Per molte aziende, ristrutturazione e riduzione dei costi sono al centro dell’agenda strategica. Come sottolinea anche la recente letteratura, la crisi economica scoppiata nel 2008, e tuttora in atto, sta esercitando una forte pressione sulle modalità di funzionamento dei sistemi di controllo in generale e di cost management più in particolare. Il presente lavoro di tesi si pone l’obiettivo di comprendere come si originano e si sviluppano i processi di innovazione nei sistemi di cost management in contesti aziendali caratterizzati da fenomeni di cambiamento e quali sono le condizioni di efficacia nell’implementazione di tali interventi. Per perseguire tale obiettivo, vengono analizzati tre casi, riletti alla luce di un modello neoistituzionalista di cambiamento aziendale. Contrariamente alla tradizionale predilezione della letteratura scientifica per un approccio meramente tecnico al tema dei sistemi di cost management, la tesi dimostra come un’efficace gestione degli stessi richieda la comprensione dell’esito dell’interrelazione di variabili ambientali e istituzionali esterne e dinamiche organizzative e istituzionali interne. / For many organizations, restructuring and cost management are key issues in their strategic agenda. As highlighted by the recent literature on management accounting, the current economic crisis is putting enormous pressure on the functioning of cost management systems in most organizations in the world. The main objective of this research is to analyze the relationship between management accounting change (i.e., cost management initiatives) and organizational change. The thesis relies on qualitative data collected through three longitudinal case studies. The analysis draws on a neo-institutional framework which integrates the insights of recent neo-institutional works in accounting. Our findings show that cost management systems cannot be considered only as technical mechanisms. In fact, an effective implementation of cost management initiatives requires the comprehension of the complex interrelationships between competitive and institutional variables and intraorganizational dynamics.

An effective educator-student relationship is a key factor to ensure a positive learning climate where learning can take place. Educators must work together to build caring relationships with students, provide support to eliminate barriers and create a positive learning climate. This will establish an atmosphere characterised by mutual support, caring and understanding, all of which are fundamental to a sound educator-student relationship. Resilience research consistently points to the importance of positive and supportive relationships between the educator and student as a key protective factor in students’ progress. Strengthening students’ resilience from the beginning of their nursing career through a positive and supportive educator-student relationship can improve their well-being, as well as improve the quality of education and eventually the patient care delivered. The overall aim of this study was to explore and describe the basic elements required for an effective educator-student relationship in a private nursing education institution in the North-West Province. The study enabled the researcher to recommend guidelines to strengthen the resilience of nursing students within the educator-student relationship. An explorative, descriptive and contextual qualitative design was followed. This study made use of a non-probability sample and specifically a purposive sampling method. The sample consisted of forty enrolled nursing auxiliary students. The “World Café” method was used to collect data. Data were analysed by using Creswell’s steps in data analysis. Five main categories were identified: (1) teaching/learning environment, (2) educator-student interaction, (3) educator qualities, (4) staying resilient and (5) strategies to strengthen resilience. Conclusions were drawn by looking at the interrelation between the literature review, the theoretical framework chosen for this study, namely Kumpfers’ resilience framework, and the findings of the research. It is eminent that students need a caring and supportive learning environment including enough space, lighting and ventilation. Students reported that they need interaction that is constructive, interaction that acknowledges human rights and interaction that makes use of appropriate non-verbal communication. The educator must display qualities of love and care, respect, responsibility, morality, patience, openness to new ideas, motivation, willingness to “go the extra mile” and punctuality. Students reported various ways through which they manage to stay resilient namely: being positive, having a support system, improving study methods, self-motivation, setting personal goals, taking pride, perseverance and determination. Recommendations were formulated for nursing education, nursing practice and further research. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

When people hear the word "nurse," they often think of qualities such as compassion and patience. While these are essential characteristics, nurses must go even further when striving for professionalism. Nurses also need strong morals and ethics and the commitment to always act in the best interests of their patients. The term professionalism embraces a set of attitudes, skills and behaviours, attributes and values which are expected from those to whom society has extended the privilege of being considered a professional. The core values of professionalism include: honesty, integrity, altruism, respect, responsibility, accountability, compassion, empathy, dedication, self-improvement, competency of clinical skills and knowledge. Professional nursing practice is a commitment to compassion, caring and strong ethical values, continuous development of self and others, accountability and responsibility for insightful practice, demonstrating a spirit of collaboration and flexibility. Rapid changes in the nursing sector have recently occurred across all areas and settings, making for a chaotic and seldom unstable work environment. All of these changes have impacted the ability of ENA learners to maintain high levels of professionalism and collaboration. In particular, the researcher, as an educator within a private NEI responsible for teaching ENA learners, experienced a lack of professionalism amongst ENA learners during the course of their training, as well as after their enrolment with the South African Nursing Council (SANC). Currently, there seems to be a difference between the professionalism portrayed by ENA learners and that which is expected of them. The overall aim of this research is to enhance the professionalism of ENA learners in a private NEI in Potchefstroom, North West. The following objectives have been identified in order to reach this aim: * To explore and describe professionalism amongst ENA learners in a private NEI in Potchefstroom, North West, and * To formulate recommendations to advance professionalism amongst ENA learners in a private NEI in Potchefstroom, North West. This study was conducted by means of a case study approach as the selected topic focuses only on a private nursing education institution situated in Potchefstroom, North West. From the qualitative instrumental case study approach, a qualitative, explorative, contextual research design was followed. The population in the study was all the ENA learners of a private NEI in Potchefstroom, North West. A sample was selected through non-probable, purposive sampling according to inclusion criteria (n=25). Data collection was conducted by means of a ―World Café‖ method and a focus group. The data collected through the World Café method was recorded and transcribed and reconstructed by means of thematic analysis. The main theme that crystallised from data analysis was that ENA learners viewed professionalism as a set of behaviours that are displayed in their external environment. The behaviours are grouped into the following five subgroups, namely punctuality versus absenteeism, adhering to scheduling and duty hours, responsibility of observations and awareness, the role of dress code and the image of nursing and finally obedience to organisational rules and regulations and tolerance towards others. The World Café and focus group results were integrated with case records according to repetitive themes. From the results and conclusions, recommendations were formulated for nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research to enhance professionalism amongst ENA learners in general. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

An effective educator-student relationship is a key factor to ensure a positive learning climate where learning can take place. Educators must work together to build caring relationships with students, provide support to eliminate barriers and create a positive learning climate. This will establish an atmosphere characterised by mutual support, caring and understanding, all of which are fundamental to a sound educator-student relationship. Resilience research consistently points to the importance of positive and supportive relationships between the educator and student as a key protective factor in students’ progress. Strengthening students’ resilience from the beginning of their nursing career through a positive and supportive educator-student relationship can improve their well-being, as well as improve the quality of education and eventually the patient care delivered. The overall aim of this study was to explore and describe the basic elements required for an effective educator-student relationship in a private nursing education institution in the North-West Province. The study enabled the researcher to recommend guidelines to strengthen the resilience of nursing students within the educator-student relationship. An explorative, descriptive and contextual qualitative design was followed. This study made use of a non-probability sample and specifically a purposive sampling method. The sample consisted of forty enrolled nursing auxiliary students. The “World Café” method was used to collect data. Data were analysed by using Creswell’s steps in data analysis. Five main categories were identified: (1) teaching/learning environment, (2) educator-student interaction, (3) educator qualities, (4) staying resilient and (5) strategies to strengthen resilience. Conclusions were drawn by looking at the interrelation between the literature review, the theoretical framework chosen for this study, namely Kumpfers’ resilience framework, and the findings of the research. It is eminent that students need a caring and supportive learning environment including enough space, lighting and ventilation. Students reported that they need interaction that is constructive, interaction that acknowledges human rights and interaction that makes use of appropriate non-verbal communication. The educator must display qualities of love and care, respect, responsibility, morality, patience, openness to new ideas, motivation, willingness to “go the extra mile” and punctuality. Students reported various ways through which they manage to stay resilient namely: being positive, having a support system, improving study methods, self-motivation, setting personal goals, taking pride, perseverance and determination. Recommendations were formulated for nursing education, nursing practice and further research. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Uno degli aspetti più documentati del comportamento deviante è che una porzione considerevole di reati è commessa da più persone che collaborano tra loro, e non da criminali che agiscono in autonomia. Oltre ad analizzare le caratteristiche della compartecipazione nei reati, alcuni studi recenti si sono focalizzati sulla comprensione della sua evoluzione lungo la carriera criminale dell’individuo, e sul suo impatto sulla traiettoria criminale. Il concetto di collaborazione criminale è particolarmente rilevante nel contesto dei gruppi criminali organizzati, per i quali le interazioni tra i membri costituiscono l’essenza del loro funzionamento, e i reati commessi sono spesso logisticamente complessi. Ciononostante, il fenomeno della collaborazione criminale ha ricevuto scarsa attenzione nella ricerca sulla criminalità organizzata, e nessuno studio analizza il suo ruolo nel definire la traiettoria criminale del singolo individuo che entra a fare parte di un'organizzazione criminale. Il presente studio mira a colmare questa lacuna in letteratura analizzando i dati sui 178.427 reati commessi da tutti gli 11.138 individui condannati per associazione mafiosa in Italia tra il 1985 e il 2017. I dati includono informazioni sull’eventuale concorso in reato per ogni crimine commesso. L’analisi condotta si avvale di diverse metodologie quantitative con lo scopo di fornire un quadro descrittivo della collaborazione criminale nella criminalità organizzata; determinare se i membri delle organizzazioni criminali hanno diverse traiettorie longitudinali di collaborazione criminale; comprendere quale sia l’impatto di commettere crimini in collaborazione con altri individui sul comportamento criminale futuro; e studiare come la collaborazione criminale sia correlata con il reclutamento nella criminalità organizzata. I risultati dell’analisi dimostrano che il concorso in reato non è una caratteristica incidentale dei crimini commessi dagli individui che fanno parte dei gruppi criminali organizzati. Alcune delle caratteristiche della collaborazione criminale nel contesto della criminalità organizzata riflettono i risultati principali ottenuti negli studi condotti in altre popolazioni criminali, ma emergono alcune peculiarità. Inoltre, il trend aggregato di compartecipazione nei reati dei mafiosi italiani può essere approssimato da cinque traiettorie che raggruppano individui con caratteristiche specifiche. Infine, la collaborazione criminale appare correlata con dei cambiamenti nei successivi comportamenti criminali degli individui: in particolare, è connessa a una più alta probabilità di commettere reati violenti, e di entrare a far parte dell’organizzazione criminale nel breve periodo. Lo studio discute questi risultati alla luce della letteratura sullo sviluppo dei comportamenti criminali per i membri dei gruppi criminali organizzati, e in relazione alla ricerca esistente sulle cause e conseguenze di commettere reati in collaborazione con altri individui. / One of the most documented findings on delinquent behavior is that many crimes are committed in the company of others rather than by solo offenders. Besides studying the characteristics of co-offending, recent works have focused on understanding its evolution over the individual criminal career, and its impact on the offending trajectory. Co-offending is especially relevant within organized criminal groups, where interactions among participating offenders constitute the core functioning of the criminal organization, and crimes committed are often logistically complex. In spite of this, few studies on co-offending in organized crime exist, and none of them investigates the role that co-offending has on the offending pathway of the single individual. This study addresses this gap in research by analyzing data on all the 178,427 crimes committed by 11,138 offenders convicted for mafia association in Italy between 1985 and 2017. The data set includes information on whether each crime was committed with accomplices. The analysis exploits different quantitative methodologies with the aim to describe the characteristics of co-offenses and co-offenders in organized crime; determine whether organized crime offenders have different longitudinal co-offending trajectories; investigate whether committing crimes with others impacts future offending; and understand how co-offending is related to recruitment into organized crime. Results demonstrate that co-offending is not an incidental feature of crimes committed by organized crime offenders. Some of the characteristics of co-offending in organized crime reflect findings from other offending samples, but some peculiarities emerge. Furthermore, the longitudinal co-offending behavior of Italian organized crime offenders is best approximated by five trajectories that group offenders with distinct characteristics. Finally, co-offending is related to changes in the future offending behavior of organized crime offenders: in particular, it is related to higher chances of engaging in violent forms of delinquency and experiencing organized crime recruitment in the short term. These findings are discussed in relation to both research on the developmental course of offending for members of organized criminal groups, and existing knowledge on the causes and consequences of offending with others.

Gu Taiqing (1799-1876) also known as Gu Chun was poetess of Manchu origin, author of shi poems, ci lyrics and the first Chinese novel written by woman. Research of the diploma thesis is based on ci lyrics collection Fisherman`s songs from Eastern Sea and partly on shi poems Collection from the Tower of Celestial Wandering. Gu Taiqing`s poetry, of which some translations are included, is strongly autobiographical and it almost represents chronicle of her life. Poems give opportunity to explore her curriculum vitae, lyrics on the other hand create space for Gu Taiqing`s unique poetry language. Gu Taiqing expresses herself in many ways - as devoted wife, loving mother, faithful friend, art enthusiast, traveller and flower fancier. The main directions of her poetry was poetic interview or exchange with her husband Yihui and poems addressed to her friends - poetesses, members of The Autumn Red poetess circle. Gu Taiqing was inspired by each of the following Song poets: Zhou Bangyan, Jiang Baishi, Li Qingzhao, and their specific influence on Gu Taiqing`s poetry will be shown with examples in the diploma thesis. Gu Taiqing's poetry connects traditional literature with the first diffident exploration of the new territory. Gu Taiqing`s unique poetic expression completes woman chambers poetry and shows the...

Com base na Nova Economia Institucional, o foco desta pesquisa foi o de identificar os custos de transação existentes nos projetos de MDL (Mecanismo de Desenvolvimento Limpo) e investigar se eles são barreiras para o desenvolvimento do projeto, e se podem afetar a eficiência de projetos já implantados. Mais especificamente, foram analisadas as variáveis que afetam as diferenças entre as reduções de emissões estimadas nos projetos de MDL e as reduções realmente verificadas (Sucesso de Redução - SR), depois do projeto implantado e monitorado. A fim de cumprir esse objetivo, esta pesquisa contou com levantamento de dados secundários relativos aos projetos de MDL realizados em todo o mundo, e dados primários relativos aos projetos brasileiros de MDL. A análise das informações mostrou que os países mais relevantes em número de projetos são Índia, China, Brasil, mas este ranking se altera dependendo da variável analisada (por exemplo, volume de emissão reduzida ou estimada). Os setores mais relevantes em volume de redução são de HFC, N2O, mas este perfil se altera quando analisado o número de projetos, ficando em primeiro lugar biomassa, hidroelétrica e energia eólica. Em relação ao SR, a maior parte dos projetos não apresenta eficiência satisfatória. No entanto, em volume de reduções a maior parte dos projetos cumpre mais que 91% de SR. Os setores mundiais mais eficientes são N2O e HFC (Brasil N2O e troca de energia fóssil), e os setores de resíduos sólidos e agricultura (Brasil, agricultura e resíduos sólidos) são os menos eficientes. Finalmente, esta pesquisa conclui que custos de transação afetam o sucesso da redução de MDL, e os mais importantes são os custos ex-ante, resultantes de problemas de falhas de informação (como, por exemplo, problemas com as organizações que intermedeiam o processo dos MDLs) e problemas de mensuração (problemas relacionados com metodologias dos MDLs). / Based on the New Institutional Economics, the focus of this research was to identify transaction costs in CDM projects (Clean Development Mechanism) and investigate if they can affect project efficiency, and also if they create project development barriers. More specifically, this research analyzed the variables that could affect the differences between CDM estimated emission reduction projects and actual reductions obtained (Reduction Success - RS) after the project has been implemented and monitored. To fulfill this goal, this research included a secondary global CDM projects data survey, and primary data survey related to Brazilian CDM projects. Data analysis showed that the most important countries in terms of number of projects are India, China, Brazil, but depending on the variable analyzed (for instance, emission reduction volume) this ranking could change. The most relevant sectors in emission reduction volume were HFCs, N2O, but this would change when we analyze number of projects, where biomass would come first, followed by hydroelectric and wind energy. When considering RS, most projects do not show satisfactory performance. However, in terms of emission reductions amount, most of the projects achieve more than 91% RS. The most efficient sectors in the world are HFC and N2O (in Brazil, N2O and fossil fuel), and the least efficient sectors are solid waste and agriculture (in Brazil, agriculture and solid waste). Finally, this research concludes that transaction costs affect the success of CDM reductions, and the most relevant are ex-ante costs, resulting from information problem gaps (these problems relate to parties involved in the CDM process) and measurement problems (CDM methodologies).

A tall tower flux measurement setup was established in metropolitan Houston, Texas, to measure trace gas fluxes from both anthropogenic and biogenic emission sources in the urban surface layer. We describe a new relaxed eddy accumulation system combined with a dual-channel gas chromatography - flame ionization detection used for volatile organic compound (VOC) flux measurements in the urban area, focusing on the results of selected anthropogenic VOCs, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX), and biogenic VOCs including isoprene and its oxidation products, methacrolein (MACR) and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK). We present diurnal variations of concentrations and fluxes of BTEX, and isoprene and its oxidation products during summer time (May 22 - July 22, 2008) and winter time (January 1 - February 28). The measured BTEX values exhibited diurnal cycles with a morning peak during weekdays related to rush-hour traffic and additional workday daytime flux maxima for toluene and xylenes in summer time. However, in winter time there was no additional workday daytime peaks due mainly to the different flux footprints between the two seasons. A comparison with different EPA National Emission Inventories (NEI) with our summer time flux data suggests potential underestimates in the NEI by a factor of 3 to 5. The mixing ratios and fluxes of isoprene, MACR and MVK were measured during the same time period in summer 2008. The presented results show that the isoprene was affected by both tail-pipe emission sources during the morning rush hours and biogenic emission sources in daytime. The observed daytime mixing ratios of isoprene were much lower than over forested areas, caused by a comparatively low density of isoprene emitters in the tower's footprint area. The average daytime isoprene flux agreed well with emission rates predicted by a temperature and light only emission model (Guenther et al., 1993). Our investigation of isoprene's oxidation products MACR and MVK showed that both anthropogenic and biogenic emission sources exist for MACR, while MVK was strongly dominated by a biogenic source, likely the isoprene oxidation between the emission and sampling points.

This thesis is a compilation of ethnographic narrative and ethnohistorical research in the form of a case study of the Bunun people of the Laipunuk geographic region of Taiwan. The research encompasses the life experiences of three members of the Istanda family, with cross verification of narrative history from extant documentation where possible. Informants were videotaped, audio taped, and where not possible, extensive and detailed notes were taken. Some informants also served as translators for others; one particularly valuable source is conversant in the Bunun language, Japanese, Chinese, and English, providing invaluable material and insight. This report begins with an overview of indigenous peoples, their prehistory, and their relationship with the greater Austronesian culture. This is followed by a brief survey of each indigenous culture’s social organization, with emphasis on the Bunun. Included is a political survey of major transformational and developmental periods in Taiwan’s history, beginning with the Dutch East India Company period, and ending with the modern Democratic Reform period. I have concluded, based on my extensive work with these indigenous peoples and my examination of available historical documentation, that Taiwan’s indigenous people have endured constant pressure from external forces and, as a direct result, have undergone acute social and cultural degradation from the loss of their native homelands. Nevertheless, vast knowledge is still available from elderly informants born into a relatively pristine Bunun culture. This knowledge contributes to the field of Taiwan Studies by providing an objective survey across the history of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples, offering a view through a previously closed window into the richness of Taiwan’s full history. It is recommended that such studies continue and expand. Key words: Bunun, Laipunuk, Austronesian, Taiwan, ethnohistorical, indigenous

GOMES, Carolina de Aquino, O Riso diabólico residual n’ As pelejas de Ojuara: o homem que desafiou o diabo. 2011. 215 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Letras) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Literatura, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Letras, Fortaleza-CE, 2011. / Submitted by Liliane oliveira (morena.liliane@hotmail.com) on 2012-06-25T12:16:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_DIS_CAGOMES.pdf: 2898261 bytes, checksum: 300fa9d2d1d888862418d2926214f2f8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Josineide Góis(josineide@ufc.br) on 2012-06-27T15:02:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_DIS_CAGOMES.pdf: 2898261 bytes, checksum: 300fa9d2d1d888862418d2926214f2f8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-06-27T15:02:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_DIS_CAGOMES.pdf: 2898261 bytes, checksum: 300fa9d2d1d888862418d2926214f2f8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / O presente estudo, vinculado à linha de pesquisa Literatura Regional, tem como objetivos verificar como a Idade Média pensava o riso relacionado ao pecado e ao Diabo, e investigar a remanescência dessa mentalidade e de crenças populares medievais no romance As Pelejas de Ojuara: o homem que desafiou o Diabo, de Nei Leandro de Castro, e na literatura popular contemporânea em verso. Para identificarmos como o imaginário e a mentalidade medieval, no tocante às crenças no Inferno e no Diabo, estão presentes em forma de resíduos na cultura popular nordestina representada no romance, utilizamos o arcabouço teórico-metodológico da Teoria da Residualidade, desenvolvido por Roberto Pontes. Esse método investigativo está certificado junto à Universidade Federal do Ceará e ao Diretório de Pesquisa do CNPq, sob o título Estudos de Residualidade Cultural e Literária, e vem sendo aplicado e desenvolvido em diversos trabalhos acadêmicos, como: teses, dissertações, artigos publicados em periódicos, palestras e comunicações orais. O sistematizador da Teoria da Residualidade aponta quatro conceitos essenciais para a sua compreensão, a partir do grau de relevância que cada definição exerce dentro da teoria. São eles, respectivamente: residualidade, cristalização, mentalidade e hibridismo cultural, os quais nos ajudaram a compreender como o riso é relacionado ao Diabo atualmente através da literatura popular em verso e em obras da literatura erudita que se baseiam em preceitos populares, como é o caso de As Pelejas de Ojuara: o homem que desafiou o Diabo. Este trabalho divide-se em três momentos: o primeiro, no qual discorremos sobre a origem do Mal e a do Diabo, como se deu a formação da imagem do Demônio desde a Antiguidade Clássica e sua consolidação na Idade Média; em seguida, a representação do Diabo no imaginário sertanejo nordestino, com base nas crenças populares representadas no romance, ressaltando o hibridismo cultural que envolve essa entidade diabólica; e, por fim, verificamos a derrisão e o escarnecimento do Diabo, pois o riso é utilizado como arma contra o medo do Inferno e do Demônio, através do cômico, do grotesco e do obsceno. Para essa análise destacamos aspectos referentes ao Diabo na Bíblia Sagrada, em documentos e em estudos históricos e culturais a respeito das crenças populares europeias medievais e nordestinas contemporâneas, assim como há em cordéis do Ciclo do Demônio Logrado, representações pictóricas do Príncipe das Trevas e estudos relacionados ao riso na Idade Média, no Renascimento e na contemporaneidade. Compreende-se a presença de resíduos culturais dos valores e crenças europeias medievais no universo do sertanejo nordestino, principalmente do norte-rio-grandense, a fim de tornar evidente a hibridação cultural que percebemos na leitura do romance de Nei Leandro de Castro. / Cette étude, souscrite à la ligne de recherche Littérature Régionale, a pour buts de vérifier comment le Moyen Âge pensait le rire relatif au pêcher et au Diable, et de rechercher la rémanence de cette mentalité et de croyances populaires moyenâgeuses dans le roman As Pelejas de Ojuara: o homem que desafiou o Diabo, de Nei Leandro de Castro, et dans la littérature populaire en vers contemporaine. Pour identifier comment l’imaginaire et la mentalité moyenâgeux, en ce qui concerne les croyances à l’Enfer et au Diable, sont présentes en forme de résidus dans la culture populaire du Nordeste brésilien représentée dans le roman, nous utilisons le cadre théorique-méthodologique de la Théorie de la Residualidade, développé par Roberto Pontes. Cette méthodologie de sondage est certifiée auprès de l’Universidade Federal do Ceará et du Diretório de Pesquisa do CNPq, sous le titre Estudos de Residualidade Cultural e Literária, et est appliquée et développée dans plusieurs travaux académiques, comme: thèses, dissertações, articles publiés en périodiques, discours et communications orales. Le systématisateur de la Théorie de la Residualidade montre quatre concepts essentiels pour sa compréhension, à partir du degré de pertinence que chaque définition exerce dans la théorie. Ce sont, respectivement: residualidade, cristallisation, mentalité et hybridisme culturel, celles qui nous ont aidé à comprendre comment le rire est lié au Diable actuellement à travers la littérature populaire en vers et des oeuvres de la littérature érudite qui se basent sur des préceptes populaires, ce qui est le cas de As Pelejas de Ojuara: o homem que desafiou o Diabo. Ce travail se divise en trois moments: le premier, dans lequel nous dissertons à propos de l’origine du Mal et du Diable, comment s’est passée la formation de l’image du Démon dès l’Antiquité Classique, qui se consolide au Moyen Âge; ensuite, la représentation du Diable dans l’imaginaire du sertão du Nordeste, basée sur les croyances populaires représentées dans le roman, en faisant ressortir l’hybridisme culturel qui entoure cette entité diabolique; et, finalement, nous vérifions la dérision et la ridiculisation du Diable, puis que le rire est utilisé comme arme contre la peur de l’Enfer et du Démon, à travers le comique, le grotesque et l’obscène. Pour cette analyse nous soulignons des aspects relatifs au Diable dans la Sainte Bible, dans des documents et des études historiques et culturels concernant les croyances populaires en Europe moyenâgeuse et au Nordeste brésilien contemporain, ainsi que l’analyse de cordéis du Ciclo do Demônio Logrado, représentations pictoriques du Prince des Ténèbres et des études relatifs au rire au Moyen Âge, à la Renaissance et à la contemporanéité. On comprend la présence de résidus culturels des valeurs et croyences européennes moyenâgeuses dans l’univers de l’homme du sertão du Nordeste, principalement de l’État du Rio Grande do Norte, afin de rendre évident l’hybridation culturelle qu’on observe à la lecture du roman de Nei Leandro de Castro.