Investigations into the origin and evolution of regulatory mechanisms require quantitative estimates of the abundance and co-occurrence of functional protein domains among distantly related genomes. The metabolic and regulatory capabilities of an organism are implicit in its protein content. Currently available methods suffer for strong ascertainment biases, requiring methods for unbiased approaches to protein domain contents at genome-wide scales. The discussion will be highlighted on large scale patterns of similarities and differences of domain contains between phylum-level or even higher level taxonomic groups. This provides insights into large-scale evolutionary trends. The complement of recognizable functional protein domains and their combinations convey essentially the same information and at the same time are much more readily accessible, although protein domain models trained for one phylogenetic group frequently fail on distantly related sequences. Transcription factors (TF) typically cooperate to activate or repress the expression of genes. They play a critical role in developmental processes. While Chromatin Regulation (CR) facilitates DNA organization and prevent DNA aggregation and tangling which is important for replication, segregation, and gene expression. To compare the set of TFs and CRs between species, the genome annotation of equal quality was employed. However, the existing annotation suffers from bias in model organism. The similar count of transcripts are expected to be similar in mammals, but model organism such as human has more annotated transcripts than non model such as gorilla. Moreover, closely related species (e.g, dolphin and human) show a dramatically different distribution of TFs and CRs. Within vertebrates, this is unreasonable and contradicts phylogenetic knowledge. To overcome this problem, performing gene prediction followed by the detection of functional domains via HMM-based annotation of SCOP domains were proposed. This methods was demonstrated to lead toward consistent estimates for quantitative comparison. To emphasize the applicability, the protein domain distribution of putative TFs and CRs by quantitative and boolean means were analyzed. In particular, systematic studies of protein domain occurrences and co-occurrences to study avoidance or preferential co-occurrence of certain protein domains within TFs and CRs were utilized. Pooling related domain models based on their GO-annotation in combination with de novo gene prediction methods provides estimates that seem to be less affected by phylogenetic biases. it was shown for 18 diverse representatives from all eukaryotic kingdoms that a pooled analysis of the tendencies for co-occurrence or avoidance of protein domains is indeed feasible. This type of analysis can reveal general large-scale patterns in the domain co-occurrence and helps to identify lineage-specific variations in the evolution of protein domains. Somewhat surprisingly, strong ubiquitous patterns governing the evolutionary behavior of specific functional classes were not found. Instead, there are strong variations between the major groups of Eukaryotes, pointing at systematic differences in their evolutionary constraints. Species-specific training is required, however, to account for the genomic peculiarities in many lineages. In contrast to earlier studies wide-spread statistically significant avoidance of protein domains associated with distinct functional high-level gene-ontology terms were found.

In der Dissertation wird die These vertreten, dass deutschsprachige Texte der postjugoslawischen Migration die Grenzen von zeitgenössischer deutscher Literatur erweitern. Sie hinterfragen die Vorstellung von unterschiedlichen, separaten und abgegrenzten Nationalliteraturen und erfordern einen komparativen und mehrsprachigen kritischen Ansatz. Um das zu verdeutlichen, werden in der Arbeit die Prosatexte von Peter Handke, Saša Stanišić, Marica Bodrožić und Alma Hadžibeganović untersucht. Die Analyse orientiert sich an Leslie A. Adelsons Studie The Turkish Turn in Contemporary German Literature (2005) und berücksichtigt die Mehrsprachigkeitstheorie sowie die Gendertheorie. Die Arbeit setzt sich außerdem mit dem „Eastern Turn“ in der deutschen Literatur auseinander. Der Zusammenbruch Jugoslawiens war ein Wendepunkt in der jüngeren europäischen Geschichte und führte zur gewaltsamen Teilung des Landes und zur Flucht vieler Menschen nach Westeuropa. Deutschsprachige Kommentatoren waren von Anfang an stark an den Debatten rund um den Krieg beteiligt. Die Dissertation vergleicht die umstrittenen Reiseberichte von Peter Handke aus den 1990er Jahren mit späteren Werken von Stanišić, Bodrožić und Hadžibeganović. Sprachlich heterogene Texte sind in der Lage, das essentialistische Verständnis von ethnischer, nationaler und kultureller Identität zu untergraben. Die Analyse offenbart die Machtstrukturen, die in der Sprache verwurzelt sind und die durch nicht-idiomatische Wendungen, Sprachfehler, Code-Switching, interlinguales Mischen, wörtliche Übersetzung, Interferenzen, referentielle Unbestimmtheit und einen strategischen Einsatz von Unsinn untergraben werden können. Die feministische Auseinandersetzung mit den Texten geht auf die Themen Geschlecht, Sexualität und Diskriminierung ein. Es wird gezeigt, dass die Texte patriarchale Gewalt bezeugen und sich der gewaltsamen Auslöschung solcher Erfahrungen aus dominanten Narrativen widersetzen. / My thesis argues that German-language texts of post-Yugoslav migration expand our understanding of what constitutes German-language literature today, since they cannot be contained by scholarly paradigms rooted in notions of distinct national literatures and require a comparative and multilingual critical approach. In order to illustrate this, the thesis examines prose texts by Peter Handke, Saša Stanišić, Marica Bodrožić, and Alma Hadžibeganović. In methodological terms, I draw on Leslie A. Adelson’s ground-breaking study The Turkish Turn in Contemporary German Literature (2005). Combining approaches derived from theories of multilingualism and gender theory, I engage with the so-called ‘Eastern Turn’ in German literature. The collapse of Yugoslavia was a watershed moment in recent European history, which led to a violent partition of the country and resulted in high numbers of people fleeing the conflict to Western Europe, including Austria and Germany. German-language commentators were from the start heavily involved in debates surrounding the war. I start my discussion by looking at Peter Handke’s travelogues from the 1990s. Contrasting Handke’s essays with later works by Stanišić, Bodrožić, and Hadžibeganović, I explore the potential of linguistically heterogeneous texts to undermine essentialist understandings of ethnic, national, and cultural identity. I draw attention to power structures rooted in language which, in my opinion, can be subverted by non-idiomatic usage, linguistic errors, code-switching, interlingual mixing, literal translation, interferences, referential indeterminacy, and a strategic deployment of non-sense. Crucially, I combine my text analysis with a feminist response to the texts. I highlight the works’ engagement with gender, sexuality, and discrimination, and examine how they address the traumas suffered by diverse subjects in patriarchal society, and resist the violent erasure of such experiences from dominant narratives.

No description available.

The Internet of Things is a recent computing paradigm, de- fined by networks of highly connected things – sensors, actuators and smart objects – communicating across networks of homes, buildings, vehicles, and even people. The Internet of Things brings with it a host of new problems, from managing security on constrained devices to processing never before seen amounts of data. While cloud computing might be able to keep up with current data processing and computational demands, it is unclear whether it can be extended to the requirements brought forth by Internet of Things. Fog computing provides an architectural solution to address some of these problems by providing a layer of intermediary nodes within what is called an edge network, separating the local object networks and the Cloud. These edge nodes provide interoperability, real-time interaction, routing, and, if necessary, computational delegation to the Cloud. This paper attempts to evaluate Go, a distributed systems language developed by Google, in the context of requirements set forth by Fog computing. Similar methodologies of previous literature are simulated and benchmarked against in order to assess the viability of Go in the edge nodes of Fog computing architecture.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In computer Go, moves are typically selected with the aid of a tree search algorithm. Monte-Carlo tree search (MCTS) is currently the dominant algorithm in computer Go. It has been shown that the inclusion of domain knowledge in MCTS is able to vastly improve the strength of MCTS engines. A successful approach to representing domain knowledge in computer Go is the use of appropriately weighted tactical features and pattern features, which are comprised of a number of hand-crafted heuristics and a collection of patterns respectively. However, tactical features are hand-crafted specifically for Go, and pattern features are Go-specific, making it unclear how they can be easily transferred to other domains. As such, this work proposes a new approach to representing domain knowledge, decision tree features. These features evaluate a state-action pair by descending a decision tree, with queries recursively partitioning the state-action pair input space, and returning a weight corresponding to the partition element represented by the resultant leaf node. In this work, decision tree features are applied to computer Go, in order to determine their feasibility in comparison to state-of-the-art use of tactical and pattern features. In this application of decision tree features, each query in the decision tree descent path refines information about the board position surrounding a candidate move. The results of this work showed that a feature instance with decision tree features is a feasible alternative to the state-of-the-art use of tactical and pattern features in computer Go, in terms of move prediction and playing strength, even though computer Go is a relatively well-developed research area. A move prediction rate of 35.9% was achieved with tactical and decision tree features, and they showed comparable performance to the state of the art when integrated into an MCTS engine with progressive widening. We conclude that the decision tree feature approach shows potential as a method for automatically extracting domain knowledge in new domains. These features can be used to evaluate state-action pairs for guiding searchbased techniques, such as MCTS, or for action-prediction tasks. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In rekenaar Go, word skuiwe gewoonlik geselekteer met behulp van ’n boomsoektogalgoritme. Monte-Carlo boomsoektog (MCTS) is tans die dominante algoritme in rekenaar Go. Dit is bekend dat die insluiting van gebiedskennis in MCTS in staat is om die krag van MCTS enjins aansienlik te verbeter. ’n Suksesvolle benadering tot die voorstelling van gebiedskennis in rekenaar Go is taktiek- en patroonkenmerke met geskikte gewigte. Hierdie behels ’n aantal handgemaakte heuristieke en ’n versameling van patrone onderskeidelik. Omdat taktiekkenmerke spesifiek vir Go met die hand gemaak is, en dat patroonkenmerke Go-spesifiek is, is dit nie duidelik hoe hulle maklik oorgedra kan word na ander velde toe nie. Hierdie werk stel dus ’n nuwe verteenwoordiging van gebiedskennis voor, naamlik besluitboomkenmerke. Hierdie kenmerke evalueer ’n toestand-aksie paar deur rekursief die toevoerruimte van toestand-aksie pare te verdeel deur middel van die keuses in die besluitboom, en dan die gewig terug te keer wat ooreenstem met die verdelingselement wat die ooreenstemmende blaarnodus verteenwoordig. In hierdie werk, is besluitboomkenmerke geëvalueer op rekenaar Go, om hul lewensvatbaarheid in vergelyking met veldleidende gebruik van taktiek- en patroonkenmerke te bepaal. In hierdie toepassing van besluitboomkenmerke, verfyn elke navraag in die pad na onder van die besluitboom inligting oor die posisie rondom ’n kandidaatskuif. Die resultate van hierdie werk het getoon dat ’n kenmerkentiteit met besluitboomkenmerke ’n haalbare alternatief is vir die veldleidende gebruik van taktiek- en patroonkenmerke in rekenaar Go in terme van skuifvoorspelling as ook speelkrag, ondanks die feit dat rekenaar Go ’n relatief goedontwikkelde navorsingsgebied is. ’n Skuifvoorspellingskoers van 35.9% is behaal met taktiek- en besluitboomkenmerke, en hulle het vergelykbaar met veldleidende tegnieke presteer wanneer hulle in ’n MCTS enjin met progressiewe uitbreiding geïntegreer is. Ons lei af dat ons voorgestelde besluitboomkenmerke potensiaal toon as ’n metode vir die outomaties onttrek van gebiedskennis in nuwe velde. Hierdie eienskappe kan gebruik word om toestand-aksie pare te evalueer vir die leiding van soektog-gebaseerde tegnieke, soos MCTS, of vir aksie-voorspelling.

The objective of this bachelor thesis was to examine and analyse the psychological factors that were important in mediation processes on local, regional, national and international levels in Ethiopia. The research questions were what these psychological factors were and how they affected the mediation process. A qualitative, semi-structured method was used and six informants with experience as mediators have been interviewed in Ethiopia. The psychological factors identified were self-esteem, losing face, ability of letting go, and mirroring. The conclusion was that this research confirmed the findings of much of the previous research, in regards to the psychological factors active in the process. The research also revealed that the psychological factors needed to be considered in the light of the Ethiopian culture and it´s collective nature.

A library of graphene-based hybrid materials was synthesized as novel hybrid electrochemical electrodes for electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices and electrocatalytical sensing namely enzymeless glucose sensing. The materials used were supercapacitive graphene-family nanomaterials (multilayer graphene-MLG; graphene oxide-GO, chemically reduced GO-rGO and electrochemical reduced GOErGO) and pseudocapacitive nanostructured transition metal oxides including cobalt oxide polymorphs (CoO and Co3O4) and cobalt nanoparticles (CoNP). These were combined through physisorption, electrodeposition, and hydrothermal syntheses approaches. This project was carried out to enhance electrochemical performance and to develop electrocatalytic platforms by tailoring structural properties and desired interfaces. Particularly, electrodeposition and hydrothermal synthesis facilitate chemically-bridged (covalently- and electrostatically- anchored) interfaces and molecular anchoring of the constituents with tunable properties, allowing faster ion transport and increased accessible surface area for ion adsorption. The surface morphology, structure, crystallinity, and lattice vibrations of the hybrid materials were assessed using electron microscopy (scanning and transmission) combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy and selected-area electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction, and micro-Raman Spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of these electrodes were evaluated in terms of supercapacitor cathodes and enzymeless glucose sensing platforms in various operating modes. They include cyclic voltammetry (CV), ac electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, charging-discharging, and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). These hybrid samples showed heterogeneous transport behavior determining diffusion coefficient (4⨯10-8 – 6⨯10-6 m2/s) following an increasing order of CoO/MLG < Co3O4/MLG < Co3O4/rGOHT < CoO/ErGO < CoNP/MLG and delivering the maximum specific capacitance 450 F/g for CoO/ErGO and Co3O4/ rGOHT. In agreement with CV properties, these electrodes showed the highest values of low-frequency capacitance and lowest charge-discharge response (0.38 s – 4 s), which were determined from impedance spectroscopy. Additionally, through circuit simulation of experimental impedance data, RC circuit elements were derived. SECM served to investigate electrode/electrolyte interfaces occurring at the solid/liquid interface operating in feedback probe approach and imaging modes while monitoring and mapping the redox probe (re)activity behavior. As expected, the hybrids showed an improved electroactivity as compared to the cobalt oxides by themselves, highlighting the importance of the graphene support. These improvements are facilitated through molecular/chemical bridges obtained by electrodeposition as compared with the physical deposition.

This work explores the relationship between municipal government debt and revenue diversification using a prism of institutional and fiscal interactions, concentrating on revenue fungibility effects over time and on the role of state-imposed constraints. A diversified revenue structure tends to stabilize revenue levels by balancing income-elastic and inelastic revenue sources. The impact of such diversity has been the subject of much research on expenditure and service levels among state and local governments. Considerably less research has been conducted on its potential relationship with debt, although capital financing is a necessary and often-utilized mechanism for funding capital and operational spending for local governments. Since it is well known that debt payments are fixed in the short run, they require sufficient revenue adequacy through economic highs and lows. It is thus argued that local governments with more diversified revenue structures are better able to utilize debt financing since revenue diversity mitigates the risk of borrowing by providing for greater fiscal predictability in the long run. This hypothesis is tested on two samples - a large sample of cities in Massachusetts from 2000 through 2009, as well as a cross-state sample, encompassing the cities from the majority of U.S. states. The findings of both studies provide preliminary evidence on the influence of revenue diversification on the levels of municipal indebtedness. While the Massachusetts study reveals that revenue diversification is, indeed, a statistically significant determinant of debt per capita, which also has an indirect effect on property tax burdens, the cross-state study suggests that revenue diversification has a mitigating impact on certain state-imposed fiscal rules, further adding to its weight as a strategic financial management tool. Both studies also reiterate the importance of such fiscal capacity factors as fund balances, intergovernmental revenue, and the size of government, while also revealing some new interaction patterns among various state-imposed debt limitations.

The 2015 publication of Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman (2015) raised questions and concerns when it was read in the context of the author’s first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), a text with strong, direct statements related to civil rights and social injustice. This thesis examines textual similarities and differences between Watchman and Mockingbird, suggesting the likely influence of editor Thèrése “Tay” von Hohoff in Mockingbird’s published version. Additionally, the thesis examines Hohoff’s 1959 biography, A Ministry to Man: The Life of John Lovejoy Elliott, as a plausible inspiration for Lee’s Mockingbird hero, Atticus Finch. Containing corroboration from available correspondence, biographical information, interviews, and historical records, this thesis documents Hohoff’s editorial influence on Lee as the two worked together to create a lasting contribution to American literary history and culture.

(česky) The thesis introduces traditional Korean game of paduk, it concerns at its rules, history and nowadays situation with all the players organizations and developement of paduk in Korea and internationally as well. Paduk rules are explained in the first part which follows by the list of the most important and necessary technical and theoretical terms. The next part describes basic strategy and flow of the game, visual demonstrations are included. In the part of Korean historical developement the thesis describes the import to Korean Peninsula and its development in all the historical parts of Korean history from the Three kingdoms to the modern age. There is a special attention on the transformation of the game in the Colonial period (1910 - 1945). During this time the traditional Korean version of the game was left and forgotten, or forced to be forgotten and players have been playing the modern version since then. The modern paduk is shown with foundations of paduk organizations, story of famous masters and the characteristic of Korean paduk in the international field. The focus is also on the almost unknown situation of paduk in DPRK and how it stands in the its society. The conclusion summarizes the basic characteristic of distinctive aspects of Korean paduk (especially in the...