Syftet med licentiatuppsatsen är att bidra med kunskap om vilka aspekter som kan vara nödvändiga för elever att urskilja för att identifiera och analysera en del-helhetsstruktur och i förlängningen bemästra ekvationer. I forskningsprojektet medverkade lärare och forskare i ett kollaborativt och intervenerande arbete. Elever i årskurserna 3, 8 och 9 deltog i semistrukturerade intervjuer och forskningslektioner för att producera data. Forskningslektionerna genomfördes med learning study som forskningsansats, vilken erbjuder iterativa processer. De teoretiska ramverken utgjordes av fenomenografi, variationsteori och lärandeverksamhet. Ansatsen fenomenografi utgjorde ett analysverktyg när intervjuerna analyserades. Variationsteori och lärandeverksamhet utgjorde kompletterande ramverk när forskningslektioner designades och analyserades. Resultatet i Artikel 1 påvisar en kritisk aspekt, vilken formulerades som: två kvantiteter tillsammans (två delar) bildar en tredje kvantitet (en helhet) med samma ”värde” som de två delarna tillsammans. Resultatet i Artikel 2 påvisar fem kritiska aspekter, vilka formulerades som (1) det är en relation mellan alla tal i en ekvation, (2) två delar tillsammans är ekvivalenta med en helhet med samma värde, (3) vad som utgör en helhet respektive delar, (4) samma relation kan formuleras på fyra olika sätt och (5) helheten kan anta ett lägre värde än delarna. En slutsats är att det kan vara en fördel redan för unga elever att delta i undervisning med utgångspunkt i early algebra och lärandeverksamhet där generella matematiska strukturer fokuseras. En ytterligare slutsats är att det kan vara gynnsamt att delta i teoretiska resonemang där ekvationer med negativa tal inkluderade utforskas med stöd av en lärandemodell. / The aim of the licentiate thesis is to contribute with knowledge concerning which aspects may be necessary for students to discern in order to identify and analyze a part-whole structure and in the long term master equations. In the research project, teachers and researchers participated in a collaborative and intervening work. Students in grades 3, 8 and 9 participated in semi-structured interviews and research lessons in order to produce data. The research lessons were conducted with learning study as research approach, which offers iterative processes.The theoretical frameworks consisted of phenomenography, variation theory and learning activity. The phenomenography approach was an analysis tool when the interviews were analyzed. Variation theory and learning activity constituted complementary frameworks when research lessons were designed and analyzed. The finding in Article 1 demonstrates a critical aspect, which was formulated as two quantities together (two parts) build up a third quantity (the whole) with the same “value” as the two parts together. The finding in Article 2 demonstrates five critical aspects, which wereformulated as (1) there is a relationship between all numbers in an equation, (2) two parts together are equivalent to a whole with the same value, (3) what constitutes a whole and parts, (4) the same relationship can be formulated in four different ways and (5) the whole can assume a lower value than the parts. One conclusion is that it may be an advantage already for young students to participate in teaching based on early algebra and learning activity where general mathematical structures are focused. A furtherconclusion is that it may be beneficial to participate in theoretical reasoning where equations with negative numbers included are explored with support by a learning model.

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Master of Science / Department of Agricultural Economics / Xianghong Li / Hikaru H. Peterson / The organic food market in the United States expanded rapidly at annual rates between 12% and 21% from 1997 to 2008, yet the adoption rate of organic farming remained stagnant. Industry sources suggest that the degree of outsourcing organic inputs has been increasing during the most recent years. Organic foods are available at traditional supermarkets and mass merchandisers. Many retailers now offer organic food products in their private labels. This study focuses on organic soymilk, which illustrates these recent trends. China, a major low income country which supplies organic agricultural ingredients to the U.S. , has raised food safety concerns fueled by recent incidents. Organic foods have been marketed in China as eco-products in an effort to promote safer foods to meet domestic needs. While organic soybean is one of China’s primary organic exports, China has been the leading importer of conventional soybeans with U.S. as its largest source, but most U.S. production is transgenic. China has a labeling policy on GM (genetically modified) products, which has been more tightly enforced in recent years. This thesis examines U.S. and Chinese consumers’ valuations of attributes of processed organic products, with an emphasis on eliciting their preferences of organic ingredients from different origins, in the case of soymilk. A survey was designed for each country. The U.S. survey was administered online nationwide. An enumerated survey was administered at three types of food retail channels in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in China. Respectively, 316 and 300 responses were collected from the U.S. and China. Choice experiment was used to elicit consumer values for various attributes of soymilk in both markets. The results show that consumers in both countries are willing to pay premiums for processed foods such as soymilk with organic and non-GMO ingredients. The premium for organic soybeans is significantly higher than that for non-GMO beans. The results also indicate that U.S. consumers hold strong preferences for organic soymilk produced with domestically produced soybeans. In terms of brand preferences, U.S. respondents are willing to pay more for national brands relative to store brands, with taste as a major differentiating factor. In contrast, Chinese consumers’ valuations depend greatly on nationalities of certifying agencies. U.S. certified organic product was perceived higher than EU or Chinese certified organic products, but Chinese-certified non-GMO products were preferred over those certified by U.S. agencies. Chinese consumers’ values varied by cities and retail types where respondents were surveyed.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka föräldrars uppfattningar om högläsningens betydelse för barns läsutveckling i hemmet och i skolan och om samverkan mellan hem och skola inom berört område. Syftet är även att undersöka om föräldrars sociokulturella bakgrund har någon betydelse för deras uppfattningar. Studien har genomförts i samarbete med ett projekt i en årskurs ett på en kommunal skola i Sverige som syftar till att stärka samverkan mellan hem och skola. Det sociokulturella perspektivet svarar för studiens teoretiska utgångspunkt och den metodologiska ansatsen tar sin utgångspunkt i fenomenologin. Empirin består av en enkätundersökning och kvalitativa forskningsintervjuer med avsikt att skapa en djupgående bild av föräldrarnas egna uppfattningar. Vad gäller de informanter som deltar i studien så har de valts ut bland de föräldrar till de deltagande barnen i den årskurs ett som projektet berör. Studien lyfter fram föräldraperspektivet vilket till stor del har saknats i tidigare forskning. Studiens resultat indikerar att föräldrars sociokulturella bakgrund inte har någon större betydelse för deras uppfattningar. Föräldrarna uppfattar att högläsning i hemmet och i skolan och samverkan mellan hem och skola är betydelsefull för barns läsutveckling. Studien visar även att föräldrarna ser sig själva som betydelsefulla vägledare i högläsningssituationen, vilket i sig kan gynna barnets läsutveckling. / The purpose of this study is to investigate parental perceptions of the significance of reading aloud for children ́s reading development at home and in school, and the interaction between home and school in the area concerned. The aim is also to examine if the parents ́ socio- cultural background influence their perceptions. The study was conducted in cooperation with a project that took place in the first grade at a public school in Sweden, which aimed to strengthen the cooperation between home and school. The socio-cultural perspective forms the study ́s theoretical basis and its methodological approach is based on phenomenology. The empirical data consist of a survey and qualitative interviews with the intention to get to know the parents ́ own perceptions. As for the informants involved in the study, they have been selected among the parents of the children who are participating in the first year of the project. The study highlights that the parental perspective has largely been lacking previous research. The results of the study indicate that the parents ́ socio-cultural background does not have any significant impact on their perceptions of the significance of reading aloud for children at home and in school. Parents perceive that reading aloud at home and in school and a collaboration between home and school are important for children ́s reading development. The study also finds that the parents see themselves as important actors when it comes to reading aloud situations, which in itself beneficial for the children ́s reading development.

Thesis (MA(VA))--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This work explores alternative ways of doing research within the field of art and design; ways that respect complexity and acknowledge the expansive, relational and performative nature of signifi- cation in arriving at ‘new’ knowledge. Through processes of designing in-between, I have been moving through opposites, connecting connections, and de(re)constructing structure. I have used my immediate locations as triggers to forge relations between an array of seeming disparate, albeit kindred, concepts. The scope of the work seems to have perpetually broadened, while theory and practice have dissolved in mercurial in- between states. Such exuding expansiveness has, at times, unsettled and unnerved, but ironically it has also intensely resembled our everyday ‘realities’. Designing in-between - compared to traditional, science-based research methods operating in barricaded systems of thought - thus allows for more faithful interrogation of the complexity of the world we live in. I believe this can be of great value in any attempt at innovative knowledge production, but especially attempts from within the field of art and design - a field often defined by its ability to challenge conventional ways of knowing. My work should not be regarded as yet another predetermined guideline for future research. It should rather be read as an example of a “conceptual tool” or “thought strateg[y]” (Hurst, 2010:242) suited to the complexity of the open systems we form part of every day. Neither the challenging, nor the advantageous, aspects of my work should be regarded as superior and exclusive to the other. The existence of dissonance and contrast is productive; a life force propelling the search for new significance and knowledge. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie werkstuk ondersoek alternatiewe maniere van navorsing doen binne die veld van kuns en ontwerp; maniere wat die kompleksiteit en ewig-groeiende, verhoudingsgebaseerde en performa- tiewe aard van betekenis-konstruksie in die soeke na ‘nuwe’ kennis erken en respekteer. Deur prosesse van tussen-in ontwerp, het ek my weg probeer baan deur teenoorgesteldes, het ek konneksies gekonnekteer, en strukture gede(re)konstrueer. Ek het my onmiddellike omgewingskonteks as stimuli gebruik om verhoudings tussen ‘n verskeidenheid van kontrasterende, dog verwante, konsepte te bewerkstellig. Die omvang van hierdie navorsing het sodoende gedurig verbreed, terwyl teorie en praktyk in verstrengelde tussen-in toestande ontbind het. Alhoewel hierdie uitgestrekte, deurdringende kompleksiteit my dikwels ontsenu en laat weifel het, versinnebeeld dit ironies genoeg ons alledaagse ‘realiteite’ redelik getrou. Tussen-in ontwerp - in vergelyking met meer tradisionele, wetenskap-geba- seerde navorsingsmetodes wat binne begrensde gedagtesisteme funksioneer - laat ‘n mens dus die ruimte toe om die onvoorspelbare wisselwerking tussen die magdom veranderlikes aktief in die wêreld waarin ons leef, in ag te neem. Ek glo dat so ‘n benadering tot navorsing van besondere waarde kan wees in enige poging tot die innoverende bou van kennis, veral in pogings vanuit die veld van kuns en ontwerp - ‘n veld wat geken word aan sy/haar vermoë om gedurig konvensionele maniere van verstaan uit te daag. Ek wil nie hê dat my werk as net nog ‘n voorafbepaalde riglyn vir toekomstige navorsing gesien word nie. Dit moet eerder gelees word as ‘n voorbeeld van ‘n konseptuele instrument (“conceptual tool”) of gedagtestrategie (“thought strategy”) (Hurst, 2010:242) wat geskik is vir die kompleksiteit van die inherent oop sisteme wat ons alledaagse lewens definieer. Nie die uitdagende, nog die voordelige, aspekte van my werk moet as superieur en eksklusief tot die ander geag word nie. Dit is juis die bestaan van teenstrydighede en kontras wat produktiwiteit bewerkstellig. Dit voorsien ‘n lewenskrag wat die soeke na nuwe betekenis en kennis voortdryf.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The investigation was aimed to improve the understanding of the binding interactions between DevS and DevR that are implicated in the regulation of the dormancy response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These binding interactions could provide good drug targets for the treatment of persistent tuberculosis, the mechanistic understanding of their binding interactions is important for the development of a validated inhibitor screen. A detailed in silico analysis of the amino acid residues that play a role in the binding of receptor DevR to both kinase DevS and the target DNA was undertaken. A reasonable approximation of the DevS structure was produced using homologous protein structures. In silico docking of DevS to DevR merely produced a set of probable candidate structures, since more than one conformation with similar docked energies was observed. The decision on which one is the more correct form can only be estimated by crystallization of this complex. Therefore, the functional expression and purification of the Dev TCS components were pursued. Denaturing HIS™-select nickel affinity gel purification in the form of matrix-assisted refolding led to the production of functional Dev TCS proteins. To understand the binding of DevR to DNA consensus sequences, as well as the nature of these interactions, a model was built of the full length DevR dimer binding to DNA consensus sequences. Based on this model, single mutations were made to DevR in vitro and their effects assessed in order to validate the model built. During Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) analysis, it was found that K179I and N183L mutants prevented the binding of DevR to the DNA consensus sequences. If DevR and DevS binding are to be used in a drug development program, it is essential to have the protocols to accurately measure their interaction, in addition to developing a fundamental understanding of how their interactions occur. The binding affinity of DevR to both DevS and the truncated soluble fragment of DevS (DevS201) were explored, using the BIAcore instrument, an SPR-based biosensor. For sufficiently strong binding between a histidine kinase and a response regulator, the KD needs to be in the nM range. The KD was calculated to be 255 nM for DevS201 and 184 nM for DevS. Therefore it can be concluded that DevS201 binds DevR strongly enough to be used in future studies, and that the BIAcore could be used to screen small-molecule inhibitors of DevR-DevS interactions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Dev twee komponent sisteem (TKS) bestaan uit ‘n histidine kinase naamlik (DevS) en ‘n reaksie reguleerder DevR. DevS en DevR is betrokke by die regulering van die dormante stadium van Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Hierdie meganisme kan ‘n deurbraak dwelm teiken vir die behandeling van sluimerende tuberkulose wees. Die meganisme van hierdie bindings interaksies is van kritieke belang, tesame met die ontwikkeling van 'n erkende inhibeerder toets. ‘n Gedetaileerde in silico analise van die aminosuur volgordes wat 'n rol speel in die binding van die reseptor DevR aan beide DevS sowel as die teiken DNS is voltooi. ‘n Model van die DevS struktuur is saamgstel met behulp van homoloë proteïen strukture. In silico mering van DevS aan DevR het `n stel van die waarskynlike kandidaat strukture verskaf, aangesien meer as een konformasie met soortgelyke merings energieë waargeneem is. Die mees waarskynlike vorm kan alleenlik geïndentifiseer word na kristallisasie van hierdie kompleks. Die funksionele uitdrukking en suiwering van die Dev TKS proteine is gevolglik uitgevoer. Funksionele Dev TKS proteïene is verkry deur denaturerende HIS-select nikkel affiniteit jel suiwering, in die vorm van matriks-geassisteerde hervouing te gebruik. Ten einde die binding te verstaan tussen DevR en DNS konsensus volgordes, sowel as die aard van hierdie interaksies, is 'n model gebou van die volle lengte DevR dimeer binding aan DNS konsensus volgordes. Hierdie model is gevalideer deur punt mutasies in DevR te skep en die gevolge daarvan te beoordeel met elektroforetiese mobiliteits verskuiwing reaksie analises. Dit is bevind dat K179I en N183L mutante, verhoed die binding van DevR aan die DNS konsensus volgordes. Die gebruik van DevR en DevS bindings in ‘n dwelm ontwikkelingsprogram, benodig die fundamentele begrip van hoe die interaksies plaasvind, sowel as akkurate protokolle om die interaksies te meet. Die BIAcore instrument, ’n SPR-gebaseerde biosensor, is ingespan om die bindings affiniteit van DevR aan beide DevS en die fragment van DevS (DevS201) te ondersoek. Om voldoende sterk binding tussen DevS en die DevR te verseker, moet die KD in die nM omgewing wees. Die KD is bepaal as 255 nM en 184 nM vir DevS201 en DevS, onderskeidelik. Die afleiding kan dus gemaak word dat DevS201 sterk genoeg aan DevR bind om in verdere studies gebruik te kan word, en dat die BIAcore gebruik kan word om klein-molekule inhibeerders van DevR-DevS interaksies te toets.

South Korea established a non-competitive natural gas market in order to have a stable and economical supply of natural gas. The allegation has been raised about the inefficiency of this non-competitive market structure, but reform attempts have failed because of protests. Proponents of this incumbent system argue that gas needs to be supplied by the public sector in a monopolized structure so as to have a stable supply of this essential good, natural gas, and to prevent market failures like exorbitant gas prices and a deficit in supply due to a natural monopoly. They also argue that the unified gas purchase endows purchasing power. However, the gas industry does not exactly meet the categorical characteristics of an essential good or a natural monopoly and the concept of purchasing power is hardly accepted. Moreover, according to agent theory and property theory, the current market and firms are likely to be inefficient; several events are proving this inefficiency to be true. However, people remain unsure about the necessity of gas market reform. Ironically, South Korea has a different policy and market approach to the oil market despite the similarity of these two fuels. The oil market in South Korea constitutes an effective competitive market via a liberalized market, and is supplying the fuel stably and economically, contrary to people’s expectations. This thesis contrasts different approaches in South Korea toward similar hydrocarbon fuels, oil and gas. The competitiveness of the oil market is examined through statistics, Lerner index, analyzing of the profit trend in the market, and price comparison by countries. Results support the validity of South Korean gas market reform if the oil market is effectively competitive through liberalization. / text

〈靜慮品〉在整部《入菩薩行論》當中所佔之篇幅最多的一品，全品內容 中前半段主要在說明如何捨離靜慮的逆品，即捨離塵世間的憒鬧，遠離對 內世間--親友等有情及外世間--利養恭敬等，而棲止於空閑寂靜之處；並 袪除對內心對於女人及利養恭敬的貪愛執著。待身心散亂因緣皆消除，已 堪任修習靜慮，後半部份便正式討論靜慮的修習。這一部份主要討論修習 靜慮之善所緣--自他平等與自他相換。由於自他平等為自他相換的基礎， 是故先說自他平等，接下來就以較多的篇幅說明自他相換，自他相換之道 理，與較自己卑劣、平等、高勝三種有情相換而分別對相換前的我修嫉妒 、競爭、傲慢，及在相換之後如何以溫和及嚴厲的方式提醒自己時時刻刻 不要妄起自我愛執的念頭。

This dissertation aims to provide a comprehensive study of Francesco Salviati’s portraits, analyzed within a chronological framework. Traditional attributions are re-examined and recent discoveries included to establish a reliable core group of the artist’s portraits, one exhibiting a stylistic coherence. Salviati’s activities as a portraitist are placed in the historical, political, cultural and artistic context of his time, with particular emphasis on patronage. Versatile and well-connected, Francesco served a number of top-ranking patrons of his time, including Cardinal Giovanni Salviati, Pier Luigi and Alessandro Farnese (in Rome), Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici (in Florence), the Grimani family (in Venice), King Henri II, and the Cardinal of Lorraine in France. This study intends to navigate portraiture’s role in the relationships between the courtier-artist and his princely patrons. Characterized by innovation and experimentation, Salviati’s portraits vary in composition, media and supports. As one of the earliest artists to produce portrait miniatures in Italy, Francesco evidently introduced the genre to Cosimo I de’ Medici’s court to create an aura of a royal court equal to that in France and England. His experiments with the use of various stone supports for portraits are discussed in relation to his status as the leading painter in Rome after the death of Sebastiano del Piombo in 1547. Lastly, the artist’s career as a book illustrator is explored to shed light on his interactions with well-known literati of his time, such as Pietro Aretino, Anton Francesco Doni and Giambattista Gelli. The designs Salviati provided for their author portraits are not only testimony to their acquaintance, but also evidence of the artist’s participation in their intellectual communities. / Thesis (Ph.D, Art History) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 15:59:52.863