This dissertation considers quantile regression models with nonstationary or nearly nonstationary time series. The first chapter outlines the thesis and discusses its theoretical and empirical contributions. The second chapter studies inference in quantile regressions with cointegrated variables allowing for multiple structural changes. The unknown break dates and regression coefficients are estimated jointly and consistently. The conditional quantile estimator has a nonstandard limit distribution. A fully modified estimator is proposed to remove the second-order bias and nuisance parameters and the resulting limit distribution is mixed normal. A simulation study shows that the fully modified quantile estimator has good finite sample properties. The model is applied to stock index data from the emerging markets of China and several mature markets. Financial market integration is found in some quantiles of the Chinese stock indices. The third chapter considers predictive quantile regression with a nearly integrated regressor. We derive nonstandard distributions for the quantile regression estimator and t-statistic in terms of functionals of diffusion processes. The critical values are found to depend on both the quantile of interest and the local-to-unity parameter, which is not consistently estimable. Based on these critical values, we propose a valid Bonferroni bounds test for quantile predictability with persistent regressors. We employ this new methodology to test the ability of many commonly employed and highly persistent regressors, such as the dividend yield, earnings price ratio, and T-bill rate, to predict the median, shoulders, and tails of the stock return distribution. Chapter Four proposes a cumulated sum (CUSUM) test for the null hypothesis of quantile cointegration. A fully modified quantile estimator is adopted for serial correlation and endogeneity corrections. The CUSUM statistic is composed of the partial sums of the residuals from the fully modified quantile regression. Under the null, the test statistic converges to a functional of Brownian motions. In the application to U.S. interest rates of different maturities, evidence in favor of the expectations hypothesis for the term structure is found in the central part of the distributions of the Treasury bill rate and financial commercial paper rate, but in the tails of the constant maturity rate distribution. / Thesis (Ph.D, Economics) -- Queen's University, 2012-07-30 15:20:38.253

<p>The question this paper seeks to answer is whether decentralization is helpful or harmful to Cameroon&rsquo / s national unity. This study traces the historical, constitutional and political development of the concepts of national unity and decentralization and critically examines their application in the Cameroonian context. It further tests the consolidation of national unity in Cameroon against a theoretical and empirical framework of decentralization. A one-dimensional view of the findings of this study is not very encouraging to regimes seeking to enhance national unity through the implementation of decentralization. However, the major conclusion of this study holds the position that the political outcome of decentralization on Cameroon&rsquo / s national unity is largely a product of the constitutional regulation of both concepts and the manner in which the theoretical dimensions of decentralization are transplanted onto Cameroon&rsquo / s political landscape. The paper recommends certain reforms to assist and guide Cameroon as it simultaneously implements decentralization and consolidates national unity.</p>

<p>Governing an ethnically diverse country constitutes a major challenge for state power and government in Cameroon. The call for national unity, championed by the regime in power has had to survive strong demands for greater autonomy and threats of secession by groups from within an English-speaking minority. In response to these demands and threats, and in conjunction with reforms to improve democratic governance and service delivery, Cameroon&rsquo / s state administration has in the last decade resorted to decentralization as a technique for promoting national unity. The question this paper seeks to answer is whether decentralization is helpful or harmful to Cameroon&rsquo / s national unity. This study traces the historical, constitutional and political development of the concepts of national unity and decentralization and critically examines their application in the Cameroonian context. It further tests the consolidation of national unity in Cameroon against a theoretical and empirical framework of decentralization. A one-dimensional view of the findings of this study is not very encouraging to regimes seeking to enhance national unity through the implementation of decentralization. However, the major conclusion of this study holds the position that the political outcome of decentralization on Cameroon&rsquo / s national unity is largely a product of the constitutional regulation of both concepts and the manner in which the theoretical dimensions of decentralization are transplanted onto Cameroon&rsquo / s political landscape. The paper recommends certain reforms to assist and guide Cameroon as it&nbsp / simultaneously implements decentralization and consolidates national unity.</p>

En unik presentation av en byggnad modellerad som en 3D-modell kan göras med avancerad teknik. Ett sätt att presentera den på är till exempel på en 360-graders immersiv display, där möjligheten att interaktivt ”gå runt i” 3D-modellen erbjuds med hjälp av sex stycken projektorer som samverkar. Detta presentationssätt har Norrköpings visualiseringscenter som mål att erbjuda. För att göra detta krävs det att man tar hjälp av programvaror för realtidsvisualisering. En av dessa kan vara Unity 5 som är en spelmotor. Målet med examensarbetet är att hitta tillvägagångssätt och strategier för att effektiv integrera en 3D-modell av en byggnad i Unity 5. För att göra detta så tillämpas en teknisk undersökning med observationer som metod. Denna undersökning visar att en integration för att återspegla modellen modellerad i Revit till programvarusystem för realtidsvisualisering kan utföras. Återspeglingen är ett faktum som får tas i relation till integrationens helhet och kan inte bli exakt. Frågan är om den kan utföras effektivt nog för vad som Norrköpings visualiseringscenter vill kunna erbjuda. Vilket den kan om modellens uppbyggnad, storlek och projektbegränsningar är rimliga i förhållande till tid och kostnad. Det är dessa aspekter som avgör om integrationen kan utföras effektivt. Kunskap om hur integrationen ska gå till med alla materialinställningar som behövs är dessutom en väsentlig faktor.

The question this paper seeks to answer is whether decentralization is helpful or harmful to Cameroon's national unity. This study traces the historical, constitutional and political development of the concepts of national unity and decentralization and critically examines their application in the Cameroonian context. It further tests the consolidation of national unity in Cameroon against a theoretical and empirical framework of decentralization. A one-dimensional view of the findings of this study is not very encouraging to regimes seeking to enhance national unity through the implementation of decentralization. However, the major conclusion of this study holds the position that the political outcome of decentralization on Cameroon's national unity is largely a product of the constitutional regulation of both concepts and the manner in which the theoretical dimensions of decentralization are transplanted onto Cameroon's political landscape. The paper recommends certain reforms to assist and guide Cameroon as it simultaneously implements decentralization and consolidates national unity. / Magister Legum - LLM

Governing an ethnically diverse country constitutes a major challenge for state power and government in Cameroon. The call for national unity, championed by the regime in power has had to survive strong demands for greater autonomy and threats of secession by groups from within an English-speaking minority. In response to these demands and threats, and in conjunction with reforms to improve democratic governance and service delivery,Cameroon’s state administration has in the last decade resorted to decentralization as a technique for promoting national unity. The question this paper seeks to answer is whether decentralization is helpful or harmful to Cameroon’s national unity. This study traces the historical, constitutional and political development of the concepts of national unity and decentralization and critically examines their application in the Cameroonian context. It further tests the consolidation of national unity in Cameroon against a theoretical and empirical framework of decentralization. A one-dimensional view of the findings of this study is not very encouraging to regimes seeking to enhance national unity through the implementation of decentralization. However, the major conclusion of this study holds the position that the political outcome of decentralization on Cameroon’s national unity is largely a product of the constitutional regulation of both concepts and the manner in which the theoretical dimensions of decentralization are transplanted onto Cameroon’s political landscape. The paper recommends certain reforms to assist and guide Cameroon as it simultaneously implements decentralization and consolidates national unity. / Magister Legum - LLM

Every local church, although part of a greater denomination, finds itself in a unique context with unique ministerial needs. It is of the utmost importance for every local church to be contextual in its ministry, to eventually being effective in its ministry. To make this possible a Scriptural view of the interplay between the unity of the church, the diversity of the church and the fulfilment of the calling of the church, currently not existing, is a key factor. The primary goal of this research is to provide guidelines to churches to assure the contextualization of their calling and ministerial strategy. This is done by motivating the necessity thereof, and by providing Scriptural principles for the interplay between the unity of the church, the diversity of the church and the fulfilment of the calling of the church. The research is done according to the practical-theological methodology of Gerben Heitink (1 999). • The first part of the study consists of a hermeneutical process giving perspective on the current state of affairs in ministerial theory and practice, as well as providing Scriptural principles. Chapter 2 of the hermeneutical investigation wants to determine in what manner the interplay between the unity of the church, the diversity of the church and the fulfilment of the calling of the church is currently being recognized when a local church determines their specific calling and ministerial strategy. Furthermore a brief overview is given regarding the state of affairs in South Africa which has an effect on the climate in which ministry has to take place. This ensures the contextualization of the study. In Chapter 3 Scriptural principles are developed regarding the interplay between the unity of the church, the diversity of the church and the fulfilment of the calling of the church. In Chapter 2 a description is made of the situation that has to change and in Chapter 3 the principles are developed by which the change has to take place. The research in Chapter 3 focuses on the periscope of Acts 21:17-26 and related periscopes. • The second part of the study comprises of an empirical investigation of Afrikaans speaking reformed church members in Eastern Pretoria to determine how they view the interplay between the unity of the church, the diversity of the church and the fulfilment of the calling of the church. • The third part comprises the strategic perspective that integrates the research results of Chapters 2, 3, and 4 to develop a theory of practice. This practical theory provides guidelines to local churches to help them determine their specific calling and ministerial strategy in the light of the interplay between the unity of the church, the diversity of the church and the fulfilment of the calling of the church. The result of this study shows that the interplay between the unity of the church, the diversity of the church and the fulfilment of the calling of the church is a key factor in determining the specific calling and ministerial strategy of a local church to ensure their obedience to Gods calling. Beacons were developed in the light of the Scriptural interplay and presented as guidelines for the local church. The beacons are in short: 1 - Identifying the unique context; 2 - Ascertaining of the current interplay; 3 - Ascertaining of the Scriptural interplay; 4 - Breaking through traditions; 5 - Create balance in the interplay; 6 - Ensure unity in communal interest; 7 – ensure diversity, not in own interest; 8 - Accommodating each other. / Thesis (M.Th. (Practical Theology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006

Traditional knowledges and ways of living in harmony with the Earth and among species have been disregarded, discarded, and destroyed as industrialisation, capitalism, and globalisation have pervaded, all maintained in part by the Cartesian split which dissociates body from mind, heaven from Earth, nature from culture. These hegemonic layers of control have served to bind the fate of the Earth’s eco-systems, including human life, to the global capital economy which thrives on growth and development at any and all costs. This feminist, arts-informed inquiry brought an embodied lens to the stories of eco-activism and inquired as to the role of embodied ways of knowing and their role in eco-activism and the toll of activism upon women eco-activist bodies. This research inquiry interviewed thirteen women eco-activists, conducted four art-making focus groups, and used embodied reflexivity as part of the analysis process in order to find new understandings and knowledge to add to the limited literature on embodiment, embodied ways of knowing, and women’s eco-activism. Furthermore, this research sought to identify and articulate the ways in which activism practice can be more sustainable for activists and intended to add to the growing awareness body/mind connection and unity consciousness for activists, educators, and others working towards social change. The key findings of this research indicate that embodied knowledges counter fragmented ways of living, foster sustainable practices, and offer guidance and direction to live more harmoniously with, and on, the Earth and to practice activism. It also expands our understanding of women’s embodied ways of knowing and illuminates our understandings of how bodies can guide and show alternate ways of living, and practising activism, that are sustainable. This inquiry further added to the growing awareness of body/mind connection and unity consciousness with a focus on activists, educators, and others interested in finding ways to live with, rather than on, the Earth. / Graduate / 0329 / 0453 / lisa@lisamortimore.com

No abstract available.

The “one-many” problem is ontological rather than logical. The thesis is a dialogue between thinkers who never met, investigating the question of what reality fundamentally is in the context of change. Textual studies distinguishing Ge Hong’s relational ontology from Platonic causational ontology lead to the conclusion that Daoist cosmogony, moving “from nothing into being” offers an evolutionary solution to Plato’s problem of change “from being to becoming”.