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Conflict in recreation is a major problem for recreation managers who are trying to provide satisfying experiences for all recreationists. This thesis is about conflict between mountain-bikers and trampers. Mountain-biking has grown in popularity in New Zealand over the last ten years, and these increasing numbers have threatened the quality of walkers' and runners' recreational experiences, particularly in peri-urban areas. Conflict is a complex social interaction process which occurs around times of change. It involves the interplay of perceptions and attitudes, behaviour, and an incompatible situation. This complexity required the use of a range of methods to successfully understand the conflict between walkers and mountain-bikers. Like many other recreational conflicts, the conflict between bikers and trampers is asymmetrical - walkers dislike meeting bikers much more than bikers dislike meeting walkers. A majority of walker respondents disliked or strongly disliked meeting bikers on walking tracks. Walkers' questionnaire answers indicated that their greatest concerns with mountain-biking are (in order of decreasing importance) track damage and other environmental damage, personal safety, and the feeling that bikes interrupt their peace and quiet. Further exploration during in-depth interviews show that the perception of these problems are closely related to the way different users feel about that places that they use, and the way meetings with other users can be incorporated into the experiences of the recreationist. For walkers, meeting bikers is far more intrusive than vice-versa. Political activity aimed at eliminating bikers from many front country areas means that bikers are now developing a dislike of trampers who they see as intolerant and arrogant. Therefore, behaviour affects the escalation of conflict. In addition, wider social change has had an influence on this conflict. Changing economic wellbeing, less regular work hours, a perceived lack of time and a wider choice of activities have all impacted on recreation patterns in peri-urban areas, and on this conflict situation. In addition, this study has indicated that the concepts of specialisation and substitution may need modification. The use of qualitative methods has highlighted the narrow focus that researchers have used when studying these concepts. Both must be seen more broadly in the context of individuals' changing recreational needs both over the life cycle, and in the face of social change as outlined above.

I have worked on many projects, but there are several things that they all had in common. First, nearly all projects involved searching for the structural parameters that governed the macroscopic properties of the polymers and composite materials. A second common denominator is that even though my work was performed in an “academic context”, the goals were targeted toward industrial needs. Lastly, the methods and procedures were similar; they were all based on experimental results obtained for various scales of measurement (see Fig. 1). Hence, multi-scale modeling was very useful and beneficial for these projects. The models developed (mainly numerical and sometimes analytical) were initially derived from experimental evidence and then validated and improved with further experimentation. The refined models provided an efficient means of: (i) optimizing the composites according to specific needs, (ii) better understanding the hierarchical relations between the different scales, (iii) controlling the micro or meso structure and thereby the macroscopic properties. This study of the relations between structure and properties was performed on a wide variety of physical properties and materials. However, the electric and dielectric properties of composites constituted the major- ity of it and will be presented in this report. The remaining property investigations provided supplemental but valuable information. This work often requires altering various conventional experimental techniques or using well-known techniques for new purposes. I also developed, when needed, several unconventional but necessary measurement techniques. This report contains two major parts which are separated according to the nature of the fillers: Part I : Conducting fillers. In the first part, the main interest both for application and fundamental point of view, is related to the changes in properties in the vicinity of the sharp percolation transition. After a brief introduction to the percolation theory, this part will be subdivided in three chapters: Chapter 1. presents a numerical method that correlates the mesostructure to the macroscopic electrical properties both in two and three dimensions. Chapter 2. will show that an external variable (the mechanical stress) may largely alter the microstruc- ture of the percolating network within composites as revealed the macroscopic conductivity. The understanding of the mesoscale changes will be based on the chemical structure of the polymer matrix. Chapter 3. is devoted to the description of a unique case in term of percolation behavior, which made possible the control of the phase arrangement within the composite and thereby the control of the macroscopic resistivity. p. 2 Multiscale relationships in polymer–based heterogeneous systems. . . Part II : Insulating fillers. In the second part, the main interest is to obtain good electrical insulators, i.e. that can withstand large electric fields. This part thus starts with a brief introduction to the common failure mechanisms, associated with the dielectric breakdown and is also divided in three chapters: Chapter 4. is devoted to the description of a numerical simulation of the relationships between mesostructure and dielectric breakdown. Chapter 5. reveals the influence of the processing conditions of a composite utilized in the industry on the microstructure and the quantitative consequences on breakdown properties. Chapter 6. presents the aging of these composites under “real word” conditions which will further be compared to accelerated aging performed in controlled conditions, in the laboratory. A comparison of the two aging situations will furnish a quantitative understanding of the relative influence of the chemical and physical contributions to the aging process. This report will then be concluded with a description of the current and future projects.

Je présente 10 ans de travaux de recherche sur la physique du B et de la violation de CP, dans le cadre de l'expérience BaBar à SLAC et du groupe d'interprétation phénoménologique et statistique de ces mesures : CKMfitter. Je place ces travaux dans la perspective du potentiel de physique de l'expérience LHCb, au CERN. Depuis 1998, j'ai participé à la fin de la construction du détecteur BaBar, notamment de sa chambre à fils et de son système de gaz, à sa mise en route et à sa prise de données jusqu'au mode de croisière et à la fin de son fonctionnement en 2008. Je décris les activités de calibration et d'études des données que j'ai menées pour la reconstruction et la sélection des électrons et les neutres dans BaBar. Je présente les mesures que j'a effectuées sur la physique des modes B en charmonium, qui ont servi à observer pour la première fois la violation de CP dans les mésons B, par la mesure du paramètre sin(2beta). Dans le cadre du groupe des désintégrations des mésons B en modes charmés, je présente les mesures que j'ai effectuées sur les modes supprimés de couleur, pour comprendre la phénoménologie des désintégrations des B et pour mesurer l'angle CKM beta, dans 2 approches alternatives aux modes charmonium. Enfin je décris les mesures de l'angle CKM gamma, par recherche de violation directe de CP, dans les modes B- en D(*)K- et DK*-.

One of the common research goals in disciplines such as computer graphics and robotics is to understand the subtleties of human motion and develop tools for recreating natural and meaningful motion. Physical simulation of virtual human characters is a promising approach since it provides a testbed for developing and testing control strategies required to execute various human behaviors. Designing generic control algorithms for simulating a wide range of human activities, which can robustly adapt to varying physical environments, has remained a primary challenge. This dissertation introduces methods for generic and robust control of virtual characters in an interactive physical environment. Our approach is to use the information of the physical contacts between the character and her environment in the control design. We leverage high-level knowledge of the kinematics goals and the interaction with the surroundings to develop active control strategies that robustly adapt to variations in the physical scene. For synthesizing intentional motion requiring long-term planning, we exploit properties of the physical model for creating efficient and robust controllers in an interactive framework. The control design leverages the reference motion capture data and the contact information with the environment for interactive long-term planning. Finally, we propose a compact soft contact model for handling contacts for rigid body virtual characters. This model aims at improving the robustness of existing control methods without adding any complexity to the control design and opens up possibilities for new control algorithms to synthesize agile human motion.

日本的經濟外交政策屬於外交政策的一環，但也由於其牽涉到使用經濟手段而有了特殊性，亦即必須在國際格局之外，兼顧國內政治經濟的環境變動因素，因此本文試圖從日本的國內政經聯盟變化，包含政黨、官僚、財界等所組成之鐵三角及民間社會因素的開放性多元互動，去探討其對外經濟外交政策演變之影響。本文從比較政治經濟途徑切入具體的研究個案，以日本對中國之有償日圓借款於1979年的開始至2005年決議結束這兩個時間點觀察，突顯出經濟外交政策乃受到國內政經環境的影響，而「國家」以外的「社會」因素又如何能夠在這兩個時間點，藉由各種和政黨或官僚之聯盟關係影響政策之演變。本文透過質量化方法研究發現，當政經聯盟的主要行動者間有足夠之共同利益時，將會尋求結盟但不打破鐵三角的方式產出有利的政策結果，而對中有償借款之結束，恰是財界角色的誘因從開始的強力運作到後來轉為逐漸淡出，再加上民意相對於開始時產生的巨大反差，使得在這兩個時間點有著截然不同的政策產出結果，亦即該政策的變化被「利益」和「民意」兩項決定性因素所交叉影響著。

Les schémas de subdivision et les schémas de subdivision inverse sont largement utilisés en informatiquegraphique; les uns pour lisser des objets 3D, et les autres pour minimiser le coût d'encodagede l'information. Ce sont les deux aspects abordés dans cette thèse.Les travaux présentés dans le cadre de la subdivision décrivent l'études et la construction d'un nouveautype de schémas de subdivision. Celui-ci unifie deux schémas de subdivision de type géométriquesdifférents. Cela permet de modéliser des objets 3D composés de zones issues de l'applicationd'un schéma approximant et de zones issues de l'application d'un schéma interpolant. Dans le cadrede la subdivision inverse, Nous présentons une méthode de construction des schémas de subdivisionbi-réguliers inverses (quadrilatères et triangles)

The thesis discusses the limitations of courts during emergencies and the meaningfulness of the classification system of justice in critical infrastructure. Judicial power is in addition to legislative and executive branches in a classic triangle of state power. The scope of its activities is to introduce the first part. With an analysis of relevant laws to the reader's raised the breadth and importance to society. The text below is followed by a list of incidents that affect the limitations on the exercise of judicial power. They provide a list of departmental emergency preparedness plan and have added two new current threats. The last part of the introductory essay to speak of critical infrastructure, which includes the judiciary. The thesis aims to determine how the judicial administration immune to the impact of emergencies. Whether the system needs more investment in security measures applied so far as eliminating the effect of well-defined emergencies, and if justice is rightly placed in the framework of critical infrastructure. For the actual processing of the results is the methodology used in operational analysis. Specifically, it is the discipline of multi-criteria evaluation of alternatives. The method itself is appropriate for the assessment of phenomena, where the value of multiple criteria. The results are processed according to the principles of the WSA (weighted sum) and Fuller (comparison and scoring method). Naturally, there is comparison of the results of both disciplines. Examined measures designed to limit exposure incidents are classified into thematic blocks. The ranking of construction services, technology, internal structure and physical site security. Taking the first and third block is formed by means of passive protection and the second and fourth block is formed by means of active defense. It is interesting comparison between the blocks and those stand block. A summary of results and their own and departmental analysis of threats to judicial authorities indicate readiness for the events listed in the Plan of departmental emergency preparedness as an emergency.

Nicknames have been analysed, recorded and processed in many diverse ways by different languages, scholars and communities. In Zulu, many works of similar type have all been the size of an article up until 1999. This research on the subject is one of the first done in this depth. Nicknames form part of a Zulu person's daily life. They identify him/her more than the real or legal name. They shape him/her more than any other mode of address. They influence behaviour, personality, interaction based activities and the general welfare of an individual. They discipline, they praise, they mock too. Surprisingly, they are regarded as play items. They are even termed playnames (izidlaliso). But they are as serious as any item that makes an individual to be a significant figure in the community. They are unique in the sense that they stick more obstinately on the victim should he/she try to get rid of them. They are capable of staying for life. They only vanish to give others a chance to feature on the same individual. They are so poetic. A talented onomastician can tell a full story about an individual without him grabbing what is being said about him just because the story is spiced with just a single figurative nickname. They haunt the whole arena of the parts of speech in a language, especially the Zulu language. They modify the well known meaning of words into special references that paint in bright colours the character of an individual. Zulu nicknames processes visit all possible languages and adapt items from into Zuluised special terms that a capable of inheriting an onomastic status. They originate even from the most sensitive sources like people's private lives. The only challenging area about nicknames is that bearers do not want to expose them to peale who are not known to them, even if they do not fall into a category of nicknames for ridicule. Finally, nicknames have been exposed here as linguistic items that organise the community into makers and bearers, and then users of nicknames. / African Languages / D.Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)

Financial reporting fraud is a concern for investors, regulators, external auditors, and the public. Although the responsibility for fraud detection lies upon management and those charged with governance, external auditors are likely to come under scrutiny if fraud scandals come to light. Despite the audit regulators efforts in fighting fraud, evidence from prior literature revealed that external auditors still need guidance in assessing and responding to fraud risks. Hence the current study aims at helping external auditors properly assess and respond to the risk of financial reporting fraud in an effort to increase the likelihood of detecting it. In order to achieve this, the current study sought to explore the significance of various fraud factors in assessing the risks of financial reporting fraud and examined how external auditors could assess these fraud factors. The current study also explored the likely motivations behind management fraud, the impact of management motivations on the financial statements, and how external auditors could assess the impact of management motivations. The data for the current study was collected from external auditors working at various audit firms in Egypt via the use of mixed research methods, namely through an online questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The findings of the current study revealed that management motives are the most significant factor in assessing the risk of financial reporting fraud. Hence the current study suggests that external audit should be viewed in terms of management motivations rather than just the audit of financial statements figures and disclosures. The current study offers detailed guidance to external auditors in this area. The findings of the current study also revealed that management integrity is a significant factor in assessing the risk of financial reporting fraud and that rationalisation of fraud should be assessed as part of management integrity rather than a separate fraud risk factor. The current study found that fraud perpetrators capabilities are equally significant to the opportunity to commit fraud factor yet it is currently ignored by the audit standards and thus should be assessed as part of opportunity to commit fraud. The current study was the first to explore financial reporting fraud and the extent by which external auditors comply with ISA 240 in the Egyptian context. The current study offered recommendations to external auditors, audit firms, audit regulators, and the Egyptian government on how to combat financial reporting fraud. Potential areas for future research were also identified by the current study.