With the convergence of the wireless networks and the Internet and the booming demand for multimedia applications, the next-generation (beyond the third generation, or B3G) wireless systems are expected to be all IP-based and provide real-time and non-real-time mobile services anywhere and anytime. Powerful and efficient mobility support is thus the key enabler to fulfil such an attractive vision by supporting various mobility scenarios. This thesis contributes to this interesting while challenging topic. After a literature review on mobility support architectures and protocols, the thesis starts presenting our contributions with a generic multi-layer mobility support framework, which provides a general approach to meet the challenges of handling comprehensive mobility issues. The cross-layer design methodology is introduced to coordinate the protocol layers for optimised system design. Particularly, a flexible and efficient cross-layer signalling scheme is proposed for interlayer interactions. The proposed generic framework is then narrowed down with several fundamental building blocks identified to be focused on as follows. As widely adopted, we assume that the IP-based access networks are organised into administrative domains, which are inter-connected through a global IP-based wired core network. For a mobile user who roams from one domain to another, macro (inter-domain) mobility management should be in place for global location tracking and effective handoff support for both real-time and non-real-lime applications. Mobile IP (MIP) and the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) are being adopted as the two dominant standard-based macro-mobility architectures, each of which has mobility entities and messages in its own right. The work explores the joint optimisations and interactions of MIP and SIP when utilising the complementary power of both protocols. Two distinctive integrated MIP-SIP architectures are designed and evaluated, compared with their hybrid alternatives and other approaches. The overall analytical and simulation results shown significant performance improvements in terms of cost-efficiency, among other metrics. Subsequently, for the micro (intra-domain) mobility scenario where a mobile user moves across IP subnets within a domain, a micro mobility management architecture is needed to support fast handoffs and constrain signalling messaging loads incurred by intra-domain movements within the domain. The Hierarchical MIPv6 (HMIPv6) and the Fast Handovers for MIPv6 (FMIPv6) protocols are selected to fulfil the design requirements. The work proposes enhancements to these protocols and combines them in an optimised way. resulting in notably improved performances in contrast to a number of alternative approaches.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, 2006. / School of Social Work, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Advisor(s): William H. Barton, Nancy Chism, Carol Hostetter, Marjorie Lyles, Cathy Pike. Includes vitae. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 114-118).

In the era of globalization and rapid change, talent management (TM) is becoming an increasingly important topic, since it sets direction for companies and the whole economies in general towards success and development. Exploring the phenomenon on the organizational or meso level, talent management techniques are implemented by organizations to attract, develop, engage, keep and deploy employees who are believed to be particularly valuable to them. By utilizing talents in a proper way, companies can increase their efficiency, add value to their brand credibility, and contribute to diversity of their corporate culture. For these reasons, top managers and HR professionals widely consider talent management to be one of their key priorities and invest largely in it. Companies that refuse to employ talent management techniques risk losing their competitive advantage, their market share and consequently their profitability. More than that, such companies remain unattractive to talented experts and cannot boast prominent financial results. This thesis gives a lot of insight into the current state of affairs concerning talent management in Russia and looks into possible problems that can arise in regard to the process of its implementation in Russian context. We found the issue of talent management in Russia to be under-researched at the moment, thus, we decided to make a contribution to the study of the concept. We carried out our research through a multi-level perspective because we are positive that there is a strong interplay between different contexts regarding talent management implementation in Russia. The obtained empirical findings have provided us with the knowledge that there is a number of obstacles hindering development of TM in Russia. More than that, we found that the approach to TM fully depends on the origin of a company.

Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) / South Africa is recognised worldwide for its rich diversity of plants, many of which have been used in ethno-medicine. However, the use of wetland plant species in ethno-medicine required further investigations. This research is aimed at investigating three wetland medicinal, plant species, Centella asiatica, Cyperus longus and Typha capensis based on their geographical, seasonal, mineral nutrient (Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, K and Na) and secondary metabolite characteristics. Samples of each species were collected from Grabouw, Kelderhoff, Kenilworth, Pringle Bay, University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Worcester within the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Specimen and soil collections were carried out during autumn, spring, summer and winter of 2014. Both plant and soil samples were acid digested and mineral nutrient concentrations in the samples were analysed using an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Secondary metabolites were determined using analytical TLC on normal phase Merck-Silva gel coated aluminium plates as well as by using HPLC separation from crude extracts of C. asiatica, C. longus and T. capensis using LC-MS hardware from Agilent. The elemental analysis of soil samples showed that Ca, K, Mg, Mn and Zn concentrations were predominantly low. Soil mineral concentrations increased progressively from inland (Worcester) towards the coastland in the south (Pringle Bay). Calcium and sodium concentrations, in particular, were higher in soil samples obtained from Grabouw (inland south) and decreased northward towards Worcester. Comparatively, plant mineral concentrations were generally higher than soil concentrations. The high concentration of some of these essential elements, in selected plants is an indication that these plant species could be a good source of essential elements. High concentrations of phytochemicals were found in Centella asiatica during winter, while Cyperus longus and Typha capensis exhibited high concentrations during autumn indicating variation in respect of season. Consequently, harvesting of the studied plants should be done at the season with a relatively high phytochemical concentration. Studies are needed to investigate the extent of pesticide or herbicide contamination in wetland plants to protect the health of users. The LC-MS analyses of the three study species showed that seasonal variation affects metabolite constituents and moreover that these metabolite constituents differ from one locality to another. The seasonal variation of the elements in the studied medicinal plants justified the importance of harvesting seasons in the optimal utilization of the studied plants for medicinal purpose. s, for C. asiatica, anti-bacterial treatments for C. longus and fertility enhancement and birth control for T. capensis.

The aim of this work is to analyze the factors that contribute to increase the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in the state of Alagoas and Maceió, both in relation to aspects of macro-structural modernization as compared to the sector modernization in the field of tourism development, giving visibility to institutional silences that block the formulation and implementation of adequate public policies to the monitoring and defense of this population segment. The investigation involves historical analysis, bibliographic search and document analysis for understanding processes related to modernization and its impact on the phenomenon of sex tourism and sexual exploitation of children and adolescents at the federal level and in the State of Alagoas. The research identified problems and gaps in the Tourism Development Program in the Northeast - Prodetur I and II and gaps in the Strategic Plan for Tourism Development in the State of Alagoas for the formulation of structural policies to contain the negative effects of modernization on vulnerable segments of the population, especially children and adolescents. The results of the documentary research presented here are restricted exclusively to the formal content of the analyzed documents. / O objetivo desta dissertação é evidenciar os fatores que concorrem para a proliferação da exploração sexual de crianças e adolescentes no Estado de Alagoas e em Maceió, tanto em relação aos aspectos ligados à modernização macroestrutural como em relação à modernização setorial no campo do desenvolvimento turístico e dar visibilidade aos silêncios institucionais que bloqueiam a formulação e execução de políticas públicas adequadas ao monitoramento e defesa desse segmento populacional. A investigação envolve análise histórica, pesquisa bibliográfica e análise documental de processos relacionados à modernização e seus impactos sobre o fenômeno do turismo sexual e da exploração sexual de crianças e adolescentes no âmbito federal e no Estado de Alagoas. A pesquisa identificou problemas e lacunas nos Programas de Desenvolvimento do Turismo no Nordeste – Prodetur I e II e lacunas no Plano Estratégico de Desenvolvimento do Turismo no Estado de Alagoas com relação à elaboração de políticas públicas estruturantes para conter os efeitos negativos da modernização sobre segmentos vulneráveis da população, em especial crianças e adolescentes. Os resultados da pesquisa documental aqui apresentados restringem-se exclusivamente ao conteúdo formal dos documentos analisados.

Pela primeira vez incêndios florestais são identificados em uma associação de fácies contendo a Flora Dicroidium nos sedimentos avermelhados do Triássico Médio (Ladiniano) na parte sul da Bacia do Paraná (Formação Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul). A extensão geográfica dessa assembleia de plantas foi, assim, estendida no Gondwana brasileiro. As análises por petrografia orgânica, fluorescência, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (tipo field emission gun - MEV-FEG) revelaram a presença recorrente de carvão vegetal (charcoal) na sucessão vertical de fácies relacionadas a um modelo deposicional de fluxos efêmeros de baixa densidade do tipo inunditos. O carvão microscópico (micro-charcoal) ocorre como fragmentos comuns em diferentes fácies, enquanto que o carvão vegetal macroscópico (macro-charcoal) é representado por espécimes tridimensionais de lenhos atribuídos a gimnospermas (Pinaceae?) e por fragmentos achatados, finos e alongados atribuídos a pteridospermas (rachises de Dicroidium?) Os valores médios de reflectância da inertinita entre 2,80-6,61 %Ro medidos nos fragmentos de macro-charcoal evidenciaram processos de queima de alta temperatura, envolvendo tanto incêndios na copa quanto na interface copa-superfície. A recorrência de fragmentos queimados em várias fácies do perfil estudado indica a ocorrência de incêndios regionais que afetaram tanto as comunidades meso-xerófilas distais quanto às associações proximais higro- mesófilas, compostas majoritariamente por espécimes da Flora Dicroidium. A integração dos resultados obtidos a partir das múltiplas análises dos fragmentos de charcoal é consistente com um teor de oxigênio atmosférico superior a 20%. / For the first time wildfires are reported from an association of different facies containing a Dicroidium flora from the Middle Triassic (Ladinian) red beds in the southern part of the Paraná Basin (Santa Maria Formation, Rio Grande do Sul state). The geographical extension of the Dicroidium plant assemblage has thus been extended in the Brazilian Gondwana. Analyses through petrography, fluorescence microscopy, scanning (SEM) and field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) revealed recurrent charcoal presence in a vertical facies succession of depositional cycles related to ephemeral prograding low density flows. Microscopic charcoal occurs as common fragments within different facies whereas macroscopic charcoal is represented by tridimensional wood specimens assigned to gymnosperms (Pinaceae?) and by flattened, thin, elongated remains assigned to pteridospermophytes (rachises of Dicroidium?). Average reflectance values between 2.80-6.61 %Ro measured in the macro-charcoals evidenced burning processes of high temperature, involving fires both in the crown and in the crown-surface interface. The recurrence of charcoal in several facies of the studied profile indicates regional wildfires, which affected hinterland, meso-xerophyllous coniferous assemblages and marginal hygro-mesophyllous Dicroidium-like assemblages. The integration of results obtained from the multiple charcoal analyses is consistent with atmospheric oxygen content higher than 20%.

O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar influências do Fit Estratégico para o alcance de acordos em negociações de Fusões e Aquisições (F&A). A metodologia envolveu pesquisa qualitativa com suporte quantitativo para desenvolver estrutura analítica que integrasse elementos de F&A e Negociação, permitindo identificar e avaliar 115 variáveis em 20 casos reais de negociações de F&As, 10 com Acordo Alcançado e 10 com Acordo Não Alcançado. Embora com limitações, o estudo alcançou os objetivos propostos identificando quatro Macrorrelações de Influência (MRI) principais: Existência de Fit Estratégico influencia positivamente a chance de acordo, através das Sinergias, assim como sua ausência influencia negativamente; Riscos e Impedimentos integram a Equação de Valor para o Comprador, quando eles ameaçam a captura de valor, podem inviabilizar a chance de acordo; Pressões Indutoras influenciam positivamente a chance de acordos em operações de F&As; e, Interesses Críticos Convergentes são condição precedente para o alcance de acordos em operações de F&As. Esta dissertação contribui para o desenvolvimento de uma visão integrada entre F&A e Negociação, permitindo uma conduta mais consciente, consistente e estratégica para alcançar acordos. Atenção particular é dada à MRI que envolve Fit Estratégico. Além de demonstrar ser forte fator de influência (82% dos casos com Fit atingiram acordo), a estrutura analítica quantitativa utilizada se revelou robusta (os resultados observados nos 20 casos confirmam estudo anterior com 218 casos de Shelton, 1988), apresentando aptidão para ser convertida em ferramenta de suporte à decisão, já que permite avaliar potencial sinérgico entre empresas e nichos de mercado. / The objective of this work is to analyze the influences of Strategic Fit in order to reach agreements in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) negotiations. The method involved a qualitative research with quantitative support to develop an analytical framework that integrates elements of M&A and Negotiation, allowing to identify and evaluate 115 variables in 20 actual cases of M&A negotiations of Which 10 Reached a Deal, and 10 Did Not Reach a Deal. Although with limitations, the study achieved its proposed objectives identifying four macro-relations of influence (MRI): Strategic Fit presence positively influences the chance of an agreement, through Synergies and its absence has a negatively influence; Risks and Impediments are part of the Value Equation to the Buyer, when threatening the capture of value they can prevent the chance of agreement; Inducing Pressures positively influences the chance of agreements in M&A transactions; and Critical Converging Interests is a pre-condition to reach agreements in M&A operations. This dissertation contributes to the development of an integrated view between M&A and Negotiation, enabling a more cognizant, consistent and strategic behavior in order to reach agreements. Particular attention is given to the MRI that involves Strategic Fit, as it proved a strong influencing factor (82% of cases with Strategic Fit reached an agreement). As well, the quantitative analytical framework used showed to be robust (results in the 20 cases studied in here confirmed a previous study by Shelton in 1988 of 218 cases) indicating potential to become a decision-supporting tool, since it allows the synergy potential evaluation between companies and market niches.

This dissertation thesis consists of three essays on macroeconomics and finance. In these essays, I focus on events which adversely affect emerging markets and present challenges to economic policy and central bank thinking. My aim is to contribute to the existing empirical literature by providing new evidence on the role of private credit, effects of macroprudential policies and understanding of the exchange-rate pass-through. The first essay evaluates policy measures taken to curb bank credit growth in the private sector in the pre-crisis period 2003-2007. The analysis is based on an original survey conducted on central banks in Central and Eastern Europe. The findings reveal substantial policy intervention and indicate that certain measures - particularly asset classification and provisioning rules; and loan eligibility criteria - might have been effective in taming bank credit growth. The second essay contributes to the existing literature on early warning indicators as well as to the discussion on the appropriateness of credit-to-GDP gap as a leading variable for any country for activation of the countercyclical capital buffer instrument in Basel III. We exploit long-run credit series for 36 emerging markets and evaluate their quality to signal a crisis by using receiver operating characteristics...

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-02T21:42:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Elaine Silvia.pdf: 1953099 bytes, checksum: 11dba01f12b78ca6dc565b229711cbaf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-02-14 / Macroeconomical variables that interfere in the economy and contagy that came of from worldwide crisis is the main theme which worries researchers of the financing area. Since 1980, that is the studied period of this research, the Stock Market brings huge amounts of profit in the shares of the companies of open capital, at the same time in that it scares the stock market holders, due to the volatile behaviour of its outcomes. The scope of this work is to identify if there is a relation between this behaviour of these macro economical variables and the obtained outcome by the national companies, which happens because of the behaviour of the macro economical crisis. Done the analysis of the Main Components, it is concluded that the macro economical variables have a fundamental importance in the action that determines the return index BOVESPA.(AU) / Variáveis macroecômicas que interferem na economia e contágio decorrente de crises mundiais é o tema que preocupa os estudiosos da área financeira. Desde 1980, que é o período deste estudo, a bolsa de valores traz volumosos lucros nas ações das companhias de capital aberto, ao mesmo tempo em que assusta os investidores, devido ao comportamento volátil de seus resultados. O escopo deste trabalho é o de identificar se existe uma relação entre o comportamento das variáveis macroeconômicas e o resultado obtido pelas empresas nacionais, ocasionada pelo comportamento das crises macroeconômicas. Efetuada a análise de Componentes Principais, conclui-se que as variáveis macroeconômicas têm importância fundamental no desempenho que determina o índice de retorno BOVESPA.(AU)

This article contributes to the field of evolutionary macroeconomics by highlighting the dynamic interlinkages between micro-meso-macro with a Veblenian meso foundation in an agent-based macroeconomic model. Consumption is dependent on endogenously changing social class and signaling, such as bandwagon, Veblen and snob effects. In particular, we test the macroeconomic effects of this meso foundation in a generic agent-based model of a closed artificial economy. The model is stock-flow consistent and builds upon local decision heuristics of heterogeneous agents characterized by bounded rationality and satisficing behavior. These agents include a multitude of households (workers and capitalists), firms, banks as well as a capital goods firm, a government and a central bank. Simulation experiments indicate coevolutionary dynamics between signaling-by-consuming and firm specialization that eventually effect employment and consumer prices, as well as other macroeconomic aggregates.