Timbre is an important aspect of music, particularly in the twentieth century. Relatively little serious work on this subject has been published, however, either from a historical standpoint or from an analytical view. The purpose of this present study was to clarify the nature of timbre and to demonstrate the structural role it can have in music. The development of the timbre concept was traced from as early as the fifteenth century to present. From a very simple idea, timbre evolved into a complex phenomenon involving scientific, acoustical analysis and subjective, perceptual evaluation. It was found that currently timbre is not merely a physical manifestation, but also a function of aesthetic judgment and human response to stimuli. A brief historical survey was made of the importance of timbre in music. It was shown that timbre emerged as a significant musical element, forming the characteristic sound structure of a composition and (by extension) the distinctive sonorous style (Klangstil) of a composer. In developing to this point, the idea of timbre metamorphosed into a particular concept of "sound," a term that includes any sound quality that contributes to the character and structure of a composition. A process of analysis was developed to determine musical sound structure. It was shown that the sound-related aspects of the parameters of pitch, dynamics, time, texture, and timbre can act and interact to construct formal shape through cohesion and differentiation. It was established that the music of George Crumb shows a high regard for sound as a structural element. His Night of the Four Moons was analyzed, demonstrating the process of sound analysis. The analysis also showed that various qualities of sound itself are used as compositional material as well as for cohesion and differentiation. This aurally perceived, characteristic structure formed by or related to the action of sound was termed the "audiogenic image."

Sensitivity analysis methods are investigated for the optimal design of multibody systems. In order to overcome the shortcomings inherent in existing methods, a "mixed" method is developed. The beneficial features of the finite difference and the direct differentiation methods, and equations of motion in the joint coordinates are employed in this method. As a realistic application of the sensitivity analysis, a Four-Wheel-Steering vehicle with complete suspension systems and comprehensive analytical tire model is implemented. This model keeps full nonlinearity in the governing equations of motion for accuracy, and it is simulated using an existing general-purpose multibody dynamics simulation package. However, by using the transient dynamic analysis of the nonlinear model, optimal design parameters are dependent on driving scenarios. Therefore, the transient behavior of the system is represented by a series of steady state configurations. Hence, a steady state analysis procedure which finds a steady state configuration from an arbitrary initial condition is developed. By using the steady state analysis and the sensitivity analysis, the optimal steering ratios between the angles of the front and the rear wheels are obtained over various driving conditions. A steering control strategy is developed for the vehicle simulation to follow a prescribed path. Finally, the simulation results using the optimal steering ratio are compared against the results of the conventional two-wheel steering and the steering ratio based on the linear bicycle model.

The focal point of the quality of life associated with the United States is a strong economy. Growth in the economy means growth in employment. The establishment of stringent environmental legislation is now a reality. However, those responsible for enacting environmental laws, as well intentioned as they may be, must strive to assess the socio-economic consequences of their actions so that the true net benefit of the environmental legislation is established. The main effort in this research centers around the analysis of how a particular resource, energy (i.e., energy in the form of electric power derived from strip-mined coal) is embedded in the economic growth of the Southwest. The basic econometric tool that has been utilized is a regional input-output model which evolved from a California-Arizona linked input-output model developed by H. O. Carter and D. Ireri. The decision space developed, which effectively acted as a mechanism for restricting coal-fired power availability in future years, was based on a schedule of electric energy capacity additions as delineated by the U.S. Department of Interior's Southwest Energy Study. The regional economic analysis, described in Chapter 5 of this dissertation, suggests there is a definite relationship between coal-fired power availability and regional economic growth in the Southwest. Furthermore, the estimates of incremental decreases in regional economic activity associated with certain levels of decreased coal-fired power development are of such a magnitude that one could characterize the relationship as very significant.

When modelling pollutants in the atmosphere, it is nearly impossible to get perfect results as the chemical and mechanical processes that govern pollutant concentrations are complex. Results are dependent on the quality of the meteorological input as well as the emissions inventory used to run the model. Also, models cannot currently take every process into consideration. Therefore, the model may get results that are close to, or show the general trend of the observed values, but are not perfect. However, due to the lack of observation stations, the resolution of the observational data is poor. Furthermore, the chemistry over large bodies of water is different from land chemistry, and in North America, there are no stations located over the great lakes or the ocean. Consequently, the observed values cannot accurately cover these regions. Therefore, we have combined model output and observational data when studying ozone concentrations in north eastern North America. We did this by correcting model output at observational sites with local data. We then interpolated those corrections across the model grid, using a Kriging procedure, to produce results that have the resolution of model results with the local accuracy of the observed values. Results showed that the corrected model output is much improved over either model results or observed values alone. This improvement was observed both for sites that were used in the correction process as well as sites that were omitted from the correction process.

The primary aim of this dissertation is to examine the hermeneutical foundation, the biblical basis, the historical principle, and then to formulate a four-bridge application paradigm based on four distinguished processes--exegetical, doctrinal, homiletical, and transformational--aiming at transforming the lives of listeners for the glory of God. Chapter 1 analyzes the indispensability of a well-balanced hermeneutical application paradigm by arguing the relationship between hermeneutics and application, by reexamining application paradigms and bridge-building models, and by refocusing the four bridge paradigm. Chapter 2 examines the sermons of biblical prototypes--Moses, Ezra, the Minor Prophets, and Paul--and their features of application paradigms by means of a paradigmatic analyses rather than an exhaustive one. This chapter thoroughly explores Paul's sermons in his epistles, his preaching in Acts, and his hermeneutical bridge-building paradigm. The essential characteristics of these biblical models lead to a four-bridge life-changing application paradigm. Chapter 3 investigates four exemplary historical models--John Chrysostom, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, and John Broadus--and examines their illustrative sermons to identify their indispensable principles of application paradigms and to apply these historical facets for formulating a contemporized application paradigm. Four models provide a historical validation to formulate a legitimate life-changing application paradigm. Chapter 4 proposes a four-bridge application paradigm rooted in hermeneutical, biblical prototypes and historical models. The chapter systemizes (1) an exegetical bridge for discerning the aim of author-intended signification and the criteria for transferring universal principles of application (2) a doctrinal bridge for examining seven master keys to unlock the universal principles of ethical application, (3) a homiletical bridge for identifying a variety of relevance categories, legitimate methodologies of audience exegesis and adaptation, and an appropriate degree of transfer, and (4) a Spirit-led transformational bridge that is legitimate to change the lives of listeners. Chapter 5 concludes that contemporary preachers, as bridge-builders, need to seek a life-transforming application paradigm by utilizing the exegetical bridge, the doctrinal bridge, the homiletical bridge and the Spirit-led transformational bridge.

This bachelor thesis is a study of how librarians from five public libraries are working and perceive their role in the integration process. The purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of how librarians discusses about working with refugees. Qualitative interviews are used as a method to answer my questions and the theoretical framework was based on Jochumsen, Hvenegaard & Skot-Hansen´s "The four space" model, which sees the library as a meeting space, inspiration space, learning space and performative space. Five categories emerged from the empirical data about the librarians view of the library as a meeting place, the librarians supporting role in the integration process, the interaction between internal and external actors, media supplies and integrative activities. The analysis showed that especially three of the four categories based on The four spaces model were prominent; library as an inspiration space, learning space and meeting space. These three were discussed on the basis of an overall concept of the library as a living room. The least prominent category was library as a performative space. Respondents see their role in the integration process as a part of a democratic society, which means that the library is an open, public meeting place where people have access to information, learning and culture. Librarians highlighted three obstacles in their efforts in the integration process, which was about the lack of time, lack of resources and language skills.

Tidigare forskning inom området har fokuserat på hur länder och bolag uppfattat implementeringen av IFRS. Majoriteten av tidigare forskning har varit inriktad på utvecklingsländer med fokus på revisorers uppfattning. Däremot har det oss veterligen inte genomförts någon forskning på hur revisionsbyråer arbetar med IFRS utifrån redovisningsspecialisters och revisorers perspektiv. Med tidigare forskning i beaktning har vi funnit ett forskningsgap. Syftet med uppsatsen är att studera hur svenska Big Four arbetar med nya standarder med fokus på redovisningsspecialisters och revisorers perspektiv, med IFRS 9 som exempel. Vi vill också undersöka betydelsen av redovisningsspecialisters kunskap och expertis samt hur denna transfereras vidare i byrån, till revisorer och klienter. Studien antar en kvalitativ ansats och intervjuer samt dokumentanalys har använts för att nå redovisningsspecialisters och revisorers perspektiv. Vi har med hjälp av professionsteori analyserat vår empiri för att nå våra slutsatser. Resultaten av studien visar att båda rollerna är viktiga och avgörande i arbetet med nya standarder. Professionerna besitter hög kunskap och expertis som används på olika sätt. Vi har konstaterat att transferering av kunskap är en stor del för revisionsbyråer i arbetet med nya standarder eftersom förståelsen för en ny standard skapas genom interna stödfunktioner. Vår data visar även att de studerade revisionsbyråerna arbetar med bra interna stödfunktioner för att underlätta förståelsen för IFRS 9 som anses vara en komplex standard. / Previous research in this field has focused on how countries and companies perceived the implementation of IFRS. The majority of previous research has focused on developing countries with a focus on the auditor's opinion. However, as far as we know, less research has been done on how audit firms work with IFRS based on accounting specialists’ and auditors’ perspective. With previous research in mind, we have found a research gap.   The purpose of this thesis is to study how Swedish Big Four work with new standards, with a focus on accounting specialists’ and auditors' opinion, with IFRS 9 as an example. We also want to examine the importance of accounting specialists' knowledge and expertise and how this is transferred further in the firm, to auditors and clients.  This study has a qualitative approach where interviews and document analysis have been used to reach the accounting specialists and auditors' perspective. By applying professionalism theory, we have analyzed our empirical data to reach our conclusions.  The results of this study show that both roles are important and crucial in the work with new standards. The professionals possess high knowledge and expertise that are used in different ways. We have found that transfer of knowledge is a big part for audit firms in the work with new standards, since the understanding of a new standard is created through internal support functions. Our data also shows that the studied audit firms work with good internal support functions to facilitate understanding of IFRS 9 which is considered a complex standard.

Este estudo objetivou analisar de que modo a vivência em uma das maiores empresas mundiais de auditoria (Big Four) influenciou na construção das trajetórias de carreira dos contadores que lá tiveram experiência como auditor ou consultor. Para a realização desta pesquisa qualitativa contou-se com a participação de catorze contadores que trabalham ou trabalharam nestas organizações. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de entrevista semiestruturada. A apresentação dos resultados foi organizada em 20 categorias iniciais, que deram origem a 7 intermediárias e 3 categorias finais de análise. Elas dizem respeito às expectativas e idealizações no início da carreira, à experiência vivenciada na Big e às mudanças de perspectivas pessoais e profissionais impactando nas decisões de carreira dos entrevistados. Esta dissertação possibilitou perceber, pela visão dos contadores entrevistados, que a experiência nestas empresas gera influências significativas, que poderiam ser considerados legados, tanto profissionais como pessoais para os indivíduos, devido ao dinamismo, definido por eles como diferenciado, a que essas pessoas ficaram sujeitas. Além disso, verificou-se que para quem decide sair dessas instituições, há uma alta empregabilidade no mercado de trabalho e, para os que decidem permanecer, há a possibilidade de se tornar sócio, dependendo das suas escolhas e direcionamentos das trajetórias de carreira, que são baseadas nos gostos e preferências pessoais, mas também influenciada pelo meio social no qual essas pessoas estão inseridas. Mostrou-se forte, nesta pesquisa, a influência da família para o direcionamento das escolhas e da constituição das trajetórias profissionais. Revelaram-se experiências nas Bigs enquanto carreiras organizacionais, hierarquizadas, em um ambiente com altas demandas de trabalho e priorização da carreira em detrimento à vida pessoal; entretanto, ao longo do tempo as mudanças de vida que ocorreram, demandaram, em determinado momento, um maior equilíbrio entre vida pessoal e profissional, que foi o maior direcionador das escolhas das novas trajetórias. O dilema das auditoras e o interesse pela docência, que a maioria dos entrevistados demonstrou, também são resultados desta pesquisa. / This study analyzed how the experience in one of the largest audit firms (Big Four) influenced the construction of the Accountant career trajectories while auditor or consultant. For the realization of this qualitative research was counted with the participation of fourteen accountants who work or have worked in these organizations. The data were collected through semi-structured interview. The presentation of the results was organized in 20 initial categories, which gave rise to 7 intermediate and final 3 categories of analysis. They relate to expectations and idealizations early in his career, to the experience of the Big and changes of personal and professional perspectives impacting on the respondents career decisions. This work made it possible to realize, by the interviewees counters that the experience these companies generate significant influences, which could be considered legacy, both professional and personal to individuals, due to the dynamics defined by them as differentiated, that these people were subject. Moreover, it was found that for those who decide to leave these institutions, there is a high employability in the labor market and for those who decide to stay, there is the possibility of becoming a partner, depending on your choices and directions of career paths that they are based on personal tastes and preferences, but also influenced by the social environment in which these people are located. Proved to be strong in this research, the family influence on the direction of the choices and the establishment of professional trajectories. They have proven experience in the Bigs as organizational, hierarchical careers in an environment with high job demands and prioritizing career over personal life; however, over time the life changes that occurred, demanded at any given time, a better balance between personal and professional life, which was the biggest driver of the choices of new paths. The dilemma of auditing and interest in teaching, most of them show, are also results of this research.

Bars, Chains, and Broken Things is a four-movement work for orchestra with a distinct social narrative: the American prison system. During my time working as a volunteer with the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility, I came to know several young men and their stories. This piece serves as a loosely programmatic work chronicling the four most significant concepts which resonated with me. The individual movements are named and seek to musically represent these ideas: “Abandonment” - a common feeling among the incarcerated, “Imprisonment” - the effects and words of those feeling isolated, “Solace” - a state of calm acceptance, and “False Freedom” - a refutation of the belief that release from the prison system signifies the end of society’s punishment. It is my hope that this work serves as a musical contribution to awareness of the current issues faced in the American prison system.

We investigate the existence of a symmetric singular periodic brake orbit in the equal mass, fully symmetric planar four body problem. Using regularized coordinates, we remove the singularity of binary collision for each symmetric pair. We use topological and symmetry tools in our investigation.