I consider continuous time asset pricing models with stochastic differential utility incorporating decision makers' concern with ambiguity on true probability measure. In order to identify and estimate key parameters in the models, I use a novel econometric methodology developed recently by Park (2008) for the statistical inference on continuous time conditional mean models. The methodology only imposes the condition that the pricing error is a continuous martingale to achieve identification, and obtain consistent and asymptotically normal estimates of the unknown parameters. Under a representative agent setting, I empirically evaluate alternative preference specifications including a multiple-prior recursive utility. My empirical findings are summarized as follows: Relative risk aversion is estimated around 1.5-5.5 with ambiguity aversion and 6-14 without ambiguity aversion. Related, the estimated ambiguity aversion is both economically and statistically significant and including the ambiguity aversion clearly lowers relative risk aversion. The elasticity of intertemporal substitution (EIS) is higher than 1, around 1.3-22 with ambiguity aversion, and quite high without ambiguity aversion. The identification of EIS appears to be fairly weak, as observed by many previous authors, though other aspects of my empirical results seem quite robust. Next, I develop an approach to test for martingale in a continuous time framework. The approach yields various test statistics that are consistent against a wide class of nonmartingale semimartingales. A novel aspect of my approach is to use a time change defined by the inverse of the quadratic variation of a semimartingale, which is to be tested for the martingale hypothesis. With the time change, a continuous semimartingale reduces to Brownian motion if and only if it is a continuous martingale. This follows immediately from the celebrated theorem by Dambis, Dubins and Schwarz. For the test of martingale, I may therefore see if the given process becomes Brownian motion after the time change. I use several existing tests for multivariate normality to test whether the time changed process is indeed Brownian motion. I provide asymptotic theories for my test statistics, on the assumption that the sampling interval decreases, as well as the time horizon expands. The stationarity of the underlying process is not assumed, so that my results are applicable also to nonstationary processes. A Monte-Carlo study shows that our tests perform very well for a wide range of realistic alternatives and have superior power than other discrete time tests.

It is being observed that there has been an increase in the number of urban design competitions in the last decade in Turkey. Competitions are crucial methods of enriching theoretical and practical frameworks of the disciplines by creating a platform for discursive attitudes. That reveals the importance of the notion of competition as a process covering from the decision for organizing a competition to the decision of the jury for the winner and also post-competition events such as colloquium. Due to these facts, competition process as a whole can be considered as a discursive practice where diverse discursive approaches are represented via design brief, submitted projects and colloquiums that enrich and develop both theory and practice of urban design. There is not a single definition for urban design rather there are some approaches to the field mostly pointing to its interdisciplinary features. This fact makes urban design field vulnerable and open to critiques but at the same time enables contributions from diverse disciplines. It reveals the importance of competitions which forms a platform for new ideas and perspectives. Competition, with its definite structure of rules, definite role players from diverse disciplines who are involved in the process, documents produced throughout the process by different discourses, can be conceptualized as a dimension in space-time that makes it possible to observe different discourses in the same place and at the same time, sometimes in conflict with each other, sometimes overlapped onto each other and sometimes juxtaposed. Therefore competition is a platform where different discursive formations, with their objects, enunciative modalities, concepts and strategies, are exercised and practiced by human subject. When considered from that point of view, instead of focusing on the inception of urban design in Turkey, when the term is conceptualized, how and when competitions were utilized and instrumentalized in spreading the term, as a consequence how this struggle enabled positions for the field can be diagnosed more explicitly. The aim of this dissertation is to analyze urban design competition processes via design briefs, questions-answers, winning projects, jury reports and if available evaluation articles and colloquium reports with the adoption of archaeological methodology of Michel Foucault, discursive formation. His methodological approach in his book Archaeology of Knowledge(1972), has been adopted to construct a conceptual framework within that context, the study has focused on national, open, single phase competitions containing the term &ldquo / urban design&rdquo / in its announced title and it has been found that there are 35 cases starting from the year 1980. Design briefs, questions-answers, prize-winning projects and jury reports were analyzed, in addition survey and interview methods are utilized to reveal the discursive formations within the competition process. It is found that this is an ongoing process of forming a discursive formation when urban design is concerned and competitions play a significant role in framing such attitudes. Such a discursive analysis made within the context of competitions will help us to draw a general framework to reveal the discursive formations in the field that will help us to understand its position, grasp the underlying facts behind these processes of Urban Design Competitions in Turkey and this will give us the chance to rethink and define new frameworks and discursive formations to establish new perspectives and understandings of urban design in Turkey in the context of competitions.

Background Research has shown that people need to be pre-informed about the ambiguity in order to perceive both interpretations (reverse) of an ambiguous figure. Children younger than 4 years mostly do not experience reversal even when informed. This suggests that the processes involved in reversal develop at this age. Aim The aim of the studies reported here was to disentangle the cognitive processes (metarepresentation, executive function, mental imagery) and the role of eye-movements involved in reversal. Method Four studies (7 experiments), each involving around sixty 3-, 4- and 5-year-old children, using multiple tasks, were conducted. The primary tasks used were the Ambiguous Figures Production and Reversal tasks. The secondary tasks used were metacognitive, executive function and mental imagery tasks. New tasks were also implemented in order to assess reversal abilities. Results Between the ages of 3 and 4 children develop the basic conceptual understanding for reversal (Study 1), that an ambiguous figure can have two interpretations. This is associated with the understanding of false belief, synonymy and homonymy. Between the ages of 4 and 5 children develop inhibitory (Study 3) and image generation abilities (Study 4). These are key cognitive processes necessary for reversal. Contrary to previous research, when task demands were changed (Reversal Task Revised) children’s reversal is at ceiling by the age of 5 (Studies 3 and 4). Eye-tracking data suggests that appropriate eye-movements, focusing on particular parts of the ambiguous figure, are not a primary causal factor in the development of reversal abilities (Study 4). Conclusion The ability to reverse develops in two stages. During stage 1 (between 3 and 4 years) children develop the necessary conceptual understanding that an ambiguous figure can have two interpretations (top-down knowledge). During stage 2 (between 4 and 5 years) children develop the necessary cognitive processes for reversal to occur (inhibition and image generation).

<p>The call centre industry has been one of the fastest growing industries in South Africa. Call centres have for most companies become a basic business requirement for servicing customers. Zapf, Isic, Bechtoldt and Blau (2003: 311) argue that there are high levels of stress amongst employees in call centres, which they believe to be the result of both the work tasks and the interactions with customers. The aim of this study was to establish whether call centre work design and structure contributed to role stress amongst client service representatives (CSRs). It was also the aim of this study to establish whether role stress affected the CSRs‟ levels of job satisfaction and their intentions to quit from their jobs.</p>

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transition phase between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals with MCI show impairment in cognition as well as corresponding damage to areas of their brain. Performance on tasks such as discriminating objects with ambiguous features has been associated with damage to the perirhinal cortex, while scenes with structural (spatial) elements have been associated with damage to the hippocampus. In addition, attention is regarded as one of the first non-memory domains to decline in MCI. A relatively new MRI technique called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is sensitive to white matter microstructural integrity and has been associated with changes due to cognitive decline. 18 MCI (14 amnesic, 4 vascular) and 12 healthy matched controls were assessed in feature ambiguity, attention and structural learning to assess associated deficits in MCI. Associations with white matter microstructural integrity were then investigated. The MCI groups were discovered to perform worse than controls on the test of structural learning. In addition, altered attention networks were found in MCI and were associated with white matter microstructural integrity. No significant differences were found for feature ambiguity. These findings suggest there may be specific damage to the hippocampus while the perirhinal cortex may be preserved in MCI. Furthermore, dysfunction in attention was found to be associated with white matter microstructural integrity. These experimental tests may be useful in assessing dysfunction in MCI and identifying degeneration in white matter microstructural integrity. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

The mining industry in South Africa plays a significant role in the economy of the country. South Africa is rated as one of the world’s largest producers of key reserves - gold, manganese ore and platinum– and the high level of industrial and production skills in the mines also contributes to the country’s success. Although the gold mining industry’s contribution is of the utmost importance, it is also under pressure to remain competitive and cost–efficient. Old shafts, worsening health of employees, ore bodies that are not always in their prime phase, the radical increase in the annual electricity tariffs and the possibility of decreased gold prices contribute to the decline in the gold mining industry’s success. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between role–specific stress and physical and psychological health, and to determine whether social support has a moderating effect in this relationship for employees in a mining training academy. A cross–sectional survey design was used and a convenience sample (n=437) was taken from a South African gold mining company, where the only criterium for inclusion was to be employed by the organisation at the time the research took place. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The measuring instruments used in this study were proven to be reliable. The results indicate that role stressors and physical and psychological health problems are positively related. It also shows that social support can decrease role–specific stress and that social support – especially from colleagues and supervisors – can help to reduce depression and improve the quality of sleep. Furthermore, logistic regression analyses were used to determine whether role stress and social support hold any predictive value regarding physical and psychological health. It was found that if participants’ experience role–specific stress and they receive support – especially from supervisors – it can predict their quality of sleep and the use of medication (physical viii health). The findings also indicate that role stress can predict the experience of depression with regards to psychological health. However, the moderating effect of social support between role stress and depression was not supported in this research. To conclude, recommendations for the organisation and future research are made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The mining industry in South Africa plays a significant role in the economy of the country. South Africa is rated as one of the world’s largest producers of key reserves - gold, manganese ore and platinum– and the high level of industrial and production skills in the mines also contributes to the country’s success. Although the gold mining industry’s contribution is of the utmost importance, it is also under pressure to remain competitive and cost–efficient. Old shafts, worsening health of employees, ore bodies that are not always in their prime phase, the radical increase in the annual electricity tariffs and the possibility of decreased gold prices contribute to the decline in the gold mining industry’s success. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between role–specific stress and physical and psychological health, and to determine whether social support has a moderating effect in this relationship for employees in a mining training academy. A cross–sectional survey design was used and a convenience sample (n=437) was taken from a South African gold mining company, where the only criterium for inclusion was to be employed by the organisation at the time the research took place. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The measuring instruments used in this study were proven to be reliable. The results indicate that role stressors and physical and psychological health problems are positively related. It also shows that social support can decrease role–specific stress and that social support – especially from colleagues and supervisors – can help to reduce depression and improve the quality of sleep. Furthermore, logistic regression analyses were used to determine whether role stress and social support hold any predictive value regarding physical and psychological health. It was found that if participants’ experience role–specific stress and they receive support – especially from supervisors – it can predict their quality of sleep and the use of medication (physical viii health). The findings also indicate that role stress can predict the experience of depression with regards to psychological health. However, the moderating effect of social support between role stress and depression was not supported in this research. To conclude, recommendations for the organisation and future research are made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

INTRODUCTION: In Canada, the role of Telehealth Coordinator is relatively new. Provider institutions and telehealth networks developed the role to support implementation and use of videoconferencing technology in health care delivery. As telehealth usage grows, an increasing number of Canadian nurses, other regulated health care professionals and unregulated workers are being called upon to function as Telehealth Coordinators. However, in some organizations, this role remains poorly understood and generally, little is known about the demographics of Canada’s Telehealth Coordinator community of practice. PURPOSE: Using Role Theory concepts and the tenets of Nursing Informatics, the broad aim of this qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of the demographics and role that nurses, other regulated health professionals and unregulated workers play in sustainable telehealth technology implementation and use in Canada. This is important in the context of leveraging technology to meet the challenges of an ageing population and increasing burden of chronic illness. METHODS: Qualitative exploratory study design using mixed methods. Telehealth Coordinators from the Canadian Society of Telehealth (CST) and Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) were invited to take part in an online survey (33 items) and telephone interview (20 items). RESULTS: From two identified populations – a provincial sample from Ontario and a national sample from other Canadian provinces and territories, 47 Telehealth Coordinators provided responses that could be analyzed. Over half of the respondents (56%) reported being between the ages of 40 – 59 years and 75% were female. Nurses and other regulated health care professionals comprised 53% of the sample. Of the respondents, 66% reported working in a health care provider organization. Responses to the qualitative questions are presented within the context of Role Theory and Nursing Informatics. CONCLUSIONS: Canada’s Telehealth Coordinators are an eclectic community of practice with varying roles, responsibilities, educational backgrounds and experience. Although the role of Telehealth Coordinator varied across organizations and regions in Canada, important commonalities were also found. Participants expressed a need and desire for standards, ongoing professional education opportunities and credentialing – especially if the role involved patient care. Major factors contributing to Canadian Telehealth Coordinators work satisfaction were: 1. patient contact and knowledge that they were making health care more accessible 2. educating others in the use of videoconferencing technology and 3. autonomy. Organizational issues including a lack of resources and understanding of the role by senior executives provided the least satisfaction for Telehealth Coordinators. Strong organizational support for Telehealth Coordinators will increase the probability of successful videoconferencing technology implementation and use.

Ce mémoire vise à vérifier l’effet modérateur de la relation d’encadrement LMX sur la relation entre les demandes du travail et l’épuisement émotionnel. Nous avons d’abord étudié la relation d’encadrement LMX et ses effets multiples, particulièrement sur le stress. Nous avons envisagé le LMX comme une ressource qui peut atténuer les effets des demandes du travail (conflit, surcharge et l’ambiguïté de rôle) sur l’épuisement émotionnel, et ce, avec comme fondement théorique le modèle des tensions du travail de Karasek (1979). Pour vérifier notre modèle, nous avons procédé à une analyse secondaire de données recueillies dans le cadre provenant d’une étude précédente réalisée à l’Institut de gériatrie de l’Université de Sherbrooke en 1996. Des analyses descriptives nous ont permis de valider deux de nos trois principales hypothèses à l’effet que le LMX agit comme modérateur sur la relation entre les demandes du travail et l’épuisement émotionnel. En effet, les résultats montrent que plus le LMX est de qualité, moins les relations entre le conflit de rôle et l’épuisement émotionnel ainsi qu’entre la surcharge de rôle et l’épuisement émotionnel sont significatives. Toutefois, nos résultats indiquent que plus le LMX est de qualité, plus l’effet de l’ambiguïté de rôle est relié à l’épuisement émotionnel. / This paper will demonstrate the moderating effect of the LMX relationship on the connection between job demands and emotional exhaustion. First, we examined the LMX relationship and its various effects, especially on stress. Based on the theoretical foundations of Karasek’s workplace stress model (1979), we considered LMX as a resource that can mitigate the effects of job demands (conflict, overload and role ambiguity) on emotional exhaustion. To validate our model, we conducted a secondary analysis of data gathered in a prior study at the Université de Sherbrooke’s geriatrics institute in 1996.Descriptive analyses allowed us to validate two of our three main hypotheses to the effect that LMX functions as a moderator in the relationship between job demands and emotional exhaustion. The results showed that the better quality the LMX, the less significant the relationship between role conflict and emotional exhaustion and between role overload and emotional exhaustion. The results also showed, however, that the better quality the LMX, the greater the effect of role ambiguity on emotional exhaustion.

The goal of this thesis study is to investigate the Ambiguity Function Technique for target detection in phase-coded continuous wave radar. Also, phase shift keying techniques are examined in detail. Continuous Wave (CW) Radars, which are also known as Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) radars, emit continuous signals in time which are modulated by either frequency modulation or phase modulation techniques. Modulation of the transmitted radar signal is needed to estimate both the range and the radial velocity of the detected targets. In this thesis, Phase Shift Keying (PSK) techniques such as the Barker codes, Frank codes, P1, P2, P3, P4 codes will be employed for radar signal modulation. The use of Ambiguity Function, which is a non-linear Time- Frequency Representation (TFR), for target detection will be investigated in phasecoded CW radars for different target scenarios.