In developing countries, there is a great demand for university education. In order to select students to universities a standardized test score is used. In Turkey, the Student Selection Test (SST) have important role in admission to universities. However, there is very limited knowledge about what SST mathematics sections actually measures. The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the content of the mathematics subtest of the SST in line with mathematical cognitive skills and eventually provide construct related evidence for dimensionality of the test items. Within this framework, it is aimed to cross validate the mathematics subtest across gender groups, school types and two consecutive years. Also relations among mathematical abilities are investigated. This study is first in investigating what is measured by SST Mathematics sections and analyzing construct validity by testing several nested confirmatory factor models. Comparison of fit indices of five competitive models showed three-factor model has better fit indices in which Basic Computation Ability, Advanced Computation Ability and Geometry Ability is measured. It is concluded that problem solving items are not measuring a different process, but measures some sort of computation ability. There is a problem related to the content of the mathematics subtests of the SST in line with mathematical cognitive skills. Higher order cognitive skills are not measured properly. Three-factor model is tested about the invariance of the factors across gender, school types and years. It is concluded that invariant factor structure indicates that SST mathematics section is operating similarly for subgroups and years. The relations among mathematical abilities on three-factor model are investigated by item mapping and structural equation models. It is seen that Basic Computation Ability is a prerequisite to acquire Geometry Ability and Advanced Computation Ability.

The objective of the present study is to forecast annual rainfall taking into account the periodicities and structure of the stochastic component. This study has six Chapters. Chapter 1 presents introduction to the problem and objectives of the study. Chapter 2 consists of review of literature. Chapter 3 deals with the model formulation and development. Chapter 4 gives an account of the application of the model. Chapter 5 presents results and discussions. Chapter 6 gives the conclusions drawn from the study. In this thesis the following model formulations are presented in order to achieve the objective. Fourier analysis model is used to identify periodicities that are present in the rainfall series.1 These periodic components are used to obtain discrotized ranges which is an essential input for the Fourier series model. Auto power regression model is developed for estimation of rainfall and hence to compute the first order residuals errlt The parameters of the model are estimated using genetic algorithm. The auto power regression model is of the form, ( Refer the PDF File for Formula) where αi and βi are parameters and M indicates modular value. Fourier series model is formulated and solved through genetic algorithm to estimate the parameters amplitude R, phase Φ and periodic frequency wj for the residual series errlt. The ranges for the parameters R, Φ and wj were obtained from Fourier analysis model. errl't= /µerrlt+ Σj Rcos(wjt+ Φ) Further, an integrated auto power regression and Fourier series model developed (with parameters of the model being known from the above analysis) to estimate new rainfall series Zesťt=Zµ Σ t αi(ZMi-t ) βi+µerrl+ Σj Rcos(wjt+ Φ) and the second order residuals, err2t is computed using, err2t = (zt –Zesťt) Thus, the periodicities are removed in the errlt series and the second order residuals err'2f obtained represents the stochastic component of the actual rainfall series. Auto regressive model is formulated to study the structure of the stochastic component err2t. The auto regressive model of order two AR(2) is found to fit well. The parameters of the AR(2) model were estimated using method of least squares. An exponential weighting function is developed to compute the weight considering weight as a function of AR{2) parameters. The product of weight and Gaussian white noise N(0, óerr2) is termed as weighted stochastic component. Also, drought analysis is performed considering annual (January to December) and summer monsoon (June to September) rainfall totals, to determine average drought interval (idrt) which is used in assigning signs to the random component of the forecasting model. In the final form of the forecasting model. Zest”t = Z µ Σ t αi(ZMi-t ) βi+µerrl+ Σj Rcos(wjt+ Φ) ± WT(Φ1, Φ2)N(0, óerr2) The weighted stochastic component is added or subtracted considering two criteria. Criterion I is used for all rainfall series except all-India series for which criterion II is used. The criteria also consider average drought interval Further, it can be seen that a ± sign is introduced to add or subtract the weighted stochastic component, albeit the stochastic component itself can either be positive or negative. The introduction of ± sign on the already signed value (instead of absolute value) is found to improve the forecast in the sense of obtaining more number of point rainfall estimates within 20 percent error. Incorporating significant periodicities, and weighted stochastic component along with average drought interval into the forecasting formulation is the main feature of the model. Thus, in the process of rainfall prediction, the genetic algorithm is used as an efficient tool in estimating optimal parameters of the auto power regression and the Fourier series models, without the use of an expensive nonlinear least square algorithm. The model application is demonstrated considering different annual rainfall series relating to IMD-Regions (RI...R5), all-india (AI), IMD-Subdivisions (S1...S29), Zones (Z1...Z10) and all-Karnataka (AK). The results of the proposed model are encouraging in providing improved forecasts. The model considers periodicity, average critical drought frequency and weighted stochastic component in forecasting the rainfall series. The model performed well in achieving success-rate of 70 percent with percentage error less than 20 percent in 4 out of 5 IMD Regions (R2 to R5), all-India, 17 out of 29 IMD Subdivisions (S1 to S5, S7 to S9, S18, S19, S21, S24 to S29) and all-Karnataka rainfall series. The model performance for Zones was not that-satisfactory as only 2 out of 10 Zones [Z1 and Z2) met the criterion. In a separate study, an effort was made to forecast annual rainfall using IMSL subroutine SPWF -which estimates Wiener forecast parameters. Monthly data is considered for the study. The Wiener parameters obtained were used to estimate monthly rainfall. The annual estimates obtained by simple aggregation of the monthly estimates compared extremely well with the actual annual rainfall values. A success rate of more than 80 percent with percentage error less than 10 percent is achieved in 4 out of 5 IMD Regions (R2 to R5), all-India, 18 out of 29 IMD Subdivisions (S1 to S8, S14, S18, S19, S22 to S24, S26 to S29) and all-Karnataka rainfall series. Whereas a success rate of 80 percent within 20 percent error is achieved in 4 out of 5 IMD Regions (except R1), all-India, 25 outof 29 IMD Subdivisions (except S10, S11, S12 and S17), all- Karnataka and 8 out of 10 Zones (except Z6 and Z8)(Please refer PDF File for Formulas)

The purpose of this thesis is to create a deeper and also a better understanding about how each of the professional secrecy and obligation to report are perceived from auditors and further investigate how the potential conflicts based on independence and “can be suspect” are handled by the auditors. The purpose has been achieved through interviews with four different accounting firms. The interviews were conducted with Grant Thornton, BDO Mälardalen AB, PwC and KPMG to answer the research questions. Subsequently, a hermeneutic approach was used to since the interpretation of the interviews was considered as important to obtain knowledge of the respondent’s perception about the topic. In the analyze chapter have dataset from the reference framework and empirical part been used to implement the analyze of the thesis. The study shows that the professional secrecy is important for creating a good relationship with clients and is not considered as a rule that create conflicts for auditors. The obligation to report, however, is creating conflicts because of the lack of knowledge in assessment of economic crimes. The auditors therefore decide to investigate a situation that “can be suspect” beyond what is intended. To not become dependent on the clients, there are rules and profession practices that are used and also examples like not having friends or family members as clients. / Syftet med denna uppsats är att skapa oss en djupare samt bättre förståelse om hur respektive av - samt anmälningsplikten uppfattas av revisorer och vidare undersöka hur eventuella konflikter med utgångspunkt för oberoende ställning samt vid ”kan misstänkas” situationer hanteras av revisorer. För att uppnå syftet, har intervjuer med fyra olika revisionsbyråer genomförts. Intervjuerna har genomförts med Grant Thornton, BDO Mälardalen AB, PwC samt KPMG genomförts för att kunna besvara forskningsfrågorna. Därefter har en hermeneutik synsätt använts då tolkning av intervjumaterialen ansågs viktig för att kunna få kunskap för respondenternas uppfattning kring ämnesvalet. I analysavsnittet har sedan datamaterial från referensramen samt empiridelen använts för att kunna genomföra en analys av uppsatsen. Denna studie visar tystnadsplikten är viktig för att kunna skapa en bra relation med klienterna och anses inte skapa konflikter för revisorer i någon stor bemärkning. Anmälningsplikten skapar dock problem på grund av bristen på kunskap inom bedömning av brott hos revisorer. Revisorerna väljer därför att utreda en situation vid brottsmisstanke längre än vad som avses. För att inte bli beroende av sina klienter finns regler och praxis inom yrket som används samt genom att till exempel inte ha vänner och bekanta som klienter menar respondenterna.

Model based techniques for automated condition monitoring of HVAC systems have been under development for some years. Results from the application of these methods to systems installed in real buildings have highlighted robustness and sensitivity issues. The generation of false alarms has been identified as a principal factor affecting the potential usefulness of condition monitoring in HVAC applications. The robustness issue is a direct result of the uncertain measurements and the lack of experimental control that axe characteristic of HVAC systems. This thesis investigates the uncertainties associated with implementing a condition monitoring scheme based on simple first principles models in HVAC subsystems installed in real buildings. The uncertainties present in typical HVAC control system measurements are evaluated. A sensor validation methodology is developed and applied to a cooling coil subsystem installed in a real building. The uncertainty in steady-state analysis based on transient data is investigated. The uncertainties in the simplifications and assumptions associated with the derivation of simple first principles based models of heat-exchangers are established. A subsystem model is developed and calibrated to the test system. The relationship between the uncertainties in the calibration data and the parameter estimates are investigated. The uncertainties from all sources are evaluated and used to generate a robust indication of the subsystem condition. The sensitivity and robustness of the scheme is analysed based on faults implemented in the test system during summer, winter and spring conditions.

Title of the thesis Post-communist Hungary as an opportunity: from the transfer of urban intervention models by the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations to its abortion, the case of Ferencváros district in Budapest (1988-2014). Abstract In a context of regime change this study offers to focus on the process by which the French institution, the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, started the diffusion of urban intervention models and then aborted it. The analysis based on networks of actors formed locally in Hungary, attempts to describe the logics of actions constituting of this transfer at different scales: local, national and transnational. Treating this subject post-festum drove the study towards an ethnographic and historic approach, focusing on the analysis of actors' discourses in order to raise different narratives of the past actions. The fall of communism is here understood as a period of uncertainty and its successive redefinitions by politicians are still structuring the actual Hungarian political and economic issues. More than a simple rupture, this period is characterized by a power struggle in the discourses for the justification of different interest groups' actions. Thus, this event is first and foremost an opportunity. In short, the study of tangible aspects of the transnational influence...

Submitted by JÚLIO HEBER SILVA (julioheber@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-10-27T17:03:08Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Antonio Carlos Paim Terra -2016.pdf: 6745352 bytes, checksum: c2fcf8a0c45ae6443c5b469db3bf262a (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2016-11-07T13:51:22Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Antonio Carlos Paim Terra -2016.pdf: 6745352 bytes, checksum: c2fcf8a0c45ae6443c5b469db3bf262a (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-07T13:51:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Antonio Carlos Paim Terra -2016.pdf: 6745352 bytes, checksum: c2fcf8a0c45ae6443c5b469db3bf262a (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-29 / Public procurement constitute one of the most sensitive and important areas of logistics management that drives the Public Administration. Considering the theme of estimates of public procurement, expanded under the new paradigm that embraces purchasing activity, this paper aims to propose a strategic analysis model of government procurement activity, built from the concept intelligent public procurement - CPI . The concept of CPI considers a multidimensional view of public procurement activity, crafted from five dimensions: sustainability, innovation, legal frameworks, governance and efficiency. The purchasing management cycle is approached from the PDCA circuit, divided between the stages of planning, execution (operation), control and corrective actions. After modeling, application of the model (map) strategic in the Instituto do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Hídricos do Distrito Federal was held, making a diagnosis and proposing intervention measures aimed at improving the public procurement activities of the Institution. / As compras públicas constituem-se em uma das áreas mais sensíveis e importantes da gestão logística que movimenta a Administração Pública. Considerando o estima da temática das compras públicas, ampliada em virtude do novo paradigma que abarca a atividade de compras, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo propor um modelo de análise estratégica da atividade de compras governamentais, edificado a partir do conceito compras públicas inteligentes – CPI. O conceito de CPI considera uma visão multidimensional da atividade de compras públicas, trabalhada a partir de cinco dimensões: sustentabilidade, inovação, marcos legais, governança e eficiência. Já o ciclo de gestão de compras é abordado a partir do circuito do PDCA, dividido entre as etapas de planejamento, execução (operacionalização), controle e ações corretivas. Após a modelagem, foi realizada a aplicação do modelo (mapa) estratégico no Instituto do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Hídricos do Distrito Federal, realizando um diagnóstico e propondo medidas de intervenção visando à melhoria da atividade de compras públicas da Instituição.

Pesquisa descritivo-explicativa e exploratória sobre a relação entre Turismo e desenvolvimento regional que apresenta o modelo de análise APL Tur, elaborado com base em elementos de referenciais teóricos de economia, geografia, sociologia, administração, comunicação, antropologia e Turismo. O objetivo é mostrar se é possível realizar o desenvolvimento regional por meio do Turismo. Uma região é um contexto territorial delimitado por critérios geográficos, econômicos e políticos. Um dos modelos da análise e gestão do desenvolvimento regional é o Arranjo Produtivo Local APL, uma categoria especial de cluster. Em razão das limitações do APL, elabora-se o modelo particular de análise APL Tur Arranjo Produtivo Local de Turismo. O modelo APL Tur estrutura-se nas dimensões econômica, cultural e organizacional. Os elementos do desenvolvimento regional na dimensão econômica são: delimitação espacial; disparidades intra-regionais; externalidades; sustentabilidade ambiental; e inclusão social. Os elementos do Turismo circunscritos na dimensão econômica são: oferta e demanda; desempenho; priorização; exportação; circuito produtivo; interatividade extra-regional; e acessibilidade. Na dimensão cultural, destacam-se: aspectos históricos; acervos e incentivos; estética; produtos e atrativos; animação; e motivação e satisfação da comunidade. Na dimensão organizacional, têm-se os elementos: poder e capital social; gestão sistêmica; divulgação e imagem; mercadologia e comercialização; planejamento; empreendedorismo e inovação; e conhecimento. Realizou-se o teste do modelo APL Tur, aplicando-o à Região das Hortênsias (Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil), formada pelos municípios de Gramado, Canela, Nova Petrópolis e São Francisco de Paula. Com base no quadro de indicadores dos elementos das dimensões do modelo APL Tur, verifica-se que o Turismo contribui para o desenvolvimento regional, pois proporciona o ingresso, produção e distribuição de riquezas. Para que uma região se desenvolva economicamente por meio do Turismo, é preciso, entretanto, uma gestão adequada das dimensões e elementos do APL Tur, visando à realização dos seus indicadores. O modelo APL Tur é um instrumento adequado para diagnosticar e para identificar oportunidades de melhoria da atividade turística como polarizadora ou como alternativa do desenvolvimento regional. / This is a descriptive-explanatory and exploratory research about the relationship between Tourism and regional development that presents the LPS Tour analysis model and that was worked out taking its basis elements of theoretical references from economics, geography, sociology, administration, communication, anthropology and Tourism. The objective is to show if it is possible to accomplish regional development through Tourism. A region is a territorial context delimitated by geographical, economic, and political criteria. It is taken into consideration that the general model of Local Productive System of Tourism LPS, a especific cathegory of cluster, has limitations to the analysis and management of Tourism. For this reason, the LPS Tour Local Productive System of Tourism - particular model of analysis - is developed. The LPS model is structured in the economic, cultural, and organizational dimensions. The regional development elements in the economic dimension are: spatial delimitation; intra-regional dissimilarities; externalities; environmental sustainability; and social inclusion. The Tourism elements circumscribed in the economic dimension are: supply and demand; performance; prioritization; exportation; productive circuit; extra-regional interactivity; and accessibility. In the cultural dimension, the elements that stand out are: historical aspects; collections and incentives; esthetics; products and attractions; animation; and motivation and satisfaction of the community. In the organizational dimension, we have the following elements: power and stock capital; systemic management; divulgation and image; marketing and commercialization; planning; entrepreneurship and innovation; and knowledge. The test of the LPS Tour model was performed applying it to the Região das Hortênsias (Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil) (The Hydrangeas Region), that is formed by the municipal districts of Gramado, Canela, Nova Petrópolis, and São Francisco de Paula. Based on the panel of indicators of the dimensions elements of the LPS Tour model, it is possible to verify that Tourism contributes to the regional development because it accomplishes the ingression, production and distribution of richness. However, for a region to develop economically through Tourism, an adequate management of its dimensions and elements is necessary, aiming at the accomplishment of the LPS Tour indicators. The LPS Tour model is an adequate instrument to diagnose and to identify opportunities of improvement of the tourist activity, as a polarizer or as an alternative to regional development.

The main purpose of this study is to analyze texts written by pupils during the national test in the subject Swedish for grade 9 in order to identify and illustrate how they have met the instructions for the writing task including genre. The texts have been analyzed using Palmér & Östlund-Stjärnegårdh’s (2005) model for student text analysis. This model has been supplemented by studying word and sentence length, as well as indexes for level of readability (LIX) and word variation (OVIX) in order to illustrate possible differences in a gender perspective. The results of this study are in line with previous research, as the girls’ texts are longer and more descriptive, while the boys’ texts are shorter and show a wider range of word variation. The pupils have succeeded in fulfilling the genre and have to a large extent met the task instructions, producing communicative and engaging writing. However, the results of the analysis would have further improved and developed the texts.

The thesis is aimed at analysis of a selected company Goldpress s.r.o., which specializes in the printing industry. The first part deals with theoretical bases, further are performed analyzes – PESTEL analysis, Porter's analysis, 7S and selected methods of financial analysis. The results of the partial analyzes are summarized in the SWOT analysis. The conclusion of the thesis suggests recommendations based on results of performed analyses and aimed at improving the current state.

Stationsnäraprincipen innebär att stadsutveckling koncentreras kring knutpunkter i kollektivtrafiken för att öka tillgängligheten och kollektivtrafikens konkurrenskraft mot bilburna transporter för att stärka en hållbar regionförstoring. Visionen att planera stationsnära i Östergötland kommer från regional nivå och för att implementera visionen i den kommunala planeringen blir det viktigt att visa hur både regionen och varje enskild kommun kan gynnas. Ett tillvägagångssätt är att hitta en arbetsmodell som kan lyfta regionala perspektiv i den lokala planeringsprocessen. Syftet med det här arbetet är att ta fram en förtätningsmodell för stationsnära planering i mindre tätorter. En förtätningsmodell för stockholmsregionen har tidigare tagits fram i samband med den regionala utvecklingsplanen och i det här arbetet undersöks om den modellen kan anpassas för stationsnära planering i mindre tätorter. Förtätningsmodellen har metodiskt anpassats med hjälp från två planerare i Östergötland samt en litteraturstudie om regional utveckling och stationsnära planering. Den anpassade modellen har prövats i två separata fallstudier och resultatet omfattar en kartläggning av förtätningspotentialen som beskrivs utifrån tre olika förtätningsscenarion; kommunala fokusområden för stationsnära planering, marknadsintressanta exploateringsområden och konsensusutveckling. Modellen möjliggör att den regionala visionen för stationsnära planering förs in i den kommunala planeringsprocessen och visar inte enbart hur både kommun och region kan gynnas av ett samarbete, utan även vilka knäckfrågor den enskilda kommunen måste övervinna för att fortsätta utvecklas i framtiden. / Stationsnäraprincipen imply that urban development is concentrated around public transport nodes to increase the accessibility and competitiveness of public transport against motoring transport to ensure that regional enlargement is achieved in a sustainable way. The vision for transit-oriented development (TOD) in Östergötland derives from a regional planning level and in order to implement the vision in municipal planning, it is important to specify how both the municipality and the region can benefit. An approach is to find a model that can raise the regional perspective in the local planning process. The purpose of this study is to develop a densification model that focuses on TOD in smaller urban areas. A densification model for the Stockholm region has previously been developed in conjunction with the regional development plan, and this study examines whether the model can be adapted to TOD planning in smaller urban areas. The densification model has been modified methodically with the help of two planners in Östergötland as well as a literature review on regional development and TOD. The custom model has been tested in two separate case studies and the results comprise a mapping of the potential for densification described in three different densification scenarios; municipal focus areas for densification, market interesting development areas and consensus development. This model enables the regional vision for TOD to be implemented into the municipal planning process and shows not only how both municipality and the region can benefit from a partnership, but also the critical problems that each individual municipality must overcome in order to continue to develop in the future.