Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-06-23T20:42:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 CesarCasteloBranco.pdf: 11257769 bytes, checksum: 911c33f2f0ba5c1c0948888e713724f6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-23T20:42:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CesarCasteloBranco.pdf: 11257769 bytes, checksum: 911c33f2f0ba5c1c0948888e713724f6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPQ) / This work proposes new methodologies to optimize the choice of the parameters of the proportionate normalized least-mean-square (PNLMS) adaptive algorithms. The proposed approaches use procedures based on two optimization methods, namely, the golden section and tabu search methods. Such procedures are applied to determine the optimal parameters in each iteration of the adaptation process of the PNLMS and improved PNLMS (IPNLMS) algorithms. The objective function for the proposed procedures is based on the a posteriori estimation error. Performance studies carried out to evaluate the impact of the PNLMS and IPNLMS parameters in the behavior of these algorithms shows that, with the aid of optimization techniques to choose properly such parameters, the performance of these algorithms may be improved in terms of convergence speed for the identification of plants with high sparseness degree. The main goal of the proposed methodologies is to improve the distribution of the adaptation energy between the coefficients of the PNLMS and IPNLMS algorithms, using parameter values that lead to the minimal estimation error of each iteration of the adaptation process. Numerical tests performed (considering various scenarios in which the plant impulse response is sparse) show that the proposed methodologies achieve convergence speeds faster than the PNLMS and IPNLMS algorithms, and other algorithms of the PNLMS class, such as the sparseness controlled IPNLMS (SC-IPNLMS) algorithm. / Neste trabalho, novas metodologias para otimizar a escolha dos parâmetros dos algoritmos adaptativos LMS normalizados proporcionais (PNLMS) são propostas. As abordagens propostas usam procedimentos baseados em dois métodos de otimização, a saber, os métodos da razão áurea e da busca tabu. Tais procedimentos são empregados para determinar os parâmetros ótimos em cada iteração do processo de adaptação dos algoritmos PNLMS e PNLMS melhorado (IPNLMS). A função objetivo adotada pelos procedimentos propostos é baseada no erro de estimação a posteriori. O estudo de desempenho realizado para avaliar o impacto dos parâmetros dos algoritmos PNLMS e IPNLMS no comportamento dos mesmos mostram que, com o auxílio de técnicas de otimização para escolher adequadamente tais parâmetros, o desempenho destes algoritmos pode ser melhorado, em termos de velocidade de convergência, para a identificação de plantas com elevado grau de esparsidade. O principal objetivo das metodologias propostas é melhorar a distribuição da energia de ativação entre os coeficientes dos algoritmos PNLMS e IPNLMS, usando valores de parâmetros que levam ao erro de estimação mínimo em cada iteração do processo de adaptação. Testes numéricos realizados (considerando diversos cenários nos quais a resposta impulsiva da planta é esparsa) mostram que as metodologias propostas alcançam velocidades de convergência superiores às dos algoritmos PNLMS e IPNLMS, além de outros algoritmos da classe PNLMS, tais como o algoritmo IPNLMS com controle de esparsidade (SCIPNLMS).

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies were used to identify and describe potential habitat for three species endemic to the Southwestern United States; the Golden-cheeked Warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia), the Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapillus), and the Texas kangaroo rat (Dipodomys elator). For each species, the computerized classification of digital satellite imagery was integrated with ancillary spatial information (e.g. soils, geology, and land use) to construct a data base to be used for ecological evaluation as well as habitat protection and management measures.

This dissertation examines Robert Penn Warren‘s use of Arthurian legend, Judeo-Christian folklore, Norse mythology, and ancient vegetation rituals in his first four novels. It also illustrates how the use of these myths helps define Warren‘s Agrarian ideals while underscoring his subtle references to these ideals in his early fiction.

La homosexualidad masculina, durante la primera guerra fría, se articuló en la literatura norteamericana en torno a dos ejes: las asunciones heroicas de masculinidad (subordinadoras de masculinidades alternativas) y la frontera como sitio y mito.La masculinidad heroica, otrora hegemónica, y la homosexualidad de los personajes de ficción analizados se presentan unidas en una época donde el discurso médico, jurídico, publicitario y político quiso divorciarlas. Esa unión se produjo en uno de los sitios más masculinistas de la tradición norteamericana: la frontera, fuera real, simbólica o imaginaria. Estos personajes no consiguen alejarse de las posiciones patriarcales que los oprimen como homosexuales. Por tanto, esa masculinidad que tanto ansían abrazar queda lejos de ser garante de pleno desarrollo individual, excepto en la frontera categórica con la realidad. Estas ficciones, escritas en el umbral de la posmodernidad, suponen una apelación a los procesos desintegradores y liberalizadores de la misma. / Homosexuality was articulated around two ideas during the first part of the Cold War: heroic assumptions of masculinity -subordinators of alternative masculinities- and the frontier as place and myth. The heroic masculinity -long ago hegemonic- and the homosexuality of the fictional characters analysed go hand in hand in a time when medical, legal, political and mass-media discourses meant to separate them. We can see that union in one of the most man-dominated places in American tradition: the frontier, be it real, symbolic or imaginary. These characters cannot get away from the patriarchal positions which oppress them as homosexuals. Therefore, that masculinity they long to hold onto does not guarantee their integrity as human beings, except in the categorical frontier with reality itself. For these fictions, written at the threshold of postmodernity, appeal to its disintegrating and liberating processes.

This essay examines the subject-object dichotomy between men and women in Toni Morrison’s Jazz and the thesis of the essay is that this dichotomy develops into subject-object harmony. Through Simone de Beauvoir’s theory regarding the subject-object dichotomy and a close reading of the novel, this essay concludes that Jazz shows the possibility of reciprocal relationships built on friendship. In other words, the dichotomy changes into harmony, which makes it possible for both men and women to reach freedom and fulfilment in transcendence.

Over the past 100–150 years Texas rangelands have dramatically changed from native open savannahs to dense woodlands. On the Edwards plateau, a major management concern is the increasing encroachment of Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei). Preceding an anticipated brush management program, I investigated the presence, co-occurrence, and habitat relationships of 7 breeding bird species in the Leon River Watershed in central Texas, USA: black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapillus), golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia), northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), white-eyed vireo (Vireo griseus), Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii), painted bunting (Passerina ciris), and brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater). Vegetation characteristics were compared between sites occupied by each species and unoccupied sites using univariate analysis. Models for predicting species site occupancy were developed (using logistic regression) based on habitat characteristics correlated with the presence of each species. Two species of special concern, the endangered black-capped vireo and golden-cheeked warbler occupied 5.6% of sites and 13.8% of sites respectively, while the brood parasite brown-headed cowbird was the most widespread, occupying 86.8% of sites. Species co-occurrence patterns revealed significant associations between the golden-cheeked warbler and each of 5 other species. For most species, variables included in habitat models could be explained by knowledge of species known habitat associations. For example, the black-capped vireo was positively associated with increasing low-growing (<1.5 m) hardwood cover and with Low Stony Hill ecological sites. The golden-cheeked warbler was positively associated with increasing density of larger juniper trees, increasing variability in vertical vegetation structure, and decreasing midstory canopy of deciduous nonoaks (e.g., cedar elm [Ulmus crasifolia]). It also preferred Low Stony Hill and Steep Adobe ecological sites. Site occupancy seemed to be driven by variables that describe overall vegetation structure. In particular, cover of low-growing non-juniper vegetation and juniper tree density appeared to be important in determining site occupancy for several species. Although the models constructed were not very robust, resource managers can still benefit from such models because they provide a preliminary examination of important controlling variables. Managing rangelands to maintain or restore a mosaic of juniper patches and open shrublands are likely to help meet the habitat requirements of these bird communities.

<p>Provbanken är en del i ett nationellt provsystem som är tänkt att vara ett bedömningskomplement till existerande prov i gymnasieutbildningen. Växjö universitet har varit delaktig i utvecklingen av prov för de yrkesinriktade ämnena sedan 1997. Eftersom innehållet i dessa numera webbanpassade prov är det väsentliga, måste utformningen av provet göras lättförståelig. Användbarheten måste m a o vara självklar och inte ställa till problem för användaren. Som en av utvecklarna av dessa interaktiva prov, ville jag finna ett sätt att minimera problemen och öka användbarheten. I de bakgrundsstudier som gjordes, fann jag att en iterativ designprocess föreslogs vara den bästa metoden för att åstadkomma mitt mål. Med hjälp av användartest kopplade till teoretiska referensramar, utvärderades ett av proven som skapats vid Växjö universitet. Eftersom ett omvårdnadsprov valdes, blev målgruppen sex omvårdnadselever. Tre av dem deltog i det första användartestet. Datainsamlingen utfördes med hjälp av en kvalitativ metod, där både observationer och intervjuer användes som empiriska insamlingstekniker. I analysen som följdes upptäcktes sex höga eller medelhöga problem, varav tre av de mest akuta valdes att förändras. Dessa problem utvärderades och implementerades med hjälp av teoretiska riktlinjer i en prototyp som användartestades med de tre kvarvarande omvårdnadseleverna. I den analys som gjordes kunde de jämförda resultaten peka på en förbättring av användbarheten i det specifika prov som undersökts. Det kunde dock även konstateras att ett flertal problem återstod för att helt uppnå målet med en minimering av problem.</p><p>Denna uppsats visar på betydelsen av att göra iterativa designprocesser i interaktiva system för att öka dess användbarhet. Studien pekar tydligt på vikten av att göra användartest samt hur teori kan vara ett komplement till utformning av interaktiva gränssnitt.</p> / <p>Provbanken is part of a national examination system, which is meant to be a mark-setting complement to existing tests in the upper secondary school. Växjö University has been part of the development of tests regarding the vocational subjects since 1997. Because the content of these web-adapted tests is essential, the design of the tests must be made easy to understand. In other words, the usability has to be obvious and must not create trouble for the user. As one of the developers of these interactive tests, I wanted to find a way to minimize the problems and increase the usability. In the conducted background studies, I found that the iterative design process was suggested as the best method to achieve my goal. With the help of usability tests applied to theoretical frame of reference, one of the tests created at Växjö University was evaluated. Since a test regarding homecare was chosen, the target group became six homecare students. Three of them took part in the first usability test. The gathering of data was conducted with the help of a qualitative method, where observations and interviews were used as empirical techniques. In the following analysis six high or medium high problems were discovered, out of which three of the most urgent problems were solved. These problems were evaluated and implemented with help of theoretical guidelines into a prototype, which later became usability tested with the three remaining homecare students. In the analysis made, the compared results showed an improvement of the usability in the specific, investigated test. However, it could clearly be stated that several issues persisted until the goal of minimizing the problems could be achieved.</p><p>This thesis shows the importance of performing iterative design processes in interactive systems in order to increase the usability. The study clearly points out the importance of usability tests and how theory can be a complement in the design of interactive interfaces.</p>

Notre mémoire cherche à identifier les traces du cinéma de “l’âge d’or” dans le cinéma mexicain des années quatre-vingt-dix. Au Mexique, l’apogée que le cinéma industriel a connu entre 1935 et 1955 a établi les principaux genres et normes du cinéma national. Le cinéma produit durant cette période, abondamment diffusé par la télévision et la vidéo et apprécié de la critique, continue d’influencer la production contemporaine. En concentrant notre analyse sur deux films en particulier, Danzón (1991) de María Novaro et La ley de Herodes (1999) de Luis Estrada, nous étudions d’une part, comment le cinéma des années quatre-vingt-dix rend hommage au cinéma de l’âge d’or et, d’autre part, comment on l’utilise pour commenter les nouvelles tendances dans la politique et la production culturelle. La diffusion continue du cinéma de l’âge d’or nous permet d’expliquer en partie son influence sur les cinéastes mexicains contemporains. Par ailleurs, le contexte de néolibéralisme et de globalisation des années quatre-vingt-dix nous permet d’avancer d’autres hypothèses concernant les raisons qui ont amené ces cinéastes à récupérer des éléments de la culture “nationale-populaire”. Nous pensons que ce contexte pourrait expliquer autant l’hommage que la critique que font les films contemporains du cinéma de l’âge d’or. Notre analyse des références au cinéma de l’âge d’or dans le cinéma des années quatre-vingt-dix s’appuie sur la théorie de l’intertextualité dans le cinéma. / This thesis studies the traces of the so-called “golden age” of Mexican cinema in films produced in the nineties. In Mexico, the upsurge of cinematic production between 1935 and 1955 established the principal norms and genres of a national cinema. The cinema of this era, critically acclaimed and widely diffused through television and video, continues to influence contemporary filmmaking. Focusing our analysis on two films, María Novaro’s Danzón (1991) and Luis Estrada’s La ley de Herodes (1999), we study how films from the nineties at once render homage to golden age cinema and use it to comment upon new trends in Mexican politics and cultural production. The continued diffusion of golden age cinema allows us to partially explain its influence on Mexican filmmakers working in the nineties. The nineties’ historical context, strongly marked by neoliberalism and globalization, allows us to propose further hypotheses as to why contemporary filmmakers have recuperated elements of “national-popular” cinema. We believe that this context explains both the homage and the criticisms that today’s films direct towards the cinema of the golden age. Our analysis of the dialogue between the films produced in these two periods borrows from theories of filmic intertextuality. / Nuestra memoria busca identificar las huellas del cine de la llamada “época de oro” en el cine mexicano de los años noventa. En México, el auge de la producción cinematográfica que tuvo lugar entre 1935 y 1955 estableció las normas y los géneros principales del cine nacional. El cine de esta época, altamente difundido por la televisión y el video, y apreciado por los críticos, sigue influyendo en la producción contemporánea. Concentrando nuestro análisis en dos películas en particular, Danzón (1991) de María Novaro y La ley de Herodes (1999) de Luis Estrada, estudiamos cómo el cine de los noventas rinde homenaje al cine de la época de oro, por un lado, y cómo se refiere a ese cine para comentar las nuevas tendencias en la política y en la producción cultural, por otro. La difusión continua del cine de la época de oro a través el tiempo nos permite explicar en parte su influencia en los cineastas mexicanos de los años noventa. Por otra parte, el contexto de neoliberalismo y de globalización de los años noventa nos permite avanzar otras hipótesis en cuanto a las razones que empujaron a los cineastas a recuperar elementos de la cultura “nacional-popular”. Pensamos que ese contexto explica tanto el homenaje como la crítica que las películas contemporáneas hacen hacia el cine de la época de oro. Nuestro análisis del diálogo entre las películas producidas en estas dos épocas se apoya en la teoría de la intertextualidad en el cine.

This dissertation examines “race” politics in Vancouver during the interwar period as one origin of human rights activism. Race-based rights activism is a fundamental element of the modern human rights movement and human rights consciousness in Canada. The rhetoric of race-based rights was problematic from its inception because activists asserted equality rights based on an assumption of racial difference – a paradox that persists in human rights rhetoric today. While the late interwar period marks the origin of modern rights rhetoric, it also reveals a parallel turning point in the history of “race.” The racial categories of “Oriental” and “Indian” originated as discursive tools of colonial oppression. But during the interwar period, these categories were being redefined by activists to connote a political identity, to advocate for rights and privileges within the Canadian nation. While many scholars interpret the driving force behind the Canadian “rights revolution” as a response to the work of civil libertarians and the events of the Second World War, I argue that changing interpretations of rights were also a result of activism from within racialized communities. Interwar Vancouver was a central site for Canadian “race” politics. This type of political activism manifested in response to a range of different events, including a persistent “White Canada” movement; the Indian Arts and Crafts revival; conflict over the sale of the Kitsilano Reservation; the 1936 Golden Jubilee celebrations; sustained anti-Oriental legislation; and a police campaign to “clean up” Chinatown. At the same time, economists and intellectuals in Vancouver were beginning to recognize the importance of international relations with Pacific Rim countries to both the provincial and national economies. When “whiteness” was articulated by businessmen and politicians in City Hall, it was most often used as a means of defending local privileges. In contrast, the “Indian” and “Oriental” identities that were constructed by activists in this period were influenced by transnational notions of human rights and equality. The racial identities that were formed in this local context had an enduring influence on the national debates and strategies concerning rights that followed.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal