As climate change continues to permeate the current political discourse and its effects becomes increasingly visible, the way countries respond to the situation is crucial for determining the extent of future environmental degradation. The Paris Agreement is an attempt to mitigate and adapt to the situation, however the western values tied to it have been criticised. The effectiveness of democracy in environmental protection has been questioned, especially its ties to capitalism and individualism. This thesis uses the theory of authoritarian environmentalism to investigate this debate and see whether the claims have any legitimacy in the context of the Paris Agreement and the promises made in relation to it.     This thesis is a structured focused comparison which compares the policies and projects in three democratic and three autocratic African countries in close geographical proximity and similar environmental situations, to investigate if and in what way the type of government affects the promises made, and whether they are kept, to the Paris Agreement and its signatories. The indicators used for the thesis include policies and internationally funded projects, due to their accessibility, however it is worth noting that they only give a crude approximation of the activities and ambition in the countries, with several others having important roles.    The quality of the six countries’ Intended Nationally Determined Contributions is investigated and followed up with an evaluation of some of the projects active to examine if the countries are implementing their promised efforts, already in these early, yet important, stages of the Agreement. In addition, the theory is applied to the countries’ efforts and some conclusions are reached, including the overall good quality of the countries’ environmental work and confirming that authoritarian countries can produce quality policies, while still having lacking areas, similar to their democratic counterparts, pointing to the complexity of the topic.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2018-08-29T13:06:02Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Joicy Vitoria Miranda Peixoto - 2016.pdf: 2788388 bytes, checksum: bfe276668887fe4612e8d02840aee543 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-08-29T14:12:39Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Joicy Vitoria Miranda Peixoto - 2016.pdf: 2788388 bytes, checksum: bfe276668887fe4612e8d02840aee543 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-29T14:12:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Joicy Vitoria Miranda Peixoto - 2016.pdf: 2788388 bytes, checksum: bfe276668887fe4612e8d02840aee543 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-11 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The tomato is an important crop in both the national scene, and internationally, being its fruits among the most consumed in the world. These have nutritional importance, a source of several essential nutrients for a balanced diet as vitamin C, pro-vitamin A (betacarotene) and antioxidants (lycopene and other carotenoids). The social and economic importance of culture is associated with the generation of employment and source of funds for family. Given the benefits of tomato and its relevance in the country objective of this study was to characterize 25 genotypes of industrial tomato as the morphological aspects (number of leaf branches and floral racemes), productive and nutritious, and to select those likely to fruit cultivation to consumption "in natura" aimed at producing hybrids. The evaluation of the number of branches leaf and floral racemes allowed to conclude that the first variable positively influences the second, providing increased productivity. The lines CVR 1, CVR 3, CVR 4, CVR 5, CVR 21 and CVR 22 have an aptitude for genetic improvement of tomato, these being the higher productivity. Furthermore, it is concluded that lines including the CVR 8 are suitable for consumption "in natura", being that they produce fruits with soluble solid content above three degrees brix, oblong format, pH and vitamin C content in normal amount. The CVR 22 lineage produces tastier fruits due to better ratio between soluble solids and titratable acidity. The CVR 3 and CVR 8 lines yield fruits of higher acidity and lower pH, and accentuated red color, are indicated for the genetic improvement of industrial tomato. / O tomateiro é uma importante cultura tanto no cenário nacional, quanto no internacional, estando os seus frutos entre os mais consumidos no mundo. Estes possuem importância nutricional, sendo fonte de vários nutrientes fundamentais à dieta balanceada como vitamina C, pró-vitamina A (beta-caroteno) e antioxidantes (licopeno e outros carotenóides). A importância social e econômica da cultura está associada à geração de emprego e fonte de renda para várias famílias. Diante dos benefícios do tomate e de sua relevância no país, objetivou-se com este trabalho caracterizar 25 genótipos de tomate industrial quanto aos aspectos morfológicos (número de ramos foliares e rácimos florais), produtivos e nutritivos, além de selecionar aqueles propícios ao cultivo de frutos para consumo “in natura” visando à produção de híbridos. A avaliação do número de ramos foliares e rácimos florais permitiram concluir que a primeira variável influencia positivamente a segunda, proporcionando incremento em produtividade. As linhagens CVR 1, CVR 3, CVR 4, CVR 5, CVR 21 e CVR 22 possuem aptidão para o melhoramento genético do tomateiro, sendo estes os de maior produtividade. Além disso, concluiu-se que essas linhagens incluindo a CVR 8 são aptas ao consumo “in natura”, sendo que estes produzem frutos com teor de sólidos solúveis acima de três graus brix, formato oblongo, pH e teor de vitamina C em quantidade normal. A linhagem CVR 22 produz frutos mais saborosos devido a melhor relação entre sólidos solúveis e acidez total titulável. As linhagens CVR 3 e CVR 8 produzem frutos de maior acidez e menor pH, além de coloração vermelho acentuada, sendo indicados para o melhoramento genético do tomateiro industrial.

Background: Gaining insight into factors related to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) behavior may assist development of behavior change interventions targeting older adults. Purpose: To explore direct and indirect associations between older adults’ affective responses during MVPA and future MVPA behavior via self-efficacy beliefs and self-determined motivation. Methods: Data were collected from 82 older adults before, during, and after a walking bout; MVPA behavior was measured 1 month later via telephone. Results: Increases in tranquility during MVPA were indirectly correlated with future MVPA behavior via self-determined motivation (p < .05), but not self-efficacy beliefs (p > .05). Decreases in positive engagement and tranquility during MVPA were directly and positively linked with future MVPA behavior, whereas increases in revitalization during MVPA and self-determined motivation were directly and positively linked with future MVPA behavior (p < .05). Conclusions: Changes in older adults’ affective responses during MVPA may be important correlates of future MVPA behavior.

Since the main ambition of the European community is to create a Single Market among the European countries, a unified set of structural design codes recently became mandatory to use. These standards, the Eurocodes, contain Nationally Determined Parameters (NDPs) that have to be fixed by the National Standard Bodies in the various countries. The investigation of the adopted values for Eurocode 2 in seven European States has been carried out i  this thesis for quantifying the differences that arise from the selected values of these parameters. The aim of this investigation was to find out which countries are advantaged or disadvantaged by the choice of the value of these parameters. The analysis has been limited to the Part 1-1 of Eurocode 2 that concerns “General Rules for Buildings” and the most important parts of Eurocode 0 and 1. The investigated countries were Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Even if these countries represent only seven out of 27 EU States, this comparison gives a good view of the European situations since they cover nearly half of the continental concrete consumption. The analysis includes a theoretical comparison of the national choices of all the 170 national parameters as well as their influence on the more important formulas contained in the Code. Five practical case studies concerning the design and the verification of some structural elements have been carried out in order to study the differences in real and common design situations. Through all the work, the different choices have been compared to the recommended values proposed by the Eurocode that have been used as a mean of comparison. Due to the large number of parameters and the complexity of the problem it has not been possible to estimate and quantify general trends of differences for the countries although Finland, France, Italy and the United Kingdom have been found to have, in general, more disadvantageous choices than the other States. Moreover, Denmark and Germany show variable trends (both above and below the recommended values) while Sweden is always close to the recommended values. The results that have been found show that still a lot of work and research has to be done in order to achieve an even set of structural standards for the design of concrete structures. A list of more important national parameters has been presented as well as a proposal to convert some national parameters to fixed ones. The analysis and the results that have been obtained give details and indications about the future works that need to be done for decreasing the differences among the European countries.

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy is routinely used for the analysis of quality components of feedstuffs. Near infrared spectrophotometers, coupled with a fiber optic probe, could enable direct measurements of the live animal. This study was conducted to characterize changes in the vulva and vestibule during the bovine estrous cycle using near infrared (NI) spectroscopy. Sixteen cycling Holstein cows were observed for estrus twice daily from 40 days postpartum for three estrous cycles or until conception was verified. In addition, weekly rectal palpations, cowside milk progesterone tests, and tailhead chalk were used to aid in estrous detection. Near infrared spectra of both the vulva and the vestibule were collected daily (Model 6500 with 1.83 m fiber optic probe, NIR Systems Inc., 1100 to 2500 nm). Twenty-four estrous periods were confirmed. Vulvar and vestibular spectra of estrous and nonestrous cows were compared. Spectral differences occurred in three regions at 1700 nm, 1790 nm, and 1800 nm (P<.05). These regions are possibly associated with changes in carbohydrate, protein, and water content. Results indicate that direct NI analysis of the live cow is possible and changes in the vulvular and vestibular tissue during the estrous cycle can be detected. However, accurate estrous detection using NI interactance is not practical at the present time because of individual cow variability.

No description available.

No description available.

La notion d’espace prend un sens très fort et comme actif dans le travail artistique de Robert Irwin. Celui-ci instaure un nouveau mode d’être pour l’espace par son installation dite « site-conditioned/determined » tout en la nouant pourtant avec celui du site préexistant, qu’il soit intérieur ou extérieur. Le statut ontologique de son installation est celui d’un « non-objet », d’une extrême simplicité de forme et d’un minimum de matérialité : une bande noire ou une surface de voile semi-transparent, à la fois objet montré et sujet montrant, mettent en jeu lumière et ombre, attirant notre attention non seulement sur lui mais tout autour, intégrant l’espace où il s’intègre. L’installation est mise en œuvre de son environnement architectural ou naturel. L’installation est ainsi installa(tten)tion, c’est-à-dire installation qui installe l’attention. Ce que procure l’artiste au spectateur par son installation est la sensation pure de l’apparaître dynamique et changeant de l’espace du monde réel. Sensible d’abord à la dimension réelle de l’espace physique, nous découvrons peu à peu sa dimension virtuelle, puis transcendantale, au fur et à mesure que ce processus de sensation pure déclenché par l’aspect inhabituel de cet espace pourtant réel se déploie. Grâce au toucher direct et vivant d’un sentir aiguisé, et visuel et kinesthésique, éveillé par l’installation de Robert Irwin, devient quasi palpable notre conscience d’exister. Elle résonne alors à la réalité directe et immédiate du monde mais aussi aux virtualités de son apparaître et à ce qui les rend possibles : sa forme en soi, révélée et actualisée comme la véritable nature de l’espace réel. / The notion of space has a strong and active meaning in Robert Irwin’s art work. He establishes a new way of appearance of space through his so-called “Site-conditioned/determined” installation by uniting the installation with the space of the existing site, whether indoors or out. The ontological status of his installation is that of a “none-object”: extremely simple in form and with a minimum of materials. He uses a black tape or a surface of semitransparent scrim. These objects are both “object shown” and “subject showing”. They play with light and shadow, catching our attention not only on themselves but also on their surroundings, including the space into which they fit. So the art piece is not only the installation itself but its circumstance with its whole architectural or natural environment. So the installation is installa(tten)tion, that is to say an installation that installs attention. Through the installation, the artist provides for the viewer a chance to have a pure sensation of the dynamic and changing appearance of space in the real world. At first sensitive to the real dimension of physical space, we discover little by little its virtual and then transcendental dimensions, as this process of pure sensation unfolds, triggered by the unusual aspect of the real space caused by the installation. A direct and living contact through a sharpened feeling, both visual and kinesthetic, with the space, awakened by the installation of Robert Irwin, makes our awareness of existing almost palpable. This awareness of existing resonates with the direct and immediate reality of the world as well as potentialities of the world’s appearance and what makes these potentialities possible: form in itself, revealed and actualized as the true nature of real space.

The variety of contradictory approaches to the legal position of ministers of religion in South Africa as are apparent from court findings, theological discourse and church practice are indicative of a lack of clarity, and even confusion, regarding a matter that is of cardinal importance to the orderly functioning of the church as the body of Christ on earth. From this confusion in constitutional law as well as in the church, the topicality - actually, the undeniable necessity - of research into the legal position of ministers of religion has become quite apparent. The topicality of the research is indicated in Chapter 1 by reference to court cases (before and after 1996), theological discourse and church practice. The central research question of the study is formulated as follows: What is the legal position of Reformed ministers in South Africa - a religiously neutral state - considered on the basis of Reformed Church polity and against the background of the church-state context in South Africa after 1996? The central theoretical argument of the study is that the legal position of a minister of religion is a unique kind of relationship (alius generis), a relationship / association / connection / obligation that has to be regulated by the church as a unique community (sui generis) in the world. In South Africa courts should recognise and deem the legal position of Reformed ministers to be an internal church matter that falls outside the sphere of regulation of a religiously neutral state's labour legislation. This recognition should be based on the right of the church to define itself and its offices. In Chapter 2 the current confusion in South Africa regarding the legal position of ministers of religion is investigated further. Various points of view are discussed, for example that ministers are 'employees' of churches (church councils), that a minister's legal position has to be regarded as that of an independent contractor and the point of view that ministers are connected to the church by a unique relationship. The way in which the legal position of ministers of the Gospel is regarded in Germany is discussed in Chapter 3. The focus is inter alia on the meaning of religious freedom, neutrality of the state, constitutional provisions regarding the relationship between the state and the church, and the way in which the legal position of ministers of religion is regulated in the light of the German state-church context. The way in which the Reformed Churches in South Africa define and regulate the legal position of Reformed ministers as an internal church matter is investigated in Chapter 4. In this chapter the focus is on the following aspects: the order of the church that applies to the legal position of ministers in terms of Reformed church polity, as expressed in the church order, the meaning of a minister's relationship with the local church as regards his legal position, and the unique nature of a minister's legal position in terms of the relevant provisions of the church ordinances. The findings, recommendations and summary conclusion of the study are given in Chapter 5. The summary conclusion of the study is that an overall impression of the regulation of ministers' positions by the Reformed Churches in South Africa offers the following perspective: the Lord places the church and its ministers in a unique relationship. This relationship must be regulated by means of the church because the church ordinances inherently make provision for the regulation of this unique relationship. Regarded within the broad context of this study, the state may not exercise control over the legal position of ministers of religion because these ministers fulfil a religiously determined command and task. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Church Polity))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Qu’est-ce qui motive les élèves en éducation physique ? Comment donner l’envie aux élèves de participer et d’apprendre ? Ces questions fondamentales font partie des préoccupations quotidiennes de l’ensemble des intervenants en milieu scolaire, dont l’un des rôles est de susciter l’envie d’agir chez des jeunes qui n’ont, le plus souvent, pas décidé d’être là. Quel enseignant ne s’est jamais heurté aux refus d’élèves de participer à l’activité proposée ? Les théories de la motivation, dont celle de l’auto-détermination (Deci & Ryan, 2002), ont permis de mettre en évidence quelques éléments de réponses. Parmi ceux-ci se trouve l’idée qu’il faut soutenir le plus souvent possible l’autonomie des élèves en leur offrant la possibilité d’exprimer leurs opinions, de faire des choix, de prendre des responsabilités, de négocier. Ce travail doctoral vise à questionner ces pratiques de soutien à l’autonomie et, plus précisément, les effets des négociations « professeur-élèves », intégratives et distributives, dans le cours d’éducation physique. La théorie de l’auto-détermination et le modèle hiérarchique de la motivation extrinsèque et intrinsèque de Vallerand (1997) constituent l’assise théorique nécessaire pour questionner les effets des différentes formes de négociation professeur-élèves sur la motivation auto-déterminée des élèves en éducation physique. A partir d’une méthodologie mixte où une première étude quantitative a été menée avec l’objectif de tester un modèle de motivation qui postulait l’existence de liens entre les négociations, les besoins psychologiques, la motivation auto-déterminée et trois conséquences spécifiques, à savoir la perception d’avoir appris, la perception de plaisir et l’intention de pratiquer une activité physique et sportive en dehors de l’école. Les données ont été collectées auprès de 549 élèves (317 garçons et 232 filles) de l’enseignement secondaire supérieur en Communauté française de Belgique qui ont répondu à un questionnaire comprenant notamment l’échelle de négociations perçues en EP qui a été construite et validée dans ce travail. Les analyses en pistes causales ont révélé que les élèves qui percevaient davantage de négociations intégratives éprouvaient des niveaux de perception d’autonomie et d’appartenance sociale élevés. A contrario, la négociation distributive en faveur de l’enseignant est associée négativement avec la perception d’autonomie et les formes de motivation auto-déterminée. Par ailleurs, les résultats mettent en évidence que les perceptions d’autonomie et de compétence influencent positivement les motivations dites auto-déterminées, qui à leurs tours prédisent positivement les trois conséquences du modèle. Fort de ces résultats et conscients de certaines limites rencontrées dans notre première approche, nous avons réalisé une seconde étude, de nature qualitative, auprès de 11 élèves du secondaire. Cette recherche visait, à la fois, à mieux comprendre la complexité et la dynamique du processus motivationnel de l’élève mais aussi à identifier des différences potentielles entre les filles et les garçons. Cette étude, basée sur des entretiens semi-directifs, a permis d’apporter de la profondeur et de la nuance dans notre compréhension du processus motivationnel des élèves. Globalement, les résultats soutiennent la théorie de l’auto-détermination et mettent en évidence d’une part les effets positifs joués par la négociation intégrative et d’autre part les effets négatifs de la négociation distributive en faveur de l’enseignant. Les implications pour les acteurs de terrain qui découlent de ces résultats sont également discutées dans ce travail.