A existência de especificidade temporal na produção do confinamento de bovinos, que limita o período de negociação e busca por preços mais atrativos, corrobora com a necessidade do uso de mecanismos de hedge. Este pode ser feito pelo confinador com o uso da BM&F Bovespa, via contratos futuros e de opções, ou diretamente com os frigoríficos, por meio de contratos a termo. O objetivo desta dissertação é identificar fatores determinantes para a utilização de hedge (contratos futuros, de opções e termo) por confinadores. Foram realizadas pesquisas com confinadores participantes de eventos realizados em Ribeirão Preto-SP, em 2012 e 2013, e por telefone em 2014. Para a análise dos dados foram utilizadas estatísticas descritivas. Em seguida, com uso do Teste Exato de Fisher, foi analisada a associação das características dos confinamentos e pecuaristas ao uso do hedge. Com o intuito de identificar os determinantes para o uso de ferramentas de gestão de preços, foram elaborados modelos de regressão logística. Os resultados indicaram que o tamanho do confinamento, a escolaridade do gestor, o controle acurado de custos, o confinamento exclusivo, a utilização de hedge para os grãos, uso anterior de ferramentas e a parceria com frigoríficos têm relação com a utilização de uma ou mais formas de gestão de risco de preços do boi gordo. / The existence of temporal specificity in the production of feedlot cattle, which limits the period of negotiation and search for more attractive prices, confirms the necessity of using hedging mechanisms by feedlot cattle producers. The hedging can be done via BM&F Bovespa, through futures and options, or directly with slaughterhouses, through forward contracts. The aim of this study is identify determinants for using hedge (futures contracts, options contracts and forward contracts) by feedlot cattle producers. Surveys were applied to participants of events in Ribeirão Preto-SP, in 2012 and 2013, and via phone in 2014. Descriptive statistics of data were obtained and the determinants for using hedge were investigated using hypothesis tests. The relations between the producer\'s and feedlot\'s characteristics with hedging use were tested by Fisher Exact Test. In order to identify the determinants for the use of hedge, logistic regression models were implemented. The results have indicated that the size of the confinement, the manager\'s educational level, the high cost control, the feedlot as the only activity, the use of hedging for grains, the prior use of these tools and the partnership with slaughterhouses are related to the use of one or more ways to manage price risk of cattle.

Diese Doktorarbeit behandelt quantentheoretische Aspekte von Typ II Superstringtheorien in AdS5xS5- und AdS4xCP3-Hintergründen für die AdS/CFT Korrespondenz. Dabei werden perturbative Methoden und Verfahren der Gitterfeldtheorie benutzt. Die Konstruktion des Supercoset-Sigma-Modell für Strings im AdS5xS5wird skizziert, während die generelle Quantendynamik des Superstring in AdS4xCP3 mit Hilfe einer dimensionaler Reduktion der Supermembrane-Wirkung in AdS4xS7 beschrieben wird. Ein manifest kovarianter Formalismus zur semi-klassischen Quantisierung von Strings um beliebige Minimalflächen in AdS5xS5 wird präsentiert, der durch die Darstellung der Fluktuationsoperatoren in Form von intrinsischen und extrinsischen Varianten der Hintergrundgeometrie erreicht wird. Eine Verallgemeinerung der Lame-Differentialgleichung zur 4. Ordnungwird mit Hilfe der Spektralmethode exakt gelöst. Dadurch konnten in 1-Schleifennäherung die Energie des String im SU(2)-Sektor, im Grenzfall beschrieben durch ein Quantum-Landau-Lifshitz-Modell, und der bosonische Beitrag zur Energie des in AdS5 und S5 rotierenden String bestimmt werden. In ähnlicher Weise erhält man in 1-Schleifennäherung den ¼-BPS-Latitude Wilson-Loop in N=4-SYM-Theorie normiert durch den ½-BPS-Loop. Das Regularisierungsschema reproduziert die Vorhersage aus supersymmetrischer Lokalisierung bis auf einen Rest, welcher diskutiert wird. Außerdem wird die Wirkung des AdS4xCP3-String, entwickelt um den null-cusp Hintergrund, studiert und die Cusp-Anomalie in 2-Schleifennäherung berechnet. Das Ergebnis stimmt mit dem vermuteten exakten Ausdruck, der ABJM-Interpolationsfunktion, überein. Schließlich wird die AdS5xS5-Superstringtheorie in AdS-Lichtkegel-Eichung diskretisiert und mit Monte-Carlo-Algorithmen Gittersimulationen bei endlicher Kopplung durchgeführt. Dabei werden die Stringwirkung, aus der mit Hilfe von AdS/CFT die null-cusp anomale Dimension von N=4 SYM extrahiert werden kann, und die Masse einer AdS Anregung bestimmt. / This thesis discusses quantum aspects of type II superstring theories in AdS5xS5 and AdS4xCP3 backgrounds relevant for the AdS/CFT correspondence, using perturbative methods at large string tension and lattice field theory techniques inspired by a work of Roiban and McKeown. We review the construction of the supercoset sigma-model for strings in the AdS5xS5 background, whereas the general quantum dynamics of the superstring in AdS4xCP3 is described by a double dimensional reduction of the supermembrane action in AdS4xS7. We present a manifestly covariant formalism for semiclassical quantization of strings around arbitrary minimal-area surfaces in AdS5xS5, expressing the fluctuation operators in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic invariants of the background geometry. We exactly solve the spectral problem for a fourth-order generalization of the Lame'' differential equation with doubly periodic coefficients in a complex variable. This calculates the one-loop energy of the (J1,J2)-string in the SU(2) sector in the limit described by a quantum Landau-Lifshitz model and the bosonic contribution to the energy of the (S,J)-string rotating in AdS5 and S5. Similar techniques calculate the 1/4-BPS latitude Wilson loops in N=4 SYM theory at one loop, normalized to the 1/2-BPS circular loop. Our regularization scheme reproduces the next-to-leading order predicted by supersymmetric localization, up to a remainder function that we discuss upon. We also study the AdS4xCP3 string action expanded around the null cusp background and compute the cusp anomaly up to two loops. This agrees with an all-loop conjectured expression of the ABJM interpolating function. We finally discretize the AdS5xS5 superstring theory in the AdS light-cone gauge and perform lattice simulations at finite coupling with a Monte Carlo algorithm. We measure the string action, from which we extract the null cusp anomalous dimension of N=4 SYM as derived from AdS/CFT, as well as the mass of an AdS excitation.

The body perception of humans varies across situations and is influenceable. A negative body image is existing among both men and women of all ages. The adaptation to mimic an unhealthy body ideal is difficult without regulated diet and exercise. Physical activity is therefore considered to be a strong motive for body image management. The aim of the study was to investigate the extent to which college students' body image is associated with motivational factors to exercise and frequency of exercise. The study consists of a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional study. Data for the study were collected through a survey which was collected by a total of 112 questionnaires by university students at Mälardalen University. The data was analyzed with frequency tables, pearsons r and an independent sample t-test in the computer program SPSS. The study's findings and conclusions show that the college students' motivational factors to exercise consisted mainly of internal training motives and that most of the college students have a positive body image. It was also a connection between motivational factors and body image, but no significant difference between body image and college students who train frequently or less frequently. The conclusion is that college students have a positive body image, which does not differ if the individual is practicing often or rarely. The most common motivation factor to exercise is to train internal training motives.

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2018-06-08T12:04:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Mariana Lanner de Araujo Simon_.pdf: 949297 bytes, checksum: a070cc1b62bb16a641fb5357e0431bd3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-08T12:04:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mariana Lanner de Araujo Simon_.pdf: 949297 bytes, checksum: a070cc1b62bb16a641fb5357e0431bd3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-28 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Este estudo visa a analisar os fatores determinantes da política de dividendos de dois grupos amostrais, o grupo composto por instituições financeiras e o grupo composto pelas demais companhias, que corresponde aos demais setores da economia. O objetivo é verificar se as instituições financeiras são diferentes das demais companhias em se tratando dos determinantes da política de dividendos. Utilizou-se o método Tobit com dados em painel desbalanceado em uma amostra de companhias abertas brasileiras listadas na B3 no período de 2000 a 2016, totalizando 3.167 observações. Os resultados sugerem que os fatores determinantes da política de dividendos influenciam de maneira diferente os dois grupos amostrais. Todas as variáveis de interesse do modelo influenciam o payout do grupo das demais companhias, enquanto apenas a estabilidade da política de dividendos (EPD) influencia o payout das instituições Financeiras na maioria das especificações desta pesquisa. A variável EPD combinada ao fato de a companhia ser instituição financeira apresenta efeito diferencial negativo no payout. Isso indica que o efeito dessa variável em relação ao payout é significativamente maior para as demais companhias do que para as instituições financeiras e reforça que, pelo menos no que se refere a esse fator, os grupos amostrais são de fato diferentes. No entanto, ao se comparar os resultados dos grupos amostrais com a amostra completa, observa-se que os resultados do grupo das demais companhias são semelhantes aos da amostra completa, em termos de sinal e significância estatística dos coeficientes das variáveis. Dessa forma, os resultados sugerem que a exclusão das instituições financeiras dos estudos sobre política de dividendos não acarreta alterações significativas nos resultados das estimações. Adicionalmente, para verificar a sensibilidade dos resultados ao período de análise, o período completo foi segmentado em cinco subperíodos definidos em função da variação dos cenários da economia brasileira. Verificou-se razoável variação nos fatores determinantes dependendo do subperíodo analisado, indicando que cenários econômicos distintos podem influenciar a política de dividendos dos grupos amostrais diferentemente e que os fatores determinantes não são constantes no tempo. / This study aims to analyze the determinant factors of the dividend policy of two sample groups being the first comprised of financial institutions and the second by all of the remaining publicly traded companies. This analysis is carried out in order to verify whether financial institutions are different from all of the other companies in terms of dividend policy’s determinants. Through Tobit Models with unbalanced panel data, this study has analyzed the Brazilian publicly traded firms listed in B3 between the years 2000 and 2016, totaling 3,167 firm-year observations. The results suggest that the main determinants of the dividend policy reported in the literature influence the dividend policy of the two sample groups differently. All of the variables of interest considered in the main econometric model have influenced the payout of the non-financial companies, while only the stability of the dividend policy (EPD) has influenced the payout of financial institutions in the majority of the specifications of this research. The EPD variable combined with the fact that the company is a financial institution has a negative differential effect on its payout. This indicates that the effect of this variable on payout has been significantly greater for the non-financial companies than for financial institutions, thus reinforcing that, at least in what refers to this factor, the sample groups are in fact different. However, by comparing the results of regressions of the sample groups to regressions estimated for the complete sample, it can be observed that the results of non-financial companies are similar to those of the complete sample in terms of signal and statistical significance of the variables’ coefficients. Thus results suggest that the exclusion of financial institutions from studies on dividend policy has not result in significant changes in the econometric estimations. In order to verify the sensitivity of results to the chosen period of analysis, the complete period has been segmented into five subperiods chosen according to variations of the Brazilian economic scenario. There was a reasonable variation in the determinant factors depending on the analyzed subperiods, indicating that different economic scenarios can influence the dividend policy of the sample groups differently, and that determinant factors are not constant in time.

La tuberculose (TB) reste parmi les 10 premières causes de décès dans le monde ; l’émergence/réémergence de la TB résistante aux antituberculeux aggrave la situation et représente un défi majeur pour l’éradication de la TB. Le Laos est entouré par des pays fortement touchés par la TB et la TB multi-résistante (MDR) et cette maladie représente une priorité en termes de santé publique dans ce pays. Il n’existe encore aucune donnée sur la structure génétique et la résistance aux antibiotiques de la population de M. tuberculosis au Laos.Dans ce contexte, ce travail avait pour but d’analyser la diversité génétique et la structure des populations de M. tuberculosis ainsi que les déterminants génétiques associés à la résistance à partir d’échantillons collectés lors de l’enquête de prévalence nationale de la Tuberculose (TBPS) 2010-2011, l’enquête de résistance aux antituberculeux (DRS) 2016-2017 et chez les cas suspects de MDR-TB au Laos (2010-2014). Plusieurs techniques d’analyses ont été utilisées, comprenant les tests de sensibilité aux médicaments (phénotypique et génotypique), le séquençage et le génotypage par spoligotypage et MIRU-VNTR. Les données ont été analysées par des méthodes statistiques et phylogénétiques.Premièrement, ce travail s’est focalisé sur la diversité des familles de M. tuberculosis circulant au Laos. Les familles EAI et Beijing (76.7% et 14.4% respectivement) ont été principalement observées dans les échantillons de TBPS, alors que la famille Beijing était plus fréquente dans les échantillons de DRS et chez les patients suspectés de MDR-TB (35% et 41% respectivement). La transmission récente était non-négligeable avec un taux de « clustering » global de 11.9%, et des taux pour Beijing de 20 % et EAI de 11 %. Deuxièmement, les résultats ont révélé des profils de résistance très diverses allant de la mono-résistance jusqu’à la pré-XDR (ultrarésistance). Les mutations associées aux profils de résistance ont montré une grande diversité, avec cependant certaines mutations majeures dans les gènes rpoB, katG, et rpsL. Le gène pncA a montré un pattern différent avec de la diversité sans mutations prééminentes. En plus des mutations détectées, des délétions et insertions de bases ont été également observées. Le séquençage a montré son utilité pour la détection de la résistance aux antibiotiques dans les trois échantillons à l’étude. Enfin, la famille Beijing, famille la plus problématique au niveau mondial en termes de résistance et de transmissibilité, a été identifiée de manière significative dans le groupe de patients <35 ans, principalement dans les provinces du Nord, dans les cas de transmissions récentes et chez les isolats très résistants. Tous ces points suggèrent un risque d’émergence de la MDR-TB accrue au Laos dû à la famille Beijing.En conclusion, cette étude permet d’avoir pour la première fois un aperçu de la structure des populations de M. tuberculosis au Laos. Les résultats soulignent le risque d’augmentation du nombre de cas infectés par la famille Beijing et donc des cas de résistance. Pour empêcher une dégradation de la situation, il est essentiel d’améliorer les stratégies pour le dépistage des résistances et de développer des tests moléculaires capables de couvrir un large nombre de mutations qui soit simple à implémenter dans les pays à ressources limités. Les résultats de ce travail serviront de base en termes de famille/sous-famille/génotype et de mutations associées à la résistance au Laos. Ces données pourront être comparées avec de futures études/analyses pour étudier l’évolution de la TB et de la TB résistante et ainsi d’évaluer l’efficacité des politiques de contrôle mises en place. La description des mutations associées aux résistances est utilisée pour créer une base de données régionale en collaboration avec le Vietnam et le Cambodge pour développer un outil de diagnostic basé sur la technologie des puces à ADN pour améliorer la détection de la résistance dans la région. / Tuberculosis (TB) is still one of the top 10 leading causes of death worldwide; the emergence/re-emergence of drug resistant TB aggravates the situation globally and challenges the prospect of ending TB by 2035. Lao PDR is surrounded by TB and MDR-TB high burden countries and TB continues to be one of the priority infection diseases in this country. The prevalence of TB in 2010 was almost twice as high than previous estimates and little is known about drug resistance. Up to now, M. tuberculosis population data regarding drug resistance and genetic structure are totally absent. In this context, we aimed to study the diversity and the structure of M. tuberculosis population and the genetic determinants associated to drug resistance using clinical samples collected from the TB prevalence survey (TBPS), 2010-2011; from the Drug resistance survey (DRS), 2016-2017 and from presumptive MDR-TB cases in Lao PDR (2010-2014). Various methods and analyses were used, including drug susceptibility testing (phenotypic and genotypic), DNA sequencing and genotyping of M. tuberculosis using spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR. The data were analyzed by statistical and phylogenetic analyses.Firstly, this work was focused on the diversity of M. tuberculosis families circulating in Lao PDR. According to the result form TBPS, EAI and Beijing family (76.7% and 14.4% respectively) were mainly observed, while Beijing family was more observed in DRS, and presumptive MDR-TB cases (35% and 41% respectively). The level of recent transmission in Lao PDR was non-negligible with a global clustering rate of 11.9% and in Beijing and EAI of 20% and 11%, respectively. Secondly, the results demonstrated the diversity of drug resistant patterns from mono-resistance to pre-extensively drug resistance (pre-XDR). A high diversity of mutations associated with drug resistance was also observed, however common mutations were mainly found (e.g: mutations in rpoB gene, katG and rpsL). The pattern was different for pncA gene, we observed a diversity of mutations without preeminent ones. Besides the number of known and unknown mutations associated with anti-TB drug resistance, deletion and insertion of bases were also observed. The sequencing showed its usefulness for drug resistance detection. Lastly, Beijing family, which is the more problematic family in the world in terms of resistance and transmissibility, was observed on a significant manner in young age group, mainly in the northern provinces, in recent transmission cases and among highly drug resistant isolates, suggesting an increasing risk of highly drug resistance TB due to highly transmissible Beijing strains in Lao PDR.In conclusion, this study provides the first genetic insights into the M. tuberculosis population in Lao PDR. The results underline the risk of increase of Beijing and drug resistant TB in the country. In order to prevent a more serious situation in the future regarding drug resistance as observed in neighboring countries, there is an urgent need of effective strategy improvement for drug resistance screening and the development of rapid molecular tests that cover a large number of drug resistance simultaneously with a feasible implementation in the limited resource countries. The results of genotyping from our study will be the baseline of families/subfamilies/genotype of M. tuberculosis population and of the mutations associated with drug resistance in Lao PDR. These data will be compared with further study/analysis to evaluate the trend of TB and drug resistant TB in the country and to determine if the drug resistance is under control after the set-up of new policies. The data of drug resistance associated mutations are used to build a regional database in collaboration with Vietnam and Cambodia in order to develop a diagnostic tool based on DNA chip technology to improve the drug resistance detection in the region.

Abstract The focus of this thesis is on two functions: the exponential function and Euler’s factorial series. By constructing explicit Padé approximations, we are able to improve lower bounds for linear forms in the values of these functions. In particular, the dependence on the height of the coefficients of the linear form will be sharpened in the lower bound. The first chapter contains some necessary definitions and auxiliary results needed in later chapters.We give precise definitions for a transcendence measure and Padé approximations of the second type. Siegel’s lemma will be introduced as a fundamental tool in Diophantine approximation. A brief excursion to exterior algebras shows how they can be used to prove determinant expansion formulas. The reader will also be familiarised with valuations of number fields. In Chapter 2, a new transcendence measure for e is proved using type II Hermite-Padé approximations to the exponential function. An improvement to the previous transcendence measures is achieved by estimating the common factors of the coefficients of the auxiliary polynomials. The exponential function is the underlying topic of the third chapter as well. Now we study the common factors of the maximal minors of some large block matrices that appear when constructing Padé-type approximations to the exponential function. The factorisation of these minors is of interest both because of Bombieri and Vaaler’s improved version of Siegel’s lemma and because they are connected to finding explicit expressions for the approximation polynomials. In the beginning of Chapter 3, two general theorems concerning factors of Vandermonde-type block determinants are proved. In the final chapter, we concentrate on Euler’s factorial series which has a positive radius of convergence in p-adic fields. We establish some non-vanishing results for a linear form in the values of Euler’s series at algebraic integer points. A lower bound for this linear form is derived as well.

The incidence of gonorrhea had declined since the HIV epidemic in the late 1980s, but is now increasing globally due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant forms of this disease. In South Africa, the incidence of gonorrhea is highest among Black women due to their high co-infection rates with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study examined the psychosocial determinants of gonorrhea among Black women aged 18 - 35 in the Langa township in Cape Town, South Africa. All participants had reported at least one sexual experience and at least one positive test for gonorrhea in the past two years. Participant recruitment involved flyer distribution at LoveLife, the community partner to the research study. After an initial screening call, 12 women were considered eligible and participated in the study. Interview data were gathered, transcribed, then hand-coded for emergent themes, guided by the tenets of the information-motivation-behavioral (IMB) skills conceptual framework. The findings of the study identified that the women did not have extensive knowledge of gonorrhea but believed that factors such as a sense of vulnerability, stress in relationships, and social/environmental factors increased their risk of contracting gonorrhea disease. These findings have global implications, as they lay the foundation for follow-up quantitative studies and outline policy recommendations for addressing gonorrhea.

當我們解一個遞迴關係的特徵方程式時，不管解得的根是相異根或者是重根，皆視這些跟產生的解之線性獨立為理所當然，因此很容易寫出此遞迴關係的通解乃是這些解的線性組合。在本文中，我們將透過廣義的范德蒙行列式(Generalized Vandermonde Determinant)的計算，很清楚地看出這些解之間的線性獨立。 / When we solve a characteristic equation of a recurrence relation, no matter what the roots are distinct or not, we take the linear independence of these solutions producing by each root for granted. Basing on this fact, we can easily write out the general solutions of this recurrence relation by using linear combination of these solutions. In this paper, we will see the linear independence of these solutions very clearly through the calculation of Generalized Vandermonde Determinant.

<p>Information Technology (IT) plays a significant role in today business competition. A prominent role is that it helps a firm to manage relationships with customers effectively. Adoption of appropriate technology can lead the firm to greater business competency, improve its business performance, and ensure it retains its competitive advantages. While there is a rich body of literature on IT innovation adoption and implementation, research on the adoption of IT innovation that is specifically intended to perform relationship marketing functions is scant. The problem in this research is to address the lack of a research framework for examining the factors influencing the adoption of techno-relationship innovations. The existing adoption models are insufficient in properly explaining which factors are involved in the adoption decision and which factors are more important, and are especially insufficient with regard to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).</p><p>The aim of this study is to develop a comprehensive research framework used for exploring the factors affecting the adoption of techno-relationship innovations and to apply this framework for empirically investigating the adoption of electronic Customer Relationship Management (eCRM) applications in manufacturing SMEs. This study proposes the term ‘techno-relationship innovation’ and defines it as a technology-related idea, process, method, product, or service that is intended to perform relationship marketing tasks and which is perceived as new to an individual or a firm. The developed research framework contains 20 potential determinant factors covering four contexts: individual, technological, organizational, and environmental.</p><p>This study was conducted through survey research and the sample was drawn by means of systematic sampling technique. The empirical data were collected by using self-administered questionnaires and the data analysis was based on 508 manufacturing SMEs in Thailand. The analysis was based on multivariate statistical techniques including t-test, factor analysis, deiscriminant analysis, and cluster analysis. The findings reveal interesting insights into understanding the adoption of eCRM applications by manufacturing SMEs.</p><p>The Key Influential Factors (KIF) model is proposed summarizing the conclusions of the study. It indicates what factors in what contexts should be given more or less attention. From 20 factors, the analysis indicates that 12 factors are important factors that should be given high priority. They are Compatibility, Industry Pressure, Customer Pressure, Subjective Norm, Attitude, External Support, Perceived Advantage, Observability, Perceived Relationship Marketing Functionality, Technological Expertise, Perceived Easiness, and Financial Resources. Five factors have the capability to discriminate between eCRM adopters and non-adopters but their discriminant powers are weak so they receive second priority. They are Competitive Pressure, Innovativeness, Business Experience, Governmental Encouragement, and Internet Experience. The other three factors appear insignificant but they should not be completely ignored when encouraging the adoption of eCRM applications. Thus, these three factors receive third priority. They are Size, Trialability, and Self-efficacy.</p><p>Furthermore, the eCRM adopters are classified into three groups: basic adopters, moderate adopters, and advanced adopters. The inference is that the basic eCRM adopters are uncertain whether eCRM applications are really needed for business success. In contrast, the moderate and advanced eCRM adopters require different attention which is related to maximizing the advantages of eCRM applications. This classification offers solid information for market segmentation purposes in the eCRM industry.</p><p>Study implications are acknowledged. A comprehensive research framework is proposed suggesting 20 potential determinant factors involved in examining the adoption of techno-relationship innovations. This research framework provides a tool to marketing researchers in conducting further research. Empirical investigation leads to the KIF model that offers guidance to government and private agencies in properly encouraging the adoption of eCRM applications and their relevant components among manufacturing SMEs. Moreover, the study’s limitations and suggestions for further research are provided.</p>

<p>The Division of Computer Engineering at Linköping's university is currently researching the possibility to create a highly parallel DSP platform, that can keep up with the computational needs of upcoming standards for various applications, at low cost and low power consumption. The architecture is called ePUMA and it combines a general RISC DSP master processor with eight SIMD co-processors on a single chip. The master processor will act as the main processor for general tasks and execution control, while the co-processors will accelerate computing intensive and parallel DSP kernels.This thesis investigates the performance potential of the co-processors by implementing matrix algebra kernels for QR decomposition, LU decomposition, matrix determinant and matrix inverse, that run on a single co-processor. The kernels will then be evaluated to find possible problems with the co-processors' microarchitecture and suggest solutions to the problems that might exist. The evaluation shows that the performance potential is very good, but a few problems have been identified, that causes significant overhead in the kernels. Pipeline mismatches, that occurs due to different pipeline lengths for different instructions, causes pipeline hazards and the current solution to this, doesn't allow effective use of the pipeline. In some cases, the single port memories will cause bottlenecks, but the thesis suggests that the situation could be greatly improved by using buffered memory write-back. Also, the lack of register forwarding makes kernels with many data dependencies run unnecessarily slow.</p>