Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica / The work aims to characterize the forest structure and species composition in the area, identify the formation of clusters in the tree component and to determine the influence of soil variables in species and in groups. The study area is located at Divisa Reservoir, São Francisco de Paula, RS. The survey of the trees and shrubs vegetation was conducted in four fragments: F1 (9 ha), F2 (9 ha), F4 (2 ha) and F5 (9 ha). In each plot was performed the identification and measurement of the circumference at breast height (CAP) as the following size classes: Class I (10 x 20 m) individuals with CAP ≥ 30 cm; Class II (10 x 10 m) individuals with 15 ≤ CAP < 30 cm; Class III (5 x 5 m) individuals with 3 ≤ CAP < 15 cm and Class IV (2 x 2 m) the individuals with < 3 cm and CAP < 3 cm. The vertical structure was evaluated by the classification of the individuals surveyed on sociological classes, belonging to the sociological position 1 (PS1) individuals in the upper stratum, sociological position 2 (PS2) the stratum medium and sociological position 3 (PS3) in the lower stratum. The forest inventory data constituted a matrix parcel x species, which was used in multivariate analysis, by the method TWINSPAN, allowing the classification groups of parcels, based on the density of individuals. In addition to the vegetation, the environmental variables were obtained. The correlation between vegetation data and environmental data was performed by means of Canonical Correspondence Analysis, using the program PC-ORDTM for Windows version 5.10. The results demonstrate the formation of three distinct groups. Group 1 (GR1) represents the specific situation of riparian vegetation, Group 2 (GR2) represents a remnant of Araucaria Forest, under the influence of intensive livestock farming in the fields, and Group 3 (GR3) demonstrates an atypical situation, with the presence of species strongly influenced by the depth of the soil, and water saturation in the longest period of time. In GR1, the mixture of species of different ecological groups, with predominance of pioneer and secondary species, shows that the forest is presented in the dynamic process of succession. The GR2 has a negative influence of cattle on their structure and composition. Stand out in the riparian (GR1) Eugenia uruguayensis and Sebastiania commersoniana and clumps (GR2), the predominance are Araucaria angustifolia, Podocarpus lambertii and Myrceugenia cucullata, as main responsible for the existing formations. Furthermore, the slow decomposition of organic matter enhanced by higher humidity change the availability of nutrients for the species in place. In the woods, the constant presence of cattle negatively changes the structure of the understory, thus influencing the soil chemical characteristics. Species such as Araucaria angustifolia, Eugenia uruguayensis, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Calyptranthes concinna, Lithraea brasiliensis, Myrsine coriacea, Ocotea pulchella e Sebastiania commersoniana can be used in the recovery and enrichment of riparian vegetation. / O trabalho tem como objetivo caracterizar a estrutura da floresta e composição de espécies presentes na área, identificar a formação de agrupamentos no componente arbóreo e determinar a influência das variáveis do solo nos grupos e espécies. A área de estudo localiza-se no entorno do Reservatório Divisa, município de São Francisco de Paula, RS. O levantamento da vegetação arbóreo-arbustiva foi realizado em quatro fragmentos denominados de F1 (9 ha), F2 (9 ha), F4 (2ha) e F5 (9 ha). Em cada parcela foi realizada a identificação e medição da circunferência à altura do peito (CAP), conforme as seguintes classes de tamanho: Classe I (10 x 20 m) - indivíduos com CAP ≥ 30 cm; Classe II (10 x 10 m) - indivíduos com 15 ≤ CAP < 30 cm; Classe III (5 x 5 m), os indivíduos com 3 ≤ CAP < 15 cm e a Classe IV (2 x 2 m), os indivíduos com altura ≥ 30 cm e CAP < 3 cm. A estrutura vertical foi avaliada mediante a classificação dos indivíduos inventariados em classes sociológicas, pertencendo à posição sociológica 1 (PS1) os indivíduos do estrato superior, posição sociológica 2 (PS2) os do estrato médio e posição sociológica 3 (PS3) os do estrato inferior. Os dados do inventário florestal constituíram uma matriz parcela x espécie, a qual foi utilizada em análise multivariada, pelo método TWINSPAN, permitindo a classificação de grupos de parcelas, a partir da densidade dos indivíduos. Adicionalmente ao levantamento da vegetação, foram obtidas as variáveis ambientais. A correlação entre os dados de vegetação e dados ambientais foi realizada por meio da Análise de Correspondência Canônica, com uso do programa PC-ORDTM for Windows versão 5.10. Os resultados demonstram a formação de três grupos distintos. O Grupo 1 (GR1) representa a situação própria de mata ciliar, o Grupo 2 (GR2) representa um remanescente de Floresta Ombrófila Mista, sob influência do uso intensivo dos campos na pecuária, e o Grupo 3 (GR3) demonstra uma situação atípica, com a presença de espécies fortemente influenciadas pela profundidade do solo, bem como pela saturação hídrica em maior período de tempo. No GR1, a mistura de espécies de diferentes grupos ecológicos, com predomínio de espécies pioneiras e secundárias, demonstra que a floresta apresenta-se em processo dinâmico de sucessão. O GR2 apresenta influência negativa do gado na sua estrutura e composição. Destacam-se nas matas ciliares (GR1) Eugenia uruguayensis e Sebastiania commersoniana e nos capões (GR2), o predomínio é de Araucaria angustifolia, Podocarpus lambertii e Myrceugenia cucullata, como principais responsáveis pelas formações existentes. Além disso, a lenta decomposição da matéria orgânica potencializada pela maior umidade altera a disponibilidade de nutrientes para as espécies no local. Nos capões, a constante presença do gado altera negativamente a estrutura do sub-bosque, influenciando nas características químicas do solo. Espécies como Araucaria angustifolia, Eugenia uruguayensis, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Calyptranthes concinna, Lithraea brasiliensis, Myrsine coriacea, Ocotea pulchella e Sebastiania commersoniana podem ser utilizadas na recuperação e enriquecimento de mata ciliar.

Fertility patterns in European Union Abstract The main objective of the thesis is to create a typology of fertility in the countries of European Union. The variables entering the analysis are demographic indicators of fertility (total fertility rate, mean age of women at first birth) and opinion poll Eurobarometer 75.4 (ideal number of children, sociodemographic variables). Fertility is analyzed from 1960 until 2014. The main part of the thesis focuses on 2011, when census and opinion poll were conducted. Deeper analysis is performed by using cluster analysis and Poisson regression. The result of the thesis is the typology of fertility based on theories explaining fertility changes and empirical analysis. Keywords: fertility, typology, European Union, ideal number of children, cluster analysis, Poisson regression

Abstract This research explored professional singers’ pronunciation of German in Frauenliebe und Leben, a song cycle, composed in 1840 by Robert Schumann (1810–1856). Adopting a two-fold approach, the thesis examined pronunciation from the viewpoints of normative German pronunciation and vocal pedagogy, paying special attention to the relationship between the two sets of norms. Normative German pronunciation is based on ‘reine Hochlautung’ as defined by Theodor Siebs, as well as on his instructions to classical singers. Norms of pronunciation used in vocal pedagogy were derived from 11 German pronunciation manuals for classical singers. At the centre of this study were 11 elements of the German language: the phonemes /s/, /r/, /b/, /d/ and /g/, the suffix -ig, double consonants, connecting consonants, the letter combination ng, liaison and diphthongs in a melismatic setting. Twelve professional singers’ – Anne Sofie von Otter, Barbara Bonney, Brigitte Fassbaender, Elly Ameling, Elisabeth Grümmer, Irmgard Seefried, Janet Baker, Jessye Norman, Kathleen Ferrier, Soile Isokoski, Marjana Lipovšek, Tamara Takács – pronunciation of these elements was studied via their recording of Frauenliebe und Leben between 1950 and 1997. Both descriptive statistical analysis methods and hierarchical cluster analysis were applied to the data. A reliability analysis was conducted using intra-category correlations and relative frequencies. This analysis indicated a reasonable degree of reliability. Descriptive statistical analysis methods yielded the result that the actual pronunciation of the professional singers, as evidenced by their recordings, was considerably more varied than what could be expected on the basis of normative or pedagogical norms. Hierarchical cluster analysis, too, showed that the professional singers shared the same category to a moderate degree. We may conclude that vocal pedagogical theory needs to be further developed, because pedagogical norms for pronunciation proved partially confusing and difficult to grasp. In addition, specific attention must be given to source critique. The actual pronunciation of professional singers challenges singing instructors to reflect on how they teach German pronunciation and what they can do to help their students develop the skills required for a critical listening of recordings. / Tiivistelmä Eksperttilaulajien saksan kielen ääntämistä havainnoitiin Robert Schumannin (1810–1856) vuonna 1840 säveltämässä laulusarjassa Frauenliebe und Leben, ja ääntämistä tutkittiin suhteessa sekä saksan kirjakielen ääntämisnormistoon että pedagogiseen ääntämisnormistoon. Tutkimuksessa syvennyttiin myös ääntämisnormistojen välisen suhteen tarkasteluun. Saksan kirjakielen ääntämisnormisto perustui Theodor Siebsin reine Hochlautung -ääntämistapaan sekä Siebsin klassisen laulun ohjeistuksiin. Pedagoginen ääntämisnormisto eli klassisille laulajille osoitetut saksan kielen ääntämisen oppaat oli rajattu yhteentoista teokseen. Tutkittavana oli yksitoista saksan kielen elementtiä: konsonantit s, r, b, d, g, suffiksi -ig, kirjainyhdistelmä ng, kaksoiskonsonantit, konsonanttien yhdistäminen, vokaalien sitominen ja diftongit. Laulusarjan levyttäneitä eksperttilaulajia oli kaksitoista: Anne Sofie von Otter, Barbara Bonney, Brigitte Fassbaender, Elly Ameling, Elisabeth Grümmer, Irmgard Seefried, Janet Baker, Jessye Norman, Kathleen Ferrier, Soile Isokoski, Marjana Lipovšek ja Tamara Takács. Äänitteet olivat vuosien 1950 ja 1997 väliseltä ajalta. Tutkimuksessa käytettiin perinteisiä kuvailevia tilastollisia analyysimenetelmiä ja hierarkkista ryhmittelyanalyysia. Aineiston luotettavuutta tarkasteltiin reliabiliteettianalyysin avulla. Reliabiliteettianalyysi osoitti, että aineistolle saavutettiin kohtuullinen luotettavuus. Kuvailevien tilastollisten analyysimenetelmien tuloksena oli havainto, että eksperttilaulajien ääntäminen äänitteissä oli huomattavasti monimuotoisempaa kuin saksan kirjakielen ja pedagoginen ääntämisnormisto antoivat olettaa. Hierarkkinen ryhmittelyanalyysi puolestaan osoitti, että eksperttilaulajien sijoittuminen samaan ryhmään oli maltillista. Tutkimus vahvistaa käsitystä, että laulupedagogista teoriaa tulee tarkastella dynaamisena, alati muuttuvana ilmiönä. Tutkimuksen perusteella myös havaitaan, että eksperttilaulajien ääntäminen noudattaa laulupedagogiikassa käytettyjä ääntämisen ohjeistuksia vain osin. Eksperttilaulajien ääntämisen käytäntö täten haastaa laulupedagogit pohtimaan sitä, kuinka he itse opettavat saksan kieltä, ja sitä, kuinka he liittävät opetustyöhönsä äänitteiden kriittisen kuuntelemisen taidon ja lauluoppaiden kriittisen käytön.

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Environ & Water Science) / Groundwater in arid and semi-arid areas like the Karoo region of South Africa is an important source of domestic, agricultural and industrial source of fresh water. As a scarce resource, it requires extensive quality control and protection through innovative methods and efficient strategies. The town of Beaufort West and its vicinity use groundwater as a major source of municipal and private water supply. Forty nine groundwater samples were collected from spatially referenced boreholes located in and around the town of Beaufort West and were analyzed for EC, pH, TDS,TH, SAR, TA, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3-, Cl-, NO3- and SO42- according to SANS 241 standards and tested for ionic balance. The groundwater of the study area was characterized using WHO and South African drinking water quality standards as well as TDS and Salinity hazard classifications. These comparisons and classifications characterized the groundwater of the study area as hard to very hard, with low to medium salinity hazard. These results are in accordance with the dominance of the ions Ca2+, Na+, HCO3 - and Cl- in the groundwater samples. Linear relationships between the hydrochemical variables were analysed through correlation and multiple regression analysis to relate the groundwater quality to the underlying hydrogeochemical processes. These linear relationships explained the contribution of the measured variables towards the salinity, hardness and anthropogenic contamination of the groundwater. The groundwater of the study area was also assessed using conventional trilinear diagrams and scatter plots to interpret the water quality and determine the major ion chemistry. The conventional methods highlighted the sources of the hydrochemical variables through analysis and interpretation of rock-water interaction and evaporations processes. To supplement these conventional methods and reveal hidden hydrogeochemical phenomenon, multivariate statistical analyses were employed. Factor analysis reduced the hydrochemical variables into three factors (Hardness, Alkalinity and Landuse) that characterize the groundwater quality in relation to the source of its hydrochemistry. Furthermore, combination of Cluster (CA) and Discriminant analyses (DA) were used to classify the groundwater in to different hydrochemical facies and determine the dominant hydrochemical variables that characterize these facies. The classification results were also compared with the trilinear diagrammatic interpretations to highlight the advantages of these multivariate statistical methods. The CA and DA classifications resulted in to six different hydrochemical facies that are characterized by NO3 -, Na+ and pH. These three hydrochemical variables explain 93.9% of the differences between the water types and highlight the influence of natural hydrogeochemical and anthropogenic processes on the groundwater quality. All the univariate, bivariate, multivariate statistical and conventional hydrogeochemical analyses results were analyzed spatially using ArcGIS 10.0. The spatial analysis employed the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation method to predict spatial distribution of unmeasured areas and reclassification of the interpolation results for classification purposes. The results of the different analyses methods employed in the thesis illustrate that the groundwater in the study area is generally hard but permissible in the absence of better alternative water source and useful for irrigation.

Wealth, well-being and the standard of living of the population are among the most important topics of economic policy and statistics. This diploma thesis deals with statistical concepts of wealth measurement, especially the wealth of households. The aim of the thesis is to introduce various indicators that deal with the mentioned issues. This thesis will describe Gross Domestic Product, Household Consumption, EU-SILC Survey, or Alternative Indicators Assessing the Living Standard of the Population. The most important indicator characterizing the wealth of households will be the net worth of households. On the presented indicators I will describe the development of wealth of households in the Czech Republic since 1993. Another part of the thesis is focused on describing the relationship between net worth and other indicators of wealth through cointegration analysis of time series. In this cointegration analysis, the ADL model and the EC model will be used. The last part of the thesis is aimed at the international comparison of the wealth of households within selected European countries. For this comparison will be use a cluster analysis to build clusters of states with a similar household wealth.

Dans certains champs d’apprentissage supervisé (e.g. diagnostic médical, vision artificielle), les modèles prédictifs sont non seulement évalués sur leur précision mais également sur la capacité à l'obtention d'une représentation plus fiable des données et des connaissances qu'elles induisent, afin d'assister la prise de décisions de manière prudente. C'est la problématique étudiée dans le cadre de cette thèse. Plus spécifiquement, nous avons examiné deux approches existantes de la littérature de l'apprentissage statistique pour rendre les modèles et les prédictions plus prudents et plus fiables: le cadre des probabilités imprécises et l'apprentissage sensible aux coûts. Ces deux domaines visent tous les deux à rendre les modèles d'apprentissage et les inférences plus fiables et plus prudents. Pourtant peu de travaux existants ont tenté de les relier, en raison de problèmes à la fois théorique et pratique. Nos contributions consistent à clarifier et à résoudre ces problèmes. Sur le plan théorique, peu de travaux existants ont abordé la manière de quantifier les différentes erreurs de classification quand des prédictions sous forme d'ensembles sont produites et quand ces erreurs ne se valent pas (en termes de conséquences). Notre première contribution a donc été d'établir des propriétés générales et des lignes directrices permettant la quantification des coûts d'erreurs de classification pour les prédictions sous forme d'ensembles. Ces propriétés nous ont permis de dériver une formule générale, le coût affaiblie généralisé (CAG), qui rend possible la comparaison des classifieurs quelle que soit la forme de leurs prédictions (singleton ou ensemble) en tenant compte d'un paramètre d'aversion à la prudence. Sur le plan pratique, la plupart des classifieurs utilisant les probabilités imprécises ne permettent pas d'intégrer des coûts d'erreurs de classification génériques de manière simple, car la complexité du calcul augmente de magnitude lorsque des coûts non unitaires sont utilisés. Ce problème a mené à notre deuxième contribution, la mise en place d'un classifieur qui permet de gérer les intervalles de probabilités produits par les probabilités imprécises et les coûts d'erreurs génériques avec le même ordre de complexité que dans le cas où les probabilités standards et les coûts unitaires sont utilisés. Il s'agit d'utiliser une technique de décomposition binaire, les dichotomies emboîtées. Les propriétés et les pré-requis de ce classifieur ont été étudiés en détail. Nous avons notamment pu voir que les dichotomies emboîtées sont applicables à tout modèle probabiliste imprécis et permettent de réduire le niveau d'indétermination du modèle imprécis sans perte de pouvoir prédictif. Des expériences variées ont été menées tout au long de la thèse pour appuyer nos contributions. Nous avons caractérisé le comportement du CAG à l’aide des jeux de données ordinales. Ces expériences ont mis en évidence les différences entre un modèle basé sur les probabilités standards pour produire des prédictions indéterminées et un modèle utilisant les probabilités imprécises. Ce dernier est en général plus compétent car il permet de distinguer deux sources d'indétermination (l'ambiguïté et le manque d'informations), même si l'utilisation conjointe de ces deux types de modèles présente également un intérêt particulier dans l'optique d'assister le décideur à améliorer les données ou les classifieurs. De plus, des expériences sur une grande variété de jeux de données ont montré que l'utilisation des dichotomies emboîtées permet d'améliorer significativement le pouvoir prédictif d'un modèle imprécis avec des coûts génériques. / In some areas of supervised machine learning (e.g. medical diagnostics, computer vision), predictive models are not only evaluated on their accuracy but also on their ability to obtain more reliable representation of the data and the induced knowledge, in order to allow for cautious decision making. This is the problem we studied in this thesis. Specifically, we examined two existing approaches of the literature to make models and predictions more cautious and more reliable: the framework of imprecise probabilities and the one of cost-sensitive learning. These two areas are both used to make models and inferences more reliable and cautious. Yet few existing studies have attempted to bridge these two frameworks due to both theoretical and practical problems. Our contributions are to clarify and to resolve these problems. Theoretically, few existing studies have addressed how to quantify the different classification errors when set-valued predictions are produced and when the costs of mistakes are not equal (in terms of consequences). Our first contribution has been to establish general properties and guidelines for quantifying the misclassification costs for set-valued predictions. These properties have led us to derive a general formula, that we call the generalized discounted cost (GDC), which allow the comparison of classifiers whatever the form of their predictions (singleton or set-valued) in the light of a risk aversion parameter. Practically, most classifiers basing on imprecise probabilities fail to integrate generic misclassification costs efficiently because the computational complexity increases by an order (or more) of magnitude when non unitary costs are used. This problem has led to our second contribution, the implementation of a classifier that can manage the probability intervals produced by imprecise probabilities and the generic error costs with the same order of complexity as in the case where standard probabilities and unitary costs are used. This is to use a binary decomposition technique, the nested dichotomies. The properties and prerequisites of this technique have been studied in detail. In particular, we saw that the nested dichotomies are applicable to all imprecise probabilistic models and they reduce the imprecision level of imprecise models without loss of predictive power. Various experiments were conducted throughout the thesis to illustrate and support our contributions. We characterized the behavior of the GDC using ordinal data sets. These experiences have highlighted the differences between a model based on standard probability framework to produce indeterminate predictions and a model based on imprecise probabilities. The latter is generally more competent because it distinguishes two sources of uncertainty (ambiguity and the lack of information), even if the combined use of these two types of models is also of particular interest as it can assist the decision-maker to improve the data quality or the classifiers. In addition, experiments conducted on a wide variety of data sets showed that the use of nested dichotomies significantly improves the predictive power of an indeterminate model with generic costs.

Managed lane refers to the application of various operational and design strategies on highway facilities to improve system efficiency and mobility by proactively allocating traffic capacity to different lanes. One of the key elements to understand the behavior changes and underlying causalities in user responses to managed lanes is to examine the value of time (VOT) and value of reliability (VOR). The breadth of this dissertation encompasses two major dimensions of VOT and VOR estimation – distributions or variations across different users and under different circumstances; and influences of unobserved attitudinal characteristics on roadway pricing valuation. To understand travelers’ choice behavior regarding the usage of managed lanes, combined revealed preference (RP) and stated preference (SP) data were used in this study. Mixed logit modeling was applied as the state of the art methodology to capture heterogeneity in users’ choice behavior. The model revealed an average value of $10.68 per hour for VOT and $13.91 per hour for VOR, which are reasonable considering the average household income in the region, and are well within the ranges found in the literature. In terms of user heterogeneity, the mixed logit model was further enhanced by adding interaction effects of variables, which helped recognize and quantify potential sources of heterogeneity in user sensitivities to time, reliability, and cost. The findings indicated that travelers were likely to exhibit higher willingness to pay when they were female, younger (years), older (>54 years), had higher income (> 50 K), driving alone, and traveled on weekdays. Attitudinal aspects are rarely incorporated into roadway pricing analysis. The study herein presents an effort to explore the role of attitudinal factors in drivers’ propensity toward using managed lanes. Model results boded for a significant contribution of attitudinal parameters in the model, both in terms of coefficients and model performance. This study provides a robust approach to quantify user heterogeneity in VOT and VOR and capture the impacts of attitudinal attributes in pricing valuation. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding on what attributes lead to higher or lower VOT and VOR and to what extent.

Quality protein maize (QPM) has enhanced levels of two essential amino acids, lysine and tryptophan compared to normal maize. This makes QPM an important cereal crop in communities where maize is a staple crop. The main abiotic factor to QPM production is drought stress. Little information is available on the effect of drought stress on QPM. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: (i) conduct diversity analysis of QPM inbred lines using morpho-agronomic and simple sequence repeat markers, (ii) screen available QPM inbred lines and F1 progeny for tolerance to seedling drought stress, (iii) determine the combining ability and type of gene action of QPM inbred lines for tolerance to seedling drought stress, grain yield and endosperm modification. The study was conducted in South Africa, at the University of Fort Hare. Morphological characterisation of 21 inbred lines was done using quantitative and qualitative traits. A randomised complete block design with three replicates was used for characterizing the inbred lines in the field. Genstat statistical software, version 12 (Genstat ®, 2009) was used for analysis of variance (ANOVA) and descriptive statistics. Analysis of variance was performed on all quantitative data for morphological traits. Data for qualitative traits was tabulated in their nominal classes. Traits that contributed most to the variation were days to anthesis, days to silking, anthesis-silking interval, plant height, number of kernel rows, ear length and grain yield. Cluster analysis grouped the inbred lines into three main clusters. The first cluster was characterised by tall and average yielding lines, while the second cluster showed the least anthesis-silking interval, and had the highest yield. Cluster three consisted of lines that were early maturing, but were the least yielding. Genetic distances between maize inbred lines were quantified by using 27 simple sequence repeat markers. The genetic distances between genotypes was computed using Roger’s (1972) genetic distances. Cluster analysis was then carried out using the neighbour-joining tree method using Power Marker software version 3.25. A dendrogram generated from the genetic study of the inbred lines revealed three groups that concurred with expectations based upon pedigree data. These groups were not identical to the groups generated using morpho-agronomic characterisation. Twenty one QPM inbred lines were crossed using a North Carolina design II mating scheme. These were divided into seven sets, each with three inbred lines. The three inbred lines in one set were used as females and crossed with three inbred lines in another set consisting of males. Each inbred line was used as a female in one set, and as a male in a second set. Sixty three hybrids (7 sets x 9 hybrids) were formed and evaluated in October 2011, using a 6x8 alpha-lattice incomplete block design with three replicates under glasshouse and optimum field conditions. A randomised complete block design with three replicates was used for the 21 parental inbred lines. Traits recorded for the glasshouse study were, canopy temperature, chlorophyll content, leaf roll, stem diameter, plant height, leaf number, leaf area, fresh and dry root and shoot weights. Data for the various traits for each environment, 25 percent (stress treatment) and 75 percent (non-stress) of field capacity, were subjected to analysis of variance using the unbalanced treatment design in Genstat statistical package Edition 12. Where varietal differences were found, means were separated using Tukey’s test. Genetic analyses for grain yield and agronomic traits were performed using a fixed effects model in JMP 10 following Residual Maximum Likelihood procedure (REML). From the results, inbred lines that were not previously classified into heterotic groups and drought tolerance categories were classified based on their total dry weight performance and drought susceptibility index. Inbred lines L18, L9, L8, L6 and L3, in order of their drought tolerance index were the best performers under greenhouse conditions and could be recommended for breeding new varieties that are tolerant to seedling drought stress. Evaluation of maize seedlings tolerant to drought stress under glasshouse conditions revealed that cross combination L18 x L11 was drought tolerant, while cross L20 x L7 was susceptible. Total dry weight was used as the major criteria for classifying F1 maize seedlings as being resistant or susceptible. General combining ability effects accounted for 67.43 percent of the genetic variation for total dry weight, while specific combining ability effects contributed 37.57 percent. This indicated that additive gene effects were more important than non-additive gene action in controlling this trait. In the field study (non-drought), the experimental design was a 6x8 alpha lattice incomplete block design with three replicates. On an adjacent field a randomised complete block design with three replicates was used to evaluate the parental inbred lines. The following variables were recorded: plant height, ear height, ears per plant, endosperm modification, days to silking and days to anthesis, anthesis-silking interval, number of kernels per row, number of rows per ear and grain yield. General analyses for the incomplete lattice block design and randomised complete block design for hybrid and inbred data respectively were performed using JMP 10 statistical software. Means were separated using the Tukey's test. Genetic analyses of data for grain yield and agronomic traits were conducted using a fixed effects model using REML in JMP 10. The importance of both GCA (51 percent) and SCA (49 percent) was observed for grain yield. A preponderance of GCA existed for ear height, days to anthesis, anthesis-silking interval, ears per plant and number of kernels per row, indicating that predominantly, additive gene effects controlled hybrid performance under optimum field conditions. The highest heritability was observed for days to silking (48.27 percent) suggesting that yield could be improved through selection for this trait. Under field conditions, variation in time to maturity was observed. This implies that these inbred lines can be recommended for utilisation in different agro-ecologies. Early maturing lines such as L18 can be used to introduce earliness in local cultivars, while early maturing single crosses such as L18 x L2, L5 x L9, L3 x L4 and L2 x L21 could be recommended for maize growers in drought prone areas such as the former Ciskei. Single crosses L18xL11, L16xL18, L8xL21 and L9xL6 had good tolerance to seedling drought stress. On the other hand, single crosses L18xL11 and L11xL13 had high grain yield and good endosperm modification. All these single crosses could be recommended for commercial production after evaluation across locations in the Eastern Cape Province. Alternatively they can be crossed with other superior inbreds to generate three or four way hybrids, which could then be evaluated for potential use by farmers in the Eastern Cape.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to cover the catching up with the economic level among the countries of middle and eastern Europe. More accurately it analyses GDP per capita and household income per capita as one of the key economic indicators. The thesis concretely focuses on analysis of beta and sigma convergence and cluster analysis of the mentioned regions and concurrently at the background of the analysis explains some theoretical terms from areas of economics, econometrics and statistics. The analysis was concluded in IBM SPSS programme which belongs to the most complex, user friendly and professionally often used expert tools. The data for the analysis were used from Eurostat.

The thesis considers lifestyle with emphasis on its applicability in marketing practices. The first part characterises the social research projects that took place recently in the Czech Republic. The second part concentrates on the principles and methods of market segmentation, followed by an example of financial market segmentation based on features of lifestyle. The final part contains recommendations related to marketing strategies towards chosen segments.