Master of Science / Department of Statistics / Weixing Song / A robust estimation procedure for mixture linear regression models is proposed in this report by assuming the error terms follow a Laplace distribution. EM algorithm is imple- mented to conduct the estimation procedure of missing information based on the fact that the Laplace distribution is a scale mixture of normal and a latent distribution. Finite sample performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated by some extensive simulation studies, together with the comparisons made with other existing procedures in this literature. A sensitivity study is also conducted based on a real data example to illustrate the application of the proposed method.

This dissertation consists of two essays: one looks at the cross-country variations in volume-price variability relationship and cultural and other country factors, and the other looks at cause and effects of large one-day price changes in commodity futures. The first essay presented in Chapter 1 investigates the effect of cultural and other country factors on the dynamic relation between market-wide trading activity and price variability in 20 countries. The results show that individualism and masculinity are positively related to volume-variability relation; other country factors including information asymmetry, financial development, short sale and age distribution are also closely related to the volume-variability relation. Specifically, the return-variability relation is stronger in less financially-developed countries with short-sale constraints and high information asymmetry. The second essay presented in Chapter 2 examines the causes and effects of large price changes in 26 commodity futures. The results indicate that announcements of macroeconomic news, the maturity effect, and the seasonal effect can explain the futures price movements of food (non-grains), grain, and livestock better than those of energy and metal. Without controlling for other factors, I find some support for the overreaction theory, especially following negative large price changes in closing. However, controlling for macro factors or market conditions, there is no support for overreactions.

in English Expression of Posteriority in Spanish through Indicative and Subjunctive The aim of this thesis is to study those paradigms in indicative and subjunctive which express the absolute and relative posteriority in Spanish. Our thesis is based on the literature related with the topic and also on the language corpora. We study the particular paradigms, their contexts and the possibilities of their mutual alternation. A considerable part of the thesis is dedicated to the absolute posteriority. We study the paradigms in indicative not only with respect to the time delimitation but also in term of the context and attitude of the speaker. As for the paradigms in subjunctive, we focus on the types of subordinate clauses. In the chapter dedicated to the relative posteriority, we demonstrate which paradigms correspond to the paradigms in absolute posteriority. We briefly compare the situation in Spanish with the one in Czech. Based on the results of our case studies and information from literature, we came to the conclusion that it is not possible to simply classify the particular uses of the paradigms and that is important to take several factors into consideration, not only the distance of action from the moment of speech.

Attributive absolute constructions in contemporary French The aim of this master thesis is a detailed analysis of French attributive absolute constructions (att. AC) with emphasis on their semantic characteristics. Att. AC is an example of what is called "secondary predication", i.e. a non-finite predicative structure modifying the primary predication, see a typical example "les yeux fermés", 'the eyes closed', in the sentence "Marie est assise, les yeux fermés.", 'Mary sits with her eyes closed.'. The main function of the att. AC is the modification of the head noun through the relation of inalienable possession (IP), or a part - whole relation, between this noun, which is mostly a human being, and an entity conceptualized in the att. AC. The thesis finds its main source in a monograph about AC written by Suzanne Hanon (1989), which is here completed by a qualitative analysis of syntactic and semantic factors that come into play in the formation of att. AC. Att. AC are approached form the perspective of Cognitive Linguistics and Construction Grammar as conceptualizations of the IP (or part - whole) paradigm and it is proposed their description as a prototype-based category with some instances more typical (see the example above) than others (e.g. att. AC with an adverbial function or modifying an...

Trata-se de compreender como se articula um sistema de filosofia que, emerso da Crítica kantiana, não pode nem fazer apelo aos objetos da metafísica especial, nem pressupor qualquer positividade, como a lógica e a coisa em si, constituindo-se, pois, como uma doutrina-da-ciência. Ao nosso ver, essa articulação tem seu núcleo central em um primado da prática: a Fundação da Ciência do Prático, terceira parte da Fundação de toda a Doutrina-da-Ciência, tem seu lugar no sistema ao solucionar as contradições e limites que o saber teórico deixou e que, como mera teoria, é incapaz de dar conta , mostrando que é apenas a partir do primado da faculdade prática, fundada na exigência do eu absoluto de realizar a infinitude e na lei do eu de refletir sobre si mesmo como realizando tal idéia, que se funda o sistema do saber humano e, portanto, a representação. Parece-nos que este momento da exposição da doutrina-daciência de 1794 permite a descrição do idealismo transcendental de Fichte como um idealismo crítico, herdeiro da filosofia kantiana. / Our aim is to understand how Fichte´s system of philophy is articulated, provided that it, coming from Kant´s Critic, cannot make appeal either to the objects of special metaphysics or pressuposes any positivity like logics or the thing in itself and therefore arrives at a Doctrine of Science (Wissenschaftslehre). In our interpretation, this articulation is centered on the primacy of practice: the \"Foundation of the Science of Practice\", third part of the Foundation of the Entire Doctrine of Science, fits in the system as it solves the contradictions and limits of the theoretical knowledge by showing that only the primacy of the practical faculty, grounded in the necessity of the realization of infinity by the absolute I and in the law of self-reflection as the realization of this idea, can found the system of human knowledge and hence the representation. It seems that this moment of the exposition of 1794´s Doctrine of Science allows the description of Fichte´s transcendental idealism as a critic idealism, heir of kantian philosophy.

Através da noção de Abfall, de Schelling, apresentada no texto Filosofia e Religião (1804), esta tese procura mostrar a integralidade da fundamentação objetiva para a reconstrução do mundo ideal, ou do ideal da razão enquanto organismo vivo. Para tanto, num primeiro momento, reconstruiremos o caminho para o Sistema do Idealismo Transcendental e, com isso, apresentaremos a dialética da imaginação como forma sistemática do Eu enquanto princípio. Num segundo momento, mostraremos como essa forma sistemática é ampliada enquanto princípio ou como uma forma formante de sujeito e objeto no Absoluto. Num terceiro e conclusivo momento, mostraremos a fundamentação da essência da identidade alma-Absoluto na intuição intelectual, entendida como princípio e conhecimento que supera infinitamente toda determinação conceitual e, ao mesmo tempo, efetiva o princípio transcendental e a causa imanente da equipossibilidade volitiva e cognitiva do puro sujeitoobjeto. / Through Schellings notion of Abfall as presented in Philosophy and Religion (1804), this thesis seeks to show the integrality of the objective foundation of the ideal world\'s reconstruction or of the ideal of reason as a living organism, so that the finite, as it exists in the limitated and temporal world, presents itself in a way somehow infinite. It aims at the difficult that pervades the author\'s whole philosophy of identity: the problem of the sense of finitude and time sense in a philosophy where the Absolute does not go out of itself. Our thesis is that: if the reason ideal is the most distant of what can be determined, and if it realises itself just in individuo, then such realization is necessarily something universal in two vectors of only one action: on the one hand ideas are determined in individuo if and only if in the unity of the ideal of reason; on the other hand, ideas are determined in individuo by absolute freedom, because the Absolute refers to the producing individual through the eternal concept of individual; in other words, through the soul understood as a Potenz, that is protected inside subject of individual conscience. As a Potenz, the soul is unconditional freedom and as such the source of the concepts of class. Therefore well reconstruct the route to the System of Transcendental Idealism to show the dialectics of imagination as a systematic form of I as a principle. Secondly, well show how that systematic form is extended as a principle or a form forming the subject and object in the Absolute. Thirdly, we\'ll show the fundaments of the essence of the soul-Absolute identity on intellectual intuition understood as transcendental principle and knowledge that infinitely overcomes all temporal determination and, at the same time, realises the transcendental principle, and the immanent cause of the pure subject- object\'s volitive and cognitive equipossibility.

Esta tese procura reconstruir a crítica de Schopenhauer a Hegel, para além das invectivas e juízos sumários. Embora não escreva um texto específico sobre esse tema, a posição crítica de Schopenhauer em relação a Hegel é formulada em vários momentos de sua obra. Nosso trabalho consiste, em um primeiro momento, em reconstruir a crítica de Schopenhauer, comparando-a com as posturas críticas de Schelling e Feuerbach. Trata-se de expor e analisar os argumentos de Schopenhauer de modo a construir uma imagem crítica da filosofia de Hegel e, ao mesmo tempo, mostrar em que sentido essa mesma crítica pode ser relativizada do ponto de vista da filosofia hegeliana. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho procura refletir sobre a dificuldade implicada na tarefa de construir uma crítica da filosofia de Hegel, já que como mostrou Gérard Lebrun, Hegel oferece menos uma filosofia que um discurso que é mal compreendido sempre que tentamos julgá-lo a partir de nossos pressupostos discursivos. Num segundo momento, examinamos os pontos comuns da abordagem especulativa presente em ambas as filosofias e investigamos temas tais como a questão da determinação das coisas finitas em relação à realidade substancial, a tarefa da filosofia e o problema da exposição da verdade filosófica. Num terceiro e conclusivo momento, procuraremos contrapor a filosofia da religião de ambos os autores, pois como pretendemos mostrar, o tema da fronteira entre a filosofia e a religião é fundamental para estabelecer a oposição entre os autores sobre a questão central da exposição do absoluto e dos limites do conhecimento. Por fim, ofereceremos ainda alguns textos paralelos a essa tese que procuram refletir sobre as interpretações de autores como Lukács e Horkheimer sobre a contraposição entre Hegel e Schopenhauer. / This thesis seeks to reconstruct Schopenhauer\'s criticism of Hegel, beyond invective and brief judgment. Though he does not write on the theme specifically, Schopenhauer\'s critical position with regards to Hegel is formulated at several moments of his oeuvre. This work consists of reconstructing Schopenhauer\'s criticism at first, by comparing it to the criticism of Schelling and Feuerbach. It aims at exposing and analyzing Schopenhauer\'s arguments so as to build a critical image of the philosophy of Hegel, and simultaneously demonstrate how this very criticism can be relativized from a Hegelian point of view. Therefore, this work seeks to reflect upon the difficulty implied in the task of constructing a criticism of the philosophy of Hegel, since Hegel, as Gérard Lebrun has demonstrated, offers less of a philosophy than a discourse which is misunderstood whenever we attempt to judge it from the perspective of our discursive presuppositions. Secondly, we shall examine the common points in the speculative approach present in both philosophies, and investigate themes such as the question of the determination of the finite in relation to the substantial reality, the task of Philosophy and the problem of the exposure of the philosophical truth. Thirdly, we\'ll attempt to counterpose the philosophy of religion of both authors, for, as we intend to demonstrate, the theme of the frontier between Philosophy and Religion is crucial to establish the opposition between the authors on the central issue of exposure of the Absolute and of the limits of knowledge. Finally, we shall look into a few other texts parallel to this thesis which aim at reflecting upon the interpretations of authors such as Lukács and Horkheimer about the counterposition between Hegel and Schopenhauer.

Neste trabalho, desenvolvemos uma discussão sobre a relação entre ceticismo e filosofia no idealismo alemão, notadamente em Hegel. Em particular, no interessa o papel que essa relação desempenha no problema da autodeterminação racional, problema que, a nosso ver, é central para o projeto de filosofia moderna adotado pelos autores do idealismo alemão, e de grande importância para a sua compreensão. Pretendemos mostrar como a confrontação dos autores deste período com os céticos, em particular com Hume, Schulze, Maimon e Sexto Empírico, desempenha um papel central na formação de suas concepções sobre a filosofia, sobre tarefa desta e sobre como ela poderia realizar essa tarefa apenas pela incorporação do ceticismo. Mais do que isso, visamos a mostrar como a confrontação com o ceticismo será fundamental para o desdobramento da concepção que os idealistas alemães têm da autodeterminação racional já que seria como resposta ao ceticismo que eles veriam a necessidade de desenvolver mais profundamente essa concepção do que os seus predecessores haviam o feito o que ajudaria a explicar porque, de um projeto crítico baseado na determinação dos limites do entendimento humano, passamos para filosofias segundo as quais toda filosofia tem que e só pode começar pelo absoluto. Esperamos contribuir para a compreensão desses importantes filósofos do idealismo alemão, bem como para a compreensão do ceticismo, mostrando como essas duas formas de filosofia podem se enriquecer mutuamente por meio do debate em torno do problema da autodeterminação racional. / In this work, we attempt to discuss the relationship between skepticism and philosophy in german idealism, specially in Hegel. We are particularly interested in the role this relationship plays in the problem of rational self-determination, which, as we see it, lies at the core of the project of modern philosophy adopted by the authors of german idealism, and is of great importance for their comprehension. We aim to show how the confrontation of authors of this period with the skeptics, in particular with Hume, Schulze, Maimon and Sextus Empiricus, has an important role in the constitution of their conceptions of philosophy, its task and how it could accomplish said task. Moreover, we will attempt to show that the confrontation with skepticism is fundamental for the development of the conception of rational self-determination held by the german idealists, since it is as an answer to skepticism that they find it necessary to develop this conception further than it had been done by their predecessors which would help explain why, from a critical project of determining the limits of human understanding, we go to philosophies to which all philosophies must start with the absolute. We hope to contribute to the comprehension of these important philosophers of german idealism, as well as to the comprehension of skepticism, by showing how these two forms of philosophy can mutually enrich each other through the debate around the rational self-determination problem.

Este trabalho expõe uma investigação sobre a concepção de interioridade absoluta [absolute Innerlichkeit] apresentada nos Cursos de estética de Hegel. Tal fenômeno surge com o advento do Cristianismo e determina toda a Forma de arte romântica, partindo de um conteúdo marcado pela interioridade religiosa (o ideal do amor) e alcançando particularmente um sentido mais forte e mundano no contexto da chamada arte moderna, cujo desenvolvimento deve ser observado tanto do ponto de vista histórico quanto lógicocategorial. Também interessa verificar em quais formas e fenômenos artísticos o filósofo identifica a presença desse princípio, cujo desdobramento se encaminha para o tema do fim da arte em Hegel, à medida que a interioridade sai do campo sensível e passa para o racional na modernidade. Nesse caso, ressalta-se o tema da subjetividade moderna e da liberdade nas obras de Shakespeare (no campo da poesia) e na pintura holandesa (no campo da pintura), expressões artísticas que constituem momentos decisivos. / This work exposes an investigation about the conception of absolute interiority [absolute Innerlichkeit] presented in Hegels Aesthetic Courses. This phenomenon arises with the advent of Christianity and determines the whole Romantic Art Form, starting from a content marked by religious inwardness (the ideal of love) and achieving particularly a more stronger and mundane sense in the context of the so-called modern art, whose development must be observed from both a historical and a logical-categorical point of view. It is also important to verify in which forms and artistic phenomena the philosopher identifies the presence of this principle whose unfolding is directed towards the theme of the end of art in Hegel, as the interiority leaves the sensitive field and passes to the rational in the modernity. In this case, it is emphasized the themes of modern subjectivity and freedom in the works of Shakespeare (in the field of poetry) and in Dutch painting (in the field of painting), artistic expressions that constitute decisive moments.

Phosphorus (³¹P) metabolites are emerging liver disease biomarkers. This work aims to develop a quantification protocol for human hepatic ³¹P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at 7 tesla (T). It should have high SNR, deliver robust measurements of metabolite concentrations with high reproducibility, and be feasible to use in clinical studies. This will allow detailed characterization of liver metabolism in diseases such as cirrhosis, increasing the utility of ³¹P-MRS as a clinical tool. A 3D chemical shift imaging method using a 16 channel ³¹P array at 7 T is chosen to give high SNR ³¹P spectra from the human liver in vivo, while also providing good spatial localization and spectral resolution. The Oxford Spectroscopy Analysis (OXSA) toolbox, our MATLAB-based processing software package, is introduced and adaptations for analysis of liver spectra are described. Five volunteers were scanned to determine T₁s for the ten visible ³¹P metabolites. Simulations were used to determine design criteria for calibration phantoms at 1.5, 3 and 7 T. I compare three candidate approaches to give "absolute" concentrations in mmol/L wet tissue using a 10 cm loop coil, and then extend these approaches to data acquired using the 16 element receive array. The final protocol was applied to data acquired in ten healthy volunteers and eleven patients with cirrhosis to determine reproducibility and the differences between healthy and diseased livers. This protocol allows distinction between healthy and cirrhotic livers with 90% specificity and sensitivity, using cut-offs in either Î3-adenosine triphosphate or inorganic phosphate concentrations. This ³¹P-MRS absolute quantification protocol is an important first step in fully utilising the increased SNR afforded by the 7 T scanner, offering valuable insight into liver metabolism, and paving the way for other novel ³¹P-MRS methods to be developed in the liver at 7 T.