Este trabalho aplica metodologia de Wang (2003a, 2003b) para definir uma nova medida do produto de bancos brasileiros. Acredita-se que tal medida seja superior às comumente utilizadas na literatura por se tratar de uma variável de fluxo, incorporar os depósitos bancários de maneira teoricamente embasada e levar em consideração a exposição ao risco. Esta nova variável de produção é utilizada na estimação de fronteiras estocásticas de produção e custo para o setor bancário brasileiro, visando a mensurar sua eficiência técnica e econômica, assim como a magnitude de suas economias de escala. As fronteiras estimadas apresentam especificação dada pela forma funcional flexível de Fourier e incorporam variáveis determinantes da eficiência. Os resultados apontam para uma acentuada ineficiência do setor bancário, assim como para a ocorrência de retornos crescentes de escala. / This work applies the Wang (2003a, 2003b) methodology to define Brazilian banks\' output. It is believed that this new output measure is superior to the ones commonly used by the literature, since it treats output as a flow variable, provides a theoretical basis for defining the role of deposits and takes account of risk exposure in defining output. This new measure is applied to the estimation of stochastic production and cost frontiers for the Brazilian banking sector, aiming at measuring its technical and economic efficiency, and also the size of its scale economies. The frontiers follow a Fourier flexible functional form especification and incorporate efficiency determinants. The results point to the existence of high inneficiency in the banking industry, and also to the ocurrence of increasing returns to scale.

This study examines the problem of form and substance in Canadian tax jurisprudence, which has been characterized by a troubling equivocation between formalistic and substantive approaches in cases involving tax avoidance transactions with the current period of jurisprudence dominated by formalism. The vacillation of Canadian jurisprudence contrasts with the consistently substantive tax jurisprudence of the United States. The latter situation discloses an unresolved doctrinal tension in Canadian tax jurisprudence between two viable doctrinal alternatives. This study seeks to resolve the problem of form and substance by finding the right answer to the problem by examining the tax policy, political, and legal philosophical implications of formalistic jurisprudence along with the manner in which the legal system as a whole (i.e. jurisprudence outside of tax law) rationally employs both form and substance for distinct purposes to solve distinct kinds of legal problems. Using the principles that are implied in the practices of the legal system as a whole, a right answer to the form and substance problem — one that is horizontally consistent or integral with the whole — suggest itself, namely that substantive, judge-made standards are the right solution to the problem of form and substance in Canadian tax jurisprudence and that formalism in tax jurisprudence is a legal aberration in the Canadian legal system. / Law, Faculty of / Graduate

This thesis deals with collecting facts and making the complete analysis of SQUFOF algorithm. In the beginning you can find a short hystorical re- view and then it continues with desribing how the binary quadratic forms, which represents the number N, continued fractions of √ N, ideals in the ring Z( √ N) and lattices in Q( √ N) are related. This thesis offers the tools usable to switch between these structures and finally it uses these tools to show, how the algorithm SQUFOF works. 1

Performance-based earthquake engineering is an emerging field of study that complements the prescriptive methods that the design codes provide to ensure adequate seismic performance of structures. Accounting for uncertainties in the performance assessments forms an important component in this area. In this context, the present study focuses on two broad themes; first, treatment of uncertainties and the application of the first-order reliability method (FORM) in finite-element reliability analysis, and second, the seismic risk assessment of reinforced concrete structures for performance states such as, collapse and monetary loss. In the first area, the uncertainties arising from inherent randomness (“aleatory uncertainty”) and due to the lack of knowledge (“epistemic uncertainty”) are identified. A framework for the separation of these uncertainties is proposed. Following this, the applicability of FORM to the linear and nonlinear finite-element structural models under static and dynamic loading is investigated. The case studies indicate that FORM is applicable for linear and nonlinear static problems. Strategies are proposed to circumvent and remedy potential challenges to FORM. In the case of dynamic problems, the application of FORM is studied with an emphasis on cumulative response measures. The limit-state surface is shown to have a closed and nonlinear geometric shape. Solution methods are proposed to obtain probability bounds based on the FORM results. In the application-oriented second area of research, at first, the probability of collapse of a reinforced concrete frame is assessed with nonlinear static analysis. By modelling the post-failure behaviour of individual structural members, the global response of the structure is estimated beyond the component failures. The final application is the probabilistic assessment of monetary loss for a high-rise shear wall building due to the seismic hazard in the Cascadia subduction zone. A 3-dimensional finite-element model of the structure with nonlinear material models is subjected to stochastic ground motions in the reliability analysis. The parameters for the stochastic ground motion model are developed for Vancouver, Canada. Monetary losses due to the damage of structural and non-structural components are included. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

The trace form gives a connection between the representation ring and the space of invariant bilinear forms of a Lie algebra $L$. This thesis reviews the definition of the trace of an endomorphism of a finitely generated projective module over a commutative ring $R$. We then use this to look at the trace form of a finitely generated projective representation of a Lie algebra $L$ over $R$ and its representation ring. While doing so, we prove a few trace formulas which are useful in the theory of the Dynkin index, an invariant introduced by Dynkin in 1952 to study homomorphisms between simple Lie algebras.

Syftet med studien var att synliggöra förskollärares tankar om att arbeta med barns utveckling och lärande inom bild och form. Studien är kvalitativ och semistrukturerade intervjuer användes för att samla in data. Resultatet visar att förskollärarna har en osäker inställning till arbetet med bild och form och att det påverkar undervisningen inom ämnet. Förskollärarna beskrev att de främst använde bild och form som ett medel för att nå andra mål och la stort fokus vid barns fria skapande. I intervjuerna framkom olika metoder som förskollärarna använder för att vägleda och stimulera barns utveckling inom bild och form. Dock verkade det inte finnas en medveten didaktisk analys bakom förskollärarnas val av metoder. Slutsatsen av studien är att det finns olika ramfaktorer som påverkar undervisningen inom bild och form samt att förskollärarna kan behöva stöd för att förbättra sin undervisningspraktik i detta ämne.

This research proposes a re-examination of the concept of death and the way it is utilized within selected contemporary African-American works of fictional literature. These texts present death and its use as a tool of empowerment as a paradigm beyond its traditional treatments in literature-particularly Africana-centered literature. Through the harnessing and manipulation of death, the characters featured in this work are recognized as those who encapsulate and re-invent circumstances that are otherwise disempowering and dysfunctional. Through death, these women re-propose their negative realities by using death as a manipulative for vengeance and to gain the ultimate freedom from oppression. In both Beloved and Kindred death is an escape mechanism through which the protagonists return to life as they would have it lived, and are re-born to re-engage life anew.

The landscape, industrial machine and human endeavour needs to be reconciled in Cullinan. The newly proposed group framework aims to do this by focussing on four nodes along a circular route which follows the circumference of the scar in the landscape. It is suggested that the once the mine (currently the only livelihood of the town) closes that a multi scalar network of craft industries, educational facilities, tourist attractions and agriculture would continue to support the town. This network doesn’t just rely on one method on one scale, as the mine did, ensuring a more resilient support system Ernstson, van der Leeuw, Redman, Meffert, Davis, Alfsen & Elmqvist 2010). In this scheme, located at the soon to be closed No.1 shaft and headgear, it is proposed that if a resilient connection between town, users and landscape needs to be established by diversity of program, it might be necessary to also investigate a diverse generation of building form which reinforces this idea. Gelernter (1995) identified five core theories on the generation of form. It is argued that the influences on form within these theories are either generated by the object (nature) or the subject (the mind). The generators of form found within the extant fabric of the study area was found to be mainly generated by influences from the physical world, thus if a diversity of form generation needs to be established, a form that was generated by intuition and links the emotions and mind of the user needs to be investigated within the design. Following this, Romantic theories relating to the backlash to pure rationality is tapped into together with an understanding of the influence of the sublime on the mind of the user, and the emotional link it creates between the subject and object is used in the design and process. These theories have influence on the creation of spaces, form, and the relation to extant fabric in the new building. The concept uses and adapts sublime elements in the landscape and in the industrial machine to establish this emotional link. Although program is not the main design generator of this project, it cannot be ignored and a bakery and baking school, and mill is proposed, as presents us with aspects that can be tapped into to enhance the experience of spaces as well as linking into all of the proposed networks of resilience as mentioned before. The concept is drawn through into the technical exploration of the building, where the form is seen as a threshold between rationality and the sublime. Rational construction is decayed from the extant fabric into the landscape where natural materials are used more in the construction, and the structure is not as evident as before. This enhances the existing sublime elements of the site and strengthens the above mentioned emotional link between man and nature. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2015. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

The aim of this research was to develop a solid dosage form containing 1.5 g of the pesticide cypermethrin. The dosage should be stable in a tropical climate. In addition, it is to disintegrate and disperse in 10 L of tap water within 3 minutes. Such dissolution should yield a 150 ppm dispersion of cypermethrin, stable for at least one week. This provides for a dip dispersion to treat ticks and fly infestation on livestock. A new solid dosage was formulated as the scope of this research. It is a gel-based solid dosage form. Polymer electrolyte ASP4 - a copolymer of methacrylic acid, ethyl acrylate and diethyl maleate, was used to produce the gel. Preliminary tests revealed that ASP4- based gel, on its own, failed to meet the required dissolution time of 3 minutes. Strong entanglements of ASP4 chains impeded rapid dissolution. These strong entanglements occurred owing to the use of a high concentration of ASP4. Reducing the concentration of ASP4 yielded a solution of high viscosity instead of a gel. It was therefore decided to Gel-based solid dosage form for pesticide delivery use a superabsorbent (Product Z1069) in conjunction with ASP4 to produce the gel. Product Z1069 is a cross-linked sodium polyacrylate. Before producing the gel, a 1:1.5 by mass oil/water (O/W) emulsion was prepared using the phase-inversion route. The water (W) phase comprised 85.9% distilled water, 3.9% ASP4 at 20% dispersion, 8.6% sodium carbonate (0.5 M) and 1.6% Emulsogen EL. All concentrations are indicated in mass %. The oil (O) phase consisted of 76.9% cypermethrin, 19.3% Solvesso S200 and 3.8% Phenyl Sulphonate CA, also by mass. This emulsion was gelled by adding the superabsorbent Product Z1069 (ca. 37.5% by mass relative to the W phase of the emulsion). The superabsorbent strongly absorbed water, depleting it from the emulsion. This resulted in an increase of the effective concentration of ASP4 in the water phase of the emulsion. This increase of the polymer electrolyte concentration brought about a gel-like state corresponding to the desired solid dosage form. Rheometry confirmed that the dosage form maintained a solid gel-like consistency at 50°C. The dosage contained 24.6% m/m cypermethrin. Thus, the required dosage of 1.5 g was achieved in pellets weighing ca. 6.1 g. Such pellets rapidly disintegrated with mild stirring in 10 L of tap water. Complete pellet disintegration and active dispersion occurred within 2.5 minutes at ambient temperature (25 ± 2°C). / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Chemistry / unrestricted

Landscape design and architecture adhere to the similar principles of form making. These have been affiliated with nature through history, sharing dialogues of philosophy. As theoretical premise, an investigation at the relationship between form and programme in the Western world (from Antiquity to the 21st Century). The conclu¬sion was that there is a relationship between form and programme, that different periods in history have drawn varying conclusions regarding this relationship. My conclusion views the idea as the most important aim of architecture, that the relationship between form and programme influences/guides/shapes the idea through the design process. The urban framework aims to preserve, to link and enhance open space in the Pretoria Central Business District. The theoretical investigation and framework directed the need for a site that would allow me to convey my own conclusion regarding the relationship, ingrained with the idea of preserving and linking open space in the focus area of Pretoria. The Union Buildings as selected site, orientated around its natural landscape, is layered with different interventions representative of relationships between form and programme, presenting the opportunity to explore my premise. The site is dominated by biota or nature, allowing the assessment of the terrain in terms of how landscape (more specifically plants) as a programme influences architectural form. Interventions focused on the Vredehuis complex (sited on the Union Buildings grounds) function as the focus of the argument. The site is classified as a botanic garden. The programme of botany is informed by the site history; residential (1880-1914), botanic gardens (1914-1975), nursery (1915-1950), greenhouse (1918-1975) and entomology/plant pathology division (1914-2007). A further investigation of plants informs the function and programme of the design. / Mini Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Architecture / unrestricted