Club-convergence analysis provides a more realistic and detailed picture about regional income growth than traditional convergence analysis. This paper presents a spatial econometric framework for club-convergence testing that relates the concept of club-convergence to the notion of spatial heterogeneity. The study provides evidence for the club-convergence hypothesis in cross-regional growth dynamics from a pan-European perspective. The conclusions are threefold. First, we reject the standard Barro-style regression model which underlies most empirical work on regional income convergence in favour of a two regime [club] alternative in which different regional economies obey different linear regressions when grouped by means of Getis and Ord's local clustering technique. Second, the results point to a heterogeneous pattern in the pan-European convergence process. Heterogeneity appears in both the convergence rate and the steady-state level. But, third, the study also reveals that spatial error dependence introduces an important bias in our perception of the club-convergence and shows that neglect of this bias would give rise to misleading conclusions.

This paper presents a theoretical growth model that accounts for technological interdependence among regions in a Mankiw-Romer-Weil world. The reasoning behind the theoretical work is that technological ideas cannot be fully appropriated by investors and these ideas may diffuse and increase the productivity of other firms. We link the diffusion of ideas to spatial proximity and allow for ideas to flow to nearby regional economies. Through the magic of solving for the reduced form of the theoretical model and the magic of spatial autoregressive processes, the simple dependence on a small number of neighbouring regions leads to a reduced form theoretical model and an associated empirical model where changes in a single region can potentially impact all other regions. This implies that conventional regression interpretations of the parameter estimates would be wrong. The proper way to interpret the model has to rely on matrices of partial derivatives of the dependent variable with respect to changes in the Mankiw-Romer-Weil variables, using scalar summary measures for reporting the estimates of the marginal impacts from the model. The summary impact measure estimates indicate that technological interdependence among European regions works through physical rather than human capital externalities.

Název diplomové práce: federalizaci v Itálii Cílem této diplomové práce je zkoumat tendence k Itálii. Práce je založena především na poznatcích získaných studiem zahraniční odborné literatury a na analýze relevantní italské judikatury. Z hlediska použité metodologie převažuje metoda skriptivní a analytická, okrajově byla použita i metoda komparativní. Práce je členěna do 4 kapitol. První kapitola obsahuje vymezení a teoretický rozbor jednotlivých konceptů, které jsou v práci dále užívány. Druhá kapitola shrnuje vývoj italského regionalismu, a to od počátku sjednocení italského státu až do ústavních reforem, které na přelomu druhého a třetího tisíciletí přinesly zásadní zvrat pro fungování a význam italských regionů. Třetí kapitola se dále věnuje postavení italských regionů a ejdůležitějších rysů italského regionalismu, jež se na základě uvedených ústavních reforem etablovaly v italském ústavním systému. zemi byla zahájena nová etapa, která v italském ústavním systému představila řadu rysů typických pro federace. í regionů bylo klíčové především výrazné posílení jejich statutární autonomie, zákonodárných pravomocí, upevnění jejich pozice na mezinárodním poli a otevření možnosti jednat o dodatečném prohloubení autonomie. Velkou změnou pro regiony bylo rovněž zrušení dozoru, který nad nimi do té doby...

We use VLBA+VLA observations to measure the sizes of the scatter-broadened images of six of the most heavily scattered known pulsars: three within the Galactic Centre (GC) and three elsewhere in the inner Galactic plane (Delta l < 20 degrees). By combining the measured sizes with temporal pulse broadening data from the literature and using the thin-screen approximation, we locate the scattering medium along the line of sight to these six pulsars. At least two scattering screens are needed to explain the observations of the GC sample. We show that the screen inferred by previous observations of SGR J1745-2900 and Sgr A*, which must be located far from the GC, falls off in strength on scales less than or similar to 0 degrees.2. A second scattering component closer to (Delta < 2 kpc) or even (tentatively) within (Delta < 700 pc) the GC produces most or all of the temporal broadening observed in the other GC pulsars. Outside the GC, the scattering locations for all three pulsars are similar or equal to 2 kpc from Earth, consistent with the distance of the Carina-Sagittarius or Scutum spiral arm. For each object the 3D scattering origin coincides with a known H II region (and in one case also a supernova remnant), suggesting that such objects preferentially cause the intense interstellar scattering seen towards the Galactic plane. We show that the H II regions should contribute greater than or similar to 25 per cent of the total dispersion measure (DM) towards these pulsars, and calculate reduced DM distances. Those distances for other pulsars lying behind H II regions may be similarly overestimated.

Kyoto University (京都大学) / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第15652号 / 工博第3310号 / 新制||工||1500(附属図書館) / 28189 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科都市社会工学専攻 / (主査)教授 小尻 利治, 教授 椎葉 充晴, 教授 角 哲也 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The thesis addresses sustainability of groundwater utilization in arid and semiarid regions of Namibia. Recharge in this hydrogeological setting occurs as discrete events to aquifers that are bounded in extent. Case studies involving fractured hardrock and alluvial aquifers with aquifer-ephemeral river interaction were considered. The nature of recharge to arid region bounded aquifers was explored. In arid region aquifers, roundwater storage is depleted during extended dry periods due to pumping and natural discharge. Steady state conditions are rarely achieved. With lowering of the water table, evapotranspiration is reduced thus decreasing aquifer discharge. However, depletion of ephemeral river flow is the primary source of water to boreholes. Physical constraints such as river bed and aquifer hydraulic properties set a limit to the degree of natural replenishment possible during flow events. An approach to assessing sustainable yield of a fractured rock aquifer associated with ephemeral river flow is discussed using a case study from rural semi-arid Namibia. Limited data required the simulation results to be verified against geological and hydrogeological constraints. The aquifer’s gain in storage is estimated through numerical simulation. It provides a basis for groundwater scheme management that rely on limited data in semi-arid conditions in sub-Saharan Africa. Aspects related to ephemeral river flow and groundwater recharge to strip alluvial aquifers was addressed in the second case study. The processes controlling infiltration, significance of surface water and groundwater losses, and possible artificial recharge options were investigated through numerical simulation. It was concluded that recharge processes in arid alluvial aquifers differ significantly from those in humid systems. Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources require artificial augmentation of aquifer recharge due to constrains in natural infiltration rates. The study provides a reference for sustainable management of alluvial aquifer systems in similar regions. It is seen from the study that high rates of groundwater exploitation deplete surface water resources needed downstream while failure to capture surface flow during flood events cause loss of potential recharge. It is concluded that as water demand in Namibia increases, basin wide combined surface water and groundwater resource evaluation and management have become a necessity.

Abstract Mammalian extracellular matrix metalloproteinases, MMPs, are a family of enzymes capable of degrading components of the connective tissue. The in vivo regulation of the cell lineage-specific expression of MMPs, however, is not well known. This study used transgenic mice to identify cell-specific elements in the upstream regulatory regions of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Transgenic mice were generated by pronuclear microinjections into fertilised oocytes using lacZ as a reporter gene. The reporter gene constructs containing varying lengths of the MMP-9 5'-upstream region revealed an area that allowed for expression in osteoclasts and migrating keratinocytes, the cells that also express MMP-9 in vivo. The sequence driving the cell specific expression included the nucleotides from -2722 to -7745. When the same upstream regulatory fragment of MMP-9 was used to drive the expression of the human tissue specific inhibitor of MMPs, TIMP-1, instead of lacZ, the transgenic mice developed normally and the animals were fertile with normal post-embryonic growth. However, cutaneous wound healing was remarkably retarded, but not totally prevented, and the migration of keratinocytes over the wound was slow. The mice expressed the human TIMP-1 in keratinocytes during wound healing and in situ zymography revealed a total blockage of the gelatinolytic activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, the main gelatinases active in the healing wound tissues. By using a sequence of 6500 base pairs from the 5'-upstream regulatory region of the MMP-2 gene it was possible to drive the expression of lacZ in mesenchymal cells of the developing transgenic mouse embryo. The expression pattern was similar to that found in previous in situ hybridization studies, following the different stages of tissue morphogenesis and being present in the areas of basement membrane degradation and epithelial cell invasion. Computer analyses of the sequence revealed three regulatory upstream regions conserved between human, mouse, and rat, and possibly responsible for the cell-and tissue specificity. New transgene constructs containing fragments of the conserved regions will provide a more detailed profile of the in vivo MMP-2 regulation in the future. This study defined a fragment in the upstream regulatory region of MMP-9 that is essential for expression in osteoclasts and migrating keratinocytes. Furthermore, the keratinocyte derived MMPs, including MMP-9, were found to play important role in epithelial cell migration in the area of the healing wound.

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 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 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 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 political landscape. The paper recommends certain reforms to assist and guide Cameroon as it simultaneously implements decentralization and consolidates national unity. / South Africa

During IgH class switch recombination (CSR) in mature B lymphocytes, activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) initiates DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) within switch (S) regions flanking different sets of the IgH locus (IgH) constant \((C_H)\) region exons. End-Joining of DSBs in the upstream donor S region (Sm) to DSBs in a downstream acceptor S region \((S_{acc})\) replaces the initial set of \(C_H\) exons, Cm, with a set of downstream \(C_H\) exons, leading to Ig class switching from IgM to another IgH class (e.g., IgG, IgE, or IgA). In addition to joining to DSBs within another S region, AID-induced DSBs within a given S region are often rejoined or joined to other DSBs in the same S region to form internal switch deletions (ISDs). ISDs were frequently observed in Sm but rarely in \(S_{acc}s\), suggesting that AID targeting to \(S_{acc}s\) requires prior recruitment to Sm. To test this hypothesis, we assessed CSR and ISDs in B cells lacking Sm and found that AID frequently targets downstream \(S_{acc}s\) independently of Sm. These studies also led us to propose an alternative pathway of "downstream" IgE class switching that involves joining of DSBs within the downstream \(S\gamma1\) and \(S\epsilon\) regions as a first step before joining of \(S\mu\) to the hybrid downstream S region. To further elucidate the CSR mechanism, we addressed the long-standing question of whether S region DSBs during CSR involves a direction-specific mechanism similar to joining of RAG1/2 endonuclease-generated DSBs during V(D)J recombination. We used an unbiased high throughput method to isolate junctions between I-SceI meganuclease-generated DSBs at a target site that replaces the IgH \(S\gamma1\) region and other genomic DSBs of endogenous origin. Remarkably, we found that the I-SceI-generated DSBs were joined to both upstream DSBs in \(S\mu\) and downstream DSBs in \(S\epsilon\) predominantly in orientations associated with joining during productive CSR. This process required the DSB response factor 53BP1 to maintain the orientation-dependence, but not the overall levels, of joining between these widely separated IgH breaks. We propose that CSR exploits a mechanism involving 53BP1 to enhance directional joining of DSBs within IgH in an orientation that leads to productive CSR.

Due to overgrazing, mining and other anthropogenic disturbances, large sections of the Karoo region have been degraded, resulting in areas with low vegetation cover, where erosion rates are high and vegetation is dominated by unpalatable species. These areas have low and unpredictable rainfall, with slow to non-existent autogenic recovery, and this often forces landowners to implement reseeding rehabilitation in an attempt to increase both overall vegetation cover and the relative abundance of palatable plants. Landowners use soil preparation treatments, which include creating micro-catchments, ripping, mulching and brush packing, to supplement land rehabilitation. This study investigated the significance of initial rainfall, mean monthly rainfall, soil preparation techniques, slope, existing vegetation cover, litter, mulch and stone cover in determining the success of reseeding rehabilitation. Rainfall had the most significant influence, where long-lived shrubs established best under low initial rainfall and high mean monthly rainfall, and grasses established best after receiving high initial rainfall. Micro-catchments proved the most successful soil preparation technique for the establishment of long-lived shrubs, while ripping and mulching impacted negatively on grass establishment. A combination of mulch and micro-catchments aided Osteospermum sinuatum establishment in soils where soil shrinkage cracks occurred. Temperature influenced seed germination and drought tolerance of Lessertia annularis, Fingerhuthia africana and O. sinuatum, with higher germination success of O. sinuatum under temperatures simulating summer, and of F. africana under temperatures simulating winter. L. annularis germination had a faster growth rate and higher survival when germinated under autumn/spring temperatures. Landowners are advised to sow seeds of more than one species during rehabilitation, to include micro-catchments as soil preparation treatment, and to sow seeds during a time when rainfall is predicted to be high.