Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves xxiv-xviii). Also available in print.

Diss.-- Franeker (Heinrich Brink, respondent)

Submitted by Vasti Diniz (vastijpa@hotmail.com) on 2017-12-28T12:13:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1258907 bytes, checksum: 3d7e170e475b8cb13176736c288f1803 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-28T12:13:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1258907 bytes, checksum: 3d7e170e475b8cb13176736c288f1803 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-18 / This study aimed to understand how evaluative references related to the concept of individual merit take body and produce normative beliefs through practical experiences, especially the competitive experience of studying for public job selection in Brazil. Through qualitative research based on three types of sources (interviews, approval manuals and online forum), we seek to explore the universe of experience of concurseiros, showing the system of behavioral dispositions and map of perceptions and moral references that is developped in the preparation process for the test. Technical-motivational discurses and narratives of "personal achievement" of concurseiros were analysed, trying to understand how the main elements articulate an ideal of individual self-realization that sustains in itself legitimating criteria of a social hierarchy. / Este trabalho procurou compreender como referências valorativas relacionadas ao mérito individual tomam corpo e produzem convicções normativas através de experiências práticas, especialmente da experiência competitiva de se estudar para concursos públicos no Brasil. Através de pesquisa qualitativa baseada em três tipos de fontes (entrevistas, manuais de aprovação e fórum virtual), buscou-se explorar o universo de experiência dos concurseiros, evidenciando o sistema de disposições comportamentais e mapa de percepções e referências morais que se desenvolvem no decorrer do processo de preparação para a prova. Discursos técnicos-motivacionais e narrativas de “conquista pessoal” dos concurseiros foram analisadas, objetivando compreender como seus principais elementos articulam um ideal de auto-realização individual que sustenta em si critérios legitimadores de uma hierarquia social.

Orientador: Ronei Jesus Poppi / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-10T04:54:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Braga_JezWillianBatista_D.pdf: 2679921 bytes, checksum: 61d94250615e16bfe6ecb1291110f29a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Modelos de calibração de segunda ordem vêm sendo cada vez mais aplicados, principalmente pela possibilidade de determinar analitos mesmo na presença de interferentes da amostra. Contudo, a validação desses modelos ainda não é possível por dificuldades na determinação de algumas figuras de mérito. Esta tese teve como objetivos estudar a determinação e avaliar a consistência de algumas figuras de mérito em modelos de calibração de segunda ordem, desenvolver programas que facilitem sua determinação. Também foram comparardos a eficiência dos modelos de quadrados mínimos bilinear (BLLS) e quadrados mínimos parciais desdobrado (UPLS), ambos utilizando o processo de bilinearização residual (RBL), com os modelos de análise de fatores paralelos (PARAFAC) e resolução multivariada de curvas (MCR). Foram desenvolvidos quatro estudos, abordando as determinações de: (1) hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos, (2) riboflavina e piridoxina em matrizes lácteas (ambos por emissão e excitação de fluorescência), (3) ácido acetilsalicílico e ascórbico em fármacos por análise por injeção em fluxo com gradiente de pH e (4) pesticidas e metabólitos em vinho por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Os resultados demonstraram que as figuras de mérito apresentam boa consistência, sendo observada influência de interferentes na sensibilidade, seletividade e nos erros obtidos. Contudo, observou-se a necessidade de desenvolvimentos nas estimativas de incerteza e seletividade, onde duas novas propostas para o modelo UPLS são descritas. Os modelos comparados foram equivalentes na maior parte dos casos, sendo que a escolha correta do número de fatores no RBL requer um conjunto de amostras externas / Abstract: Second order calibration models are becoming widely applied in analytical chemistry, mainly due to the possibility to determine analytes even in the presence of interferences. However, an appropriate validation of these models is not possible due to the difficult in the determination of some figures of merit. The aims of this thesis were to study and evaluate the determination of some figures of merit of the most applied second order calibration models, to develop softwares to perform its determination easier and to compare the performance of the bilinear least squares (BLLS) and the unfold partial least squares (UPLS), both applying the residual bilinearization process (RBL), with the models parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) and multivariate curve resolution (MCR). Four applications were developed, which study the determination of: (1) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, (2) riboflavin and pyridoxine in dairy supplements (both using excitation and emission fluorescence), (3) acetylsalicylic and ascorbic acids in pharmaceutical samples by FIA and pH gradient and (4) pesticides and metabolites in wine samples by HPLC. The results show that the estimated figures of merit present a good agreement with their expected values, also been observed the effects of the interferences of the sample in the sensitivity, selectivity and uncertainty values. It was also observed the necessity of new developments in the estimates of selectivity and uncertainty parameters, where two new approaches for the model UPLS are described. The compared models were equivalents in most of the situations and it was observed that the choice of the correct number of factors in the RBL requires the use of an independent data set / Doutorado / Quimica Analitica / Doutor em Ciências

Orientador: Ronei Jesus Poppi / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T14:05:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Valderrama_Patricia_D.pdf: 7920273 bytes, checksum: 6c9c64460d2e21d668e1b198fca8d6c4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: Modelos de calibração de primeira e segunda ordem foram empregados no desenvolvimento de métodos para a quantificação de enantiômeros através de espectroscopia e complexação com b-ciclodextrina. No primeiro estudo, modelos de calibração de primeira ordem através do método de mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS) foram desenvolvidos para a quantificação dos enantiômeros do maleato de clorfeniramina através de espectroscopia no ultravioleta (UV) e na região do infravermelho próximo (NIR). No segundo caso, modelos de calibração de segunda ordem através dos métodos de análise de fatores paralelos (PARAFAC) e mínimos quadrados bilineares (BLLS) foram aplicados para a quantificação de enantiômeros do ibuprofeno por fluorescência molecular. Os enantiômeros do ibuprofeno foram também quantificados em plasma sanguíneo humano e urina humana pelo método de adição padrão de segunda ordem (SOSAM). O terceiro estudo consistiu na quantificação dos enantiômeros do propranolol por espectroscopia no UV, infravermelho médio, NIR e fluorescência molecular com calibração por PLS. Modelos de segunda ordem foram aplicados para a quantificação através dos métodos PARAFAC e BLLS. Por fim, os enantiômeros do propranolol foram quantificados em plasma sanguíneo humano e urina humana a partir do método SOSAM. Os métodos propostos foram validados através do cálculo de figuras de merito e comparados com métodos de referência como a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC). Os resultados obtidos pelos métodos desenvolvidos não apresentaram diferenças significativas em relação aos resultados obtidos pelo HPLC, conforme testes estatísticos aplicados. Os métodos propostos envolvendo espectroscopia e quimiometria para quantificação de enantiômeros se mostraram mais rápidos, eficientes, precisos e sensíveis e são uma alternativa aos métodos já existentes / Abstract: First and second order multivariate calibration were developed for the quantification of enantiomers by spectroscopy and b-cyclodextrin guest-host complexes. In the first case, first order multivariate calibration was employed based on partial least square regression (PLS) for the quantification of the chlorpheniramine maleate enantiomers by ultraviolet (UV) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. In the second case, second order multivariate calibration base don parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) and bilinear least squares (BLLS) was applied for the quantification of the ibuprofen enantiomers by espectrofuorimetry. The ibuprofen enantiomers were, also, quantified in human plasma and urine samples by second order standard addition method (SOSAM). The third case, PLS was used for quantification of the propranolol enantiomers by UV, NIR, middle infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy. Second order multivariate calibration with PARAFAC e BLLS were, also, applied in the quantification. Finally, the propranolol enantiomers in human plasma and urine samples were analysed by SOSAM method. The proposed methods were validated through figures of merit calculation and compared with reference method as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results for the proposed methods do not presented significative difference, in conformity with statistic tests. The proposed methods using chemometrics and spectroscopy for the enantiomers quantification showed fast, efficient, with good precision and sensibility being an alternative to standard methods / Doutorado / Quimica Analitica / Doutor em Ciências

Este estudo se refere a um método para selecionar os materiais plásticos resistentes a riscos mais adequados para peças automotivas. Estabelecer este procedimento é fundamental para as montadoras devido à versatilidade, qualidade e custo competitivo que os polímeros apresentam. Contudo, essa é uma atividade árdua, pois nota-se a ausência de profissionais familiarizados em trabalhar com materiais plásticos e a existência de milhares de materiais disponíveis para utilização. Deste modo, formular um processo estruturado para facilitar a seleção de plásticos tem como objetivo minimizar os riscos e erros do projeto. Portanto, o processo concebido para esta pesquisa foi gerado a partir da estratégia de seleção desenvolvida por Ashby, método tido como referência na área. Além deste, também foram utilizados conceitos da matriz de decisão de Pahl & Beitz, incluindo índice de mérito. Dois exemplos de aplicação da metodologia são apresentados através de estudos de caso, com os componentes tampa do porta-luvas e base do espelho lateral. / This dissertation work is focused on a method to select the most suitable plastic material with scratch resistance for automotive parts. This process is essential for the automakers due to the versatility, improved quality and cost competitiveness of resin materials. Nonetheless, the lack of professionals specialized in plastic materials and the large variety of polymeric materials makes the proper material selection challenging. In this way, it is necessary to define a systematic method to simplify polymeric materials selection in order to reduce the project risks and errors. For this reason, the process proposed in this study was generated based from the selection strategy developed by Ashby, as this is a reference in the field. In addition, two other concepts were adopted: Pahl & Beitz decision matrix and merit index. In order to evaluate this systematic method, two case studies were analyzed: glove compartment and side mirror base.

M.B.A. / Many organisations have approached employee remuneration in new ways in recent years. Most of these new approaches are based on the principles of aligning a portion of individual or team remuneration to achievement against specific goals. Such systems are most commonly referred to as performance based remuneration systems. Alpha (Pty) Ltd has very recently introduced a performance based remuneration system aimed at individuals within the organisation. It is evident that there is no single system that can be applied across the infinite number of organisations globally, and that developing any ideal performance related system requires careful consideration of many variables. To develop and implement an effective system within any organisation, requires custom tailoring the system to best suit that organisation. This research paper aims to analyse what impact the introduction of an individual performance based remuneration system has had within the cement business unit of Alpha (Pty) Ltd, how the findings of the research compare to the theoretical reference on the subject, and whether there is room for improvement to the existing system.

This research has analyzed how the institutions of the merit-based bureaucratic system in the Korean Government changed from 1948 to 1963, applying the gradual institutional change theory of Mahoney and Thelen (2010). Though copious research has been produced on Korean economic development, little analysis has been made on the emergence of the Korean developmental state. This research aimed to fill in the analytical gap by examining how effective bureaucratic institutions was established in the Korean developmental state to draw out implications for the institutional change theory as well as the discussion on the developmental sate and state capacity. This research has found that the merit-based bureaucratic institutions of the Korean Government positively changed in a piecemeal approach from 1948 to 1963, though once disturbed from 1955 to 1959. Contrary to the existing literature, this research also has found that the institutional setting for the merit-based bureaucracy was set from the very beginning of the Syngman Rhee Administration; however, the selective implementation and enforcement of the rules in the Syngman Rhee period hindered the Weberian bureaucracy. This research has, therefore, drawn out that for positive institutional change, the role of the change agents is critical especially the vertical chain of reformative leadership and capable practitioners. The low level of opposition is beneficial for not only positive but also negative change. In the end, in the case of Korea, the initially ambiguous institutions provided the actors with considerable discretion to manipulate or misuse rules. As a result of the institutional reform the rules and regulations became detailed reducing the gap between what the rules say and how the rules are implemented. The empirical tests of this research have confirmed the basic assumptions of the gradual institutional change theory of Mahoney and Thelen (2010). Firstly, the empirical results have shown that the institutional change has more to do with a piecemeal internal process than to do with any external shock or event. Secondly, the gap between the existence and the enforcement of an institution has also been proved valid. Thirdly, the empirical tests have confirmed the influence of three change factors producing different types of change in the theory. Based on the empirical findings, this research has identified important implications for the institutional change theory with three key areas for improvement. The first is the validity of the three modes of change in the theory. The test has identified the need to address the different magnitudes of the three factors affecting change. This research has also identified the need to clarify the definition of gradualness and the concept of the change agents to solidify the theory. This research has also enriched the discussion on the developmental state and state capacity by identifying the limitations of the merit-based institution in different contexts. Based on the analysis, this research has drawn out four key lessons for developing countries and for the donors: the importance of the enforcement of rules; the synchronized reform coalition between committed leadership and competent practitioners; the importance of understanding local contexts; and the relationship between dictatorship and development. By analyzing the emergence of the bureaucratic institutions, this research has not only broadened our understanding of development and state capacity but also presented a practical policy solution to overcome the persistent state of incapacity in the developing countries today.

One of the key requirements in the design of wireless sensor nodes and miniature biomedical devices is energy efficiency. For a sensor node, which is a sensor and readout circuit, to survive on limited energy sources such as a battery or harvested energy, its energy consumption should be minimized. Capacitive sensors are candidates for use in energy-constrained applications, as they do not consume static power and can be used in a wide range of applications to measure different physical, chemical or biological quantities. However, the energy consumption is dominated by the capacitive interface circuit, i.e. the capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC). Several energy-efficient CDC architectures are introduced in this dissertation to meet the demand for high resolution and energy efficiency in smart capacitive sensors. First, we propose an energy-efficient CDC based on a differential successive-approximation data converter. The proposed differential CDC employs an energy-efficient operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) based on an inverter. A wide capacitance range with fine absolute resolution is implemented in the proposed coarse-fine DAC architecture which saves 89% of silicon area. The proposed CDC achieves an energy efficiency figure-of-merit (FOM) of 45.8fJ/step, which is the best reported energy efficiency to date. Second, we propose an energy efficient CDC for high-precision capacitive resolution by using oversampling and noise shaping. The proposed CDC achieves 150 aF absolute resolution and an energy efficiency FOM of 187fJ/conversion-step which outperforms state of the art high-precision differential CDCs. In the third and last part, we propose an in-vitro cancer diagnostic biosensor-CMOS platform for low-power, rapid detection, and low cost. The introduced platform is the first to demonstrate the ability to screen and quantify the spermidine/spermine N1 acetyltransferase (SSAT) enzyme which reveals the presence of early-stage cancer, on the surface of a capacitive biosensor. This platform, which is a biosensor combined with a highly energy-efficient digital CDC, is implemented and fabricated in a CMOS technology and can sense and convert the capacitance value from the biosensor to a digital word in an energy efficient way. The platform achieves an ultra-low power consumption: four orders of magnitude less than the state-of-the-art biosensor-CMOS platforms.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第22657号 / 工博第4741号 / 新制||工||1741(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科原子核工学専攻 / (主査)教授 中島 健, 教授 村上 定義, 准教授 石 禎浩 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM