Thesis (D. Min.)--Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 194-200).

Freiburg (Breisgau), Universiẗat, Diss., 2003.

TESIS PARA OPTAR AL GRADO DE MAGÍSTER EN FINANZAS / En este estudio se analizan las variables determinantes de los cash holdings en 88 firmas chilenas excluyendo utilities y real estate cotizantes en la Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago en el periodo 2004-2014. En consecuencia, se han utilizado las variables rentabilidad, tamaño de la firma, tangibilidad de los activos, liquidez, edad de la firma, variabilidad de los activos, leverage, oportunidades de crecimiento, gasto de capital, pago de dividendos, y deuda de corto plazo sobre deuda total. En especial, también se analiza la influencia de las familias, business groups y pirámides de control. Los resultados obtenidos indican que las siguientes hipótesis derivadas de la teoría financiera son aplicables para las firmas chilenas son la teoría del pecking order, la teoría del trade off, el motivo precautorio, y las economías de escala. Además, sugieren que la estructura corporativa afecta la decisión de acumular de efectivo. Específicamente, las variables: Business groups; empresa familiar controlada por Business groups; separación de derechos de voto y derechos de flujo de caja en empresa familiar; y derechos de flujo de caja en business groups están asociadas positivamente con los cash holdings, pudiendo ser explicado porque los controladores son más conservadores con la liquidez y presentan una mayor aversión a escenarios de restricciones presupuestarias o un aumento las reservas para futuras inversiones.

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Gene-flow has been studied in this research from an analytical, theoretical, and practical angle. While simple models of restricted gene-flow are tractable analytically and can produce very accurate predictions when compared with the results of computer simulations, models of discrete populations with geographical structure and models of continuous populations need further research. In particular, models of isolation by distance in a continuum are very difficult to relate to concepts familiar to the population geneticist since the basic concept linking continuous populations to discrete ones, the neighbourhood size, is shown to be flawed. Inferring gene-flow from indirect methods implies obtaining unbiased estimators of quantities such as F-statistics. The framework for estimation presented in this research can be used to derive unbiased estimators in different situations, and can also help to clarify the underlying assumptions made when making these estimates. In particular the conditions are specified under which Nei and Chesser's (1983) and Weir and Cockerham's (1984) estimators are most appropriate. While analytical treatment of geographically structured populations is difficult, F-statistics can be used to unravel levels of genetic structuring in these populations. Methods are presented which yield ways of discriminating between samples taken within and among breeding units, a necessary distinction if levels of gene-flow are to be inferred. Calculations of pairwise Fat, even in continuous populations, provide a picture of the geography of gene-flow in the population investigated. The methods are applied to data sets of three species, Brassica oleracea ssp. oleracea, Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima and Nucella lapillus and lead to new insights in the population biology of these species.

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 1978. / Made available in DSpace on 2013-12-05T19:00:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0Bitstream added on 2016-01-08T13:24:24Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 321743.pdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)

M.A. (African Languages) / This study looks at the application of Ngara's linguistic format in NF Mbhele's short stories. The other linguists' theories were used to support those of Ngara. In this work we will mainly use "the linguistic features proper", since they are analysable in terms of formal linguistic descriptions. The above will be discussed as follows: Chapter 1 introduces this study, defines some technical terms and gives a short report on an interview with N.F. Mbhele. Chapter 2 discusses the development of the stylistic framework which is the pillar of our analysis. The application of Ngara's linguistic format is discussed in detail in Chapter 3. In chapter 4 we discuss the imaqery, The concluding statement and suggestions for future research directions that could be undertaken, are discussed in Chapter 5.

Several cardiac diseases, including hypertrophy, cardiomyopathy, and myocardial infarction, result in the upregulation of cardiac angiotensin II type-1 receptors (AT1R). Imaging the AT1R in vivo via PET provides the potential to monitor disease progression and guide therapy accordingly. The aim of this research was to develop a novel F-18 labeled losartan analog as an AT1R PET tracer and begin evaluation in rats. Due to the longer half-life and shorter positron range of F-18, we presume that an F-18 labeled tracer will be more beneficial than current C-11 labeled tracers. Prior structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies suggested the addition of substituents to the hydroxyl group of losartan would minimally affect AT1R binding affinity. [18F]Fluoropyridine losartan ([18F]FPyrLos) was synthesized in an automated module through conjugation of [18F]fluoro-3-pent-4-yn-1-yloxypyridine ([18F]FPyKYNE) to azide-modified losartan via the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) ‘click’ reaction. [18F]FPyrLos was produced in approximately 10% yield (decay-corrected) with > 97.5% purity and specific activities up to 4,200 mCi/µmol. MicroPET (Siemens Inveon) images of normal Sprague Dawley rats displayed high uptake in the kidneys (ratio of 8.3 compared to surrounding tissue at 10 min). Metabolite analysis in the kidneys and plasma by column-switch HPLC revealed that roughly two-thirds of the tracer was unchanged 10 min post-injection and that one labeled hydrophilic metabolite exists, accounting for roughly 6% of the total activity. Both microPET and metabolism studies displayed a dose-dependent reduction in renal uptake upon co-injection with AT1R blocker candesartan indicating specific binding. Further work in rat disease models is required to evaluate the potential of this tracer for imaging cardiac AT1R.

The present study is concerned with the mechanism of growth of porous anodic films formed on high purity aluminium and sputtering deposited aluminium over a wide range of current density between 5 to 50 mA/cm2 for times up to 5400 s in 24.5 wt % sulphuric acid and at temperatures of either 0 or 20 0C. The resultant films were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), nuclear reaction analysis (NRA), optical interferometery, microhardness and nanoindentation.The RBS analysis enabled determination of the composition of the porous films, which was expressed as Al2O3.xAl2(SO4)3, with the sulphur species content increasing with increase in current density and decrease in temperature. The average expansion factor (expressing, the ratio of the film thickness to the oxidized aluminium thickness) increased between 5 mA/cm2 and 50 mA/cm2 for films formed at 0 0C, extending from 1.58 to 1.88 and from 1.57 to 1.78 according to SEM and TEM respectively. For films fabricated at 20 0C, the average expansion factor increased from 1.45 to 1.66 and from 1.42 to 1.67 derived from SEM and TEM respectively. The expansion factor increases as the current density increases for both temperatures, and decreases as electrolyte temperature for a given current density increases. The increase of expansion factor is also associated with a rise in the steady voltage during film growth. However, the film expansion does not depend on the anodizing time. The increase in expansion factor correlates with a small increase in the amount of sulphur in the film, which increases with rise of current density. The surface of the porous alumina revealed a network of furrows and ridges, reflecting the pattern of the cellular textures on the topography of the elecropolished aluminium. The retention of topography indicates that the thinning of the film due to chemical dissolution by the electrolyte is negligible, although softening of the film toward the film surface increases with rise of electrolyte temperature and anodizing time as determined by microhardness measurements on film cross-sections. For films fabricated at 0 0C, nodules appeared with a low population density on the film surfaces formed at 20 mA/cm2 for 5400 s, and a locally high population density, but non-uniform distribution, for films formed at 30 to 50 mA/cm2 for a wide range of anodizing times. NRA determined the oxygen concentrations in the films, from which the efficiency of the film grown was derived. The efficiency showed a correlation with the expansion factor, with values increasing with rise of current density and with decrease in the anodizing temperature, ranging from 72 % to 87 % between 5 mA/cm2 and 50 mA/cm2, for an electrolyte temperature of 0 0C, and between 66 % to 75 %, for the same range of current density, for an electrolyte temperature of 20 0C. The change in the relative film thickness with a change of the anodizing conditions might due to either a rise in the film porosity under a constant efficiency of film growth (assuming a flow model) or an increase in the efficiency of film growth for a constant film porosity (for either a flow or dissolution model), or a combination of the two factors. However, the film expansion appeared to be relatively little dependent on the change of the porosity over selected anodizing conditions. The dependence of the efficiency on the anodizing conditions is possibly associated with a change in the transport number of ion species in the film with a reducing contribution of cation migration to the total ionic current with an increase in the current density and in decrease of the anodizing temperature, which correspond to conditions of increasing electric field. The film porosity probably develops by flow of film material underneath the pore base toward the cell wall, as indicated by distribution of tungsten band through the film and distribution of electrolyte species from previous work, with the displaced material enhancing the thickness of the film.

Today, covered wooden highway bridges stand as a reminder of a bygone era in American history. When traveling the lesser known roads of Indiana one may encounter just such a monument to the past. Too many times these historical artifacts are marred by the ravages of time and the destructiveness of vandalism. Yet many of the few remaining structures are now being preserved as historical landmarks by such organizations as local covered bridge societies and various parks departments. Although it is costly to keep these bridges in sound structural condition, it is indeed worthwhile to attempt this preservation of American history in order that we may view firsthand their design and utility. This will lead us to an understanding and appreciation of the bridge builders of Indiana in their successful efforts to cause form to follow function in overcoming the topographical adversities of the natural landscape. Within the following pages, the reader will find the history of covered bridges in Indiana, what the bridges are constructed of and why. Various types of covered bridge structures are examined as there are many diversified styles. Also, this paper looks at the bridge builders from Indiana and the surrounding areas. Finally, this paper examines what is being done today to preserve these historical artifacts.