本研究乃透過國際間各國之比較，以了解匯率變動對貿易收支與國內產生之效果。共 分成兩大部分，第一部分探討匯率變動對貿易收支的影響。根據傳統的國際收支理論 ，認為在某些情況下，一國匯率的貶值可以改善貿易收支。Miles （１９７９）首先 針對匯率與貿易收支的關係進行實證研究。然而，由於生產與消費有時間落後的現象 ，匯率變動對貿易的效果往往無法立即反映，甚至呈現先惡化再逐步改善的情況，一 般稱為Ｊ曲線效果。針對開發中國家是否存在Ｊ曲線效果，Bahmani-Oskooee （１９ ８５）利用Almon 三階多項分配加以驗證。本文係根據他的模型加以延伸，文中運用 Almon 多項分配方法探討１９７３至１９８７年十個工業國家與十個開發中國家，匯 率變動對貿易收支的影響。為了估計落後期數與多項分配階數，使用兩階段的程序， 首先以Akaike提出的final prediction errer為標準，選擇最適落後期數，然後再檢 定多項分配的階數。第二部分探討匯率變動對產出的影響，依照傳統的理論，匯率貶 值會引起出口增加、進口減少，使國內產出擴充。然而Cooper（１９７１）觀察落後 國家資料，卻發現貶值對國內產出有緊縮效果。Edwards （１９８６）首先使用變異 成分分析開發中國家之匯率變動效果，本文對Edwards 的模型加以延伸，利用Almon 多項分配方法估計，檢視匯率變動是否有Cooper效果，同時比較國際間各國之差異。

This thesis aims to explore the potential impact of Computer Aided Architectural Design (CAAD) as a conceptual design tool on the design methodology of final year students. Many design studies have focused on sketching and its relationship with creative thinking to validate CAAD programs as a design tool. On the contrary, this study argues that the continued primacy of traditional tools as the predominant conceptual tools needs more evidence in the contemporary design practices. That is to say, the relative importance of CAAD alongside other media, such as sketching, model making and verbalisation must be recognised before the forthcoming leap in CAAD programs development. To illustrate these ideas, the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment was used as a case study to explore CAAD’s role in the educational context, the studio in general and the final year studio in particular. A mixed methods approach was employed to carry out two studies: a case study and a protocol study. A case study approach was utilised to understand the modern context whereby CAAD is used by the students despite CAAD not being an integrated part of the project model. The case study was also used to document the reasons behind students’ tendency of using CAAD at the conceptual phases of the design process. Mixed methods were used to collect data at three different intervals of the two semesters; before starting the studio project, while working on the project and after submitting the final project. The methods used include a questionnaire survey, structured reflection interviews, and a focus group. A protocol study was conducted to understand the impact of CAAD on selfcommunication using the think aloud method under the same experimental conditions using CAAD program(s) as the only external representation. The case study findings clarified the effects of the traditional context of the studio and the project model on CAAD’s utility within students’ design processes and identified the lack of CAAD professional skills, and the integration of CAAD as a knowledge base. The protocol study findings provided a greater understanding of the cognitive processes in designing and design performance while using CAAD, as well as acknowledging the possibility of a cyclic conceptual process. The potential impact of CAAD on the design process was further categorised. The empirical exploration provides CAAD research with new insights, instigating more useful ways of teaching and learning by an appropriate integration of CAAD programs and design methods in a situated manner where students can enhance their design processes creatively. It is proposed that a more measured and disinterested approach is now required to investigate CAAD and their implications for education.

In 2015, South Africa withdrew from the International Criminal Court asserting United Nation’s Security Council bias in referring only African cases (Strydom October 15, 2015; Duggard 2013) and the United Kingdom reiterated a pledge to withdraw from the European Court of Human Rights, asserting that the court impinges on British sovereignty (Watt 2015). Both are examples of extraterritorial courts which are an important part of regional and global jurisprudence. To contribute to our understanding of the relationship between states and extraterritorial courts, I examine arguably the first and best example of an extraterritorial court, namely the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC). Drawing on 50 British Commonwealth states, this dissertation explores the factors influencing the decision to accede to an extraterritorial court and why some states subsequently opt to sever ties. I build on Dahl’s theory (1957) that the nation’s highest court interacts with the governing coalition and, for the most part, serves as an ally and uphold its policies. I argue that that governing coalition wants the final appellate court that they most expect to be an ally and extend this expectation to extraterritorial courts. As a result, the governing coalition looks at the court more critically. States may change or abolish the jurisdiction of the court if it undermines or seems likely to undermine state policy. Examining this phenomenon across the British Commonwealth provides comparative insights into how governing coalitions may view extraterritorial courts.

Antonín Hanuš 5. prosince 2014 This work deals with randomized clinical trials of medicaments. It examines three models of dependece of final values on initial values in case, that all variables are measured with some measurement error. For each model is derived effect of treatment estimate and its asymptotical properties, specifically consistency and asymptotical variance. The work mostly deals with linear model of analysis of covariance ANCOVA. The work fruther contents comparison of properties of estimates from all three models in case, that examined data come from a linear model. There is a comparison of asymptotical variances of estimates from all three models and for each of them there are examined conditions, when this model gives the best results. In the end there is a simulation study, which verifies all previous results. 1

The aim of my diploma paper is a compendious and general description of the final accounting, taxation and their correlation. First part is focused on basic components of accounting, legal regulation in the Czech Republic and definition of the final financial statements, principles and procedures connected with the final accounts. Second part deals with the tax system in the Czech Republic, especially with corporate income tax. I define the basic regulations of the tax base adjustment of income tax. The tax expenses are specified in detail in an extensive chapter. The other parts of my diploma paper are non-tax expenses, the characteristics of amounts that reduce the tax base and the applicable tax deductions. The last part is practical part where I use all rules mentioned in previous parts. This chapter is focused on real calculation of the corporate income tax and final accounting.

The aim of this work is to define basic theoretical findings of financial analysis and practically apply these to the concrete case of the concrete company. In the first chapter I am going to describe final accounts in general -- legislative requirements, what it is consisted of, what duties result from it. In the second chapter I am going to define financial analysis procedure. I am going to talk about liquidity analysis, profitability analysis, financial stability analysis, indebtedness analysis and activity analysis. In terms of the total assessment of financial health I am going to apply bankrupt and value models. I am also going to look at intercompany comparison, particularly in two ways -- within the scope of a given branch and in comparison to two competing companies. In the third, final, part I am going to apply all the theoretical knowledge to the concrete company and do the final assessment and résumé.

Student Number : 7632299 - MSc research report - Faculty of Health Sciences / The purpose of this research was to ascertain and examine the current genetic knowledge of the nurses in their final year of the Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing (General Nursing, Community Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing) and Midwifery. The research design was an exploratory, descriptive, quantitative survey, using a sample of final year student nurses at two of the three nursing colleges in Gauteng. Data were collected through the use of a self-administered paper-based questionnaire, which was adapted from a questionnaire used for a study to assess the genetic knowledge of general practitioners (Trenton, 2003). The questionnaire was adapted using the broad outline for subject content given in the curriculum for the four-year Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing (General Nursing, Community Health and Psychiatric Nursing) and Midwifery, the South African Nursing Council regulations, and the Department of Health Policy Guidelines. Random sampling was utilised to select two of the three nursing colleges in Gauteng and the total population of final year students was used as the sample. Data were analysed by means of descriptive statistics. It was concluded through this study that, although nurses showed fairly adequate knowledge in the areas of teratogens and multifactorial inheritance, they showed a lack of knowledge with regard to basic genetic inheritance patterns, genetic conditions, epidemiology and prenatal diagnostic techniques. It can thus be recommended that an expanded component of genetics be included in the basic curriculum of the four year Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing (General, Community, Psychiatric) and Midwifery programme in accordance with programmes initiated in other countries.

This paper provides an empirical analysis of the stock price behaviour of firms listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) around corporate events relating to final cash dividend change announcements over the period 2004 to 2009. Declared for the financial year-end, final cash dividend announcements either represent an increase, a reduction or no change relative to the previous year’s announcement. In this paper we analyse the stock price behaviour of firms that announced dividend reductions before and during the Global Financial Crisis of 2007 (GFC 2007). The pre-crisis analysis focuses on dividend reduction effects on share price during normal economic times and crisis analysis focuses on effects during economic downturn. We refer to the pre and during crises effects as firm-specific and systemic effects respectively. Studies about the general effect of dividend announcements on shareholder value are well documented; however our study is motivated by the fact that there has not been an abundance of forthcoming research in South Africa pertaining to how share prices have reacted to dividend reductions before and during the GFC 2007. We employ an event study methodology in the context of this emerging market to assess the share price behaviour to dividend reductions. Integral to an event study methodology in the corporate context, is the analysis of abnormal performance around the event date. Abnormal performance is measured by employing three widely used quantitative approaches namely, the market-adjusted, market model and the buy-and-hold abnormal return approaches. Based on daily closing share price information collected from iNet Bridge database, abnormal performance is calculated from 2004 to 2009 while controlling for the contemporaneous effect of earnings announcements (earnings data collected from Bloomberg database) occurring within 10 trading days of dividend announcement. The analysis shows that the market reaction is not statistically significant on the announcement day and that more negative returns occur during the pre-crisis period. Volatility of abnormal returns is higher during the pre-crisis period. The research does not support the Irrelevance Theory but seems to support the signalling hypothesis.

O presente trabalho apresenta a análise de orações que contêm a preposição para acompanhada de verbos no infinitivo (para+infinitivo), iniciando orações subordinadas em discursos proferidos por alemães residentes em São Paulo, com o intuito de estabelecer se todas as orações, de fato, constituem a ideia de finalidade, ou se apresentam diferentes valores semânticos. O corpus é constituído por ocorrências retiradas de entrevistas com os referidos alemães feitas por mim. São entrevistas de caráter informal sem tema preestabelecido. A estrutura para+infinitivo foi utilizada em contextos semânticos que põem em dúvida seu valor de finalidade, sendo ambíguos ou apresentando desbotamento semântico. Esses outros sentidos, mais abstratos, indicam um processo de gramaticalização na língua portuguesa falada por esses alemães. A estrutura final na língua alemã apresenta variações: um...zu e damit. Além dessas estruturas, a forma zu+verbo no infinitivo responsável, segundo o Hochdeustch (alemão padrão), por indicar verbos no infinitivo, simplesmente, ou orações subordinadas reduzidas de infinitivo, também se apresentou em contextos que geraram dúvidas quanto à sua significação, sendo, por isso, considerada ambígua. Esse fato apontou para um processo de gramaticalização também na língua alemã. Por haver mais de um elemento na língua alemã traduzido para a língua portuguesa com o significado da preposição para, utilizei traduções (para o alemão) do corpus, bem como dados retirados de blogs alemães e jornais digitais alemães, a fim de estabelecer comparações para o desenvolvimento das análises. Este trabalho, dada sua natureza, pode ser uma relevante contribuição para a compreensão do processo pedagógico de ensino-aprendizagem da língua alemã enquanto L2, demonstrando que pode haver diferentes percepções semânticas de estruturas sintáticas tanto por parte dos alunos quanto dos professores ao produzirem discursos em L1 e em L2. / This work presents the analysis of sentences that contain the preposition to (para) accompanied of verbs in the infinitive (to+infinitive), beginning subordinate sentences in speeches uttered by resident Germans in São Paulo, with the intention of establishing if all the sentences, in fact, constitute the idea of purpose, or if they have different semantic values. The corpus is constituted by occurrences that came from interviews with the referred Germans done by me. They are interviews of informal character without a preestablished theme. The structure to+infinitive was used in semantic contexts that question its purpose value, being ambiguous or presenting semantic fading. Those other meanings, more abstract, indicate the grammaticalization process in the Portuguese language spoken by those Germans. The final structure in the German language presents variations: um...zu and damit. Besides those structures, the form zu+verb in infinitive, according to Hochdeutsch (pattern German), for indicating verbs in the infinitive, simply, or subordinated sentences reduced of infinitive, also came in contexts that generated doubts about its significance, being, for that, considered ambiguous. That fact appeared for a grammaticalization process also in the German language. For there being more than an element in the German language translated for the Portuguese language with the meaning of the preposition to, I used translations (for German) of the corpus, as well as data of German blogs and German online newspapers, in order to establish comparisons for the development of the analyses. The purpose of this work is to contribute in the pedagogic process of teaching-learning of the German language while L2, demonstrating that there can be different semantic perceptions of syntactic structures not only of the students but also of the teachers when they produce speeches in L1 and in L2.

Esta dissertação tem como objeto as vogais médias postônicas não-­finais do Português Brasileiro, especificamente a emergência das formas altas [] e [] e das médias-­baixas [] e [], estas últimas especificamente em dialetos do nordeste. Por meio do arcabouço teórico da Geometria de Traços, buscou-­se analisar os motivadores fonológicos que estão correlacionados à emergência de cada uma das formas das vogais. A principal hipótese que se buscou verificar foi se a emergência das vogais [] e [] na posição postônica não-­final, classificadas na literatura como resultantes de alçamento vocálico, está condicionada a correlatos fonológicos, tendo em vista que até então não se conseguiu encontrar um padrão que pudesse formalizar uma regra. Além disso, buscou-­se investigar se a emergência das formas médias-­baixas [, ] na postônica não-­final poderia ser formalizada por regra. Para tanto, realizou-­se um experimento de leitura de palavras em duas localidades, São Paulo e São Luís. A amostra foi constituída por 40 informantes com idades entre 20 e 30 anos, 20 de cada localidade. Os dados foram transcritos após uma verificação acústica de medição de formantes e posteriormente codificados para que testes estatísticos fossem aplicados. Com base nos resultados obtidos, observou-­se que (i) a emergência das formas altas se correlacionou à presença de uma vogal alta na átona final que compartilhasse o mesmo ponto de articulação que o da postônica não-­final, isto é, coronal para [] e labial para []; e que (ii) a emergência das médias-­baixas se correlacionou à presença da vogal dorsal, ou seja, da vogal baixa na átona final. Para a formalização de ambas as regras, faz-­se necessário assumir a proposta de Wetzels (2011) a respeito da neutralização como um mecanismo de mudança do valor do traço que garante a distinção em outro contexto. Entretanto, para que se pudesse capturar o fato de, para a emergência das vogais altas, além do traço de abertura, haver também correlação com o ponto de articulação da átona final e de que a produção das médias-­baixas é garantida pelo traço [aberto3], ambas as regras devem ser assimilatórias: do nó vocálico para as altas [, ] e do traço [+aberto3] para as médias-­baixas [, ]. / This thesis focuses on non-­final post-­tonic mid-­vowels, specifically, the emergence of the high [, ] and low-­mid vowels [, ], the latter characteristic of northeastern dialects. Based on the theoretical framework of Feature Geometry, it was intended to study the phonological motivators that are correlated with the emergence of each vowel form. The main hypothesis verified was if the emergence of [] and [] in non-­ final post-­tonic context, classified in the literature as a result of vowel rising phenomenon, is subject to phonological correlates, considering that up to this point no known study had found a pattern that could formalize a rule. In addition, it was intended to investigate whether the emergence of the low-­mid forms [, ] in non-­final post-­tonic context could also be formalized by rule. Therefore, a word reading experiment was ran in two cities, São Paulo and São Luis. The sample consisted of 40 informants, who were men and women aged between 20 and 30 years, 20 from each locality. Data were transcribed after an acoustic analysis of formant measurement and subsequently coded for statistical analysis. Based on the results, it was found that (i) the emergence of the high vowels was correlated with the presence of a high word final vowel that also shared the same place of articulation as the one in the non-­final post-­tonic context, i.e., coronal to [] and labial to []; and (ii) the emergence of mid-­low was correlated with the presence of the dorsal vowel, therefore, low vowel in word final position. To formalize both rules, it is necessary to assume Wetzels (2011) proposal that neutralization is a mechanism by which contrastive feature values are replaced by their opposite values. However, in order to capture the fact that, for the emergence of the high vowel, besides the open feature, theres also an association to the place of articulation of the word final vowel and that the production of mid-­low is guaranteed by the feature [open3], both rules should be assimilatory: the vocalic node for the high [, ] and the [+open3] feature to low-­ mid [, ].