Research report in partial fulfillment of the degree of MPH, Faculty of Health, University of the Witwatersrand / Background and Study Question: Adolescents are a high-risk group for HIV/AIDS infection and illness in South Africa. Despite substantial prevention efforts, high risk behaviour among adolescents continues. Several organisations have engaged in sports activities to reach out to adolescents and educate them in life-skills and HIV prevention. There is, however, very little published research on the effectiveness of such interventions. Grassroots Soccer (GRS) is one of the emerging organisations in the field of using sports for HIV prevention. Financed by De Beers’ corporate social responsibility initiative it operates in several South African mining communities. This study evaluates the HIV prevention programme in Musina, Limpopo Province run by GRS. The research focuses on the processes and the outcomes of the organisation’s activities to determine barriers and facilitators to implementation of the GRS activities and to measure changes in HIV-related knowledge, self efficacy, and attitude of the beneficiaries. Methods: A mixed-methods study design was used incorporating qualitative and quantitative approaches. The qualitative component of the study was based on key informant interviews and a document review. Qualitative interviews were analysed using a four-step systematic approach; documents were analysed by iterative reading. Quantitative data was collected by GRS through selfadministered pre- and post-intervention questionnaires. Secondary data analysis was carried out using statistical software SPSS (Version 17.0). Results: The GRS programme managed to improve beneficiaries’ knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy concerning HIV prevention. In doing that, GRS achieved its core objective. The increases, however, are modest and only significant for knowledge gain. Many beneficiaries did not increase their overall scores in the pre- and post-test questionnaire; the recognition of alcohol and drugs as risk factors for HIV/AIDS is relatively low. Furthermore, the programme operates in a difficult context with insufficient community involvement, constraint resources, and inadequate monitoring and evaluation. Volunteer retention is a major challenge, and there is a disjuncture between the GRS’ theoretical approach and the practical implementation in Musina. Although the programme is considered a success by key informants, these factors combined with a lack of support from GRS and De Beers pose challenges to the programme’s approach, its operations, and ultimately its sustainability. Conclusion and Recommendations: The GRS provides a promising approach to HIV prevention. The programme in Musina however falls behind the potential of the organisation and the needs of the community. It needs to be more locally integrated, receive additional resources, and have better monitoring and evaluation. Programme activities ought to move beyond knowledge transfer and be closer to the actual GRS approach based on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, focusing on 12 to 14 year-olds, and include income generating activities. Further research should focus on actual programme implementation, longer term follow-up of beneficiaries, and assess the impact of the programme.

Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-06-29T15:01:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 carloshenriquediascordeirodecastro.pdf: 1073984 bytes, checksum: 1e54f71cff86219f84d0f0d21dc3d484 (MD5) / Rejected by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br), reason: Conferir cnpq. Economia não é ciências exatas e da terra on 2017-08-08T12:12:12Z (GMT) / Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-08-08T12:17:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 carloshenriquediascordeirodecastro.pdf: 1073984 bytes, checksum: 1e54f71cff86219f84d0f0d21dc3d484 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-08-08T17:59:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 carloshenriquediascordeirodecastro.pdf: 1073984 bytes, checksum: 1e54f71cff86219f84d0f0d21dc3d484 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-08T17:59:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 carloshenriquediascordeirodecastro.pdf: 1073984 bytes, checksum: 1e54f71cff86219f84d0f0d21dc3d484 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-01-15 / Este trabalho tem o objetivo de verificar a eficiência do tradicional modelo de análise de desempenho e alocação de ativos baseado na estrutura média e variância de Sharpe e Treynor, conhecido como Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), em contraposição ao modelo alternativo Ômega Capital Asset Pricing Model (OCAPM), um modelo baseado na medida Ômega com premissas menos restritivas, no qual não são exigidas função utilidade e distribuições de retornos dos ativos específicas. Além disso, todos os momentos das distribuições de retornos são considerados de forma indireta, ou seja, não há necessidade de serem calculados e observados pelos investidores. No decorrer do estudo foi realizada a otimização das carteiras de dos ativos que compõem os índices Dow Jones e Ibovespa, seguindo a metodologia de cada modelo, de modo a encontrar a carteira de mercado ótima sob cada abordagem. A partir dessa otimização, e seguindo a função objetivo do CAPM e OCAPM, foi verificado qual modelo melhor explica os retornos cross-sectional das ações componentes dos dois índices para o período de 1999 até 2016. Para tal, foram utilizados os testes GRS (dentro da amostra) e Diebold-Mariano (fora da amostra). O resultado do primeiro teste indicou a não rejeição da eficiência em média-variância e betas com alto poder explicativo para os retornos de todas as carteiras, sendo a carteira formada pelo modelo CAPM aquela a apresentar os resultados melhores para o índice Dow Jones, enquanto a formada pelo OCAPM obteve melhores resultados para o Ibovespa. Já no segundo teste, foi constatado que o OCAPM tem maior poder preditivo para qualquer horizonte temporal testado. / The objective of this work is to investigate the efficiency of the traditional model of performance analysis and portfolio allocation based on the mean and variance structure of Sharpe and Treynor, known as Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), as opposed to the model Omega Capital Asset Pricing Model (OCAPM), a model based on the Omega measure with less restrictive assumptions, in which utility function and return distributions of the specific assets are not required. In addition, all moments of return distributions are considered indirectly, that is, there is no need to be calculated and observed by investors. During the study the optimization of the series of stock returns that compose the Dow Jones and Ibovespa indexes was performed, following the methodology of each model to find the market portfolio. From this, and following the objective function of the CAPM and OCAPM, it was verified which model best explains the cross-sectional returns of the shares of the two indices for the period from 1999 to 2016. For that, the GRS tests were used (in-sample) And Diebold-Mariano (out-sample). The result of the first test showed the non-rejection of the efficiency in mean-variance and betas with high explanatory grade for the returns for all the portfolios, being the portfolio formed by the CAPM model with better results for the Dow Jones index, while the one formed by the OCAPM obtained better results for the Ibovespa. In the second test, it was verified that the OCAPM showed greater predictive power for any time horizon tested.

Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS) is a promising technology that can be implemented in walls, culverts, rock fall barriers, and bridge abutments. Its use in walls and abutments is similar to Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls (MSEW) reinforced with geosynthetics. Both GRS and MSEW are reinforced soil technologies that use reinforcement to provide tensile capacity within soil masses. However, the soil theories behind each method and the design methodologies associated with GRS and MSEW technologies are quite different. Therefore, a study was undertaken to compare the required tensile strength predicted by these various reinforced soil design methodologies. For the purposes of this study, the required ultimate tensile strength was defined as the ultimate tensile strength needed in the reinforcement after all applicable factors of safety, load factors, and reduction factors were applied. The investigation explored both MSEW and GRS. GRS has been made an FHWA "Every Day Counts" initiative. Due to the push to implement GRS technology, it is critical to understand how GRS design methods differs from classic MSEW design methods, specifically in the prediction of ultimate tensile strength required. A parametric study was performed comparing five different reinforced soil analysis methods. Two are current MSEW design methods and one was a proposed revision to an existing MSEW design method. The final two were GRS design methods. These design methods are among the most current and/or widely used design references in the United States regarding reinforced soil technology. There are significant differences between the methods in the governing soil theory particularly between GRS and MSEW design methods. The goal of the study was to understand which design parameters had the most influence on calculated values of the required ultimate tensile strength and nominal "unfactored" tensile strength. A base case was established and a reasonable set of parameter variations was determined. Two loading conditions were imposed, a roadway loading scenario and a bridge loading scenario. Based on parametric study findings, conclusions were drawn about which design parameters had the most influence for different design methods. Additionally, the difference in overall predicted required tensile strength was assessed between the various methods. Finally, the underlying soil theory and assumptions employed by the different methods and their influence on predicted required tensile strength values was interpreted. / Master of Science

Reinforced soil constructions have a long history, and various types of the soil reinforcement havebeen in use since the medieval period. Geosynthetic reinforced soil walls (GRS-walls) while beingcommon throughout the world, in not included in the current Eurocode for geotechnical design, SSEN1997-1. The Swedish transportation authority design guidelines (TK Geo 13 and TR Geo 13)provides requirements regarding the utilization of the bearing capacity of the reinforcedgeosynthetic layer and suggestions for the calculation model, but the design is free to choose asuitable design model. Since geosynthetics are very flexible, the load distribution between thegeosynthetic layers in the GRS-wall will be dependent on the stress-strain response of the soil andthe geosynthetic layers. This thesis evaluates the importance of the design model on the ultimatelimit state (ULS) as well as the serviceability limit state (SLS) on a typical GRS wall. The resultsshows that a full numerical model including the stress-strain development gives less utilization ofthe geosynthetic layers at a comparable surcharge load compared to a limit equilibrium model(LEM) suggested by TR Geo. Furthermore, the redistribution of the load between the geosyntheticlayers result in a significantly larger maximum load before a collapse state compared to the LEMcalculation. In such structures the serviceability conditions will control the design. Theconsequences for practical design and the limitation to various design models are elaborated andrecommendations are given.

L’hypercholestérolémie familiale à transmission autosomique dominante (ADH), caractérisée par une élévation des taux plasmatiques en cholestérol total et LDL-C, est due à des altérations de 4 gènes : LDLR, APOB, PCSK9 et APOE. L’objectif principal de cette thèse est d’identifier de nouveaux gènes impliqués dans l’ADH. L’identification de nouveaux gènes sera suivie de l’étude des mécanismes physiopathologiques liés à leurs mutations. Un deuxième objectif est de calculer le score génétique (GRS) chez tous les individus appartenant à 5 familles où une mutation FH a déjà été identifiée afin de déterminer si une forme polygénique expliquerait les cas de phénocopies observés. Parallèlement, nous avons mené une étude dans la population libanaise caractérisée par une fréquence élevée de dyslipidémie et qui représente un outil d’étude remarquable au plan génétique du fait de l’existence d’une forte homogénéité du fond génétique.Ce projet de recherche a permis de révéler un gène candidat pouvant être impliqué dans l’ADH : LRP6. De plus il a permis de remettre en question le rôle du récepteur LRP6 jusqu’à présent considéré comme un protagoniste important dans l’internalisation des LDL. Des études supplémentaires sont encore nécessaires afin de confirmer ou non l’implication de ce gène dans l’ADH et de déterminer son rôle exact dans le métabolisme du cholestérol. Concernant le score polygénique, nous avons montré que le GRS ne peut pas être considéré comme un outil de diagnostic pour différencier les sujets avec une hypercholestérolémie monogénique de ceux avec une hypercholestérolémie polygénique et ne peut pas être utilisé pour expliquer les cas de phénocopies / Atherosclerosis and its cardiovascular complications are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major cardiovascular risk factors and it affects one in 20 subjects in the general population. Autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia (ADH), characterized by elevated plasma total cholesterol and LDL-C levels, is due to alterations in 4 genes: LDLR, APOB, PCSK9 and APOE. The fundamental work of Brown and Goldstein revealed the important role of the mutations in the LDLR gene in ADH and contributed to the development of a major class of cholesterol-lowering drugs: statins. Similarly, the discovery by Abifadel et al. in 2003 of the first hypercholesterolemic mutations of PCSK9 was the starting point of an adventure which resulted, 12 years later, in the development of a new class of cholesterol-lowering drugs: anti-PCSK9 antibodies. The main objective of this thesis is to discover new genes, major genetic factors and modifiers involved in ADH. The identification of new genes will be followed by the study of the pathophysiological mechanisms linked to their mutations. A second objective of this work is to calculate the genetic risk score (GRS) in all individuals belonging to 5 families where a mutation responsible of the hypercholesterolemic phenotype has been already identified in order to determine whether a polygenic form would explain the phenocopies observed in these families. In parallel to these two projects, we conducted a study in the Lebanese population which is characterized by a high incidence of dyslipidemia. In this population, it is interesting to conduct genetic studies because of the existence of a limited number of sub-populations that constitute "genetic isolates" with a high homogeneity of their genetic background, making it easier to study many hereditary diseases such as familial hypercholesterolemia. The results obtained in this project revealed a candidate gene that could be involved in ADH: LRP6. Moreover, it allowed us to question about the exact role of the LRP6 receptor until now considered as an important protagonist in the internalization of LDL particles. Further studies are still needed to confirm whether or not this gene is involved in ADH and to determine its exact role in cholesterol metabolism. Concerning the genetic score, we have shown that the GRS does not seem to be a reliable diagnostic tool to identify polygenic hypercholesterolemia at the individual level. The 6-SNP score did not give us a clear answer and thus we cannot use the GRS to identify phenocopies within ADH families

過去文獻在探究股市報酬率波動行為時，多採用GARCH/ARCH等傳統時間序列模型，但這些模型不能解決波動度的高持續性(persistence)。本文以Gray(1996)提出的一般化狀態轉換模型(GRS-GARCH)為基礎並加入Dueker(1997)所提出的Dispersion設定，建立GRS-GARCH-K以及GRS-GRACH-DF模型來預測股市報酬率波動行為。GRS-GARCH-K模型設定最大的優點是加入Student’s t分配之自由度可隨狀態轉換，使峰態亦可隨狀態轉換，另外GRS-GRACH-DF模型除了擁有GRS-GARCH-K的特性外，還擁有均數復歸的特色。本文以單一狀態下的GARCH-N、GARCH-t模型，以及雙狀態下的GRS-GARCH、GRS-GARCH-K以及GRS-GARCH-DF模型做研究，並以台灣股價加權股價指數為研究樣本，探討並預測股價日報酬率的波動度，最後將波動度代入Black-Scholes選擇權訂價模型，探討模型之其評價效果。 研究顯示，在樣本內以AIC和SBC檢定法則下，GRS-GARCH-DF有最好的配適能力，樣本外的預測能力在MAE、MASE、MAPE三種誤差比較法下，GRS-GARCH-DF相較於GARCH-N、GARCH-t、GRS-GARCH和GRS-GARCH-K四種模型，在訂價方面與市場價格誤差最小，並以DM檢定法證實其統計上的顯著性。因此擁有均數復歸特色的GRS-GARCH-DF在波動度的估計上相較於其他模型來的優異。

This research critically analyse the existing international intellectual property regime with regard to protection of Genetic Resources (GRs) and Traditional Knowledge (TK) in respect of developing countries. It further discusses access and benefit-sharing (ABS) law and its agreement and the implications of such agreement for developing countries and the extent of effectiveness of the existing IIP regimes specifically on the protection of GRs and TK. Developing countries, such as Ethiopia, are considered to be rich in GRs and the associated TK. It is to their disadvantage in such cases that the current IIP regime is not able to protect GRs and TK, and to date, the international intellectual property regime has failed, permitting excessively broad patents over genetic biodiversity. The study also seeks to address the bearing of international intellectual property regimes on access and benefit sharing to biodiversity resources and associated knowledge. It then argues that there is an inherent gap in the current international intellectual property (IIP) regime with regard to GRs and TK, and unless IIP regime is revised in a manner that gives protection to GRs and TK, developing countries will remain disadvantaged. / Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2014 / gm2015 / Centre for Human Rights / LLM / Unrestricted

The O*NET was built to replace the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) and form a highly accessible, on-line (through the World Wide Web), common language occupational information center (Dye & Silver, 1999). This study tested the relevance of the self-rating choice and unconventional BARS format to be used by the O*NET system for occupational ratings. In addition, a new rating scale format named NBADS, was tested for improved ratings. Fifty three Incumbent raters in two occupations (Graduate teaching assistants and Secretaries) and 87 laypeople raters who have never worked in these occupations, rated 21 item-pairs (Importance and Level type questions) picked randomly from the 52 items on the original O*NET Ability questionnaire. Participants rated each of the 21 item-pairs three times, with the Level question being presented in the O*NET BARS, a Likert GRS and the NBADS formats; The importance type question was always rated using a 1-5 Likert scale. Hypothesis 1a was supported, showing a significant leniency bias across formats for self-ratings. Hypothesis 1b was mostly supported, failing to show significant leniency, elevation error or interrater agreement improvement over laypeople ratings; only the overall-error measure showed a significant improvement for incumbent raters. Hypothesis 2 was not supported, failing to show that the GRS format had any improvement on leniency, accuracy or interrater agreement over the O*NET BARS format. Hypothesis 3a was supported, showing significant leniency reduction, accuracy error reduction and higher interrater agreement using the NBADS format over the GRS format. In a similar sense, hypothesis 3b was partially supported, showing reduction in leniency effect and higher agreement using the NBADS format over the O*NET BARS format. Finally, hypothesis 4 was mostly supported, showing hardly any significant differences in the ratings of the Importance type question across the three format sessions, strengthening the idea that no other interfering variables have caused the format sessions' differences. Implications of the results are discussed. / Master of Science

This dissertation evaluates the behavior of Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil (GRS) retaining structures under various soil stress states, with specific interest in the development and distribution of soil and reinforcement stresses within these structures. The stress distribution within the GRS structures is the basis of much of the industry’s current design. Unfortunately, the stress information is often not directly accessible through most of current physical testing and full-scale monitoring methods. Numerical simulations like the finite element method have provided good predictions of conservatively designed GRS structures under working stress conditions. They have provided little insight, however, into the stress information under large soil strain conditions. This is because in most soil constitutive models the post-peak behavior of soils is not well represented. Also, appropriate numerical procedures are not generally available in finite element codes, the codes used in geotechnical applications. Such procedures are crucial to properly evaluating comparatively flexible structures like GRS structures. Consequently, this study tries to integrate newly developed numerical procedures to improve the prediction of performance of GRS structures under large soil strain conditions. There are three specific objectives: 1) to develop a new softening soil model for modeling the soil’s post-peak behavior; 2) to implement a stress integration algorithm, modified forward Euler method with error control, for obtaining better stress integration results; and 3) to implement a nonlinear reinforcement model for representing the nonlinear behavior of reinforcements under large strains. The numerical implementations were made into a finite element research code, named Nonlinear Analysis of Geotechnical Problems (ANLOG). The updated finite element model was validated against actual measurement data from centrifuge testing on GRS slopes (under both working stress and failure conditions). Examined here is the soil and reinforcement stress information. This information was obtained from validated finite element simulations under various stress conditions. An understanding of the actual developed soil and reinforcement stresses offers important insights into the basis of design (e.g., examining in current design guidelines the design methods of internal stability). Such understanding also clarifies some controversial issues in current design. This dissertation specifically addresses the following issues: 1) the evolution of stresses and strains along failure surface; 2) soil strength properties (e.g., peak or residual shear strength) that govern the stability of GRS structures; 3) the mobilization of reinforcement tensions. The numerical result describes the stress response by evaluating the development of soil stress level S. This level is defined as the ratio of the current mobilized soil shear strength to the peak soil shear strength. As loading increases, areas of high stress levels are developed and propagated along the potential failure surface. After the stress levels reach unity (i.e., soil reaches its peak strength), the beginning of softening of soil strength is observed at both the top and toe of the slope. Afterward, the zones undergoing soil softening are linked, forming a band through the entire structure (i.e., a fully developed failure surface). Once the band has formed and there are a few loading increments, the system soon reaches, depending on the tensile strength of the reinforcements, instability. The numerical results also show that the failure surface corresponds to the locus of intense soil strains and the peak reinforcement strain at each reinforcement layer. What dominates the stability of GRS structures is the soil peak strength before the completed linkage of soil-softening regions. Afterward, the stability of GRS structures is mainly sustained by the soil shear strength in the post-peak region and the tensile strength of reinforcements. It was also observed that the mobilization of reinforcement tensions is disproportional to the mobilization of soil strength. Tension in the reinforcements is barely mobilized before soil along the failure surface first reaches its peak shear strength. When the average mobilization of soil shear strength along the potential failure surface exceeds approximately 95% of its peak strength, the reinforcement tensions start to be rapidly mobilized. Even so, when the average mobilization of soil strength reaches 100% of its peak shear strength, still over 30% of average reinforcement strength has not yet been mobilized. The results were used to explain important aspects of the current design methods (i.e., earth pressure method and limit equilibrium analysis) that result in conservatively designed GRS structures. / text

<p>The market for security is one filled with great opportunities. The security services companies are numerous and diverse, the Swedish market is dominated by two large companies: Securitas Bevakning AB and Falck Security AB. In this study we have focused on the bigger of the two, Securitas. </p><p>This report describes and analysis the security service branch and its surroundings in an involved manner. The target group of the result is mainly people within the security branch. However, by making a wide theoretical description the person unacquainted with the business will be able to understand the concept of this interesting trade. Further, those who are familiar with this field will be enabled to broaden their minds. The aim with this project is to create a foundation upon which Securitas can further continue their work. We have not presented any direct solutions, instead we have displayed concrete problems and presented guidelines for further exploration. </p><p>The purpose of the investigation is to discover how modern technology can improve today’s guard services. Moreover, the aim is to show how a change of attitude needs to be present while developing future security services. This change can also be applied to other security services than the time-sharing guarding. </p><p>The methodology used to meet our goals was a qualitative investigation based on interviews and literary studies. In order to form a robust overview of the study area the objects were carefully selected according to set preferences. These were, among others, which function the object has in society, how long they have been customers with Securitas and what kind of business they run. </p><p>In the discussion and analysis four important areas is to be taken into consideration: The change of the market, the adaptation of the service to the needs of the customer, the adaptation of technology, and the assertion to the customer of the profound effects following these amendments. These four areas represent the foundation for the presented model. </p><p>A solid cooperation between the customer and the supplier of the security service is vital. In contemporary society the customers have become more specialised and thereby the delivering company must aim to meet the increasing demands expected of this specialised service. Therefore the demand on the competence of the guard is getting higher. Another conclusion is also that one should introduce a quality measurement system that together with a statistical basis makes reporting and the analysing of the effects of the guarding easier to the customer. </p><p>Technology is the most important corner stone in an effective alarm system. The time for an emergency call response must be reduced. Further qualities that the customer demands are that the security companies possess good knowledge of the object and its surroundings. The effectiveness in the guarding rounds and the learning time for a new object can be reduced by multimedia teaching aids. </p><p>The customer satisfaction is not likely to be long term if they cannot see the results and high quality that they ask for. This is why it will be very important to measure, calculate and point out what both the guard and the security company can contribute with to please the customer. To enhance the dialogue the guard will be presenting solutions rather than static reports, and an acting counsellor strengthen the feeling of professionalism. Any change from the customers that affects the actual risk picture has to be identified promptly by the security service company.</p>