This thesis deals with pre-reading literacy and focuses on the factors and actors that it develops. The first chapter deals with the theoretical definition and importance of education to the reading. The second chapter outlines the literary form of preschool education and how the literary education is included in the general educational program for preschool education. The third chapter is devoted to the primary and most important factor that the development of a child's reading act, and that is the family. It shows the possibilities of how children can relate to the books in the family to support the role of the relationship of their parents to read and stresses the importance of reading and storytelling in the family circle. The following chapter deals with the cooperation of nursery school and family in the development of a child's reading, closer is about the influence of teacher's personality and it offers opportunities to work with the book in full day kindergarten regime. The last two chapters of the theoretical part characterizes the specifics of children's literature and provide an overview of the typology of literature for preschool children. The research part describes the process of investigation, which is aimed at determining the important criteria in the selection of children's books....

Thermoelectric (TE) ZrNiSn samples with a half-Heusler atomic structure were synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) and consolidation by either Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) or hot pressing (HP). X-Ray diffraction patterns of as milled powders and consolidated samples were compared and analyzed for phase purity. Thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient are measured as a function of temperature in the range 300 K to 800 K and compared with measurements reported for high temperature solid state reaction synthesis of this compound. HP samples, compared to SPS samples, demonstrate increased grain growth due to longer heating times. Reduced grain size achieved by MA and SPS causes increased phonon scattering due to the increased number of grain boundaries, which lowers the thermal conductivity without doping the base system with addition phonon scattering centers. Mechanical characterization of the samples by microindentation and depth sensing indentation for hardness and elastic modulus will be discussed.

Malgré leurs contribution dans plusieurs domaines, les biopuces à lecture plasmonique conventionnelles basées sur l'utilisation d’un film métallique plan d'or, sont limitées en terme de sensibilité surtout quand il s'agit de détecter des molécules de faible masse molaire à l’état de trace.Dans ce cadre, nous étudions numériquement et expérimentalement le potentiel de détection d’interactions biomoléculaires d’une nouvelle génération de biopuces à lecture plasmonique intégrant un film métallique micro-nano-structurée en réseau rectangulaire 1D. L’étude numérique développée met en œuvre une méthode hybride, basée sur la combinaison de deux méthodes classiques : la méthode des éléments finis et la méthode modale de Fourier. Grâce à ce nouvel outil numérique, nous présentons une cartographie exhaustive du potentiel de détection d’une couche biologique, en variant les paramètres de la structuration liés aux dimensions du réseau. La réponse de la biopuce à l’accrochage de biomolécules est ensuite interprétée théoriquement par les différents phénomènes plasmoniques notamment les «points chauds» et les bandes plasmoniques interdites. Nos calculs soulignent l'importance de l’exploitation du confinement de la lumière à travers la structuration sub-longueur d’onde des surfaces plasmoniques. Ceci permet non seulement d’optimiser les paramètres géométriques afin d’améliorer la sensibilité vis-à-vis de la réponse d’une biopuce conventionnelle, mais aussi de mettre en évidence la transition entre le régime où les plasmons propagatifs dominent et le régime où les plasmons localisés dominent. De nouvelles figures de mérite sont introduites pour évaluer les performances des biopuces structurées.Cette étude montre également que de nouvelles opportunités pour améliorer davantage la bio-sensibilité sont offertes, si la localisation de biomolécules peut être effectuée dans les régions où le champ électrique est amplifié et confiné. / Surface plasmons resonance imaging with continuous thin metallic films have become a central tool for the study of biomolecular interactions. However, in order to extend the field of applications of surface plasmons resonance systems to the trace detection of biomolecules having low molecular weight, a change in the plasmonic sensing methodology is needed. In this study, we investigate theoretically and experimentally the sensing potential of 2D nano- and micro- ribbon grating structuration on the surface of Kretschmann-based surface plasmon resonance biosensors when they are used for detection of biomolecular binding events. Numerical simulations were carried out by employing a fast and novel model based on the hybridization of two classical methods, the Fourier Modal Method and the Finite Element Method. Our calculations confirm the importance of light manipulation by means of structuration of the plasmonic thin film surfaces on the nano- and micro- scales. Not only does it highlight the geometric parameters that allow the sensitivity enhancement, and associated figures of merit, compared with the response of the conventional surface plasmon resonance biosensor based on a flat surface, but it also describes the transition from the regime where the propagating surface plasmon mode dominates to the regime where the localized surface plasmon mode dominates. An exhaustive mapping of the biosensing potential of the nano- and micro- structured biosensors surface is presented, varying the structural parameters related to the ribbon grating dimensions. New figures of merit are introduced to evaluate the performance of the structured biosensors. The structuration also leads to the creation of regions on biosensor chips that are characterized by strongly enhanced electromagnetic fields. New opportunities for further improving the bio-sensitivity are offered if localization of biomolecules can be carried out in these regions of high electromagnetic fields enhancement and confined.

O objetivo da dissertação foi o desenvolvimento de um modelo de avaliação rápida da atratividade de oportunidades de negócios em recursos energéticos renováveis dentro de uma região geográfica delimitada, valendo-se dos resultados do Planejamento Integrado de Recursos Energéticos (PIR) para a região analisada, complementado com outras bases bibliográficas primárias e secundárias. O uso dos resultados do PIR propiciou o acesso rápido a avaliações prontas dos recursos energéticos em três dimensões1, além da dimensão técnico-econômica, incluindo opiniões e posições da sociedade local e nacional (técnicos e não técnicos). No estudo piloto, o modelo é aplicado em cinco recursos energéticos renováveis dentro da Região Administrativa de Araçatuba (RAA), noroeste do estado de São Paulo. Os recursos avaliados são: (a) de oferta: Geração eólica (EOL); Cogeração por Biomassa de Cana-de-açúcar (BIO); e Pequenas Centrais Hidroelétricas (PCH); (b) de demanda (medidas de economia): Troca de Lâmpadas Incandescentes por Fluorescentes Compactas e Troca de Chuveiros Elétricos por Aquecedores Solares. Os principais resultados do modelo de avaliação foram (i) um modelo de fluxo de caixa funcional para a avaliação dos recursos de geração; (ii) para cada recurso de geração: cálculo das principais Figuras de Mérito Econômico Financeiro (VPL, TIR, PayBack Descontado, preço de equilíbrio2 da energia gerada e demanda relevante de capital de giro); (iii) para as medidas de economia de energia: cálculo das figuras de mérito econômico-financeiras (Custo do Ciclo de vida anualizado (CCVA) e PayBack Descontado); (iv) pontos notáveis da análise de sensibilidade das figuras de mérito, obtidas pela variação das principais parâmetros de entrada dos modelos matemáticos representativos dos recursos; (v) análise geral dos riscos em empreender os recursos avaliados; e (vi) diagnóstico da atratividade de investimento em cada recurso: não atrativo, atrativo com atenção, e atrativo. No contexto do estudo piloto, o recurso lâmpada fluorescente recebeu diagnóstico de atrativo; os recursos Cogeração por biomassa e coletor solar receberam o diagnóstico de atrativo com atenção, e os recursos Geração eólica e PCH receberam o diagnóstico de não atrativos para investimento, todos dentro da região do estudo de caso. / The purpose of this work was the expedite assessment of business opportunities attractiveness in renewable energy resources within a limited geographical area, based on the results of the Integrated Resources Planning for Energy (IRP), developed for the same area, and supplemented with other primary and secondary information sources. The use of IRP\'s information made possible, quickly and easy, the assessments of energy resources in extra three dimensions3, beyond the usual technical- economic one, including views and positions of local and national stakeholders (technical and nontechnical). In the pilot study, the model is applied in five renewable energy resources within the Administrative Region of Araçatuba (RAA), northwest of São Paulo state, Brazil. The evaluated energy resources were: (a) supply side: wind generation (EOL); Cogeneration by Biomass of Sugar Cane (BIO); and Small Hydro Power plants (SHP); (b) demand side (measures of energy economy): replacement of Compact Fluorescent Incandescent bulbs by Fluorescent ones and replacement of Electric Showers by Solar Heater ones. The main results of the proposed evaluation model were (i) a functional cash flow model , useful to assess the generation resources; (ii) for each generation resource: the calculation of the main Figures of Economic Merit (NPV, IRR, Discounted Payback, the equilibrium price of generated energy and relevant demand for working capital), (iii) measures of energy economy: the calculation of the main Figures of Economic Merit (Annualized Life Cycle Cost (ALCC) and Payback Discounted (PBD), (iv) points of remarkable sensitivity in the Figures of Economic Merit analysis, obtained by varying the main independent parameters input in the cash flow models that represent the resources, (v) analysis of the risks in adoption of the evaluated resources, and finally, (vi) the attractiveness degree of each resources evaluated : not attractive, attractive with attention, and attractive. Within the context of the pilot study case, the use of compact fluorescent bulb received the degree attractive; biomass cogeneration (BIO) and solar collector received degree attractive, but under attention; wind generation (EOL) and PCH received the degree not attractive for investment within the study case region.

Observamos o comportamento espectral do efeito Kerr transversal, para filmes amorfos de terra rara - cobalto na região do espectro visível e ultravioleta próximo (comprimento de onda, , entre 325 nm e 670 nm), onde o sinal magnetoóptico apresentou um máximo na região azul do espectro. Concluímos que, para esta região espectral, a variação relativa de refletividade é proporcional à magnetização do cobalto e a constante de proporcionalidade depende da composição da liga e do comprimento de onda da luz. Desenvolvemos uma técnica de modulação de fase, própria para medir o efeito Kerr transversal e a comparamos com a técnica de modulação de amplitude. Montamos um magnetômetro a efeito Kerr que opera com a modulação de fase e utiliza um laser de He-Cd ( = 325 nm e 442 nm) ou um diodo laser vermelho ( = 670 nm). Fazendo uma analogia com a figura de mérito para os efeitos Kerr longitudinal e polar (Fe), nós propusemos uma figura de mérito para o efeito Kerr transversal (FJ. Mostramos que sua dependência do ângulo de incidência é semelhante à da variação relativa de refletividade e, comparando medidas da figura de mérito do efeito Kerr longitudinal com a figura de mérito para o efeito transversal, comprovamos que a grandeza proposta é um bom parâmetro para medida de qualidade magnetoóptica de materiais. Observamos os efeitos do sperimagnetismo de ligas com anisotropia local fraca (Gd-Co) e forte (Ho-Co), através do comportamento térmico dos ciclos de histerese magnética e magnetoóptica. Dentre os fenômenos observados estão os efeitos da compensação, o crescimento hiperbólico do campo coercivo e os efeitos da reorientação de spin. Para a liga de Gd20C080a, transição observada foi uma inversão de spin, cujo o campo magnético aplicado, no qual ocorre a transição, cresce exponencialmente com o aumento da temperatura da amostra. / We have observed the spectral behavior of the transverse magnetooptical Kerr effect (TMOKE) in thin films of rare earth - cobalt amorphous alloys for the visible and the near-ultraviolet ranges of spectrurn (wavelength fiom 325 nm up to 670 nm). The relative change of reflectivity has shown a maximum at the blue wavelength. We have concluded that this magneto-optical signal is proportional to the cobalt magnetization and the proportionality constant depends on the alloy composition and on the wavelength. Besides developing an apparatus and a new phase modulation technique for the TMOKE, we have compared it to the more usual amplitude modulation TMOKE technique. This apparatus operates using either a He-Cd laser ( = 325 nm and 442 nm) for a red diode laser ( = 670nm). We have proposed the figure of merit for the transverse Kerr effect (F,) by analogy with the figure of merit for the longitudinal and polar Kerr effect (Fe). We have measured F, as a function of the angle of incidence and we have shown that F, has the same behavior of the magneto-optical signal. A comparison between F, and Fe has shown that F, is as good parameter as well as Fe for the characterization of the materials magneto-optical quality. We have studied the sperimagnetism of thin films of amorphous alloys with weak (Gd-Co) and strong (Ho-Co) random local anisotropy by the thermal behavior of the magnetic and magneto-optical hysteresis loops. The phenomena of compensation, coercivity and spin-reorientation phase transitions were observed. The comparison between magnetic and magneto-optical hysteresis loops for Gd20C~8h0as shown that the transition occurs from a colinear phase to an opposite collinear phase. In this case, the transition magnetic field grows exponentially when the temperature increases.

O objetivo da dissertação foi o desenvolvimento de um modelo de avaliação rápida da atratividade de oportunidades de negócios em recursos energéticos renováveis dentro de uma região geográfica delimitada, valendo-se dos resultados do Planejamento Integrado de Recursos Energéticos (PIR) para a região analisada, complementado com outras bases bibliográficas primárias e secundárias. O uso dos resultados do PIR propiciou o acesso rápido a avaliações prontas dos recursos energéticos em três dimensões1, além da dimensão técnico-econômica, incluindo opiniões e posições da sociedade local e nacional (técnicos e não técnicos). No estudo piloto, o modelo é aplicado em cinco recursos energéticos renováveis dentro da Região Administrativa de Araçatuba (RAA), noroeste do estado de São Paulo. Os recursos avaliados são: (a) de oferta: Geração eólica (EOL); Cogeração por Biomassa de Cana-de-açúcar (BIO); e Pequenas Centrais Hidroelétricas (PCH); (b) de demanda (medidas de economia): Troca de Lâmpadas Incandescentes por Fluorescentes Compactas e Troca de Chuveiros Elétricos por Aquecedores Solares. Os principais resultados do modelo de avaliação foram (i) um modelo de fluxo de caixa funcional para a avaliação dos recursos de geração; (ii) para cada recurso de geração: cálculo das principais Figuras de Mérito Econômico Financeiro (VPL, TIR, PayBack Descontado, preço de equilíbrio2 da energia gerada e demanda relevante de capital de giro); (iii) para as medidas de economia de energia: cálculo das figuras de mérito econômico-financeiras (Custo do Ciclo de vida anualizado (CCVA) e PayBack Descontado); (iv) pontos notáveis da análise de sensibilidade das figuras de mérito, obtidas pela variação das principais parâmetros de entrada dos modelos matemáticos representativos dos recursos; (v) análise geral dos riscos em empreender os recursos avaliados; e (vi) diagnóstico da atratividade de investimento em cada recurso: não atrativo, atrativo com atenção, e atrativo. No contexto do estudo piloto, o recurso lâmpada fluorescente recebeu diagnóstico de atrativo; os recursos Cogeração por biomassa e coletor solar receberam o diagnóstico de atrativo com atenção, e os recursos Geração eólica e PCH receberam o diagnóstico de não atrativos para investimento, todos dentro da região do estudo de caso. / The purpose of this work was the expedite assessment of business opportunities attractiveness in renewable energy resources within a limited geographical area, based on the results of the Integrated Resources Planning for Energy (IRP), developed for the same area, and supplemented with other primary and secondary information sources. The use of IRP\'s information made possible, quickly and easy, the assessments of energy resources in extra three dimensions3, beyond the usual technical- economic one, including views and positions of local and national stakeholders (technical and nontechnical). In the pilot study, the model is applied in five renewable energy resources within the Administrative Region of Araçatuba (RAA), northwest of São Paulo state, Brazil. The evaluated energy resources were: (a) supply side: wind generation (EOL); Cogeneration by Biomass of Sugar Cane (BIO); and Small Hydro Power plants (SHP); (b) demand side (measures of energy economy): replacement of Compact Fluorescent Incandescent bulbs by Fluorescent ones and replacement of Electric Showers by Solar Heater ones. The main results of the proposed evaluation model were (i) a functional cash flow model , useful to assess the generation resources; (ii) for each generation resource: the calculation of the main Figures of Economic Merit (NPV, IRR, Discounted Payback, the equilibrium price of generated energy and relevant demand for working capital), (iii) measures of energy economy: the calculation of the main Figures of Economic Merit (Annualized Life Cycle Cost (ALCC) and Payback Discounted (PBD), (iv) points of remarkable sensitivity in the Figures of Economic Merit analysis, obtained by varying the main independent parameters input in the cash flow models that represent the resources, (v) analysis of the risks in adoption of the evaluated resources, and finally, (vi) the attractiveness degree of each resources evaluated : not attractive, attractive with attention, and attractive. Within the context of the pilot study case, the use of compact fluorescent bulb received the degree attractive; biomass cogeneration (BIO) and solar collector received degree attractive, but under attention; wind generation (EOL) and PCH received the degree not attractive for investment within the study case region.

Can pay-for-performance increase the motivation of public employees? By providing a basis for personnel decisions, particularly linking rewards to performance, performance appraisals aim to increase employees' work motivation and ultimately to improve their work performance and organizational productivity. With the emphasis on results-oriented management, performance appraisals have become a key managerial tool in the public sector. Critics charge, however, that pay-for-performance is ineffective in the public sector, largely because the link between performance and rewards is weak. However, no one has empirically measured the strength of the linkage. If performance ratings do have an impact on career success in the federal service, they might contribute to race and gender inequality. Although many studies have examined factors affecting gender and racial differences in career success, studies that try to connect gender and racial inequalities to managerial tools are scarce. Using a one percent sample of federal personnel records, the first essay examines the impact of performance ratings on salary increases and promotion probabilities, and the second essay explores whether women and minorities receive lower ratings than comparable white males, and women and minorities receive lower returns on the same level of performance ratings than comparable white males. The first essay finds that performance ratings have only limited impact on salary increases, but that they significantly affect promotion probability. Thus, the argument that performance-rewards link is weak could be partially correct, if it considers only pay-performance relationships. The second essay finds that women receive equal or higher performance ratings than comparable white men, but some minority male groups, particularly black men, tend to receive lower ratings than comparable white men. On the other hand, the returns on outstanding ratings do not differ between women and minority male groups and white men, though women groups seem to have disadvantages in promotion with the same higher ratings as comparable men in highly male-dominant occupations.

No description available.

No description available.

Observamos o comportamento espectral do efeito Kerr transversal, para filmes amorfos de terra rara - cobalto na região do espectro visível e ultravioleta próximo (comprimento de onda, , entre 325 nm e 670 nm), onde o sinal magnetoóptico apresentou um máximo na região azul do espectro. Concluímos que, para esta região espectral, a variação relativa de refletividade é proporcional à magnetização do cobalto e a constante de proporcionalidade depende da composição da liga e do comprimento de onda da luz. Desenvolvemos uma técnica de modulação de fase, própria para medir o efeito Kerr transversal e a comparamos com a técnica de modulação de amplitude. Montamos um magnetômetro a efeito Kerr que opera com a modulação de fase e utiliza um laser de He-Cd ( = 325 nm e 442 nm) ou um diodo laser vermelho ( = 670 nm). Fazendo uma analogia com a figura de mérito para os efeitos Kerr longitudinal e polar (Fe), nós propusemos uma figura de mérito para o efeito Kerr transversal (FJ. Mostramos que sua dependência do ângulo de incidência é semelhante à da variação relativa de refletividade e, comparando medidas da figura de mérito do efeito Kerr longitudinal com a figura de mérito para o efeito transversal, comprovamos que a grandeza proposta é um bom parâmetro para medida de qualidade magnetoóptica de materiais. Observamos os efeitos do sperimagnetismo de ligas com anisotropia local fraca (Gd-Co) e forte (Ho-Co), através do comportamento térmico dos ciclos de histerese magnética e magnetoóptica. Dentre os fenômenos observados estão os efeitos da compensação, o crescimento hiperbólico do campo coercivo e os efeitos da reorientação de spin. Para a liga de Gd20C080a, transição observada foi uma inversão de spin, cujo o campo magnético aplicado, no qual ocorre a transição, cresce exponencialmente com o aumento da temperatura da amostra. / We have observed the spectral behavior of the transverse magnetooptical Kerr effect (TMOKE) in thin films of rare earth - cobalt amorphous alloys for the visible and the near-ultraviolet ranges of spectrurn (wavelength fiom 325 nm up to 670 nm). The relative change of reflectivity has shown a maximum at the blue wavelength. We have concluded that this magneto-optical signal is proportional to the cobalt magnetization and the proportionality constant depends on the alloy composition and on the wavelength. Besides developing an apparatus and a new phase modulation technique for the TMOKE, we have compared it to the more usual amplitude modulation TMOKE technique. This apparatus operates using either a He-Cd laser ( = 325 nm and 442 nm) for a red diode laser ( = 670nm). We have proposed the figure of merit for the transverse Kerr effect (F,) by analogy with the figure of merit for the longitudinal and polar Kerr effect (Fe). We have measured F, as a function of the angle of incidence and we have shown that F, has the same behavior of the magneto-optical signal. A comparison between F, and Fe has shown that F, is as good parameter as well as Fe for the characterization of the materials magneto-optical quality. We have studied the sperimagnetism of thin films of amorphous alloys with weak (Gd-Co) and strong (Ho-Co) random local anisotropy by the thermal behavior of the magnetic and magneto-optical hysteresis loops. The phenomena of compensation, coercivity and spin-reorientation phase transitions were observed. The comparison between magnetic and magneto-optical hysteresis loops for Gd20C~8h0as shown that the transition occurs from a colinear phase to an opposite collinear phase. In this case, the transition magnetic field grows exponentially when the temperature increases.