Em uma parcela permanente de 10,24 ha na Floresta Pluvial Atlântica Submontana do Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho (Sete Barras, SP, Brasil), este estudo teve o intuito de descrever o regime de distúrbio do dossel e avaliar a regeneração natural sob diferentes regimes de luz. Para tanto, foi realizado o levantamento de todas as clareiras da parcela, que foram mensuradas e tiveram sua idade aproximada estimada. Em seguida, foram instaladas 42 parcelas de 10x10m para avaliar a regeneração natural em três regimes luminosos: dossel contínuo (18 parcelas), clareiras pequenas a médias (11) e clareiras grandes com abundância de Guadua tagoara (Nees) Kunth (13). O regime de luz foi caracterizado por fotografias hemisféricas tomadas ao centro das parcelas. O estudo da regeneração natural foi divido em: estrato herbáceo (i.e., ervas menores que um metro de altura), avaliado através da cobertura do solo estimada pelo método de interceptação de linha; e estrato arbustivo, avaliado através dos indivíduos com altura maior que 1m, e com diâmetro à altura do peito menor que 5cm. Para estes indivíduos anotou-se a espécie, diâmetro, altura total e área de copa, além da presença de partes reprodutivas e substrato de germinação. Informações sobre hábito, grupo sucessional e síndrome de dispersão das espécies também foram obtidas. Após um ano, uma reavaliação permitiu analisar a mortalidade, danos, recrutamento e crescimento. Apesar de 67% das clareiras terem sido menores que 150 m2 , o regime de distúrbio foi atípico, principalmente pela contribuição de clareiras maiores que 750 m2 , e pela área média e total que variaram respectivamente de 419 a 799 m2 , e de 26 a 49%, dependendo do método de delimitação de clareira. A densidade foi de 6 clareiras.ha -1 e a taxa de recorrência variou entre 91 e 220 anos, dependendo dos métodos. Houve diferença significativa entre os ambientes para a maioria dos índices de luz, especialmente para a radiação total incidente com médias entre 909 e 2.400 mols.m-2.ano-1. Observou-se diferença significativa entre ambientes na cobertura por ervas, porém os resultados variaram entre espécies. No estrato arbustivo, houve diferença significativa na composição e abundância das espécies, inclusive entre clareiras médias e sub-bosque. A densidade de ervas e arbustos foi maior nos ambientes mais iluminados, assim como a densidade de pioneiras e secundárias iniciais. O recrutamento em um ano (16%) apresentou diferenças nos ambientes, com 63% dos recrutas apenas nas grandes clareiras. O mesmo não ocorreu com a taxa de mortalidade cujas principais causas foram os danos físicos e dessecamento. Para os 13% de indivíduos danificados em um ano, houve destaque para danos ligados à extração de palmito. Apenas os danos físicos naturais apresentaram diferença entre ambientes, com grandes clareiras sendo as mais danosas. No geral e entre as 25 espécies avaliadas separadamente, houve uma tendência de crescimento maior com o aumento da incidência luminosa. Clareiras pequenas a médias tiveram significativamente maior riqueza, diversidade e menor dominância de espécies que o sub-bosque. Clareiras grandes com bambu tiveram menor riqueza e diversidade, mas contribuíram com a manutenção da diversidade beta da parcela permanente. / In a 10.24 ha permanent plot of Tropical Lower Montane Atlantic Rain Forest in the Carlos Botelho State Park (Sete Barras, SP, Brazil), this study aimed to describe the canopy disturbance regime and to assess natural regeneration under different light regimes. In order to do so, the plot was completely surveyed for canopy gaps that were measured and had their approximate age estimated. Then, 42 10x10 m plots were established to evaluate natural regeneration under three light regimes: understory (18 plots), small to medium canopy gaps (11 plots) and large gaps abundant in Guadua tagoara (Nees) Kunth (13 plots). The light regime was characterized through hemispherical photographs taken at each plot center. Natural regeneration was dived into: herb stratum (i.e., herbs below one meter in height) assessed through soil coverage using the line intercept method; and shrub stratum or all plant individuals taller than one meter high and thinner than 5 cm in diameter at breast height. All individuals were identified to species and measured for diameter, height, crown height and area, besides notes on the presence of reproductive structures and germination substrate. Information on growth form, dispersal syndrome and ecological group were also obtained for each species. After one year, one reevaluation was made to assess mortality, damages, recruitment and growth. Although 67% of gaps were smaller than 150 m2 , the plot disturbance regime was atypical mainly by the contribution of gaps bigger than 750 m2 and by the average and total gap area that varied respectively from 419 to 799 m2 , and from 26 to 49% depending on the gap delimitation method. Gap density was 6 gaps.ha-1 and the turnover rate varied from 91 to 220 years depending on the gap method employed. There was significant difference between environments among the light index, especially for total incident radiation with means varying from 909 and 2,400 mols.m-2.y-1. It was found significant differences on herb soil coverage between environments, although the results varied among species. In the shrub stratum, species composition and abundance was significantly different, even between small to medium canopy gaps and the understorey. Herb and shrub densities were bigger in the more enlightened environments, as well as pioneer and early secondary species densities. Recruitment over the year (16%) was different between environments with large gaps accounting for 63% of all recruits. Similar difference was not found for mortality rate that had physical damage and desiccation as main death causes. Amid the 13% of damage individuals in the course of one year, there was noticeable contribution of damages linked to illegal extraction of palm-heart. Differences between environments were present only for physical damages with large gaps being the most damaging environment. In general and among the 25 species evaluated separately, there was a tendency of bigger growth with enhancement in light incidence. Small to medium gaps had significantly higher species richness and diversity, and lower dominance compared to the understorey. Large gaps had lower richness and diversity, but they contributed to maintain beta diversity of the permanent plot.

The dissertation deals with the evolution and current state of literary reportage in the Czech Republic, Poland and France. It puts literary reportage in media context with emphasis on history of the genre and its main representatives, it maps the current state of literary reportage in selected countries, authors, and themes of their texts. It analyzes the factors that affect the work of literary reporters.This thesis in its theoretical part relies on academic publications about the genre of reportage in each state in relation to Polish School of Reportage and its attributes. It also examines the usage of fictional components that affects trustworthiness of literary reportage. The practical part of the thesis is then dedicated to analysis of the reportage Spánek do oběda a zábava do rána by polish reporter Lidia Ostałowska in order to show what kind of impact literary techniques can have on form and content of reportage. To do so, it uses the method of narratological analysis and the concept of narrative gaps. In the end, the findings from the field of the genre are applied in my own authorial reportage called Nantes. Voda, plyn a oheň.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T20:21:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 o medo e os vinculos sociais no brasil.pdf: 1006706 bytes, checksum: f6cb177b7ba54a36ecdf1f4afe47bb70 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-06-10 / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo / The subject matter of this study is the link between unequal persons; organized by command-obedience relationships so as to configure the terms dominant-dominated. The link is a notion that embraces simultaneously the social relationships and the psychical process underneath them; thus it s a useful theoretical tool when the matter of the investigation are psychosocial processes. The analysis of command-obedience relationships points to the presence of elements of paternalistic culture, even in openly capitalist work relationships. The effects of this culture hit the worker s subjectivity, making more complex the effort to fight for his rights. Workers oscillate between two forms of ordination of the link; the moral one, keen to the paternalistic culture, alternates with the interest-aimed ordination, proper of the capitalist means of production. One can observe how the ideology of the work system uses emotional disposition and traditional significants in order to achieve its profit goals. There s a special interest in following some of the effects or paternalistic culture on social life, such as: the difficulty to exert authority even when one is entitled to, to stand for one s rights and to cope with corrupt authorities. There are also the subjective effects, specially the paranoid feeling, the threat represented by autonomy issues and the lowering of self-esteem, resulting of narcissistic gaps associated to the lack of public property sense. To identify with one s aggressor implies living with a negative sense of one s own ideal. One consequence is self-rejection, experienced by Brazilians as a rule. I suggest there are structural conflicts both in our subjectivity and bidding, leading us to live as first and second rate people; the answers are manifold, but each one will have to deal with this question his own way. Brazil is a name that lives within us, and the place where we live. The way by which the law is enforced by many authorities who don t represent it, but end up substituting it, intensifies the echoes of paternalistic culture. The thesis outline starts from a nucleus: the analysis of work relations among damaged workers in order to identify the processes that lead to work accidents. Furthermore, it seeks to mesurate work relations as relationships between dominant and subaltern classes, pervaded by mistrust . The social status of dependency and the subjection bond are also common terms to both situations, the enduring repressed element is the wish for autonomy, to be one s own person as opposite to be the one who serves. The analysis of the praxis from professional members of the public health system indicates the construction of a psychical and ideological organization with premises that are distinct from paternalism. Therefore, the other won t represent an opportunity to demonstrate some sort of superiority but a chance to offer the better one has to offer instead. This reciprocity might establish links, which are less sadist-masochist and more in agreement to the genital organization of the libido, that is to say, fertile to both. The diference, in this case, has no qualities added / A matéria deste estudo é o vínculo entre desiguais, organizado por relações de mando-obediência de forma a configurar os termos dominante-dominado. O vínculo é uma noção que abrange simultaneamente a relação social e o processo psíquico a ela subjacente, por isso é um instrumento teórico útil quando o interesse da investigação são processos psicossociais. A análise das relações de mando-obediência indica a presença de elementos da cultura paternalista, mesmo em relações de trabalho francamente capitalistas. Os efeitos desta cultura atingem a subjetividade do trabalhador tornando mais complexo o esforço de lutar por seus interesses. Os operários oscilam entre duas formas de ordenação do vínculo; a ordenação moral, própria da cultura paternalista, se alterna com a ordenação por interesse, própria do modo capitalista de produção. Observamos como a ideologia da organização de trabalho utiliza as disposições emocionais e significantes tradicionais para melhor realizar seus objetivos de lucro. É de especial interesse acompanhar alguns dos efeitos da cultura paternalista sobre a vida social, como a dificuldade para autorizar-se diante do que se tem efetivamente autoridade, fazer valer direitos e conviver com autoridades corruptas. Há também os efeitos sobre a subjetividade, em especial o sentimento paranóide, a ameaça que representa formas de autonomia, o rebaixamento da auto-estima, resultado de falhas narcísicas associadas à carência de sentido do que é público. A identificação com o agressor coloca o problema de vivermos com um ideal cujo sentido é negativo em relação ao sujeito. Uma conseqüência é a rejeição do brasileiro por ele mesmo. Sugiro haver conflitos estruturantes da nossa subjetividade e dos vínculos, levando-nos a viver como gente de primeira e de segunda; as respostas são diversas, mas cada um terá de se haver com esta questão. Brasil é um nome que nos habita e que habitamos. A maneira como se pratica a lei, em que muitas vezes a autoridade não a representa, mas acaba por substituí-la intensifica as ressonâncias da cultura paternalista. O desenho da tese é partir de um núcleo: análise das relações de trabalho com trabalhadores acidentados para identificar os processos que conduzem ao acidente de trabalho. A seguir, dimensionar a relação de trabalho como relação entre classes dominantes e subalternas, permeia a essas relações a suspeição. A condição social de dependência e o vínculo de sujeição também são termos comuns a ambas situações, o elemento que permanece reprimido é a ânsia por autonomia, ser par si em contraposição ser para servir. A análise da práxis de profissionais da rede pública de saúde indica a construção de uma organização psíquica e ideológica com pressupostos distintos dos paternalistas, de forma que o outro não seja ocasião para demonstrar uma superioridade qualquer , mas de oferecer a ele o que se tem de melhor, construindo, com reciprocidade, um vínculo com menos características sado-masoquistas e mais em conformidade com a organização genital da libido, ou seja, fecundo para ambos. A diferença, no caso, não tem adjetivação

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T14:56:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 o medo e os vinculos sociais no brasil.pdf: 1006706 bytes, checksum: f6cb177b7ba54a36ecdf1f4afe47bb70 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-06-10 / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo / The subject matter of this study is the link between unequal persons; organized by command-obedience relationships so as to configure the terms dominant-dominated. The link is a notion that embraces simultaneously the social relationships and the psychical process underneath them; thus it s a useful theoretical tool when the matter of the investigation are psychosocial processes. The analysis of command-obedience relationships points to the presence of elements of paternalistic culture, even in openly capitalist work relationships. The effects of this culture hit the worker s subjectivity, making more complex the effort to fight for his rights. Workers oscillate between two forms of ordination of the link; the moral one, keen to the paternalistic culture, alternates with the interest-aimed ordination, proper of the capitalist means of production. One can observe how the ideology of the work system uses emotional disposition and traditional significants in order to achieve its profit goals. There s a special interest in following some of the effects or paternalistic culture on social life, such as: the difficulty to exert authority even when one is entitled to, to stand for one s rights and to cope with corrupt authorities. There are also the subjective effects, specially the paranoid feeling, the threat represented by autonomy issues and the lowering of self-esteem, resulting of narcissistic gaps associated to the lack of public property sense. To identify with one s aggressor implies living with a negative sense of one s own ideal. One consequence is self-rejection, experienced by Brazilians as a rule. I suggest there are structural conflicts both in our subjectivity and bidding, leading us to live as first and second rate people; the answers are manifold, but each one will have to deal with this question his own way. Brazil is a name that lives within us, and the place where we live. The way by which the law is enforced by many authorities who don t represent it, but end up substituting it, intensifies the echoes of paternalistic culture. The thesis outline starts from a nucleus: the analysis of work relations among damaged workers in order to identify the processes that lead to work accidents. Furthermore, it seeks to mesurate work relations as relationships between dominant and subaltern classes, pervaded by mistrust . The social status of dependency and the subjection bond are also common terms to both situations, the enduring repressed element is the wish for autonomy, to be one s own person as opposite to be the one who serves. The analysis of the praxis from professional members of the public health system indicates the construction of a psychical and ideological organization with premises that are distinct from paternalism. Therefore, the other won t represent an opportunity to demonstrate some sort of superiority but a chance to offer the better one has to offer instead. This reciprocity might establish links, which are less sadist-masochist and more in agreement to the genital organization of the libido, that is to say, fertile to both. The diference, in this case, has no qualities added / A matéria deste estudo é o vínculo entre desiguais, organizado por relações de mando-obediência de forma a configurar os termos dominante-dominado. O vínculo é uma noção que abrange simultaneamente a relação social e o processo psíquico a ela subjacente, por isso é um instrumento teórico útil quando o interesse da investigação são processos psicossociais. A análise das relações de mando-obediência indica a presença de elementos da cultura paternalista, mesmo em relações de trabalho francamente capitalistas. Os efeitos desta cultura atingem a subjetividade do trabalhador tornando mais complexo o esforço de lutar por seus interesses. Os operários oscilam entre duas formas de ordenação do vínculo; a ordenação moral, própria da cultura paternalista, se alterna com a ordenação por interesse, própria do modo capitalista de produção. Observamos como a ideologia da organização de trabalho utiliza as disposições emocionais e significantes tradicionais para melhor realizar seus objetivos de lucro. É de especial interesse acompanhar alguns dos efeitos da cultura paternalista sobre a vida social, como a dificuldade para autorizar-se diante do que se tem efetivamente autoridade, fazer valer direitos e conviver com autoridades corruptas. Há também os efeitos sobre a subjetividade, em especial o sentimento paranóide, a ameaça que representa formas de autonomia, o rebaixamento da auto-estima, resultado de falhas narcísicas associadas à carência de sentido do que é público. A identificação com o agressor coloca o problema de vivermos com um ideal cujo sentido é negativo em relação ao sujeito. Uma conseqüência é a rejeição do brasileiro por ele mesmo. Sugiro haver conflitos estruturantes da nossa subjetividade e dos vínculos, levando-nos a viver como gente de primeira e de segunda; as respostas são diversas, mas cada um terá de se haver com esta questão. Brasil é um nome que nos habita e que habitamos. A maneira como se pratica a lei, em que muitas vezes a autoridade não a representa, mas acaba por substituí-la intensifica as ressonâncias da cultura paternalista. O desenho da tese é partir de um núcleo: análise das relações de trabalho com trabalhadores acidentados para identificar os processos que conduzem ao acidente de trabalho. A seguir, dimensionar a relação de trabalho como relação entre classes dominantes e subalternas, permeia a essas relações a suspeição. A condição social de dependência e o vínculo de sujeição também são termos comuns a ambas situações, o elemento que permanece reprimido é a ânsia por autonomia, ser par si em contraposição ser para servir. A análise da práxis de profissionais da rede pública de saúde indica a construção de uma organização psíquica e ideológica com pressupostos distintos dos paternalistas, de forma que o outro não seja ocasião para demonstrar uma superioridade qualquer , mas de oferecer a ele o que se tem de melhor, construindo, com reciprocidade, um vínculo com menos características sado-masoquistas e mais em conformidade com a organização genital da libido, ou seja, fecundo para ambos. A diferença, no caso, não tem adjetivação

Planetary systems are not only composed of planets, but also of km-sized rocky and icy bodies that are confined within belts similar to the Asteroid and Kuiper belt in the Solar System. Mutual collisions within these belts grind down solids producing dust and giving rise to debris discs. Primitive asteroids and comets likely played a major role in the emergence of life on Earth through their delivery of volatiles early in the lifetime of our planet. Cometary impacts, therefore, could be a necessary condition for the emergence of life in exoplanets and the study of debris discs essential to determine the ubiquity of such phenomenon. Moreover, exocometary discs provide a unique window into the origins and outer regions of planetary systems as comets do within our Solar System. Initially, in Chapter 1 I present an overview of the study of exoplanetary systems, focusing on debris discs. I discuss the basics of planet formation, its connection with debris discs, and how these evolve and interact with planets. I also describe how we observe these discs and probe their volatile component that is locked inside exocomets, and some evidence supporting the idea of exocomets venturing into the inner regions of planetary systems. Then, in Chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5 I present new ALMA observations of the systems HD 181327, η Corvi, the multiplanet system 61 Vir and HD 107146, which host debris discs. In the first two, I highlight the derivation of the density structure of their discs and the detection of volatiles being released by exocomets; while in the third and fourth I compare the observations with simulations, which I use to set constraints on the underlying planetesimal distribution and mass and orbital distance of unseen planets. Finally, in Chapter 6 I present result obtained from N-body simulations to study the process of inward transport of comets by a multiplanetary system and how these can deliver material to inner planets and explain the frequently observed exozodiacal dust. To conclude, in Chapter 7 I summarise the results and conclusions of this dissertation and discuss ongoing and future work.

The purpose of this study was to identify components of Response to Intervention (RTI) groups associated with increased student growth on progress monitoring tests. The relationship between student growth scores and fidelity of implementation scores, types of groups, types of interventionists, group setting, group time, and various demographic groups were examined. Seven hundred fifteen students enrolled in reading and math groups in an RTI program at 8 schools in an Upper East Tennessee school system participated in this study. Ten research questions and null hypotheses were analyzed using Pearson correlations, independent t tests, and one-way Analyses of Variance. Results indicated significant gains for RTI students in every type of reading and math intervention group and every demographic population. These results contradicted current nationwide studies on RTI in which students made limited gains in intervention.

Ce travail porte sur l’étude de matériaux micro/nano structurés permettant l’ingénierie des structures de bande dans le domaine des ondes élastiques. Nous nous sommes intéressés en particulier à l’intégration de ces matériaux dans les dispositifs électro-acoustiques et l’étude de l’interaction avec les ondes acoustiques de surface.La démarche consiste à mener des simulations par la méthode des éléments finis, pour calculer les structures de bande et les spectres de transmission. Nous avons étudié l’effet des paramètres géométriques et élastiques des micro-plots sur les branches acoustiques représentant les modes de surface. Nous avons ensuite discuté l’effet de la symétrie de l’arrangement sur la polarisation des modes de surface. Nous avons également étudié l’effet de la symétrie sur la sensibilité des modes de surface à une variation de température.Sur le plan expérimental, Nous avons élaboré des transducteurs inter-digités sur un substrat piézoélectrique de LiNbO3. Nous avons intégré divers cristaux phononiques composés de micro-plots de Ni, obtenues par électrodéposition. Les spectres de transmission ont été mesurés à l’aide d’un analyseur de réseau et comparés aux résultats theoriques.En dehors des cristaux phononiques basés sur des plots du nickel, d’autres structures ont également été présentées dans ce travail, incluant des matériaux bidimensionnels à base de nanoparticules magnétiques auto-assemblées et des nanofils du nickel électrodéposés à travers des membranes nano-poreuses d’alumine. / This work concerns the study of micro/nano structured materials for the engineering of band structures in the field of elastic waves. We were interested in particular to the integration of these materials in electro-acoustic devices and the study of the interaction with the surface acoustic waves.The approach is to carry out the simulation using the finite element method to calculate the band structures and the transmission spectra. We studied the effect of geometrical and elastic parameters of micro-pillars on acoustic branches representing surface modes. Then we discussed the effect of the symmetry of the arrangement on the polarization of the surface modes. We also investigated the effect of the symmetry on the sensitivity of surface modes with the variation of temperature.Experimentally, we have developed interdigital transducers on a piezoelectric substrate of LiNbO3. We have fabricated various phononic crystals composed of nickel micro-pillars, obtained by electrodeposition. The transmission spectra were measured by a network analyzer and compared with the theoretical results.Besides the phononic crystals based on nickel pillars, some other periodic micro/nano structures were also involved in this work, such as two dimensional materials based on self-assembled magnetic nanoparticles and nickel nanowires electroplated through nano-porous alumina membranes.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is defined as a complex clinical syndrome that is frequently, but not exclusively, characterised by objective evidence of an underlying structural abnormality or cardiac dysfunction. CHF affects up to 3% of the adult population and this rate is consistent throughout the developed world. In spite of the proven efficacy of treatments, there is a common theme of low implementation rates for recommended therapeutic guidelines. In Australia, where access to specialist CHF management is limited, the burden of care, for the 40% of CHF patients living outside capital cities falls predominantly onto community-based general practitioners (GPs). Unfortunately, there are diminishing numbers of GPs in rural and remote regions and this has created an apparent dual deficit in terms of equitable access to primary and specialist care for the CHF population living in these areas. The purpose of this research was to determine, in a series of themed studies, the population distribution, management and potential information technology solutions for CHF in rural and remote Australia. Appropriate methods were utilised for each study and included epidemiological studies, a quantitative analysis of a large practice audit, geo-mapping, a systematic review, a case study review and a qualitative analysis of participant feedback and clinical notes.

Στην παρούσα διατριβή αναπτύσσεται ένα ολοκληρωμένο μεθοδολογικό πλαίσιο για την ανάλυση της παραγωγικής αποτελεσματικότητας επιχειρήσεων που λειτουργούν σε περιβάλλον πολλαπλής τεχνολογικής ετερογένειας. Με βάση την έννοια των μετα-μεταορίων, ορίζονται μέτρα αποτελεσματικότητας και τεχνολογικών χασμάτων σε κάθε επίπεδο τεχνολογικής ετερογένειας, τα οποία, σε ένα δεύτερο στάδιο, «αποδομούνται» σε παράγοντες σταθερούς ως προς τις εισροές και παράγοντες σταθερούς ως προς τις εκροές. Η προτεινόμενη μεθοδολογία χρησιμοποιείται για την διερεύνηση της παραγωγικής αποτελεσματικότητας των ευρωπαϊκών τραπεζικών επιχειρήσεων, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη πιθανή τεχνολογική ετερογένεια που οφείλεται στα ιδιαίτερα χαρακτηριστικά (i) των εθνικών τραπεζικών συστημάτων και (ii) των τραπεζικών τύπων ειδίκευσης. Οι επιδράσεις των εν λόγω πηγών τεχνολογικής ετερογένειας στην τραπεζική αποτελεσματικότητα εξετάζονται ξεχωριστά, σε ένα πλαίσιο ανάλυσης τεχνολογικής ετερογένειας ενός επιπέδου, και συνδυαστικά, σε ένα πλαίσιο ανάλυσης ιεραρχημένης τεχνολογικής ετερογένειας δύο επιπέδων. Τα αποτελέσματα της σχετικής εμπειρικής ανάλυσης ερμηνεύονται με βάση την «θεωρία της γνώσης», δίνοντας ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στον ρόλο της διάχυσης της γνώσης, της ικανότητας απορρόφησης και του στρατηγικού προσανατολισμού των ευρωπαϊκών τραπεζικών επιχειρήσεων. / In the context of the present thesis, a methodological framework is developed for analysing the productive efficiency of firms that operate in a multilevel technologically heterogeneous environment. Based on the meta-metafrontier notion, efficiency and technology gaps measures are defined at each level of technology heterogeneity and are decomposed into input- and output-invariant components. The proposed methodology is used for the investigation of productive efficiency of European banking firms, taking into account potential technology heterogeneity due to the particular characteristics of (i) the national banking systems and (ii) the specialization types of banking firms. The effects of the aforementioned heterogeneity sources on bank efficiency are examined separately, in a single-level technology heterogeneity framework, and simultaneously, in a hierarchical technology heterogeneity framework of two levels. The results of the relevant empirical analysis are interpreted using the “knowledge-based theory”, emphasising on the role of knowledge spillovers, the banking firms’ absorptive capacity and strategic orientation.

Em uma parcela permanente de 10,24 ha na Floresta Pluvial Atlântica Submontana do Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho (Sete Barras, SP, Brasil), este estudo teve o intuito de descrever o regime de distúrbio do dossel e avaliar a regeneração natural sob diferentes regimes de luz. Para tanto, foi realizado o levantamento de todas as clareiras da parcela, que foram mensuradas e tiveram sua idade aproximada estimada. Em seguida, foram instaladas 42 parcelas de 10x10m para avaliar a regeneração natural em três regimes luminosos: dossel contínuo (18 parcelas), clareiras pequenas a médias (11) e clareiras grandes com abundância de Guadua tagoara (Nees) Kunth (13). O regime de luz foi caracterizado por fotografias hemisféricas tomadas ao centro das parcelas. O estudo da regeneração natural foi divido em: estrato herbáceo (i.e., ervas menores que um metro de altura), avaliado através da cobertura do solo estimada pelo método de interceptação de linha; e estrato arbustivo, avaliado através dos indivíduos com altura maior que 1m, e com diâmetro à altura do peito menor que 5cm. Para estes indivíduos anotou-se a espécie, diâmetro, altura total e área de copa, além da presença de partes reprodutivas e substrato de germinação. Informações sobre hábito, grupo sucessional e síndrome de dispersão das espécies também foram obtidas. Após um ano, uma reavaliação permitiu analisar a mortalidade, danos, recrutamento e crescimento. Apesar de 67% das clareiras terem sido menores que 150 m2 , o regime de distúrbio foi atípico, principalmente pela contribuição de clareiras maiores que 750 m2 , e pela área média e total que variaram respectivamente de 419 a 799 m2 , e de 26 a 49%, dependendo do método de delimitação de clareira. A densidade foi de 6 clareiras.ha -1 e a taxa de recorrência variou entre 91 e 220 anos, dependendo dos métodos. Houve diferença significativa entre os ambientes para a maioria dos índices de luz, especialmente para a radiação total incidente com médias entre 909 e 2.400 mols.m-2.ano-1. Observou-se diferença significativa entre ambientes na cobertura por ervas, porém os resultados variaram entre espécies. No estrato arbustivo, houve diferença significativa na composição e abundância das espécies, inclusive entre clareiras médias e sub-bosque. A densidade de ervas e arbustos foi maior nos ambientes mais iluminados, assim como a densidade de pioneiras e secundárias iniciais. O recrutamento em um ano (16%) apresentou diferenças nos ambientes, com 63% dos recrutas apenas nas grandes clareiras. O mesmo não ocorreu com a taxa de mortalidade cujas principais causas foram os danos físicos e dessecamento. Para os 13% de indivíduos danificados em um ano, houve destaque para danos ligados à extração de palmito. Apenas os danos físicos naturais apresentaram diferença entre ambientes, com grandes clareiras sendo as mais danosas. No geral e entre as 25 espécies avaliadas separadamente, houve uma tendência de crescimento maior com o aumento da incidência luminosa. Clareiras pequenas a médias tiveram significativamente maior riqueza, diversidade e menor dominância de espécies que o sub-bosque. Clareiras grandes com bambu tiveram menor riqueza e diversidade, mas contribuíram com a manutenção da diversidade beta da parcela permanente. / In a 10.24 ha permanent plot of Tropical Lower Montane Atlantic Rain Forest in the Carlos Botelho State Park (Sete Barras, SP, Brazil), this study aimed to describe the canopy disturbance regime and to assess natural regeneration under different light regimes. In order to do so, the plot was completely surveyed for canopy gaps that were measured and had their approximate age estimated. Then, 42 10x10 m plots were established to evaluate natural regeneration under three light regimes: understory (18 plots), small to medium canopy gaps (11 plots) and large gaps abundant in Guadua tagoara (Nees) Kunth (13 plots). The light regime was characterized through hemispherical photographs taken at each plot center. Natural regeneration was dived into: herb stratum (i.e., herbs below one meter in height) assessed through soil coverage using the line intercept method; and shrub stratum or all plant individuals taller than one meter high and thinner than 5 cm in diameter at breast height. All individuals were identified to species and measured for diameter, height, crown height and area, besides notes on the presence of reproductive structures and germination substrate. Information on growth form, dispersal syndrome and ecological group were also obtained for each species. After one year, one reevaluation was made to assess mortality, damages, recruitment and growth. Although 67% of gaps were smaller than 150 m2 , the plot disturbance regime was atypical mainly by the contribution of gaps bigger than 750 m2 and by the average and total gap area that varied respectively from 419 to 799 m2 , and from 26 to 49% depending on the gap delimitation method. Gap density was 6 gaps.ha-1 and the turnover rate varied from 91 to 220 years depending on the gap method employed. There was significant difference between environments among the light index, especially for total incident radiation with means varying from 909 and 2,400 mols.m-2.y-1. It was found significant differences on herb soil coverage between environments, although the results varied among species. In the shrub stratum, species composition and abundance was significantly different, even between small to medium canopy gaps and the understorey. Herb and shrub densities were bigger in the more enlightened environments, as well as pioneer and early secondary species densities. Recruitment over the year (16%) was different between environments with large gaps accounting for 63% of all recruits. Similar difference was not found for mortality rate that had physical damage and desiccation as main death causes. Amid the 13% of damage individuals in the course of one year, there was noticeable contribution of damages linked to illegal extraction of palm-heart. Differences between environments were present only for physical damages with large gaps being the most damaging environment. In general and among the 25 species evaluated separately, there was a tendency of bigger growth with enhancement in light incidence. Small to medium gaps had significantly higher species richness and diversity, and lower dominance compared to the understorey. Large gaps had lower richness and diversity, but they contributed to maintain beta diversity of the permanent plot.