The primary objective of this research is the development a wind and solar-powered autonomous surface vehicle (WASP) for oceanographic measurements. This thesis presents the general design scheme, detailed aerodynamic and hydrodynamic aspects, sailing performance theory, and dynamic performance validation measurements obtained from a series of experiments. The WASP consists of a 4.2 meter long sailboat hull, a low-Reynolds number composite wing, a 2000 Watt-hour battery reservoir, a system of control actuators, a control system running on an embedded microprocessor, a suite of oceanographic sensors, and power regeneration from solar energy. The vehicle has a maximum speed of five knots and weighs approximately 350 kilograms. Results from four oceanographic missions that were conducted in the Port Everglades Intracoastal Waterway in Dania Beach [sic] Florida are presented. Water temperature, salinity and oxidation-reduction measurements recorded during these missions are also discussed. The combination of a mono-hull and solid wing in an autonomous system is a viable design for a long-range ocean observation platform. The results of four near-shore ocean observation missions illustrate the initial capabilities of the design. Future work aimed to further reduce both the mass of the wing design and the power requirements of the system will increase performance in all operating conditions and should be considered. Furthermore, the progression of the legal framework related to ocean vehicles must be pursued with respect to unmanned autonomous systems. / by Patrick Forde Rynne. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Desde a adoção das normas internacionais de relatórios financeiros (IFRS) no Brasil, em 2010, a discussão sobre a classificação de instrumentos financeiros entre instrumentos de dívida ou de patrimônio tem se intensificado. Quando a Lei 11.638/07 foi emitida, alterando a Lei das Sociedades por Ações de 1976, teve o condão de introduzir o padrão contábil internacional na contabilidade brasileira. Entretanto, muitos dos instrumentos e aspectos da legislação societária brasileira não foram alterados ou reavaliados à luz desse novo padrão. De um momento para o outro, empresas se viram obrigadas a classificar como dívida, valores antes classificados com patrimônio líquido, como foram os diversos casos de ações resgatáveis. A própria classificação das ações ordinárias e preferenciais como instrumentos de patrimônio líquido foi colocada em dúvida devido à previsão do chamado dividendo mínimo obrigatório. Nesse ínterim, companhias abertas brasileiras emitiram certos instrumentos financeiros, analisaram e os classificaram como instrumentos de patrimônio líquido. Entretanto, tiveram tal classificação questionada pela CVM e foram requeridas a refazer suas demonstrações financeiras. Mesmo internacionalmente essa classificação não é, muitas vezes, óbvia. As últimas discussões no âmbito internacional relacionados com a classificação de instrumentos financeiros como de dívida ou de patrimônio se concentraram em duas abordagens: a \"abordagem restrita do patrimônio líquido\" (Narrow Equity Approach) e a \"abordagem estrita do passivo\" (Strict Obligation Approach). Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a classificação dos instrumentos financeiros patrimoniais previstos na legislação societária brasileira à luz das normas internacionais de relatórios financeiros. Primeiramente entendendo e avaliando os casos de determinação da CVM de refazimento das demonstrações financeiras de companhias em virtude de classificação considerada inadequada de certos instrumentos financeiros como de patrimônio líquido. Em seguida, avaliando a natureza dos instrumentos patrimoniais previstos na legislação societária brasileira, especialmente as ações com dividendos prioritários, e o impacto dessa prioridade nas demonstrações financeiras das companhias. Com base nos resultados do estudo, concluiu-se que os casos de refazimento estavam relacionados a uma tentativa de classificar instrumentos típicos de dívida como patrimoniais, a partir da alteração de certos termos, mas sem atender a todos os requisitos da norma contábil. Adicionalmente, para as companhias com ações preferenciais com dividendos prioritários, observamos que os instrumentos atendiam a classificação de patrimônio líquido e que a prioridade no recebimento trouxe benefícios de fato para os seus detentores. / Since the adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards in Brazil, in 2010, the discussion on the classification of financial instruments between debt or equity instruments has intensified. When the law 11,638/07 was issued, changing the Brazilian Corporate Law of 1976, had the effect of introducing international accounting standards in the Brazilian accounting environment. However, many of the instruments and aspects of Brazilian corporate legislation have not changed or reassessed in the light of this new standard. From one moment to the next, companies were required to reclassify amounts from equity to debt, as were the various cases of redeemable shares. Even the classification of ordinary and preferred shares as equity instruments was questioned due to the statutory minimum mandatory dividend. In the meantime, Brazilian listed companies have issued certain financial instruments, analyzed and classified them as equity instruments. However, they had such a classification questioned by the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Comission (CVM) and were required to restate their financial statements. Even internationally, this classification is not often obvious. The latest discussions in the international forum related to the classification of financial instruments as debt or equity focused on two approaches: the Narrow Equity Approach and the Strict Obligation Approach. This study aims to evaluate the classification of equity financial instruments as per the Brazilian corporate legislation in light of the International Financial Reporting Standards. Firstly, understanding and evaluating the cases of restatement of the financial statements of companies as determined by CVM due to misclassification of certain financial instruments as equity. Then, assessing the nature of equity instruments as per the Brazilian corporate legislation, especially the shares with priority dividends, and the impact of this priority in the financial statements of the company. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that the restatements were related to the attempt of classifying typical debt instruments as equity, by amending certain of their terms, but not meeting all the requirements of the relevant accounting standard. Additionally, for companies with preferred shares with priority dividends, we observed that the instruments were classified as equity and that the priority has effectively brought benefits to these shareholders.

by Wai Chi Sing. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1987. / Includes bibliographical references.

A partir d’une sociologie de l’action organisée attentive à la mise en œuvre de la politique de la Fédération Française de Tennis (FFT) dans et par ses unités territoriales, notre travail analyse les effets induits par le double processus de « déconcentralisation » et de professionnalisation plus particulièrement sur la gouvernance de ces organisations. Nous montrons ici que le siège FFT, face aux menaces qui pèsent sur le tournoi « Roland-Garros » et afin de préserver son modèle, a engagé une transformation de la territorialisation de son action. Ayant défini à ce titre un nouveau mode de régulation entre les différentes organisations qui la composent, un changement est désormais à l’œuvre au sein des ligues régionales et des comités départementaux. Dans la première partie, nous montrons comment le siège FFT se sert du contexte économique pour faire évoluer sa gouvernance et pour mettre en œuvre un nouveau mode de pilotage de ses unités territoriales. La deuxième partie analyse, ensuite, le développement de cette action fédérale qui se veut plus processuelle que contractuelle, action marquée, en outre, par le caractère inter-organisationnel donnée à la résolution des problèmes de gouvernance territoriale afin de gagner en flexibilité et cohérence. Enfin, dans la troisième partie, nous relativisons les effets des nouvelles règles fédérales en démontrant que la FFT a finalement pleinement profité de l’antériorité de la dynamique de changement déjà à l’œuvre au sein des ligues même si celle-ci se déployait avec de fortes différenciations temporelles et fonctionnelles selon les territoires. / Our study is based on the sociological side of the numerous organized actions dealing with the implementation of the politics of the French Tennis Federation (FFT) among and throughout its territorial units. The goal of this research was to analyze the effects engendered by the double process of devolution –the passing of power- and professionalization, especially on the governance of these organized actions.We wanted here to show that the French Tennis Federation’s head office, confronted with the well-known threats concerning the French Grand Slam Roland Garros and in the objective of preserving its model of functioning, has engaged into a transformation of the territorialisation of its actions. To this end, it defined a new model of regulation between the different organizations it is composed of. This change is now being implemented within the regional tennis leagues and departmental committees.First, we will show how the French Tennis Federation’s head office is using the economic context in order to make its governance better and to implement a new model of management of its territorial units. Then, the second part is an analysis of the development of this federal action that is more of a process than a contract. Furthermore, this action is marked by the inter-organizational nature given to the manner of solving problems of territorial governance so that the French Tennis Federation can become more flexible and consistent. In the last part of the dissertation, we try to put the effects of these new federal rules into perspective. This is done by showing that the French Tennis Federation has in fact largely taken advantage of the changing dynamics that was already being put into action among the regional tennis leagues, even if this dynamics was highly different in matters of time and functioning depending on the territories concerned.

Nous étudions la relation entre la mise en place d’instruments politiques, des innovationsvia la Recherche et Développement (R&D) et la diffusion de la technologie dans une structure Nord-Sud. Nous analysons d’abord l’impact de la mise en place d’instruments politiques d’un pays du Nordsur l’investissement en R&D domestique (de procédé puis de produit) dans un cadre théorique. LeNord fait face à la concurrence venant d’un pays du sud à faibles coûts de production. Les résultatsmontrent que ces instruments stimulent les dépenses en R&D mis à part avec un quota surimportations. Nous nous concentrons ensuite sur la question de la diffusion de la technologie du Nordvers le Sud. Nous utilisons un modèle dynamique théorique dans lequel le Nord publie un brevet pouraugmenter la durée de monopole concernant l’utilisation d’une nouvelle technologie. Les instrumentspolitiques précédents ralentissent la diffusion technologique mis à part le quota, une nouvelle fois.Néanmoins, des représailles mises en place par le Sud peuvent l’accélérer. Enfin, nous réalisons uneétude empirique à l’aide d’estimations économétriques au niveau des déterminants potentiels de ladiffusion de la technologie entre le Nord et le Sud, mesurée par les collaborations de brevet. Nousmontrons que l’intégration à l’Union Européenne des pays d’Europe de l’Est augmentesignificativement l’intensité des collaborations avec les pays d’Europe de l’Ouest alors que l’effet surla probabilité de collaboration n’est pas significatif. / We study the relationship between policy instruments, innovations through Research andDevelopment (R&D) and technology diffusion in a North-South structure. First, we analyze the impactof the implementation of policy instruments by a Northern country on domestic (process and product)R&D expenditures in a theoretical framework. The North faces competition from a low-cost Southerncountry. The results show that policy instruments increase R&D expenditures except for an importquota. Then, we focus on the issue of technology diffusion from the North to the South. We design adynamic theoretical model in which the North files a patent to increase the monopoly period with anew technology. Previous policy instruments slow down technology diffusion except for an importquota again. Nevertheless, retaliations implemented by the South may accelerate it. Finally, we makean empirical study through econometric estimations of potential determinants of the technologydiffusion from the North to the South measured by patent collaborations. We show that the EuropeanUnion integration of Eastern European countries significantly increases the intensity of patentcollaborations with Western European countries while the effect on the probability of collaboration isnot significant.

This study was an investigation into the cost-effectiveness of using re-usable instrumentation in laparoscopic surgery. The model used for the study was the laparoscopic cholecystectomy which is the commonest laparoscopic procedure performed by the general surgeons. The study was done at KZNGOV Hospital in Kwazulu Natal, one of the largest tertiary hospitals in the province. The research done was both qualitative and quantitative. An exploratory study was conducted initially by drawing up the case study, and then quantitative and qualitative research was conducted to evaluate the use of re-usable instrumentation in laparoscopic surgery. In order to conduct a more focused design, the three most commonly used laparoscopic instruments were evaluated. These were the trocars (sizes 11.0mm and 5.0mm), the endoshears / scissors and the clip applicators. The study aimed to assess whether the use of the re-usable instruments was more cost-effective, whether their use in minimal access surgery was feasible, and whether the use of re-usable instrumentation compromised patient well-being. Information for the case study was obtained from the hospital notes of the patients who had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy at KZNGOV Hospital, and from interviews with experienced surgeons. The study found that the re-usable instrumentation used at KZNGOV Hospital had no adverse effects on the patients. The Department of Surgery and the theatre committee at this hospital have chosen an excellent and cost-effective protocol for laparoscopic surgery, and the choice of instrumentation cannot be faulted. Analysis of the results showed a large cost saving obtained by using the re-usable laparoscopic instrumentation, with no adverse patient outcomes. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2003.

Žinant netradicinių mušamųjų instrumentų klasifikaciją ir jų panaudojimo galimybes neformaliame ugdyme, pedagogams ir būsimiems muzikantams bus lengviau pateikti ir perprasti mokomąją medžiagą, improvizuoti grojant bei lavinti kūrybiškumą, pasirinkti ar pasigaminti patį instrumentą. Bakalauro darbe analizuojami netradiciniai mušamieji instrumentai ir jų panaudojimo galimybės neformaliame ugdyme. Tyrimo tikslas – išanalizuoti netradicinius mušamuosius instrumentus ir atskleisti jų panaudojimo galimybes ugdant muzikantus. Tikslui pasiekti iškelti uždaviniai: 1) pateikti netradicinių mušamųjų instrumentų apibūdinimą; 2) klasifikuoti netradicinius mušamuosius instrumentus; 3) įvardinti netradicinių mušamųjų instrumentų naudojimo muzikinėje praktikoje ypatumus; 4) aprašyti netradicinių mušamųjų instrumentų panaudojimo galimybes neformaliame ugdyme; 5) surengti meninį projektą, paremtą teorine bakalauro darbo dalimi. Darbe naudojami tyrimo metodai: literatūros šaltinių vertimas, analizė ir interpretavimas; asmenines muzikines patirties apibendrinimas. Tyrimo metu išanalizuota literatūra aktualia tema, apibūdinti ir klasifikuoti netradiciniai mušamieji, pateiktos šių instrumentų panaudojimo neformaliame ugdyme galimybės. Norint pademonstruoti netradicinų mušamųjų instrumentų naudojimo ypatybes, išnagrinėtas teorinėje darbo dalyje, surengtas meninis projektas. Koncerte demonstruota dalis netradicinių mušamųjų instrumentų, atlikti kūriniai, kurie atskleidžia jų naudojimo... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Untraditional percussion instruments, their purpose of use and classification in non-formal education: this research is for educators and future musicians who want to present and comprehend the training material, to improvise during lectures and increase creativity in their students. Percussion instruments ant their use in non-formal education is analysed in this thesis. Research purpose: to analyze the unconditional percussion instruments and to define their usage in educating musicians. The targets for reaching the goal are as follows: 1. To present the description of the unconditional instruments. 2. To classify the unconditional percussion instruments. 3. To name the features of unconditional percussion instruments usage in musical practice. 4. To describe the options of use of the unconditional percussion instruments in non – formal education. Research methods used in the thesis: analysis of the literature sources, analysis and interpretation of the sheet music, description of personal experience. During this research, the topical literature of unconditional percussion instruments was analyzed, described and classified. An artistic project was arranged in order to demonstrate the internals of the instruments. During the project, several pieces were performed by percussion insrumentalists to reveal the instruments purpose of use.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-154).

Notre recherche propose une synthèse sur les pratiques religieuses dans le Proche-Orient romain. Elle trouve son intérêt dans la confrontation de sources variées: textes littéraires et épigraphiques, objets archéologiques et représentations iconographiques. Nous nous sommes donné comme tâche d'étudier ces sources non pas séparément mais de les comparer afin d'identifier les instruments de culte, de les décrire et de déterminer quelle était leur place dans les rites religieux du Proche-Orient romain. Le but de ce travail est de poser les bases d'une nouvelle interprétation des rites de cette région grâce à l'ensemble des données réunies dans un corpus. Notre étude considère les cérémonies religieuses, non pas au travers des mythes ou des divinités, mais par la pratique, par les gestes accomplis au moyen d'objets cultuels laissant apparaître les liens entre sacrifiants, offrandes et dieux. Cette étude permet de souligner la variété des cultes et des rites du Proche-Orient romain et la diversité culturelle de cette région, au carrefour de différentes civilisations et mêlant des traditions orientales, grecques et romaines. / Our research presents a synthesis of the religious practices in the Roman Near East. Its interest is based on the confrontation of various sources: literary and epigraphic texts, archaeological objects and iconography. These sources are not studied separately but comparatively in order to identify the instruments of worship, to describe them and to determine their use in the religious rites of the Roman Near East. The aim of this work is to lay the foundations for a new interpretation of the rites of this region through all the data collected in a corpus. Our study proposes to consider the religious ceremonies, not through myths and deities, but from the practices and the gestures made with cultual objects revealing the links between sacrificers, offerings and gods. This study brings out the variety of cults and rites of the Roman Near East and the cultural diversity of this region, at the crossroads of different civilizations mixing Eastern, Greek and Roman traditions.

My dissertation is an investigation of the rhythm and fills presets on the Mellotron MKII (1964) through a series of compositions. All the sounds used in these compositions are Mellotron sounds from the MKII, which were edited and arranged using a digital audio workstation (DAW). In this study I dissect the instrument, and outline every aspect of the rhythms and fills presets. In the process, I develop an expanded model of performance practice on the instrument, presenting new playing and compositional possibilities. These are made possible through comprehensively documented analysis of the instrument’s sample set and the tempo, key and pitch permutations achievable through its on-board modulation controls. The Mellotron is significant because it was among the first samplers in history, and quickly became an iconic sound, woven into the cultural fabric of 1960s British pop. The Mellotron was used on The Beatles’ ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, Led Zeppelin’s ‘Kashmir’, David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’, and The Rolling Stones’ ‘2000 Light Years From Home’, to name a few. While the Mellotron is featured on these famous songs, it has never been used as a solo instrument for a long form composition, nor have its samples ever been transcribed. The study takes a reflexive approach, using journals compiled through the composition process to support the development of new Mellotron techniques and compositions. The compositions presented in this study establish and demonstrate the Mellotron’s capability for extended solo work. The new techniques presented here make the Mellotron more practical for improvisation, composition and performance in new musical contexts. Additionally, the research expands scholarly/educational literature on electromechanical keyboards, providing in-depth technical, historical and musical data on the Mellotron. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / M. Mus. (Music)