconventional T cells such as NK, NKT and ?? T cells. These findings should be taken into consideration in the design of new therapeutic and prophylactic strategies for TB.

近年來，社會資本成為了西方學者熱門的研究焦點。然而，以發展中國家為實證例子的相關研究卻相當匱乏。就中國的情況而言，由於改革開放初期下的制度法規常未成熟，非正規的文化規範及社會網路(關係)便成為建設世界工廠、提供靈活而低成本的生產運作的重要元素。本論文以港資跨境企業為研究對象，實地考證珠江三角洲的從改革開放以來的工業發展變遷。作者於二零一零至二零一一年間走訪香港及珠三角，與十名港資企業家及其他有關的專業界別人士作深度訪談。 / 研究結果顯示社會資本在珠三角工業發展過程發揮了關鍵的作用。由於改革開放初期的制度法規積弱，港資企業家大多利用跨境社會網路與珠三角的地方領導接洽，從而在當地設置生產基地。及至中國加入世界貿易組織以後，如何靈活運用社會資本及應付新興的制度力量更成為港資企業的重要議題。隨著中國的制度法規在產業轉型升級的路上更見成熟，部分一直過度依賴地方關係及制度漏洞而生利的企業將被淘汰。為解決現時的發展困局並防止當地工業被連根拔起，地方之間必須尋求更緊密的跨境協作。最後，本文揭示珠三角未來的工業發展將取決於企業如何升級社會資本、積極應付新的制度及市場挑戰、更替舊有的社會關係網路。 / In the past decades, scholars have been conceptualizing the asset of social capital in the contemporary West. However, its empirical reference to the developing countries is particularly missing. In the context of China, with a lack of substantial formal institutional support in the early reform period, it is the traditional Chinese cultural norms and informal social ties (guanxi) that constructed the "world factory" renowned for low operation cost and flexible production. This research studies the industrial dynamics of the Pearl River Delta since the economic reform in 1978, with a particular attention to the transborder manufacturing establishments operated by entrepreneurs from Hong Kong. In-depth interviews and field investigation are conducted with ten transborder entrepreneurs and some other involved officials in 2010 and 2011. / Research findings support the claim of social capital as a significant asset to enterprise development in the context throughout the period. In the early reform period with weak institutional infrastructure but strong preexisting personal and social ties across the mainland-Hong Kong border, transborder manufacturing establishments were emerged in the cultivation of guanxi among Hong Kong entrepreneurs and cadre-affiliates in the PRD as enterprise social capital. Meanwhile, the resilience in mobilizing enterprise social capital and particularly the institutional force has been more important to the sustainability and promotion of these transborder enterprises in the post-WTO China. The institutional turn towards techno-economic restructuring is going to eliminate many of the obsolete transborder enterprises, whose vested interests entangled in local guanxi networks and institutional holes have now been dissipated. Tighter collaboration across the border is urgently needed to simultaneously smash the regional lock-in and prevent the hollowing-out of industries in the region against recent global economic downturn. Eventually, it is believed that the reinventing of enterprise social capital, in the acknowledgement of institutional and market force but also informal guanxi networks, is crucial to the future trajectory of the industrial development in the PRD. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Leung, Chiu Yin. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-154). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.v / List of Figures --- p.vii / List of Tables --- p.viii / Chapter Chapte One --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Research Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Scope of Study --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Research Objectives --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Thesis Outline --- p.6 / Chapter Chapter Two --- Literature Review / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2 --- Firm Dynamics --- p.8 / Chapter 2.3 --- Social Capital Theory --- p.16 / Chapter 2.4 --- The Chinese Context --- p.22 / Chapter 2.5 --- Summary --- p.29 / Chapter Chapter Three --- Methodology / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2 --- Conceptual Framework --- p.31 / Chapter 3.3 --- Research Design --- p.34 / Chapter 3.4 --- Data Collection --- p.35 / Chapter 3.5 --- Date Analysis --- p.38 / Chapter Chapter Four --- Transborder Venture Creation in the Early Reform Era: Process of Social Capital Building / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.40 / Chapter 4.2 --- Background Conditions --- p.42 / Chapter 4.3 --- Firm Emergence --- p.52 / Chapter 4.4 --- Summary --- p.65 / Chapter Chapter Five --- Sustaining Enterprise Development against the Latest Challenges: Theorizing the Dynamics of Social Capital / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.68 / Chapter 5.2 --- Case Study --- p.70 / Chapter 5.3 --- Locating the Dynamics --- p.86 / Chapter 5.4 --- Theorizing Enterprise Social Capital --- p.96 / Chapter 5.5 --- Institutional Turn --- p.105 / Chapter 5.6 --- Summary --- p.122 / Chapter Chapter Six --- Conclusions / Chapter 6.1 --- Discussion of Results --- p.p.124 / Chapter 6.2 --- Contributions and Limitations --- p.130 / Chapter 6.3 --- Remarks for Future Research --- p.133 / Bibliography --- p.135

Wong Yuen Fun. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2005-2006, design report." / Includes bibliographical references. / Chapter A. --- Theory and History / Chapter A-1. --- Evolution of Interiority / Chapter A-2. --- Evolution of Bigness / Chapter A-3. --- Evolution of Shopping / Chapter B. --- Fron Mall to Village / Chapter B-1. --- Shopping Malls along Railways / Chapter B-2. --- The Mall / Chapter B-3. --- Points of Arrival / Chapter B-4. --- Internal Circulation / Chapter B-5. --- Sectional Journey / Chapter B-6. --- Interior? Exterior? / Chapter C. --- From Village to Mall / Chapter C-1. --- Urban Village / Chapter C-2. --- Mall in the Village / Chapter D. --- Design

For inter-city cooperation at regional scale: (a) The thesis applies the partnership theory to regional scale, especially for inter-city cooperation. In this study, three different mechanisms of inter-city cooperation are identified, namely, spontaneous partnership, hierarchical partnership and hybrid partnership. Their effectiveness in inter-city cooperation is evaluated in the thesis. (b) The thesis argues that inter-city cooperation is also a process. Three stages, information exchange, thematic cooperation, and common market, are identified. (c) The thesis categorizes inter-city cooperation in the Yangtze River Delta region. Five ideal types of partnership arrangements for thematic cooperation are identified: development partnership, promotional partnership, coordination partnership, resource-based partnership and strategic partnership. (d) The thesis reveals some principles of partner (member city) selection for inter-city cooperation. In addition, according to the roles of actors in partnership building, the thesis classifies them into three types: crucial actors, influential actors and ordinary actors. Urban growth/cross-border urban growth at urban scale: (a) The traditional urban growth coalition approach neglects how "forces" operate above the local/urban scale, especially in globalizing and competitive world today. This thesis provides some insights for this problem and extends traditional urban growth coalition approach by considering the case of cross-border urban growth in China. (b) The thesis enhances the understanding of urban growth coalition in China. It is found that local governments play different roles in various stages of the formation of urban growth coalition. (c) It is found that an anti-coalition is emerging and has been strengthened in the context of land expropriation due to rapid industrial and urban expansion in China. The causes of the emergence of anti-coalitions are examined in the thesis. / Inter-city cooperation and cross-border development in the Yangtze River Delta region are new phenomena and have received much governmental and scholarly attention in recent years. The aim of this research is to examine inter-city cooperation taking place at regional scale and cross-border urban growth at urban scale from partnership perspective. In this study, three typical cases of inter-city cooperation, Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou Urban Region Planning, the Forum for the Coordination of Urban Economy of Yangtze River Delta Region and Jiangyin Economic Development Zone in Jingjiang are selected to examine three types of partnership arrangements with different mobilizations, namely, hierarchical partnership, spontaneous partnership and hybrid partnership. The three case studies contribute to the study of inter-city cooperation based on Chinese experiences. Meanwhile, the case of Jiangyin Economic Development Zone in Jingjiang is also a case of cross-border urban growth. The findings from this case not only extend the urban growth coalition approach to the case of cross-border urban growth, but also deepen the understanding of urban growth politics in China. After tracing and examining the process of mobilization and actor interaction in each case, the major findings of this research are as follows: / The findings of this thesis enhance understanding of inter-city cooperation and cross-border urban growth in rapidly changing China. They not only help to improve the effectiveness of existing inter-city cooperation in the delta region, but also shed light on inter-city cooperation elsewhere. Lessons and experiences drawn from Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou Urban Region Planning and Jiangyin Economic Zone in Jingjiang shed light on urban region planning/coordinative planning and cross-border development respectively. / Luo Xiaolong. / "June 2005." / Adviser: Jianfa Shen. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-07, Section: A, page: 2699. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 184-192). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

[pt] Com a constante evolução do mercado, o posicionamento estratégico nas organizações é uma preocupação recorrente de seus gestores; uma abordagem relevante é a utilização do modelo Delta proposto por Hax & Wilde. O projeto Delta redefine a avaliação do mercado em três novas dimensões competitivas e justifica as forças econômicas mais complexas, integrando a estratégia à execução nos negócios. Foi construído um estudo de caso de acordo com a metodologia de Yin (2003), que utiliza dados coletados através de pesquisas documentais e análises qualitativas de entrevistas com a alta e média gerência assim como com os principais fornecedores e clientes do grupo RCH. Após a interpretação e análise dos dados, os resultados obtidos mostram os principais atributos valorizados pelos gestores, fornecedores e clientes da empresa, característicos do modelo Delta. O estudo identifica a importância da criação de valor e sua influência no reposicionamento estratégico do grupo RCH. Como resposta a essa proposição, foi construída uma figura denominada -Túnel do Tempo - que relaciona a linha do tempo com o modelo Delta e demonstra o deslocamento da dimensão estratégica do melhor produto para a dimensão estratégica de solução para o cliente desde a sua fundação até a data de hoje. / [en] Due to the ongoing market evolution, the strategic positioning in most organizations is a recurrent concern among the managerial board; the use of the Delta Model proposed by Hax & Wilde is a relevant approach. The Delta Project redefines the market evaluation in three new competitive dimensions and it accounts for more complex economic forces, linking business strategy to business execution. A case study has been built according to the Yin Methodology (2003), which uses collected data from documentary research and qualitative analysis of interviews done with RCH senior and middle management as well as with its main suppliers and customers. After data interpretation and analysis, results show the main attributes characteristic of the Delta Model of significant value to the Company`s management, suppliers and customers. The study identifies the importance of value creation and its influence in the strategic repositioning of the group RCH. As an answer to this proposition, a figure named - Time Tunnel - has been built. It relates the time line to the Delta Model and it shows the consequent change from strategic dimension of best product to strategic dimension of total customer solution since its foundation until present date.