Household food budgets offer a window on consumers' demand for convenience. During the 1980s and 1990s, three shifts likely promoted an increase in the share of the food budget devoted to convenient meal options, namely meals out and prepared foods: the growing number of hours that women spent in paid work, the growing opportunity cost of women's time spent doing housework, and the drop in the price of food relative to all other goods. I test whether the impact of these economic trends (on food budget allocation) was mediated by a change in the impact of children on household meal allocation. I find support for this hypothesis in a model of food away expenditures, which likely reflects two unmeasured shifts. First, (own) child care and household production of meals apparently became substitutes rather than complements. Second, a range of both prepared foods and family-friendly restaurants became available. The growing demand for time-saving meal options, including frozen food and meals out, has important implications for a core determinant of living standards: the ability to harness scale economies from home production of meals. I test whether greater reliance on convenient meals reduced household-level economies of scale. Other factors could mediate against, or even offset such a loss, including technological advances in the production and distribution of food. Using Engel curve analyses, I find that scale economies fell from 1980 to 2000, thereby reducing living standards; my lower- and upper-bound estimates of the drop are 44 percent and 110 percent respectively. Economies of scale are not simply a function of household size and composition, as standard equivalence scaling techniques suggest; they are affected by the ways that households trade non-market work and market substitutes. This dissertation contributes to the small literature that challenges the validity of fixed-parameter equivalence scales, such as the per capita scale, which ignore household production. I first attach plausible values to scale parameters and then compare equivalent-income trajectories of parents and non-parents across (standard) fixed parameter and (non-standard) time-varying equivalence scales. I present plausible lower- and upper-bound estimates of the rise in income inequality between parents and non-parents.

Sejam $F$ um corpo de característica diferente de $2$ e $G$ um grupo. A partir da involução clássica, que envia cada elemento em seu inverso, e uma orientação do grupo $G$ é possível definir uma involução clássica orientada na álgebra de grupo $FG$. O objetivo desta tese é estudar propriedades de Lie do conjunto dos elementos simétricos $(FG)^+$ e, em alguns casos, do conjunto dos elementos anti-simétricos $(FG)^-$. Primeiro, abordamos o caso quando $G$ não tem elementos de ordem $2$. Aqui, mostramos que se $(FG)^+$ (ou $(FG)^-$) é Lie nilpotente ou Lie $n$-Engel, então $FG$ também é Lie nilpotente ou Lie $m$-Engel, respectivamente. Depois, consideramos o caso quando $G$ contém uma cópia do grupo quatérnio de ordem $8$. Neste caso, caracterizamos completamente as álgebras de grupo tais que $(FG)^+$ é fortemente Lie nilpotente, Lie nilpotente e Lie $n$-Engel. Como consequência, provamos que o conjunto das unidades simétricas deste tipo de grupos é nilpotente. Estudamos também o caso em que quando $G$ não contém uma cópia do grupo quatérnio de ordem $8$. Em particular, apresentamos um exemplo que mostra que os resultados obtidos em pesquisas anteriores, com a involução clássica, não devem ser esperados ao trabalhar com involuções clássicas orientadas. Não entanto, damos alguns casos especiais de grupos nos quais esses resultados são obtidos. Finalmente, estudamos o índice de Lie nilpotência de $(FG)^+$. Estabelecemos uma condição necessária e suficiente, para que o índice de Lie nilpotência de $(FG)^+$ e a classe de nilpotência das unidades simétricas de uma álgebra de grupo Lie nilpotente sejam o maior possível. Além disso, consideramos a situação em que o grupo $G$ contém uma cópia de $Q_8$. / Let $F$ be a field of characteristic different from $2$ and $G$ a group. From the classical involution, which sends each element in its inverse and an orientation of $G$, it is possible to define an oriented classical involution on the group algebra $FG$. The goal of this thesis is to study Lie properties of the set of symmetric elements $(FG)^+$ and, in some cases, of the set of skew-symmetric elements $(FG)^-$. We first deal with the case when $G$ does not have elements of order $2$. In this situation, we show that if $(FG)^+$ (or $(FG)^-$) is Lie nilpotent or Lie $n$-Engel, then the whole group algebra $FG$ satisfies the same property. Later we consider the case when $G$ contains a copy of the quaternion group of order $8$. In this instance, we give a complete description of the group algebras such that $(FG)^+$ is strongly Lie nilpotent, Lie nilpotent and Lie $n$-Engel. As a consequence, we get that the set of symmetric units of this kind of groups is nilpotent. Furthermore, we study the case when $G$ does not contain a copy of the quaternion group of order $8$. Here, we present an example that shows that the previews results obtained in former works, with the classical involution, may not hold with an oriented classical involution. However, we give some kinds of groups for which those results are achieved. Finally, we study the Lie nilpotency index of $(FG)^+$. It is given a necessary and sufficient condition to the Lie nilpotency index of $(FG)^+$ and the nilpotency class of the symmetric units to be maximal, in a Lie nilpotent group algebra. In addition, we consider the situation when $G$ contains a copy of the quaternion group of order $8$.

Sejam $F$ um corpo de característica diferente de $2$ e $G$ um grupo. A partir da involução clássica, que envia cada elemento em seu inverso, e uma orientação do grupo $G$ é possível definir uma involução clássica orientada na álgebra de grupo $FG$. O objetivo desta tese é estudar propriedades de Lie do conjunto dos elementos simétricos $(FG)^+$ e, em alguns casos, do conjunto dos elementos anti-simétricos $(FG)^-$. Primeiro, abordamos o caso quando $G$ não tem elementos de ordem $2$. Aqui, mostramos que se $(FG)^+$ (ou $(FG)^-$) é Lie nilpotente ou Lie $n$-Engel, então $FG$ também é Lie nilpotente ou Lie $m$-Engel, respectivamente. Depois, consideramos o caso quando $G$ contém uma cópia do grupo quatérnio de ordem $8$. Neste caso, caracterizamos completamente as álgebras de grupo tais que $(FG)^+$ é fortemente Lie nilpotente, Lie nilpotente e Lie $n$-Engel. Como consequência, provamos que o conjunto das unidades simétricas deste tipo de grupos é nilpotente. Estudamos também o caso em que quando $G$ não contém uma cópia do grupo quatérnio de ordem $8$. Em particular, apresentamos um exemplo que mostra que os resultados obtidos em pesquisas anteriores, com a involução clássica, não devem ser esperados ao trabalhar com involuções clássicas orientadas. Não entanto, damos alguns casos especiais de grupos nos quais esses resultados são obtidos. Finalmente, estudamos o índice de Lie nilpotência de $(FG)^+$. Estabelecemos uma condição necessária e suficiente, para que o índice de Lie nilpotência de $(FG)^+$ e a classe de nilpotência das unidades simétricas de uma álgebra de grupo Lie nilpotente sejam o maior possível. Além disso, consideramos a situação em que o grupo $G$ contém uma cópia de $Q_8$. / Let $F$ be a field of characteristic different from $2$ and $G$ a group. From the classical involution, which sends each element in its inverse and an orientation of $G$, it is possible to define an oriented classical involution on the group algebra $FG$. The goal of this thesis is to study Lie properties of the set of symmetric elements $(FG)^+$ and, in some cases, of the set of skew-symmetric elements $(FG)^-$. We first deal with the case when $G$ does not have elements of order $2$. In this situation, we show that if $(FG)^+$ (or $(FG)^-$) is Lie nilpotent or Lie $n$-Engel, then the whole group algebra $FG$ satisfies the same property. Later we consider the case when $G$ contains a copy of the quaternion group of order $8$. In this instance, we give a complete description of the group algebras such that $(FG)^+$ is strongly Lie nilpotent, Lie nilpotent and Lie $n$-Engel. As a consequence, we get that the set of symmetric units of this kind of groups is nilpotent. Furthermore, we study the case when $G$ does not contain a copy of the quaternion group of order $8$. Here, we present an example that shows that the previews results obtained in former works, with the classical involution, may not hold with an oriented classical involution. However, we give some kinds of groups for which those results are achieved. Finally, we study the Lie nilpotency index of $(FG)^+$. It is given a necessary and sufficient condition to the Lie nilpotency index of $(FG)^+$ and the nilpotency class of the symmetric units to be maximal, in a Lie nilpotent group algebra. In addition, we consider the situation when $G$ contains a copy of the quaternion group of order $8$.

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This thesis examines narrative techniques and the theme of unrootedness and exile in Christa Wolf’s novel Stadt der Engel oder The Overcoat of Dr. Freud. By using Genette’s terminology on narratology and close-reading of the novel the thesis shows that a sense of distance and unrootedness is created within the novel and that the theme of unrootedness and exile creates a frame for the narration, which lacks of a plot in a traditional meaning and which’s main character’s subject is fragmented, which is typical for a poststructuralist novel.

This dissertation comprises three essays in public finance. The first essay is a research of a theory of trading of club goods and its application to jurisdiction. The essay establishes a model of trading of club goods among clubs, and illustrates its effects on the process and outcome of club formation. Cost function as well as disutility of crowdedness is emphasized and integrated into the process of club formation, after allowing for exchanging club good among clubs. In the process, the essay develops a market for club goods. Then the model is revised and applied to the formation of jurisdictions. The second essay comes out of an interest regarding household demand, poverty and public goods in developing countries. The essay explores household food consumption in Jamaica and estimates the effects of related variables. With Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions 2001 data, the essay estimates an Engel curve which reflects the relation between household food consumption and related variables. What’s more, to investigate the possible neighborhood effect on food consumption, the essay tests and estimates the spatial correlation among neighborhood food consumption. The estimated results can be applied to poverty reduction policy. The third essay extends the theme of poverty, consumption, and government programs by analyzing one other public program—education. Education is closely linked to poverty alleviation. Determining the demand for education and the return to education will help government focus programs aimed at reducing drop-out rates and in the long run, poverty in the country. The essay applies discrete time survival analysis techniques to analyze education duration in Jamaica. Based on Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions 2002, the essay estimates the effects of household, individual and other related covariates on dropout risks of students. The essay compares discrete time Cox model and discrete time logit model and concludes that the two estimations are consistent. The estimation results could be used to predict the effects of changes in the covariates, or be used to predict the dropout risks of particular students in each grade, both of which could provide useful policy implications to improve education in Jamaica.

In any group G, we may extend the definition of the conjugacy class of an element to the conjugacy class of a k-tuple, for a positive integer k. When k = 2, we are forming the conjugacy classes of ordered pairs, when k = 3, we are forming the conjugacy classes of ordered triples, etc. In this report we explore a generalized question which Professor B. Doug Park has posed (for k = 2). For an arbitrary k, is it true that: (G has finitely many k-conjugacy classes) implies (G is finite)? Supposing to the contrary that there exists an infinite group G which has finitely many k-conjugacy classes for all k = 1, 2, 3, ..., we present some preliminary analysis of the properties that G must have. We then investigate known classes of groups having some of these properties: universal locally finite groups, existentially closed groups, and Engel groups.

In any group G, we may extend the definition of the conjugacy class of an element to the conjugacy class of a k-tuple, for a positive integer k. When k = 2, we are forming the conjugacy classes of ordered pairs, when k = 3, we are forming the conjugacy classes of ordered triples, etc. In this report we explore a generalized question which Professor B. Doug Park has posed (for k = 2). For an arbitrary k, is it true that: (G has finitely many k-conjugacy classes) implies (G is finite)? Supposing to the contrary that there exists an infinite group G which has finitely many k-conjugacy classes for all k = 1, 2, 3, ..., we present some preliminary analysis of the properties that G must have. We then investigate known classes of groups having some of these properties: universal locally finite groups, existentially closed groups, and Engel groups.

La compréhension des déterminants de la consommation alimentaire et de la situation nutritionnelle des populations est au coeur des enjeux d’amélioration des dispositifs publics d’appui à la sécurité alimentaire et de lutte contre la pauvreté dans les pays en développement. Les crises alimentaires récentes au Sahel et dans de nombreux pays à faible revenu suite à la flambée des prix des denrées alimentaire de base ont mis en évidence les problèmes d’accessibilité des populations pauvres. Les difficultés d’accès à l’alimentation, la pauvreté alimentaire, sont en général associées à la pauvreté monétaire. Pourtant, dans certaines régions, on observe des taux élevés de malnutrition malgré la croissance des revenus. La thèse vise à mieux comprendre la relation entre les revenus et la consommation alimentaire des ménages dans la problématique de sécurité alimentaire des pays du Sud. En complément des outils standards de l’analyse microéconomique de la demande, notamment les fonctions d’Engel, des méthodes empiriques sont mises en oeuvre pour prendre en compte les perspectives qualitatives offertes par les cadres d’analyse de l’accès à la nourriture et des fonctionnements de Sen et des livelihoods. Les analyses statistiques et économétriques sont menées sur le cas du Mali à partir des données de l’enquête nationale budget-consommation des ménages de 2001 qui a porté une attention particulière au volet consommation. Les résultats montrent que, globalement, l’accroissement des dépenses totales (considérées comme proxy des revenus) améliore quantitativement (calories) et qualitativement (diversité) la consommation alimentaire. Mais la comparaison des niveaux de vie des ménages mesurés en termes de pauvreté monétaire et de satisfaction des besoins caloriques révèle des cas inattendus : celui des ménages non pauvres monétaires qui ont une consommation calorique insuffisante et, à l’opposé, celui des ménages pauvres monétaires qui ont une consommation calorique suffisante. L’existence de ces cas, qui ont un poids relatif important dans l’échantillon des ménages maliens, s’explique notamment par les choix de répartition budgétaire et de composition du panier alimentaire au sein des ménages. Elle met en évidence que l’indicateur monétaire traditionnel de la pauvreté n’est pas un indicateursuffisant de la satisfaction des besoins nutritionnels. / Understanding people's food consumption and malnutrition determinants is the main issue for the improvement of public food security and poverty alleviation policies in the developing countries. The recent food crisis in the Sahel and many other low income countries which followed commodities prices increase highlighted the access problem of poor people. Food access problem and food poverty are mostly related to monetary poverty. Yet in some regions, high malnutrition rates are observed despite the income raise. The objective of the thesis is to better understand the households' income – food consumption relationship within the framework of food security in Southern countries.In addition to the standard tools of the microeconomic demand analysis, especially Engel functions, we developed empirical methods to take into account the qualitative perspectives given by the food entitlements and functionings approaches of Sen and the livelihoods approach. The statistical and econometrical analysis draws upon the data of a Malian national survey of 2001 on households' living standards, which paid a particular attention to the food consumption section.The results show that, on the whole, an increase of total expenditures (taken as a proxy of income) raise food consumption quantitatively (calories) and qualitatively (diet diversity). However, living standards comparisons in terms of monetary poverty and calorie needs coverage reveal unexpected cases : monetary non poor households with insufficient calorie intake and monetary poor ones with sufficient calorie intake. The existence of theses cases which represent a relatively important proportion of the survey's sample is explained by the choices of budget allocation and the composition of households' food basket. It underlines that the traditional monetary indicator of poverty is not a suitable indicator of food needs satisfaction.

Thesis (M. Com. (Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Financial markets and quite a diverse number of financial instruments have been growing in a controlled manner in recent decades in terms of value and volume. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) are distinguished as having the fast growing markets in the universe compared to other markets of emerging economies, according to their promising economic prospective and demographic power. This study investigated the effects of government stock on investment activity in BRICS countries. This study used panel autoregressive distributed lag model (PARDL), Engel-Granger causality test, impulse response functions (IRF) and variance decomposition tests. Such techniques were applied to the annual data for the periods 2001 to 2016 in order to determine the effects of government stock on investment activity. The variables (government stock on bonds, government stock on mutual banks, government stock on corporations and government stock on liquid assets), including gross fixed capital formation which is a measure of investment activity, were subjected to panel unit root tests and that confirmed different orders of cointegration. The existence of a long run relationship between investment activity and other macroeconomic variables used in this study was determined by means of the panel cointegration tests, where one lag was used. The PARDL showed that in the long run investment activity was positively influenced by government stock on mutual banks and government stock on liquid assets, and negatively related to government stock on bonds and government stock on corporations. The Engel-Granger causality test revealed existence of unidirectional movement between investment activity and government stock on corporations as well as from government stock on bonds to liquid assets. The impulse response function test showed the impulse percentage of fluctuation that the variables did contribute to each other, from various periods both in the short and long run. While the variance decomposition of investment indicated that Investment was shocked by its own innovations throughout all the periods. A critical evaluation is needed to avoid investment shocks, instability of investment activity, instability of financial markets and the economy as a whole.