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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, May 2010. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on June 29, 2010). "Department of English." Includes bibliographical references (p. 174-181).

Thesis (MSc (Mathematics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Let T be a non-empty set, A a u-algebra of subsets of T and u : .A -+ Rn a bounded, countably additive measure. A set E E A is called an atom with respect to u if u(E)=/F 0 and, if F E A, FeE, then u(F) = u(E) or u(F) = 0; the measure u is atomic if there exists at least one atom (with respect to u) in A. If no such atom (with respect to u) exists in A, then u is called non-atomic. In 1940 the Russian mathematician A. A. Lyapunov published the Convexity Theorem. According to this theorem the range 'R.{u) of a bounded, finite-dimensional measure u is compact and, in the non-atomic case, convex. Since 1940 much has been published on different aspects of the range of a vector-measure. These aspects range from new and shorter proofs of the Convexity Theorem and the usefulness of it in diverse fields, to research about the geometrical characteristics of the range by using other familiar theorems, like Krein-Milman and Radon-Nikodym. In the survey at hand the Convexity Theorem in itself is studied. Applications in different fields will be looked at as well as pieces about the history of the people and the ideas involved in the development of the theorem.

[pt] A tese teve como objetivo investigar a possibilidade de identificação de aspectos culturais comuns no continente africano como um todo, bem como de algumas continuidades culturais na diáspora negra, a despeito das reelaborações, conexões e deformações que tenham sofrido ao longo do tempo e do espaço. Para tanto, partiu da verificação da existência de duas zonas de maior afinidade linguística no continente africano. De um lado, a da grande família níger-congo, dentro da qual o grupo bantu é um sub-grupo, situando-se expressivamente na área meridional ou subsaariana. De outro, o grupo dos povos de línguas afro-asiáticas, que teriam migrado e se espalhado de leste a oeste, a partir da Bacia do Nilo até a região do Rio Senegal, revelando parentesco cultural entre as línguas egípcia antiga e línguas da África Ocidental. Com essa divisão inicial do continente em duas grandes áreas de afinidade linguística e partindo do pressuposto de que a classificação das línguas fornece uma base para que sejam feitas análises sobre a história cultural dos grupos, foi possível identificar duas maneiras principais de compreender a sociedade, correspondendo a filosofia Maat à área setentrional e a filosofia Ubuntu à meridional. A tese se concentrou, portanto, no estudo dessas duas filosofias, Maat e Ubuntu, a fim de identificar correspondências entre elas, e no intuito de verificar convergências culturais, tanto na área meridional, como na área setentrional da África. Também buscou analisar alguns exemplos de continuidades culturais na diáspora negra, para compreender se é possível aumentar o sentimento de solidariedade entre africanos e afrodescendentes da diáspora com base em tais continuidades, discutindo, ainda, alguns direcionamentos possíveis para a luta antirracista. / [fr] La thèse s approche du but en recherche de la possibilité d identifier les aspects culturels communs dans le continent africain, en général, et aussi quelques successivités culturelles dans la diaspore noire, malgré les reconstructions, connexions et deformités qu elles ont pu avoir souffert le long du temps et de l espace. Pour autant, la recherche est partie de la vérification de l existence de deux zones de plus grande affinité linguistique dans le continent africain. D un coté, la grande famille Niger Congo, dans laquelle le groupe bantu est un sous groupe, que se situent particulièrement dans l orbite méridional ou sous - saharien. D autre coté, le groupe des peuples de langues afro-asiatiques, qui auraient migré et s étendu de l est à l ouest à partir du Nilo jusqu a la région de la rivière du Sénégal et ont montré qui avaient parenté culturel parmi les langues égyptiennes anciennes et les langues de l Afrique occidentale. Avec cette division du continent en deux grandes parties d affinité linguistique et en partant de l hypothèse que la classification de langues fourni une base pour que les analyses soient faites sur l histoire culturelle des groupes, étant possible d’identifier deux façons principales pour comprendre la société que correspondent à la philosophie Maat sur le coté septentrional et la philosophie Ubuntu du coté méridional. La thèse s est focalisé, ainsi, dans l étude de ces deux philosophies, Maat e Ubuntu, afin d identifier l équivalence parmi elles, prévoir, et vérifier convergences culturelles, tantôt du coté méridional come du coté septentrional de l Afrique. La thèse a cherché aussi quelques exemples de poursuite culturelle dans la diaspore noire, pour comprendre si c est possible d augmenter le sentiment de solidarité parmi les africains et les afro-descendents de la diaspore basé dans cettes poursuites, parlant encore, de quelques directionnements probables pour la lute antiraciste.

[pt] Buscando aproximar os campos de investigação da Teoria da História com a Egiptologia, o presente estudo se propõe a pensar a qualidade que o tempo assumiu na cosmovisão da antiga Kemet. As muitas potências cósmicas que geraram o tempo – dentre elas Shu/Neheh e Tefnut/Djet – segundo os antigos, promoveram a existência da totalidade dos elementos que compunham uma imensa rede de conexão entre o mundo imanente e o mundo transcendente, conferindo ao universo cultural egípcio a peculiar feição de uma sociedade que apesar de desfrutar intensamente a vida terrena, mantinha o olhar constante na eternidade post mortem. Visando lançar novas perspectivas sobre a natureza de como a temporalidade criada pelos antigos foi tecendo o seu mundo de sentido, a tese se debruça sobre a investigação do modo pelo qual a ideia de tempo emerge das mais diversas naturezas de fontes, e de como ela encontra-se diretamente vinculada a uma outra potência – Maat –, força propulsiva que encerrando os atributos de ordem, justiça e retidão, permitia que a existência fluísse com o tempo, ou seja, que a unidade que configurou toda a criação a partir do movimento da gênese fosse mantida, tendo como cenário-espelho o espaço-tempo cósmico egípcio. / [en] This paper proposes a study on the quality that time assumed in the ancient Kemet s cosmovision in order to bring together a study on Historical Theory with Egyptology. The cosmic potencies that generate time – Shu/Neheh and Tefnut/Djet –, according to the ancients, promote the existence of the totality of elements that compose an immense network between the immanent world and the transcendent world. Thus conferring to the Egyptian cultural universe a society s peculiar feature that kept a constant eye on the post mortem eternity, whilst also enjoying terrestrial life. The aim is to present new perspectives on how the temporality created by the ancients allowed for their world to gain meaning. This thesis focuses on a study on how the idea of time emerges from many different sources. As well as how it is interconnected with another power – Maat –, a driving force composed of the attributes of order, justice and integrity that allowed existence and time to remain hand in hand. In other words, the unit that designed all of creation since its genesis was maintained, presenting as mirror-scenario the Egyptian cosmic space-time.

Diss. -- Turun kauppakorkeakoulu. / Myös verkkojulkaisuna.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The concept of Ma'at is crucial to Ancient Egyptian culture. In Ancient Egypt, Ma'at has two closely related manifestations: the cultural principle and the goddess. Ma'at as general cultural principle relates to the perfect order that was present at the moment when the cosmos came into being. This order eliminated chaos and created perfect balance in every aspect of the cosmos: nature, mankind, the gods, life and death. According to Ancient Egyptian literature, people ordered their lives in terms of the principle to do Ma 'at. This principle amounted to living honestly and justly. In this way, order was maintained and chaos prevented. In religion, which should be considered a subdomain of culture, Ma'at functions as an Ancient Egyptian goddess. As a goddess, Ma'at was considered a being in her own right, with a characteristic appearance, a history, and a cult which was performed by the pharaoh and the priests. Though the conception ofMa'at developed considerably in the long history of Ancient Egypt, the idea was present at the beginning of Egyptian civilization, as is attested by a great variety of inscriptions. The concept played a significant role in this culture from beginning to end. Ma'at was of particular importance to Ancient Egyptian royalty. Royal office included the realization of Ma'at and the consequent destruction ofIsfet. This function was performed by the pharaoh as chief of all cults - by daily sacrifice for Ma'at --, as well as in his role as ruler - by ensuring that public office was performed according to the principle ofMa'at. The Ancient Egyptians maintained that Ma'at functioned not only in life but also in death. In the alternative reality that Ancient Egypt made of death, order obtained, just as in life. Hence Ma' at was present also in death. The essence of Ancient Egypt is not its structures, such as the pyramids, which never cease to fascinate. This essence has to be sought in the way Ma'at gave unity to this remarkable culture. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die begrip Ma'at is rigtinggewend vir die kultuur van Antieke Egipte. In hierdie kultuur het Ma'at twee verskyningsvorme wat ten nouste met mekaar saamhang: die kultuurbeginsel en die godin. Ma'at as algemene kultuurbeginsel het te doen met die volmaakte orde wat tot stand gekom het in die ontstaansoomblik van die kosmos. Hierdie orde hef chaos en wanorde op en skep volkome ewewig in elke aspek van die kosmos: die natuur, die mensdom, die godedom, die lewe en die dood. Die Antieke Egiptiese literatuur bring aan die lig dat mense hulle lewe ingerig het volgens die beginsel om Ma'at te doen. Waarop dit neergekom het om Ma'at te doen, was om eerlik en regverdig te handel. Op hierdie manier is die orde bewaar en die chaos verhoed. Op die terrein van die religie, wat as 'n besondere aspek van die kultuur in die breë beskou moet word, funksioneer Ma'at in Antieke Egipte as 'n godin. Hierdie godin was 'n veronderstelde wese in eie reg, met 'n kenmerkende voorkoms, 'n geskiedenis, en 'n kultus wat deur die farao en die priesters bedien is. Hoewel die siening van Ma'at in die loop van die lang geskiedenis van Antieke Egipte aansienlik ontwikkel het, was die idee van die begin van die Egiptiese beskawing aanwesig, soos 'n groot verskeidenheid inskripsies laat blyk. Die begrip het in hierdie kultuur van begin tot end 'n bepalende rol bly speel. Tussen Ma'at en die koningskap in Antieke Egipte was daar 'n besonder nou band. Ma'at was van wesenlike belang vir die uitvoering van die koninklike amp: dit was die opdrag van die farao om Ma'at te verwesenlik en daarmee Isfet te vernietig. Hierdie taak het die farao uitgevoer as hoof van alle kultusse -- deur die daaglikse offer wat hy in die belang van Ma'at gebring het --, maar ook in die staatsadministrasie -- deur toe te sien dat amptenare hulle werk doen volgens die beginsel van Ma'at. In Antieke Egipte is daarvan uitgegaan dat Ma'at nie net in die lewe nie, maar ook in die dood funksioneer. In die alternatiewe werklikheid wat Antieke Egiptenare van die dood maak, heers daar ook orde. Ma'at is dus ook daar teenwoordig. Die wese van Antieke Egipte is nie die strukture, soos die piramides, wat nou nog die belangstelling gaande maak nie. Dit moet veel eerder gesoek word in die wyse waarop Ma'at eenheid aan hierdie merkwaardige kultuur gegee het.

Abstract This thesis includes three separate empirical studies on economic demography and health economics. The first study explores the effect of alcohol consumption on divorce across 23 OECD countries during the period 1960–2010. We find strong evidence that alcohol consumption is a major socioeconomic factor which influences divorces in these countries. We find robust evidence on the relationship between alcohol consumption and divorce rates both in the short and long run. In addition, using worldwide survey data on values we explore whether the change in values with respect to marriage, and moral values can explain our findings. It is noteworthy, that alcohol consumption has a significant effect on divorces even after controlling for moral values. The second and third studies concentrate on the economics of suicide. In the second study, we explore the effects of unemployment on the well-being of the regional population with disaggregated suicide data across gender and age in Finland during 1991–2011. Our findings suggest that the increased job insecurity is associated with higher number of suicides than what is expected in good economic times. The effect is significant especially for the prime working-age (35–64 years old) male suicides. The second main contribution of this study is to relate the concept of social norm to unemployment. We show that in high unemployment areas the association between job loss and suicide mortality is not as severe as in low unemployment areas. An implication is that the burden of unemployment is reduced when it becomes socially more common and acceptable. The goal of the third study is to provide evidence on the effects of economic crises on suicides in 21 OECD countries over the period between 1970 and 2011. In conclusion, this study shows that over 60 000 suicides are attributable to the economic/financial crises since 1970. Two main findings emerged from the data. First, the impact of the most recent global financial crisis (2008) on suicides was not particularly stronger than that of the previous major economic/financial crises. Second, stock market crashes and banking crises are the most severe economic crises in terms of excess suicides when calculated on population-level data. / Tiivistelmä Tämä väitöskirja koostuu kolmesta empiirisestä tutkimuksesta. Tutkimukset keskittyvät väestötason kysymyksiin avioerojen määrään vaikuttavien sosioekonomisten tekijöiden, sekä makrotaloudellisten tekijöiden ja itsemurhien välisen yhteyden näkökulmasta. Ensimmäisessä tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan alkoholin kulutuksen vaikutusta avioerojen määrään 23 OECD-maassa vuosina 1960–2010. Tutkimuksessa havaitaan alkoholin kulutuksen olevan yksi merkittävimmistä avioeroihin vaikuttavista sosioekonomisista tekijöistä sekä lyhyellä että pitkällä aikavälillä tarkasteltuna. Tutkimuksen mukaan alkoholin kulutuksella näyttäisi olevan vaikutusta avioerojen lukumäärään myös silloin, kun moraaliarvoissa tapahtuneet muutokset on huomioitu. Toinen ja kolmas tutkimus keskittyvät itsemurhien taloustieteeseen. Toisessa tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan työttömyyden vaikutuksia hyvinvointiin. Aineistona käytetään maakuntatason sukupuoli- ja ikäryhmäjaoteltua aineistoa itsemurhakuolleisuudesta Suomessa vuosina 1991–2011. Tutkimuksen mukaan kasvava epävarmuus työpaikan pysyvyydestä voi johtaa korkeampiin itsemurhalukuihin kuin mitä olisi odotettavissa parempina taloudellisina aikoina. Tämä tulos näyttäytyy erityisesti työikäisten miesten keskuudessa. Toinen tutkimuksen päätuloksista liittyy sosiaalisten normien näkymiseen siinä, miten työttömyys vaikuttaa itsemurhakuolleisuuteen. Tulokset osoittavat, että korkeamman työttömyyden alueilla työn menettämisen ja itsemurhakuolleisuuden välinen yhteys ei ole niin voimakas kuin matalamman työttömyyden alueilla. Sosiaalisten normien vaikutus näyttäisi suojaavan ihmisiä itsemurhakuolleisuudelta niissä tapauksissa, jolloin työttömyys on yleisempää. Kolmas tutkimus tarjoaa tietoa talouskriisien vaikutuksista itsemurhiin 21 OECD-maassa vuosina 1970–2011. Tutkimuksen mukaan yli 60 tuhannen itsemurhan voidaan katsoa olevan yhteydessä talouskriiseihin vuodesta 1970 lähtien. Löydökset osoittavat, etteivät viimeisimmän globaalin finassikriisin vaikutukset itsemurhakuolleisuuteen poikenneet merkittävästi aikaisempiin laajoihin kriiseihin verrattuna. Lisäksi pankki- ja osakemarkkinakriiseillä näyttäisi olevan muita talouskriisejä vakavammat vaikutukset itsemurhakuolleisuuteen väestötasolla tarkasteltuna.

Two measures of air temperature trends across southern Yukon and northern British Columbia were modelled based on measurements from 83 monitoring sites across seven areas, operating for up to 14 years. Both mean monthly air temperature (MMAT) and freezing and thawing degree days (FDD and TDD, respectively) were modelled across this area (59 °N to 64.5 °N) at elevations ranging from 330-1480 m asl. Lapse rates in this region show inversions in the winter months (November - March) varying in inversion strength and length in relation to degree of continentality. The spatial and elevation range of these sites allowed for regional lapse rate modelling at the monthly scale for MMAT and at the annual scale for FDD and TDD. Lapse rates below treeline were found to be correlated (p < 0.1) with degree of continentality in the colder months (November - April) and August. In these months, lapse rates were modelled using kriging trend surfaces. In months where degree of continentality was not found to have a significant impact on lapse rates (p > 0.1) (May - October, excluding August), an average lapse rate calculated from the seven study regions was used across the study region. A combination of lapse rate trend surfaces, elevation, and temperatures at sea level were used to model MMAT and F/TDD below treeline. A treeline trend surface was created using a 4th order polynomial, allowing for temperatures at treeline to be determined. MMAT and F/TDD above treeline were calculated using a constant lapse rate of -6 °C/km, elevation, and temperature at treeline. The above and below treeline models were combined to create continuous models of MMAT and F/TDD. Modelled MMAT showed a high degree of homogeneity across the study region in warmer months. Inversions in lapse rates are evident in the colder months, especially December through February, when colder temperatures are easily identified in valley bottoms, increasing to treeline, and decreasing above treeline. Modelled MMAT values were validated using 20 sites across the study region, using both Environment and Climate Change Canada and University of Ottawa sites. The RMSE between modelled and observed MMAT was highest in January (4.4 °C) and lowest in June (0.7 °C). Sites below treeline showed a stronger relationship between modelled and observed values than sites above treeline. Edge effects of the model were evident in the northeast of the study region as well as in the ice fields in the southwest along the Alaska border. The new MMAT maps can be used to help understand species range change, underlying permafrost conditions, and climate patterns over time. FDD values were found to be highly influenced by both degree of continentality as well as latitude, whereas TDD values were mainly dependent on elevation, with degree of continentality and latitude being lesser influences. FDD and TDD were validated using the same 20 sites across the study region, with FDD showing a larger RMSE (368 degree days) between modelled and observed values than TDD (150 degree days). TDD modelling performed better on average, with a lower average absolute difference (254 degree days) between modelled and observed values at the validation sites than FDD modelling (947 degree days). The models of FDD and TDD represent a component of temperature at top of permafrost (TTOP) modelling for future studies. Two mean annual air temperature (MAAT) maps were created, one calculated from the MMAT models, and the other from the F/TDD models. Most of the study region showed negative MAAT, mainly between -6 °C and 0 °C for both methods. The average MAAT calculated from FDD and TDD values was -2.4 ºC, whereas the average MAAT calculated from MMAT values was -2.8 ºC. Models of MAAT were found to be slightly warmer than in previous studies, potentially indicating warming temperature trends.

The distribution of mountain permafrost is generally modeled using a combination of statistical techniques and empirical variables. Such models, based on topographic, climatic and geomorphological predictors of permafrost, have been widely used to estimate the spatial distribution of mountain permafrost in North America and Europe. However at present, little knowledge about the distribution and characteristics of mountain permafrost is available for the Andes. In addition, the effects of climate change on slope stability and the hydrological system, and the pressure of mining activities have increased concerns about the knowledge of mountain permafrost in the Andes. In order to model permafrost distribution in the semi-arid Chilean Andes between ~29°S and 32°S, an inventory of rock glaciers is carried out to obtain a variable indicative of the presence and absence of permafrost conditions. Then a Linear Mixed-Effects Model (LMEM) is used to determine the spatial distribution of Mean Annual Air Temperature (MAATs), which is then used as one of the predictors of permafrost occurrence. Later, a Generalized Additive Model (GAM) with a logistic link function is used to predict permafrost occurrence in debris surfaces within the study area. Within the study area, 3575 rock glaciers were inventoried. Of these, 1075 were classified as active, 493 as inactive, 343 as intact and 1664 as relict forms, based on visual interpretation of satellite imagery. Many of the rock glaciers (~60-80%) are situated at positive MAAT, and the number of rock glaciers at negative MAAT greatly decreases from north to south. The results of spatial temperature distribution modeling indicated that the temperature changes by -0.71°C per each 100 m increase in altitude, and that there is a 4°C temperature difference between the northern and southern part of the study area. The altitudinal position of the 0°C MAAT isotherm is situated at ~4250 m a.s.l. in the northern (29°S) section and drops latitudinally to ~4000 m a.s.l. in the southern section (32°S) of the study area. For permafrost modeling purposes, 1911 rock glaciers (active, inactive and intact forms) were categorized into the class indicative of permafrost presence and 1664 (relict forms) as non-permafrost. The predictors MAAT and Potential Incoming Solar Radiation (PISR) and their nonlinear interaction were modeled by the GAM using LOESS smoothing function. A temperature offset term was applied to reduce the overestimation of permafrost occurrence in debris surface areas due to the use of rock glaciers as permafrost proxies. The dependency between the predictor variables shows that a high amount of PISR has a greater effect at positive MAAT levels than in negative ones. The GAM for permafrost distribution achieved an acceptable discrimination capability between permafrost classes (area under the ROC curve ~0.76). Considering a permafrost probability score (PPS) ≥ 0.5 and excluding steep bedrock and glacier surfaces, mountain permafrost can be potentially present in up to about 6.8% (2636 km2) of the study area, whereas with a PPS ≥ 0.75, the potential permafrost area decreases to 2.7% (1051 km2). Areas with the highest PPS are spatially concentrated in the north section of the study area where altitude rises considerably (the Huasco and Elqui watersheds), while permafrost is almost absent in the southern section where the topography is considerably lower (Limarí and Choapa watersheds). This research shows that the potential mountain permafrost distribution can be spatially modeled using topoclimatic information and rock glacier inventories. Furthermore, the results have provided the first local estimation of permafrost distribution in the semi-arid Chilean Andes. The results obtained can be used for local environmental planning and to aid future research in periglacial topics.