Year in year out, hundreds of diplomats and civil society representatives partake in a seemingly endless stream of meetings on nuclear disarmament. These meetings seldom produce materially significant agreements. In fact, no nuclear warhead has ever been dismantled as a direct result of multilateral negotiations. And yet the web of institutions that make up the 'multilateral nuclear disarmament framework' continues to expand. Why? In this thesis, I identify three waves of institutional expansion in the multilateral nuclear disarmament framework (1975-1978; 1991-1999; 2013-2017), linking them to crises of legitimacy in the nuclear order. Institutional expansion, I argue, has been driven by 'struggles for recognition' by non-nuclear powers loath to accept permanent legal subordination. Institutional contestation has allowed non-nuclear powers to exercise symbolic resistance to the frozen nuclear hierarchy enshrined by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its distinction between nuclear 'haves' and 'have-nots'. But the relegitimising function of institutional contestation reveals an irony: By solving recurrent crises of legitimacy in the nuclear order, the expansion of the disarmament framework has served to stabilise nuclear inequality in the long term. However, the 2017 adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) may signal an end to this cyclical pattern of de- and relegitimisation. After half a century of contestation within the hierarchical NPT framework, the TPNW represents a legal negation of nuclear hierarchy as such.

In this research, extensive use has been made of limit equilibrium methods of analysis for studying the stability of slopes. For the determination of the factor of safety (FOS) of slopes, the usual two-step process has been adopted; (a) assuming a slip surface for the soil mass, and (b) using the appropriate limit equilibrium equation(s). Eight wellknown limit equilibrium methods have been programmed to calculate different FOS values. The comparative performance of the various analyses has been carried out successfully using case studies. The innovative use of Gauss quadrature to calculate the FOS values has been shown to reducet he iterative sequencesd ramatically with no loss of accuracy. A visco-plastic flow model has been proposed to estimate lateral forces on piles used for slope stabilisation. The present research data occupies an "in-between" position to the previously reported values, with the variation trend being confirmed satisfactorily in all cases. Slope stabilisation due to the presence of a row of piles has been investigated using two distinct lateral load estimations. These include theories of plastic deformation and the proposed visco-plastic flow which are modelled and implemented in a computer program. Eight well-known methods of slope stability analyses have been adopted and computer coded to re-calculate FOS values for a slope reinforced by a row of piles. A Finite Element computer program has been developed to evaluate the displacement, bending moment and shear force along the pile axis. The pile is analysed at two levels above and below the slip failure surface.

The properties of conventional materials are inextricably linked with their molecular composition; to make water flow like wine would require changing its molecular identity. To circumvent this restriction, I have contstructed and characterized a two-dimensional metafluid, so-called because its constitutive dynamics are derived not from atoms and molecules but from macroscopic, chaotic surface waves excited on a vertically agitated fluid. Unlike in conventional fluids, the viscosity and temperature of this metafluid are independantly tunable. Despite this unconventional property, our system is surprisingly consistent with equilibrium thermodynamics, despite being constructed from macroscopic, non-equilibrium elements. As a programmable material, our metafluid represents a new platform on which to study complex phenomena such as self-assembly and pattern formation. We demonstrate one such application in our study of short-chain polymer analogs embedded in our system.

The goal of this study was to explore how the contact making process influence the awareness level of primary school teachers. The study was mainly explorative with elements of a descriptive study. With a qualitative study the researcher explored how awareness influenced primary school teachers‟ experiences of wellness. The theoretical point of view of this study is the Gestalt therapeutically philosophy with phenomenology as base. Perls, the father of Gestalt psychology saw Gestalt as the only psychotherapy that is exclusively based on phenomenology. The central Phenomenology principal is that a person is free with the responsibility to influence his/her own environment. Data for this study was collected through a focus group consisting of seven people, (teachers of Gauteng) with whom semi structured interviews were conducted and open-ended questions were asked. This is only an explorative study and therefore the researcher is not really looking for a representative sampling. Findings of this study include that sensory awareness can be used to change wellbeing. Age played a role in resistance and even though the teachers knew about wellbeing it became clear that they were not aware of how to create wellness in their own lives. It came about that some of the participants had to deal with contact boundary disturbances. The study also showed that burned out people operates automatically. The researcher makes the statement that contact boundary disturbances lead to auto actions as in the case of burned-out people. The study showed that awareness makes a shift on the continuum of burnout and wellbeing. In this study it was not always a positive shift, but the researcher feels that the people who had a negative experience will be more secure if this research is conducted in a therapeutic environment. The study also indicated that it is necessary for teachers to learn skills to be good for them selves without feeling guilty.

Master of Science / Electrical and Computer Engineering / Sanjoy Das / Groundwater is one of the most vital of all common pool resources throughout the world. More than half of groundwater is used to grow crops. This research models groundwater depletion patterns within a multi-agent system framework. Irrigators are modeled as agents in the multi-agent system. The irrigation strategies adopted by the agents are investigated using game theory, under several futuristic scenarios. The consequence of unregulated groundwater extraction in each case is analyzed. A set of five irrigators, growing three crops: corn, sorghum and wheat, have been considered in this study. To allow groundwater flow, these agents are assumed to be located in adjoining farm lands. Irrigators are modeled selfish agents that strategize their irrigation patterns in order to maximize their own utilities, i.e. the difference between the total revenue obtained from crop sales and the costs incurred, including groundwater extraction costs. Due to groundwater flow, irrigators have no incentive to conserve groundwater for later use. This leads to unsustainable depletion of the resource. Using the Nikaido-Isoda relaxation algorithm, their irrigation strategies under Nash equilibrium, when no irrigator can increase its utility by unilaterally changing its strategy, are obtained. All parameters in this research are representative of Kansas. Recorded environmental and economic data of the region, along with the DSSAT software, have been used to obtain these futuristic projections. These scenarios include temperature increase, lowering of the water table, different precipitation levels, and different price increases for the crops. One of the emergent phenomena of the simulations is the adoption of crop rotation patterns by the irrigators to conserve groundwater. The irrigators grow corn, which is a more profitable yet water intensive crop in one year, and in the next, conserve water by growing sorghum instead. Another emergent outcome of this research is the viability of LEMAs. When the irrigators are subject to LEMA-level limits on groundwater use, there is a slight increase in the aggregate utility of the LEMA

abstract: Electrophoretic exclusion is a counter-flow gradient focusing method that simultaneously separates and concentrates electrokinetic material at a channel entrance utilizing electric and fluid velocity fields. However, its effectiveness is heavily dependent on the non-uniform field gradients about the entrance. This work assesses the capability of electrophoretic exclusion to capture and enrich small molecules and examines the channel entrance region both quantitatively and qualitatively to better understand the separation dynamics for future design. A flow injection technique is used to experimentally evaluate electrophoretic exclusion of small molecules. Methyl violet, a cationic dye, and visible spectroscopy are used to monitor flow and electrophoretic dynamics at the entrance region resulting in successful capture and simultaneous enrichment of methyl violet at the channel interface. Investigation of the entrance region is performed using both experiment data and finite element analysis modeling to assess regional flow, electric fields, diffusion, convection, and electrophoretic migration. Longitudinal fluid velocity and electric field gradient magnitudes near the channel entrance are quantified using Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) and charged fluorescent microspheres. Lateral studies using rhodamine 123 concentration monitoring agree qualitatively with simulation results indicating decreased gradient uniformity for both electric and fluid velocity fields closer to the channel wall resulting in a localized concentration enhancement at lower applied voltages than previously observed or predicted. Resolution interrogation from both a theoretical assessment and simulation construct demonstrate resolution improvement with decreased channel width and placement of an electrode directly at the interface. Simulation resolution predictions are in general agreement with early experimental assessments, both suggesting species with electrophoretic mobilities as similar as 10-9 m2/(Vs) can be separated with the current design. These studies have helped evolve the understanding of the interface region and set the foundation for further interface developments. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Chemistry 2015

No presente trabalho foram realizados estudos de equilíbrios químicos da fosfoetanolamina (FOS) ou 2-aminoetanol-dihidrogenofosfato, substância produzida no organismo humano, um precursor de fosfatidiletanolamina importante por regularizar o metabolismo de disfunção celular e metabólica. A constante de ionização de uma molécula é uma ferramenta interessante a fim de prever a sua absorção no organismo que geralmente, apenas ocorre com as moléculas na forma não ionizada. Na determinação usual de constantes de zwiterions como a FOS, não se considera o equilíbrio de formação de espécies não ionizadas como dímero (agregado). Neste trabalho comprovou-se o fenômeno de agregação da FOS por titulações potenciométricas e pelo método espectrofotométrico Azul de Molibdênio. Determinou-se a constante de agregação pelo método potenciométrico como sendo da ordem de 106. Realizou-se a determinação da primeira constante de ionização da FOS por titulações em meio ácido, na ausência do fenômeno de agregação, e verificou-se que é da ordem de 10-4. Pelo método espectrofotométrico Azul de Molibdênio determinou-se a porcentagem de fosfato iônico 1%, coerente com os resultados potenciométricos. A determinação da segunda constante de ionização da FOS foi realizada por titulações com monoetanolamina (MEA), uma base fraca. Verificou-se a possibilidade de utilização do sistema FOS/MEA como um tampão biológico, por meio do gráfico de máxima capacidade tamponante vs pH. A determinação de terceira constante de ionização da FOS foi realizada por meio de titulações com NaOH na ausência e na presença de formaldeído, bloqueando o grupo amino. A determinação simultânea das três constantes de ionização foi realizada por meio de uma titulação de retorno,com HCl e adição de NaOH. Com o tratamento matemático desta curva, determinou-se o número médio de protonação e verificaram-se as regiões de máxima capacidade tamponante. Obteve-se a curva de distribuição de espécies e o diagrama logarítmico para a FOS com os valores de constante de ionização determinados na ausência do fenômeno de agregação. Estudou-se a interação de íons cálcio e magnésio com a FOS, verificou-se que os complexos são do tipo ML e M2L. É importante salientar ainda, que não há relato na literatura desses estudos . / Studies on the chemical equilibrium of phosphoethanolamine (PEA) or 2-aminoethanol-dihydrogen phosphate, produced by the human body, as an important phosphatydilethanolamine precursor that regularizes the cell and metabolic disfuntion have been performed. The ionization constant is an interesting tool to foresee organic absortion which often occurs in non ionized form. In the usual determination of zwiterion, constants like PEA, the dimmer formation equilibrium is not always considered. In this work aggregation phenomena of PEA has been demonstrated by potentiometric titration and molybdenium blue spectrophotometric method. The aggregation constant was determinated by potentiometric method as 106. The first ionization constant determination of PEA was made by titration in acidic medium without aggregation phenomena and it was 10-4. The molybdenum blue spectrophotometric method was used to determine the free phosphate amount, 1%, was coherent with potentiometric results. The second ionization constant determination was made by titration with monoethanolamine (MEA), a weak base. There is the possibility of using the system PEA/MEA as a biological buffer, according to the maximum buffer capacity graphic versus pH. The third ionization constant determination was made by titration with NaOH, with and without formaldehyde, blocking the amino group. The simultaneous determination of the three constants of ionization was made by back titration, with HCl after the addition of NaOH. The average number of bound protons was done with mathematical treatment of back titration curve and then, the maximum buffer capacity regions were observed. The species distribution curve and logarithmic diagram were obtained using the ionization constant values determined in the aggregation phenomena absence. The interaction between calcium, magnesium and PEA was studied and the ML and M2L species were observed, not described in literature yet.

Fobia específica de altura ou acrofobia é um transtorno de ansiedade caracterizado pelo medo intenso e desproporcional de locais altos, levando à esquiva de situações e capaz de gerar sofrimento. Os diversos tipos de fobias parecem estar ligados a diferentes mecanismos de aquisição de medos. Mais do que experiências de aprendizado ou condicionamento, existem evidências de que anormalidades no controle da postura possam estar envolvidas na gênese do medo de altura. Deficiências na função vestibular podem levar um indivíduo a depender mais de sua visão ou de sua propriocepção para manter o controle postural. Lugares altos são um tipo de situação limite onde a falta de tais referências poderiam, em tese, desencadear reações de defesa e sintomas ansiosos. Além disso, o aumento de demanda por recursos cognitivos para a compensação do equilíbrio poderia deixar indivíduos acrofóbicos mais susceptíveis a interações entre o controle postural e atividades que demandem atenção. Esta dissertação testou a hipótese de que indivíduos com fobia específica de altura apresentam pior controle postural e maior interferência entre o controle do equilíbrio e o desempenho em tarefas que demandem atenção. Foram comparados 31 acrofóbicos (23 mulheres, 36,4±12 anos) e 34 controles não-fóbicos (22 mulheres, 32,4±12 anos). O desempenho da estabilidade postural em plataforma de posturografia dinâmica e o desempenho atencional foram simultaneamente avaliados através de teste em computador envolvendo o rastreio visual de um alvo em movimento imprevisível. Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis: ÁREA (área delimitada da excursão do centro de pressão em cm²); CPx e CPy (deslocamento total do centro de pressão na base de suporte em cm, na direção látero-lateral (eixo x) e ântero-posterior (eixo y)); VMx e VMy (velocidade média com a qual ocorre o deslocamento do centro de pressão em cm/s) e RMSx e RMSy (quadrado da média da raiz do deslocamento do centro de pressão, em cm, a partir da coordenada central (0,0) da base de apoio). O teste de atenção foi avaliado pela porcentagem de tempo em que o sujeito conseguia seguir anualmente o movimento do alvo. Indivíduos com acrofobia apresentaram uma pior estabilidade postural e um pior desempenho no teste atencional, além de uma maior interferência entre as tarefas. Estes resultados são compatíveis com a hipótese de que anormalidades do controle postural possam exercer um papel importante na gênese e na perpetuação dos sintomas de medo de altura. / INTRODUCTION: Fear of heights or acrophobia, is one of the most frequent subtypes of specific phobia frequently associated to depression and other anxiety disorders. Previous evidence suggests a correlation between acrophobia and abnormalities in balance control, particularly involving the use of visual information to keep postural stability. This study investigates the hypotheses that (1) abnormalities in balance control are more frequent in individuals with acrophobia even when not exposed to heights; (2) acrophobic symptoms are associated to abnormalities in visual perception of movement; and (3) individuals with acrophobia are more sensitive to balance-cognition interactions. METHOD: Thirty-one individuals with specific phobia of heights (23 women, 36.4±12 years) and thirty one non-phobic controls (22 women, 32.4±12 years) were compared using dynamic posturography and a manual tracking task. RESULTS: Acrophobics had poorer performance in both tasks, especially when carried out simultaneously. Previously described interference between posture control and cognitive activity seems to play a major role in these individuals. DISCUSSION: The presence of physiologic abnormalities is compatible with the hypothesis of a non-associative acquisition of fear of heights, i.e., not associated to previous traumatic events or other learning experiences. Clinically, this preliminary study corroborates the hypothesis that vestibular physical therapy can be particularly useful in treating individuals with fear of heights.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / During gait the force transferred through the body is dived between the two lower limbs, according to Kaplan, Barak & Spiel (2012) this force should to be constant and equal with each gait cycle in an asymptomatic individual. In the presence of spinal dysfunction there is an alteration of sensory motor integration as a result of impaired proprioception (Taylor & Murphy, 2007), this altered proprioception may then produce a negative effect on the fore distribution during gait, resulting in abnormal biomechanics and an altered gait pattern. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to restore normal biomechanics to the spine and in so doing improve proprioception. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cervical and lumbar chiropractic adjustments on the force distribution through the lower limbs during gait. Method: Thirty participants between the ages of 18 and 45 were invited to participate in the study. The details of the study were fully explained to each participant, after which an informed consent form was signed, followed by a full physical examination to determine if the potential participant was eligible for inclusion in the study, and did not have any of the following exclusion criteria. Individuals suffering from any form of mechanical back pain, hip, knee and ankle pathologies, females, and individuals were manipulation was contra-indicated were excluded from the study. A full lumbar or cervical spine examination was then performed in order to test for joint dysfunction. The participants then underwent gait testing after which they then received either a cervical or lumbar spine adjustment to the dysfunctioning joint. Procedure: The participants received a total of seven chiropractic adjustments with the objective data being recorded on the first, fourth and seventh consultations. The objective data was captured with the Zebris FDM gait analysis system. The system consisted of a 3 meter long sensory platform that is built into the floor, the pressure platform was made up of multiple force sensors arranged in a matrix of columns and rows and was capable of measuring the exact force through each lower limb during gait. The recorded sensory information was transferred to the WinFDM program which then interpreted all the data.

This thesis comprises of six independent chapters, besides the introduction and conclusions, with the common theme of optimal public policies in dynamic general equilibrium models with different kinds of distortions. Broadly speaking, the issues considered are: tax evasion, bureaucratic corruption, costs of tax collection and endogenous probability of survival. With financial repression being modeled via obligatory reserve requirements that banks in the economy need to hold, the second chapter analyzes whether financial repression can be explained by endogenous tax evasion. In this regard the chapter develops two dynamic monetary general equilibrium endogenous growth models. When calibrated to four southern European countries, we indicate that higher degrees of tax evasion emanating from higher corruption and lower penalty rates would result in financial repression as a welfare-maximizing outcome. The third chapter develops an overlapping generations monetary endogenous growth model characterized by tax evasion, and analyzes the effect of the nature of tax evasion on the growth maximizing policies. It is concluded that a growth-maximizing government has to take the behavioral nature of tax evasion into account, since failure to do so will lead to misalignment in not only fiscal but also monetary policies. In fact, the government is found to repress the financial sector more than the optimal level if it treats tax evasion as exogenous. The fourth chapter develops a dynamic general equilibrium overlapping generations monetary endogenous growth model of a financially repressed small open economy characterized by bureaucratic corruption, and uses it to analyze optimal policy decisions of the government following an increase in the degree of corruption. We find that increases in the degree of corruption should ideally result in a fall in seigniorage, as an optimal response of the benevolent government. In addition, higher degrees of corruption should also be accompanied with lower levels of financial repression. Chapter five develops a production-economy overlapping generations model characterized by financial repression, purposeful government expenditures and costly tax collection, to analyze whether ¯nancial repression can be explained by the cost of raising taxes. It is shown that costs of tax collection cannot produce a monotonic increase in the reserve requirements, what are critical, in this regard, are the weights the consumer assigns to the public good in the utility function and the size of the government. Chapter six analyzes the same issues as in the previous chapter, but in a monetary endogenous growth model. We show that higher costs of tax collection produce a monotonic increase in reserve requirements. Moreover, the government tends to rely more on indirect taxation, compared to direct taxation as costs of tax collection increase. The seventh chapter develops a simple monetary pure-exchange two-period overlapping generations model characterized by financial repression and endogenous mortality. The probability of survival of the young agents is assumed to depend upon the share of government expenditure on health, education and infrastructure. In this setting, we analyze the welfare-maximizing policy mix between explicit and implicit taxation for a benevolent government. We show that increases in the survival probability lead to an increase in the reliance on seigniorage as a welfare maximizing outcome. However, for our results to hold, the seigniorage tax base must be large enough for the benevolent planner to use the inflation tax. Each of the chapters aims to provide the theoretical underpinnings behind the design of optimal fiscal and monetary policies under tax evasion, bureaucratic corruption, costs of tax collection and endogenous probability of survival. With each of the models based on proper micro foundations and calibrated to match features of developing economies, the six independent papers attempt to broaden our understanding on public policies in the presence of commonly observed distortions that characterize the developing world. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Economics / unrestricted