Spectroscopic orbital elements and/or related parameters have been determined for eight binary systems, using radial-velocity measurements that have a typical precision of about 15 ms⁻¹. The orbital periods of these systems range from about 10 days to 26 years, with a median of about 6 years. Orbital solutions were determined for the seven systems with shorter periods. The measurement of the mass ratio of the longest-period system, HD217166, demonstrates that this important astrophysical quantity can be estimated in a model-free manner with less than 10% of the orbital cycle observed spectroscopically.\\ Single-lined orbital solutions have been derived for five of the binaries. Two of these systems are astrometric binaries: β Ret and ν Oct. The other SB1 systems were 94 Aqr A, θ Ant, and the 10-day system, HD159656. The preliminary spectroscopic solution for θ Ant (P~18 years), is the first one derived for this system. The improvement to the precision achieved for the elements of the other four systems was typically between 1--2 orders of magnitude. The very high precision with which the spectroscopic solution for HD159656 has been measured should allow an investigation into possible apsidal motion in the near future. In addition to the variable radial velocity owing to its orbital motion, the K-giant, ν Oct, has been found to have an additional long-term irregular periodicity, attributed, for the time being, to the rotation of a large surface feature.\\ Double-lined solutions were obtained for HD206804 (K7V+K7V), which previously had two competing astrometric solutions but no spectroscopic solution, and a newly discovered seventh-magnitude system, HD181958 (F6V+F7V). This latter system has the distinction of having components and orbital characteristics whose study should be possible with present ground-based interferometers. All eight of the binary systems have had their mass ratio and the masses of their components estimated.\\ The following comments summarize the motivation for getting these results, and the manner in which the research was carried out. \\ The majority of stars exist in binary systems rather than singly as does the Sun. These systems provide astronomers with the most reliable and proven means to determine many of the fundamental properties of stars. One of these properties is the stellar mass, which is regarded as being the most important of all, since most other stellar characteristics are very sensitive to the mass. Therefore, empirical masses, combined with measurements of other stellar properties, such as radii and luminosities, are an excellent test for competing models of stellar structure and evolution.\\ Binary stars also provide opportunities to observe and investigate many extraordinary astrophysical processes that do not occur in isolated stars. These processes often arise as a result of direct and indirect interactions between the components, when they are sufficiently close to each other. Some of the interactions are relatively passive, such as the circularization of the mutual orbits, whilst others result from much more active processes, such as mass exchange leading to intense radiation emissions. \\ A complete understanding of a binary system's orbital characteristics, as well as the measurement of the all-important stellar masses, is almost always only achieved after the binary system has been studied using two or more complementary observing techniques. Two of the suitable techniques are astrometry and spectroscopy. In favourable circumstances, astrometry can deduce the angular dimensions of the orbit, the total mass of the system, and sometimes, its distance from us. Spectroscopy, on the other hand, can determine the linear scale of the orbit and the ratio of the stellar masses, based on the changing radial velocities of both stars. When a resolved astrometric orbital solution is also available, the velocities of both stars can allow the binary system's parallax to be determined, and the velocities of one star can provide a measure of the system mass ratio.\\ Unfortunately, relatively few binary systems are suited to these complementary studies. Underlying this difficulty are the facts that, typically, astrometrically-determined orbits favour those with periods of years or decades, whereas spectroscopic orbital solutions are more often measured for systems with periods of days to months. With the development of high-resolution astrometric and spectroscopic techniques in recent years, it is hoped that many more binary systems will be amenable to these complementary strategies.\\ Several months after this thesis began, a high-resolution spectrograph, HERCULES, commenced operations at the Mt John University Observatory, to be used in conjuction with the 1-metre McLellan telescope. For late-type stars, the anticipated velocity precision was ≲10 ms⁻¹. The primary goals of this thesis were: 1.~to assess the performance of HERCULES and the related reduction software that subsequently followed, 2.~to carry out an observational programme of 20 or so binary systems, and 3.~to determine the orbital and stellar parameters which characterize some of these systems. The particular focus was on those binaries that have resolved or unresolved astrometric orbital solutions, which therefore may be suited to complementary investigations.\\ HERCULES was used to acquire spectra of the programme stars, usually every few weeks, over a timespan of about three years. High-resolution spectra were acquired for the purpose of measuring precise radial velocities of the stars. When possible, orbital solutions were derived from these velocities, using the method of differential corrections.

Diagnostic biases against individuals of advanced age or few years of formal education exist because age and education are commonly related to performance on cognitive tests, thus, demographic corrections for these tests are used. Corrections are complicated, however, by an association between demographic variables and dementia diagnoses. This dissertation examined the dementia diagnostic accuracy of demographic corrections for cognitive tests. Experiment I tested whether, in the context of skewed tests that violate the statistical assumptions of linearity and homoscedasticity, the accuracy of demographically-corrected test scores would be reduced. Experiment II tested whether demographic corrections would only be appropriate for biased factors instead of the total score for multifactorial tests. Experiment III explored whether demographic corrections would be inappropriate under conditions where the dementia pathology overrides the association between cognitive test scores and demographic variables. Experiment IV explored whether demographic corrections would be inappropriate in conditions where the demographic variables were, in themselves, risk factors for dementia, as this would remove predictive variance. Experiment V explored aspects particular to regression-based demographic corrections that might adversely affect diagnostic accuracy. Experiments I to V were simulation-based; consequently Experiment VI explored replication of these findings using regression adjusted scores in a previously collected clinical database. Finally, Experiment VII used clinical data in conjunction with published clinical normative data with demographic-stratification to test the generalizability of these findings to clinical practice. Using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve comparisons, the use of demographically-corrected scores repeatedly failed to improve upon the dementia diagnostic accuracy of uncorrected cognitive test scores, regardless of whether these corrections were regression-based or based on demographically stratified normative data. Demographic corrections reduced dementia diagnostic accuracy when cognitive test scores were skewed or when adjustments were regression-based and demographic variables were risk factors for dementia. The use of demographic corrections when dementia pathology supersedes any association between cognitive test scores and demographic variables does not impact the relative diagnostic accuracy of demographically-corrected versus uncorrected test scores. Overall, these results suggest that the use of demographic corrections for cognitive test scores is highly cautioned when the goal is to maximize dementia diagnostic accuracy.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-12T20:15:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marsal Eduardo Bento.pdf: 1108751 bytes, checksum: c5c36b13c56d8d4fadcee9ddc5a9098e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The development of Density Functional Theory (DFT) has been focused primarily on two main pillars: (1) the pursuit of more accurate exchange-correlation (XC) density functionals; (2) the feasibility of computational implementation when dealing with many-body systems. In this context, this work is aimed on using one-dimensional quantum systems as theoretical laboratories to investigate the implementation of orbital functionals (OFs) of density. By definition, OFs are those which depend only implicitly on the density, via an explicit formulation in terms of Kohn-Sham orbitals. Typical examples are the XC functionals arising from the Perdew-Zunger self-interaction correction (PZSIC). Formally, via Kohn-Sham equations, the implementation of OFs must be performed by means of the optimized effective potential method (OEP), which is known by requiring an excessive computational effort even when dealing with few electrons systems (N ̴ 10). Here, we proceed a systematical investigation aiming to simplify or avoid the OEP procedure, taking as reference the implementation of the PZSIC correction applied to one-dimensional Hubbard chains. / O desenvolvimento da Teoria do Funcional da Densidade (DFT) tem se concentrado, sobretudo, em dois pilares fundamentais: (1) a busca por funcionais de troca e correlação (XC) mais precisos; (2) a viabilidade de implementação computacional diante de sistemas com muitos elétrons. Nesse contexto, o objetivo principal deste trabalho consiste em utilizar sistemas quânticos unidimensionais, mais simples de serem tratados numericamente, como laboratórios teóricos para o desenvolvimento de alternativas de implementação numérica de funcionais orbitais (OFs) da densidade. Por definição, OFs são todos aqueles que dependem apenas implicitamente da densidade, via formulação explícita em termos dos orbitais Kohn-Sham. Exemplos típicos são os funcionais XC advindos da correção de auto-interação de Perdew e Zunger (PZSIC). Formalmente, via equações de Kohn-Sham, a implementação de OFs deve ser procedida por meio do método do potencial efetivo otimizado (OEP) que, no contexto computacional, é conhecido por se tornar demasiadamente custoso, inclusive para sistemas com poucos elétrons (N ̴ 10). Sendo assim, investigamos, de forma sistemática, alternativas de simplificar ou evitar o procedimento OEP, tomando como referência a implementação da correção PZSIC aplicada a cadeias de Hubbard unidimensionais.

L’objectif de cette étude est de recueillir des informations biographiques sur Julio Cortázar grâce à des lettres, des interviews, des essais et des documents pédagogiques écrits par l’auteur lui-même. Notre objectif est de remodeler ces éléments de manière à exposer et réfléchir sur la façon dont Cortázar entendait sa fonction d’écrivain et la manière dont il s’y est investi tout au long de sa vie. Grâce à une approche globale de ces sources biographiques, nous avons retracé le parcours de formation et d’évolution littéraire de l’auteur, les inquiétudes intellectuelles, sociales et politiques qui l’entouraient et les problèmes professionnels auxquels il a dû faire face au quotidien. Nous commençons par nous plonger dans la trajectoire chronologique de Cortázar en tant que lecteur. Nous apportons une vision globale des lectures qui l’ont formé et de celles qui l’ont accompagné de son enfance à son décès. Nous poursuivons notre analyse avec une présentation chronologique des opinions qu’il exprime sur son oeuvre. Nous montrons ainsi un jeune poète et auteur de contes qui doute de la qualité littéraire de ses écrits, un écrivain connu de contes fantastiques qui s’impose le défi de changer de modalité ou de genre ainsi qu’un auteur déjà reconnu qui continue à chercher comment briser les moules. Nous apportons enfin des informations sur les aspects pratiques de la fonction d’écrivain. En d’autres termes, nous présentons l’énorme implication de Cortázar dans le processus de publication et de traduction de ses livres ainsi que son interaction avec le monde littéraire et éditorial. / This study aims to garner biographical information on Julio Cortázar, as obtained from his letters, interviews, essays and pedagogical texts, in order to offer new insights that allow us to expose and reflect on how he understood his writing career and worked as a writer throughout his life. In applying a global approach to said biographical sources, this study traces his first years as a writer and his literary evolution, his intellectual, social and political involvement, and the practical problems he had to face on a daily basis. To begin with, the study looks into Cortázar’s trajectory as a reader, providing an overview of the readings in which he was educated and of those that left an imprint on him from childhood to death. A chronological exposition of the opinions he expressed about his work follows. Thus, Cortázar offers a portrait of himself as a young poet and story writer who doubts about the literary quality of his texts, as a known writer of fantastic short stories who challenges himself with the task of changing modalities and genres, and as an acclaimed writer who constantly seeks to break moulds. Finally, this study furnishes data on the practical side of his writing career. Cortázar’s strenuous involvement in the publishing process and translation of his work is discussed, together with his interaction with the literary and editing world.

Penology / (M.A. (Penology)

Private prisons in South Africa are still premature but it will be increased because negotiations are on the track. The government should take a more serious look at private prisons as an alternative to public production of correctional service due to its efficiency. It is clear that the privatization of correctional facilities is a viable option for the future of correctional facilities. The expansion of privatization in this country will depend upon public and political confidence that private prisons will as effectively and accountable as public prisons. Private prisons have also demonstrated to have other advantages such as continuous audits on site. The aim of this study is to provide some insight into the privatization of prisons. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)

Esta dissertação dedica-se ao estudo das consequências da aplicabilidade da pena privativa de liberdade e das condições de possibilidade de legitimá-la, através de propósitos ressocializadores. Parte-se do princípio de que a pena carcerária é um mal que ainda se apresenta necessário, e para tanto não merece total extinção, mas sim significativas reformas. Toma-se como base dessa hipótese a desvinculação dos crimes que atingem bens jurídicos de maior relevância e propostas alternativas de encarceramento. Como fundamento, analisa-se os reflexos do encarceramento e suas diferentes propostas, enquanto medida indutora à reincidência, pretendendo sugerir propostas de modificação dos caminhos que provocam o sempre crescente índice de reincidência, embasando-se na participação da sociedade nos processos de reconstrução da dignidade profissional do apenado e do egresso. Nesse contexto, sugere-se que as parcerias entre o poder público e a iniciativa privada haveriam por emprestar ferramentas hábeis a esse desiderato, sugerindo o estudo e a implementação de estratégias que minimizem os efeitos perniciosos da pena convencional. O propósito último é estabelecer processos interativos que liguem a sociedade ao infrator com vista à inclusão desse último à vida social / The broad aim of this dissertation is critically develop a social and legal analysis of the actual, situation of the political system of imprisonment in the penitentiaries of Brazil. Specifically, the focus of the research is directed toward those people who were condemned to imprisonment through long length sentences, due to have been accused and convicted of serious crimes against individuals, the social order and its security. The hypothesis raised here based upon careful empirical observations is that the State, alone, is weak and unprepared to cope with programs of re-socialization of these people; there is no serious academic and educational strategies directed to help them to reach dignity and professional and social respectability; nor have been introduced effective policies toward a professional training, or re-training, in order to integrate them in industrial or commercial activities. By contrast, what has happened is that prisons have frequently be transformed in a web of delinquence, tying, inside and outside the prisons, criminal leaders and their gangs. So, once they leave prison, (when and if they do) they are again engaged in different types of criminal actions. Objectively, this research tries to conceive a new and revolutionary project, on the basis of establishing agreements between state partners and private ones, concentrating both money, social services, and technologies, able to provide educational and professional means and efforts, not only in order to low the level of criminality, but mainly to create new and more effective alternatives to the prisoners to reach moral, social and professional reintegration within the community, as well as regain their citizenship

Inspired by words of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people in California and Denmark, this thesis critically analyzes the American criminal justice system and asks if critiques of the institution can be addressed and improved through the implementation of kindness and compassion within the walls of prison, itself.

This investigation was concerned with the problem that the staff development needs of child-care personnel in juvenile detention facilities in the State of Texas have not been identified and described. The study utilizes the Delphi technique in determining juvenile detention administrators' perceptions of the skills/knowledge required to be a competent detention child-care worker. The assumption was made that detention administrators can supply relevant input to study.

La présente thèse étudie le développement du système carcéral moderne aux États-Unis en général et dans l’État du Wisconsin en particulier. Alors que, traditionnellement, l’administration pénitentiaire du Wisconsin n’a que rarement éveillé l’intérêt de la communauté scientifique nous démontrerons le rôle fondamental joué par l’État durant les années 1980 et 1990, celles du tout-carcéral. Pendant des années, le Wisconsin respecta son image de laboratoire de la démocratie acquise sous l’ère Roosevelt. Cependant, pour des raisons principalement politiques, des mesures de plus en plus punitives furent votées à partir du milieu des années 1970 qui eurent pour effet de voir émerger de nouvelles politiques pénales. L’approche resocialisante, connue sous le nom de Wisconsin Approach, allait laisser la place à une politique répressive dont une des représentations demeure les transferts de prisonniers vers d’autres États. Le Department of Corrections connut pendant des années un des taux d’incarcération les plus élevés du pays et fut à l’avant-garde, dès les années 1970, des philosophies conservatrices en matière de politique judiciaire. Cette étude se concentre sur l’évolution du DOC à cette période afin d’en évaluer les conséquences sur les institutions et de voir comment ces changements ont pu affecter le concept de démocratie qui se trouve au cœur du commonwealth, fondement philosophique de l’État du Wisconsin. Grâce à l’étude de documents officiels, d’articles de presse et de lettres de détenus que l’auteur a réunies pendant plusieurs années, une image de la pénitentiaire actuelle, jusque-là ignorée, sera ainsi présentée. Cette recherche se propose ainsi d’analyser les différents programmes et les politiques mises en œuvre par l’administration pénitentiaire, et que le DOC défend avec fierté. / This work examines the development of the modern prison in the United States focusing on the state of Wisconsin because of certain unique specificities. While the Wisconsin Department of Corrections has traditionally attracted little interest but we will present some evidence that its case is indeed significant in the context of the prison boom of the 1980s and 1990s. Politically, for many years, the state had been known as the «laboratory» for democracy. However, mostly because of political reasons mostly, increasingly severe measures were ratified in the mid seventies which overturned previous correctional policies and gave a new direction to penal philosophies in the state. The Wisconsin Approach to corrections would gradually disappear and the state became one of the first to implement out-of-state incarceration. The Department of Corrections (DOC) experienced one of the highest national rates of incarceration for many years, being, in the field of criminal policies, at the forefront of the conservative revolution starting in the 1970s. We will analyze the development of the DOC and see how this trend has affected the institutions and the concept of democracy at the heart of the commonwealth in Wisconsin. This work relies on official documents and on the letters of prisoners the author has received for many years, revealing a firsthand account of the reality of prisons today in Wisconsin. Thanks to these narratives, this study will attempt to evaluate the varied programs, policies and missions that the Wisconsin DOC is still proud to defend today.