The first aim of this work is to describe the issues of nominal syntagma as well as the absence of determinant that is connected to it. The other goal is to examine one type of this absence in a journalistic corpus L´Est Républicain. The analysis in this corpus will evaluate the frequency, the semantics and the syntactic functions of the chosen phenomenon in journalistic context. The work is divided into two parts: the theoretical and the practical one. In the first part, all the terms connected to the nominal syntagma will be defined. The nominal syntagma along with its nature and its parts will be described. At the same time, the cases of the absence of determinant in present-day French will be explained. The second part contains quantitative and qualitative analysis in the corpus L´Est Républicain. Subject of research are juxtaposed and coordinative enumerations in a different extent and in the different syntactic positions.

Given a finite group G of cardinality N, the group determinant [theta]G associated to G is a homogeneous polynomial in N variables of degree N. We study two properties of [theta]G. First we determine the stabilizer of [theta](G) under the action of permuting its variables. Then we also prove that the Lehmer's constant for any finite abelian group must satisfy a system of congruence equations. In particular when G is a p-group, we can strengthen the result to establish upper and lower bounds for the Lehmer's constant. / text

This thesis addresses two important topics in HIV-1 medicine; (i) the clinical relevance of pre-treatment G-A hypermutation and the contribution of host and viral genetics to its development and; (ii) the influence of genetic variation in host enzymes responsible for antiretroviral drug metabolism on response to therapy. These themes are outlined below. HIV-1 Hypermutation At present, limited data exists regarding the relative roles of host encoded cytidine deaminases APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F in promoting G-A hypermutation of HIV-1 proviral DNA in vivo, nor the clinical relevance of hypermutation or the influence of genetic diversity of the APOBEC3G locus and of the viral encoded vif protein that counteracts the action of APOBEC3G. The analyses contained within this thesis demonstrate that within the WA HIV cohort, clinically relevant hypermutation is restricted to a minority of individuals and is mediated predominantly by APOBEC3G. In this study, the presence of HIV-1 hypermutation had a substantially greater effect on plasma viremia than other known host antiviral factors such as CCR5D32 or specific HLA-B alleles. Furthermore, the considerable genetic diversity of the vif gene is likely to make a greater contribution to the development of hypermutation than the limited genetic diversity of the APOBEC3G gene in Caucasians. These data indicate that G-A hypermutation is a clinically relevant phenomenon and may provide a fresh perspective to the area of HIV/AIDS therapies. Genetic Determinant of HIV-1 Treatment Response Thymidine kinase 2 (TK2) and thymidylate kinase (dTMPK) are rate limiting enzymes for the metabolism of the antiretrovirals d4T and AZT, respectively, and are thus central to the antiviral efficacy and toxicity of these agents. However, the genetic diversity of TK2 and dTMPK and their influence on toxicities associated with their use is largely unknown. The results discussed in this thesis indicate that in contrast to the highly conserved TK2 locus, the dTMPK locus of Caucasian individuals, including regulatory regions potentially influencing transcription and translation, is considerably polymorphic and organised into five common haplotypes. The results regarding the contribution of dTMPK genetic variation to toxicities associated with AZT therapy are encouraging. A common dTMPK haplotype had significant, albeit modest, effect on haematological parameters (haemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume) in HIV-infected patients, although no AZT-specific treatment effect was observed in this relatively haematologically stable cohort. In addition, another common dTMPK haplotype provided significant protection against AZT-induced adipocyte mtDNA depletion in a pilot study of AZT- and d4T-treated individuals. The dTMPK haplotypes characterised in this thesis should facilitate further studies regarding dTMPK genetic variation in HIV-1 infection and response to treatment, which are warranted from the clinical results presented herein.

This study follows the theoretical les of Deutsch and Gerrard¡¦s dual-process theory to determine the informational and normative factors that influence credibility judgments of on-line consumer recommendation by readers. In addition, this study also discusses how impulse traits and disposition of Trust play as a moderator on the influence of Electronic Word-of-Mouth on sender¡¦s WOM on the receiver¡¦s purchase decision. This study¡¦s main purpose as follows: ¤@¡B How world informational and normative determinants affect a user¡¦s credibility evaluation of on- line consumer recommendations? ¤G¡B How would this perceived credibility of eWOM influence its sender¡¦s WOM on the receiver¡¦s purchase decision? ¤T¡B Receiver of consumer recommendations¡¦ impulse traits and disposition of trust whether influence the relationship between perceived credibility of eWOM and sender¡¦s WOM on the receiver¡¦s purchase decision. This study has some finding as following: ¤@¡B Informational determinant-argument strength, confirmation with receiver¡¦s prior belief, expertise - significantly influenced perceived eWOM credibility. ¤G¡B normative determinant- - significantly influenced perceived eWOM credibility ¤T¡B perceived eWOM credibility significantly influenced sender¡¦s WOM on the receiver¡¦s purchase decision. ¥|¡B impulse traits and disposition of Trust could strengthen the relationship between perceived credibility of eWOM and sender¡¦s WOM on the receiver¡¦s purchase decision.

The aim of this thesis is to argue what it means to embody clinical competence for treating im/migrant patients. Im/migrants are a distinct yet heterogeneous patient population. They come to the U.S. for a variety of reasons, with a great diversity of backgrounds, upbringings, experiences, and ways of life. Considering the structural violence and push and pull factors directly connected to reasons for im/migration and experiences of distress upon settlement in the U.S., the central framework of this thesis is im/migration as a structural determinant of health. The operations of social structures, through policy, law enforcement, and discriminatory belief systems, make im/migrants structurally vulnerable. When healthcare providers treat im/migrant patients from a structurally informed approach to care, the context of these patients’ needs become more apparent and likelihood of positive health outcomes increases. Central to this structural approach, as I explain, is understanding how to best communicate with, gain the trust of, and provide effective social interventions for im/migrant patients relative to the operations of violent social structures. Im/migrant status truly is a determinant of health in its own right, and accordingly, care for im/migrant patients is also a specialized clinical realm with specific skills and competencies. As I argue, healthcare providers can only attain—embody—the competence for treating im/migrants through an awareness of how social structures affect these patients’ lives and modifies the delivery of care.

The research study focused on assessing implementation of the turnaround management strategies in a water board. The location of the study was a water board located in the economic heart of South Africa, Rand Water. The objectives of the study were; (a) to evaluate the turnaround plans implemented in the water sector, (b) to uncover success factors attained when undertaking turnaround plans, (c) to assess selected case studies dealing with the turnaround management strategies in selected industries, and lastly (e) to derive an understanding on determinants and factors that cut across the turnaround plans. The research approach that premised the study was quantitative methodology, which involved distribution of questionnaires as part of field work in the water board. The questionnaires were analysed through statistical approach, and further linked back to the problem statement posed to the research study. Some assumptions were utilized for conducting the research project, including the statistically acceptable sample. The area of focus in the water board was Strategic Asset Management Division which was selected because of its huge impact in the planning and execution of the capital projects. Infrastructure or capital projects form the core of the business sustainability; they ensure the future of the water as well as the region of the country. Various literatures were reviewed pertaining to the turnaround management strategies and certain inferences were made. The results provide interesting relationships between variables that can be explored further. There were certain biases that were obtained, and in certain cases there was no relationships between variables and in most cases there were positive relationships. The turnaround management strategies are extensively carried out across the industries. It can be concluded from the research study that there are certain phenomenona that can be derived from the turnaround plans. It can also be deduced that certain factors or determinants demonstrate a better behaviour than others when tested in the turnaround management environment. Models can be developed utilizing regression tools pertaining to the turnaround plans and adaptation of these models based on conditions or certain unique aspects is recommended to be done. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The research study focused on assessing implementation of the turnaround management strategies in a water board. The location of the study was a water board located in the economic heart of South Africa, Rand Water. The objectives of the study were; (a) to evaluate the turnaround plans implemented in the water sector, (b) to uncover success factors attained when undertaking turnaround plans, (c) to assess selected case studies dealing with the turnaround management strategies in selected industries, and lastly (e) to derive an understanding on determinants and factors that cut across the turnaround plans. The research approach that premised the study was quantitative methodology, which involved distribution of questionnaires as part of field work in the water board. The questionnaires were analysed through statistical approach, and further linked back to the problem statement posed to the research study. Some assumptions were utilized for conducting the research project, including the statistically acceptable sample. The area of focus in the water board was Strategic Asset Management Division which was selected because of its huge impact in the planning and execution of the capital projects. Infrastructure or capital projects form the core of the business sustainability; they ensure the future of the water as well as the region of the country. Various literatures were reviewed pertaining to the turnaround management strategies and certain inferences were made. The results provide interesting relationships between variables that can be explored further. There were certain biases that were obtained, and in certain cases there was no relationships between variables and in most cases there were positive relationships. The turnaround management strategies are extensively carried out across the industries. It can be concluded from the research study that there are certain phenomenona that can be derived from the turnaround plans. It can also be deduced that certain factors or determinants demonstrate a better behaviour than others when tested in the turnaround management environment. Models can be developed utilizing regression tools pertaining to the turnaround plans and adaptation of these models based on conditions or certain unique aspects is recommended to be done. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The spectral theory of the Laplace operator has long been studied in connection with physics. It appears in the wave equation, the heat equation, Schroedinger's equation and in the expression of quantum effects such as the Casimir force. The Casimir effect can be studied in terms of spectral invariants computed entirely from the spectrum of the Laplace operator. It is these spectral invariants and their computation that are the object of study in the present work. The objective of this thesis is to present a computational framework for the spectral zeta function $\zeta(s)$ and its derivative on a Euclidean domain in $\mathbb{R}^2$, with rigorous theoretical error bounds when this domain is polygonal. To obtain error bounds that remain practical in applications an improvement to existing heat trace estimates is necessary. Our main result is an original estimate and proof of a heat trace estimate for polygons that improves the one of van den Berg and Srisatkunarajah, using finite propagation speed of the corresponding wave kernel. We then use this heat trace estimate to obtain a rigorous error bound for $\zeta(s)$ computations. We will provide numerous examples of our computational framework being used to calculate $\zeta(s)$ for a variety of situations involving a polygonal domain, including examples involving cutouts and extrusions that are interesting in applications. Our second result is the development a new eigenvalue solver for a planar polygonal domain using a partition of unity decomposition technique. Its advantages include multiple precision and ease of use, as well as reduced complexity compared to Finite Elemement Method. While we hoped that it would be able to contend with existing packages in terms of speed, our implementation was many times slower than MPSPack when dealing with the same problem (obtaining the first 5 digits of the principal eigenvalue of the regular unit hexagon). Finally, we present a collection of numerical examples where we compute the spectral determinant and Casimir energy of various polygonal domains. We also use our numerical tools to investigate extremal properties of these spectral invariants. For example, we consider a square with a small square cut out of the interior, which is allowed to rotate freely about its center.

It is known that finite gap potentials of Hill's equation y" + q(τ)y = Ey can be obtained as solutions of an integrable dynamical system: uncoupled harmonic oscillators constrained to move on the unit sphere in configuration space--The Neumann System. This Dissertation systematizes and generalizes this result. First, the theory of Baker-Akhiezer functions is placed on a solid mathematical foundation. Guided by the theory of Baker-Akhiezer functions and Riemann surfaces, trace formulas, particle systems, constraints, integrals and Lax pairs are systematically constructed for the particle system of the ℓ x ℓ matrix differential operator of order n.

The purpose of this study was to find if memory load significantly affects the performance of the subjects in the before condition of a before versus after technique experiment. In order to accomplish this the alternatives were presented either before or after the stimulus, with the alternatives and stimuli being either of high-complexity or low-complexity.