Since the 1970s there has been a growing interest in, and utilisation of, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques to resolve environmental conflicts in western societies. ADR was incorporated into one of New Zealand's main environmental statutes, the Resource Management Act 1991(RMA). Under s.268 of the RMA the Environment Court (the Court) may, if the parties agree, conduct mediation in order to facilitate settlement of resource management disputes. The RMA, which has now been in operation for ten years, gives no guidance as to the way in which mediation is to be conducted. The Court has developed procedures and processes for administering and conducting mediation. This study critically evaluates the practice of Court assisted mediation of environmental disputes under the RMA. A literature review and interviews with stakeholder groups are used in this evaluation. The study shows that mediation generates benefits for the Court and participants. It also identifies limitations with the current mediation procedures and processes. These may impact the effectiveness of participants in mediation, their satisfaction with, and support for, the mediated settlement and with the environmental outcomes. The study recommends a series of guidelines be prepared on the functions and administrative procedures of the Court and on the mediation process promoted by the Court. Further research is also recommended. It is considered that these recommendations, if implemented, will enhance the process for participants, ensure more equitable and consistent environmental outcomes, in terms of present and future generations, and retain public confidence in the mediation process.

No description available.

Dans le contexte actuel où l’évolution des systèmes sans-fil est jugée importante, il estnécessaire de pouvoir réduire les pollutions électromagnétiques qui limitent l’acceptabilité descommunications et la cohabitation des systèmes. D’une façon générale, les besoins de contrôle durayonnement des antennes miniatures répondent donc à une demande croissante pour améliorer lesportées mais aussi pour limiter les interférences dans les systèmes sans-fil. Ces dernières années,malgré le développement connu dans les domaines des antennes, la question du contrôle durayonnement des antennes miniatures connait plusieurs barrières empêchant leur déploiementtechnologique. L’approche retenue dans le cadre de cette thèse est le développement de nouveauxconcepts de contrôle du rayonnement des antennes miniatures par la mise en oeuvre de différentestechniques. Cette étude a pour objectif de soulever quelques questions concernant un sujet d’étude peuexploré. / In the current context where the evolution of communicating objects is important indifferent growing fields such as: localization, wireless multimedia systems, etc., controlling theradiation pattern of antennas is one of the most important issues for future radio communicationsystems. In recent years, despite the growth experienced in the areas of antennas, the issue of smallantennas radiation control knows several barriers preventing their deployment. This thesis focuses onthe analysis of the problem of controlling the radiation pattern of small antennas and aims to raisesome questions about a little-explored subject of study. This work gives an approach using differenttechniques to develop new concepts of controlling the radiation pattern of antennas.

Formações rupestres representam centros de diversidade taxonômica e funcional associadas a condições ambientais extremas. São também sítios para colonização por espécies florestais, normalmente associada a mecanismos de facilitação. A distribuição das espécies, determinada por seu nicho e por mecanismos neutros, resulta na variação da composição entre comunidades (diversidade beta). Neste trabalho pretendemos avaliar se a vegetação rupestre apresenta-se, taxonômica e funcionalmente, distinta da matriz florestal regional, analisar possíveis interações positivas entre espécies associadas ao avanço da floresta sobre a vegetação rupestre e determinar como a composição de espécies arbóreas no gradiente floresta-afloramento rochoso é limitada por dinâmicas neutras, de nicho ou ambas ao longo da ontogenia. Estudamos a vegetação sobre afloramentos basálticos no Parque Estadual do Turvo, sul do Brasil. A flora das comunidades rupestres foi estudada a campo durante dois anos. As espécies foram classificadas em formas de vida com base na literatura e observação no campo. Para avaliarmos a ocorrência de facilitação e os padrões de diversidade beta arbórea amostramos comunidades de espécies arbóreas em três ecótonos de floresta/afloramento rochoso. Em cada sítio estabelecemos 60 parcelas de 1.5 x 1.5 m ao longo do gradiente. As parcelas foram descritas pela cobertura de Bromelia balansae Mez e pela composição de espécies, separadas em quatro classes de tamanho, representando as diferentes fases ontogenéticas dos indivíduos. Avaliamos diferenças taxonômicas e funcionais entre a vegetação rupestre e a flora regional através de testes de qui-quadrado e os efeitos dos diferentes fatores através de testes de aleatorização uni e multivariados. Registramos 111 espécies, das quais 43 de ocorrência restrita aos afloramentos, distribuídas em 54 famílias botânicas. O espectro de formas de vida teve grande frequência de caméfitos (29.7%), nanofanerófitos (17.1%) e geófitos (15.3%). Entre as espécies de ocorrência restrita, geófitos (32.6%), caméfitos (25.6%) e nanofanerófitos (20.9%) como foram as mais frequentes. Testes de 2 indicaram diferenças significativas nas frequências de famílias e de formas de vida entre os ambientes. Nossos resultados indicaram uma associação positiva entre a cobertura de bromélias e a riqueza e a abundância de plântulas de espécies arbóreas. Aparentemente, maiores coberturas por B. balansae fornecem proteção contra a herbivoria, indistintamente, e amenização das severas condições ambientais, favorecendo o estabelecimento de espécies pioneiras da floresta. Os testes multivariados indicaram efeito significativo do fator sítio sobre a diversidade beta, em todas as classes de tamanho, e do fator gradiente somente para duas classes de tamanho analisadas. A vegetação rupestre apresentou uma flora distinta, florística e funcionalmente, com uma grande similaridade a outras formações rupestres neotropicais, mas com expressivo número de espécies arbóreas. Plântulas destas espécies, aparentemente, beneficiam-se da presença de B. balansae, o que pode levar à redução gradual da vegetação rupestre neste mosaico floresta/afloramentos. Entender como as comunidades arbóreas têm sua distribuição determinada por limitações de dispersão e de nicho pode levar a uma melhor compreensão dos processos que geram e mantêm a diversidade. / Rocky outcrops are centers of taxonomic and functional diversity with extreme environmental conditions. They also are sites for colonization by forestry species, usually related to facilitation mechanisms. The species distribution set by niche and neutrals mechanisms results in the variation of composition among communities (beta diversity). The goals of this work are evaluate if rocky outcrops are taxonomically and functionally different from the surrounding forest, study the possible positive interactions among species related to the advance of the forest over the rupestrian vegetation and determine how the composition of arboreal species in the interface forest/rocky outcrop is limited by neutral, niche or both dynamics along the ontogeny. We studied the vegetation of basaltic rocky outcrops at the Turvo State Park, south Brazil. The flora from rupestrian communities was analyzed at field during two years. Species were classified into life forms based on literature and field observations. To evaluate the patterns of arboreal beta diversity and the occurrence of facilitation between plants we sampled arboreal species in three forest/rocky outcrop ecotones. In each rocky outcrop we established 60 plots of 1.5 x 1.5 m along the forest-rocky outcrop ecotone. We described each plot in terms of Bromelia balansae Mez cover and the composition of tree species, separated into four size classes, representing different ontogenetic stages of individuals. The taxonomic and functional differences between the rupestrian vegetation and regional flora were analyzed with the chi-square test and the effects of different factors were analyzed with randomization tests uni-and multivariate. We registered 111 species, 43 of which restricted to the rocky outcrops, distributed in 54 botanic families. The life form spectrum showed a high proportion of chamaephytes (29.7%), nanophanerophytes (17.1%) and geophytes (15.3%). The flora restricted to rocky outcrops showed more frequently geophytes (32.6%), chamaephytes (25.6%) and nanophanerophytes (20.9%). Chi-square tests indicated significant differences in frequencies among environments, for both families and life forms. Our results showed that the coverage of bromeliads is positively correlated to the richness and abundance of seedlings of arboreal species. It seems that higher cover by B. balansae gives protection against herbivory indistinctively, and also reduces the effects of severe environmental conditions, allowing the settlement of forest pioneers species. Multivariate tests showed significant effect of the site factor on the beta diversity in all classes of size and significant effect of the gradient factor only on two size classes evaluated. The rupestrian vegetation is distinct floristically and functionally, showing high floristic similarity with other neotropical rupestrian formations, but has high number of arboreal species. Seedlings of arboreal species seem to have benefit from the presence of B. balansae, which can cause a gradual reduction of the rupestrian vegetation in the forest and rocky outcrop mosaic. Understanding how the distribution of arboreal communities is determined by limitations of dispersal and niche can improve the comprehension of the dynamics that generate and maintain diversity.

AJ In my theses I look into the problematic of comprehensive rehabilitation of people with health handicap from the perspective of social work by two different ways. Once as a trial to connect all the rehabilitation segments into one comprehensive by the law shielded unity with a goal to achieve the highest possible function potential of individual and the widest possible integration of person, once as a local welfare mix site of services with rehabilitation character with the same goal as in the first case. At the researche part I will focuse on a role of social workers in the institution of Jedličkův ústav a školy and Centrum služeb Vyšehrad, considered as institution providing services of comprehensive rehabilitation.

Measuring the success of Activity Based Costing (ABC) is part of a more general challenge of measuring the success of any major change in managerial methods. The past thirteen years have seen accelerated rates of change in the South African Post Office (SAPO). However little is known about `'Measuring the successful implementation of ABC in (SAPO)''. The objectives of this study is to research the perceptions of staff regarding the successful implementation of ABC, the benefits of ABC implementation and the conditions that affect the potential benefits from the successful implementation of ABC. This will allow organisations and provide them with relevant information that will enable them to make better decisions with regard to measuring the successful implementation of ABC. To achieve these objectives a questionnaire was prepared and handed out to the finance staff of the SAPO. They were asked to respond to the questionnaire on their experience and their perceptions on the implementation of ABC. 121 questionnaire were returned generating a 38% response rate. The findings in this study highlighted that top management fails in giving active support to the implementation of ABC and the technical factors were perceived as standing in the way of the successful implementation of ABC. These were training, the high cost of implementing ABC, the lack of software packages, the lack of data requirements and co-operation between departments. From the finding the recommendation was made were general strategies were suggested for the SAPO for measuring the successful implementation of ABC. / Business Management / M.Tech. (Business Administration)

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Text in Afrikaans / Staatsamptenare val sedert 1993 onder arbeidswetgewing wat vir kollektiewe bedingingsregte voorsiening maak. Wat laasgenoemde regte aanbetref word, in ooreenstemming met intemasionale reg, betoog dat die regte van staatsamptenare meer beperk kan word as wat die geval in die privaatsektor is. Ten spyte van argumente tot die teendeel word aangevoer dat staatsamptenare 'n noodsaaklike <liens aan die bree gemeenskap lewer wat veral met betrekking tot die herontwikkeling en opbou van Suid-Afrika 'n belangrike sosioekonomiese bydrae te lewer het. Die afwesigheid van die tradisionele onderskeid tussen kapitaal en arbeid, werkplekf arums, ·sow el as onbeperkte organiseringsregte sal produktiwiteit in die openbare sektor belnvloed. Werkersdeelname in besluitneming in die openbare sektor kan verwesenlik word sander om die omvangryke kollektiewe bedingingsregte soos vervat in die Wet op Arbeidsverhoudinge, 66 van 1995 aan staatsamptenare te verleen. / Public servants have fallen under labour legislation that provides for collective bargaining rights since 1993. It is argued that these rights of public servants, in accordance with international law, may be limited to a greater extent than those of employees in the private sector. Despite arguments to the contrary the opinion is held that public servants deliver an important, essential service to the broader public especially when it comes to their socio-economic contribution to the redevelopment of South Africa. The absence of the traditional difference between capital and labour, workplace forums, as well as unlimited organisational rights will have an influence on productivity in the public sector. Workers participation in decision making can be realised without granting public servants the extensive collective bargaining rights as contained in the Labour Relations Act, 66 of 1995. / Law / L.L.M.

Formações rupestres representam centros de diversidade taxonômica e funcional associadas a condições ambientais extremas. São também sítios para colonização por espécies florestais, normalmente associada a mecanismos de facilitação. A distribuição das espécies, determinada por seu nicho e por mecanismos neutros, resulta na variação da composição entre comunidades (diversidade beta). Neste trabalho pretendemos avaliar se a vegetação rupestre apresenta-se, taxonômica e funcionalmente, distinta da matriz florestal regional, analisar possíveis interações positivas entre espécies associadas ao avanço da floresta sobre a vegetação rupestre e determinar como a composição de espécies arbóreas no gradiente floresta-afloramento rochoso é limitada por dinâmicas neutras, de nicho ou ambas ao longo da ontogenia. Estudamos a vegetação sobre afloramentos basálticos no Parque Estadual do Turvo, sul do Brasil. A flora das comunidades rupestres foi estudada a campo durante dois anos. As espécies foram classificadas em formas de vida com base na literatura e observação no campo. Para avaliarmos a ocorrência de facilitação e os padrões de diversidade beta arbórea amostramos comunidades de espécies arbóreas em três ecótonos de floresta/afloramento rochoso. Em cada sítio estabelecemos 60 parcelas de 1.5 x 1.5 m ao longo do gradiente. As parcelas foram descritas pela cobertura de Bromelia balansae Mez e pela composição de espécies, separadas em quatro classes de tamanho, representando as diferentes fases ontogenéticas dos indivíduos. Avaliamos diferenças taxonômicas e funcionais entre a vegetação rupestre e a flora regional através de testes de qui-quadrado e os efeitos dos diferentes fatores através de testes de aleatorização uni e multivariados. Registramos 111 espécies, das quais 43 de ocorrência restrita aos afloramentos, distribuídas em 54 famílias botânicas. O espectro de formas de vida teve grande frequência de caméfitos (29.7%), nanofanerófitos (17.1%) e geófitos (15.3%). Entre as espécies de ocorrência restrita, geófitos (32.6%), caméfitos (25.6%) e nanofanerófitos (20.9%) como foram as mais frequentes. Testes de 2 indicaram diferenças significativas nas frequências de famílias e de formas de vida entre os ambientes. Nossos resultados indicaram uma associação positiva entre a cobertura de bromélias e a riqueza e a abundância de plântulas de espécies arbóreas. Aparentemente, maiores coberturas por B. balansae fornecem proteção contra a herbivoria, indistintamente, e amenização das severas condições ambientais, favorecendo o estabelecimento de espécies pioneiras da floresta. Os testes multivariados indicaram efeito significativo do fator sítio sobre a diversidade beta, em todas as classes de tamanho, e do fator gradiente somente para duas classes de tamanho analisadas. A vegetação rupestre apresentou uma flora distinta, florística e funcionalmente, com uma grande similaridade a outras formações rupestres neotropicais, mas com expressivo número de espécies arbóreas. Plântulas destas espécies, aparentemente, beneficiam-se da presença de B. balansae, o que pode levar à redução gradual da vegetação rupestre neste mosaico floresta/afloramentos. Entender como as comunidades arbóreas têm sua distribuição determinada por limitações de dispersão e de nicho pode levar a uma melhor compreensão dos processos que geram e mantêm a diversidade. / Rocky outcrops are centers of taxonomic and functional diversity with extreme environmental conditions. They also are sites for colonization by forestry species, usually related to facilitation mechanisms. The species distribution set by niche and neutrals mechanisms results in the variation of composition among communities (beta diversity). The goals of this work are evaluate if rocky outcrops are taxonomically and functionally different from the surrounding forest, study the possible positive interactions among species related to the advance of the forest over the rupestrian vegetation and determine how the composition of arboreal species in the interface forest/rocky outcrop is limited by neutral, niche or both dynamics along the ontogeny. We studied the vegetation of basaltic rocky outcrops at the Turvo State Park, south Brazil. The flora from rupestrian communities was analyzed at field during two years. Species were classified into life forms based on literature and field observations. To evaluate the patterns of arboreal beta diversity and the occurrence of facilitation between plants we sampled arboreal species in three forest/rocky outcrop ecotones. In each rocky outcrop we established 60 plots of 1.5 x 1.5 m along the forest-rocky outcrop ecotone. We described each plot in terms of Bromelia balansae Mez cover and the composition of tree species, separated into four size classes, representing different ontogenetic stages of individuals. The taxonomic and functional differences between the rupestrian vegetation and regional flora were analyzed with the chi-square test and the effects of different factors were analyzed with randomization tests uni-and multivariate. We registered 111 species, 43 of which restricted to the rocky outcrops, distributed in 54 botanic families. The life form spectrum showed a high proportion of chamaephytes (29.7%), nanophanerophytes (17.1%) and geophytes (15.3%). The flora restricted to rocky outcrops showed more frequently geophytes (32.6%), chamaephytes (25.6%) and nanophanerophytes (20.9%). Chi-square tests indicated significant differences in frequencies among environments, for both families and life forms. Our results showed that the coverage of bromeliads is positively correlated to the richness and abundance of seedlings of arboreal species. It seems that higher cover by B. balansae gives protection against herbivory indistinctively, and also reduces the effects of severe environmental conditions, allowing the settlement of forest pioneers species. Multivariate tests showed significant effect of the site factor on the beta diversity in all classes of size and significant effect of the gradient factor only on two size classes evaluated. The rupestrian vegetation is distinct floristically and functionally, showing high floristic similarity with other neotropical rupestrian formations, but has high number of arboreal species. Seedlings of arboreal species seem to have benefit from the presence of B. balansae, which can cause a gradual reduction of the rupestrian vegetation in the forest and rocky outcrop mosaic. Understanding how the distribution of arboreal communities is determined by limitations of dispersal and niche can improve the comprehension of the dynamics that generate and maintain diversity.

Ces travaux ont permis d’approfondir les connaissances du mécanisme de déchargepeu conventionnel de l’accumulateur Li/S et de ses limitations. L’ensemble desrésultats a convergé vers une unique conclusion, à savoir que le système Li/S estprincipalement limité par le phénomène de passivation de l’électrode positive en finde décharge. Les polysulfures de lithium à chaines courtes précipitent à la surface del’électrode positive de soufre. Isolants électroniques, ils sont responsables de la perteprogressive de surface active de l’électrode et de la fin prématurée de la décharge.Ainsi, les performances électrochimiques ont pu être significativement améliorées entravaillant sur la morphologie de l’électrode positive, et sur la composition del’électrolyte. En augmentant la surface spécifique de l’électrode, la quantité depolysulfures de lithium qui peut précipiter en fin de décharge est augmentée, et lapassivation totale de l’électrode est retardée. En augmentant la solubilité despolysulfures de lithium dans l’électrolyte, la précipitation des espèces est retardée etla décharge prolongée. Dans cette optique, les solvants de type PEGDME semblentêtre les plus prometteurs à ce jour. Enfin, un mécanisme possible de réduction dusoufre en électrolyte de type éther a pu être proposé. / This work aimed at better understanding the Li/S cell discharge mechanism and itslimiting parameters. A general conclusion was following from these data: the Li/Ssystem is mainly limited by the passivation process of the sulfur positive electrode,occurring at the end of discharge. Insulating lithium polysulfides precipitate on thepositive electrode surface, thus leading to a gradual loss of the electrode activesurface and to the early end of discharge. As a consequence, the electrochemicalperformances can be significantly improved by working either on the positiveelectrode morphology or on the organic electrolyte composition. Increasing thespecific surface of the positive electrode enables to increase the amount ofpolysulfide compounds that can precipitate on the electrode, thus delaying the fullpassivation of the sulfur electrode and the end of discharge. Working on the organicelectrolyte composition enables to increase the polysulfide solubility and to preventthem from quickly precipitating, thus delaying the end of discharge too. To thispurpose, PEGDME solvents seem to be quite promising. Finally, a possiblemechanism for sulfur reduction in ether-based electrolytes could be proposed.

No description available.