abstract: This dissertation comprises three chapters. In chapter one, using a rich dataset for the United States, I estimate a series of models to document the birth order effects on cognitive outcomes, non-cognitive outcomes, and parental investments. I estimate a model that allows for heterogeneous birth order effects by unobservables to examine how birth order effects varies across households. I find that first-born children score 0.2 of a standard deviation higher on cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes than their later-born siblings. They also receive 10\% more in parental time, which accounts for more than half of the differences in outcomes. I document that birth order effects vary between 0.1 and 0.4 of a standard deviation across households with the effects being smaller in households with certain characteristics such as a high income. In chapter two, I build a model of intra-household resource allocation that endogenously generates the decreasing birth order effects in household income with the aim of using the model for counterfactual policy experiments. The model has a life-cycle framework in which a household with two children confronts a sequence of time constraints and a lifetime monetary constraint, and divides the available time and monetary resources between consumption and investment. The counterfactual experiment shows that an annual income transfer of 10,000 USD to low-income households decreases the birth order effects on cognitive and non-cognitive skills by one-sixth, which is five times bigger than the effect in high-income household. In chapter three, with Francesco Agostinelli and Matthew Wiswall, we examine the relative importance of investments at home and at school during an important transition for many children, entering formal schooling at kindergarten. Moreover, our framework allows for complementarities between children's skills and investments from schools. We find that investments from schools are an important determinant of children's skills at the end of kindergarten, whereas parental investments, although strongly correlated with end-of-kindergarten outcomes, have smaller effects. In addition, we document a negative complementarity between children's skills at kindergarten entry and investments from schools, implying that low-skill children benefit the most from an increase in the quality of schools. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Economics 2018

abstract: The victim-offender overlap is a widely accepted empirical fact in criminology. While many methodological strategies have been used to study overlap, prior studies have assumed that it is uniform, taking little consideration into the potential differences within the overlap. The larger body of criminological research on pathways to crime suggests that victim-offenders also have variability in their victimization experiences and offending patterns. Not accounting for variation within the overlap has produced inconsistent findings in terms of establishing theoretical explanations for the victimization and offending relationship. Several general theories of crime have merit in their assumptions about the relationship between victimization and offending. Routine activity/lifestyle theory, low self-control theory, and general strain theory offer insight into the overlap. Variables derived from these three general theories are assessed to test their ability to explain a more complex conceptualization of the victim-offender overlap. Using data on 3,341 individuals drawn from four waves of the publically available National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a latent class analysis establishes unique victim-offender overlap taxonomies. A multinomial logistic regression is conducted to test how well theoretically derived variables from three general theories (e.g., routine activity theory, low self-control theory, and general strain theory) predict membership in the unique victim-offender overlap taxonomies. Additional multinomial logistic regressions are run using a split sample analyses to test the invariance of the findings across different social groupings (e.g., gender and race/ethnicity). Comparing the more complex operationalization of the victim-offender overlap with the baseline regression models shows notable differences. For example, depression significantly predicts membership in the general victim-offender overlap group, but when taking into consideration variation within the overlap, depression does not consistently predict membership in all taxonomies. Similar results are found for routine activity/lifestyle theory and low self-control theory. Tests of invariance across gender and race/ethnicity highlight the need to consider how theoretical explanations of the victim-offender overlap differ based on social groupings. Males and females have unique risks and needs and these should be reflected in how routines and negative emotions are measured. The findings underscore the need to consider overlap when studying the relationship between victims and offenders. Implications for theory, future research, and policy are also discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Criminology and Criminal Justice 2018

Resumo: Foi estudada a eliminação de calor latente e estimado o fluxo térmico total ao sol e à sombra em cabras da raça Saanen mantidas em ambiente tropical, visando determinar importância da termólise evaporativa para esses animais e proporcionar subsídios para o estabelecimento de métodos de manejo em ambiente tropical. A evaporação total foi determinada por processo gravimétrico, usando-se um sistema de pesagem de precisão. A evaporação cutânea foi obtida por determinação direta através de uma cápsula ventilada; e a evaporação respiratória estimada a partir do fluxo térmico entre aparelho respiratório e o ambiente; determinaram-se ainda a estocagem térmica e as trocas convectivas e radiativas. Por ocasião de cada determinação, foram registradas a temperatura retal, a freqüência respiratória e a temperatura da superfície corporal, bem como variáveis ambientais: temperatura e umidade do ar, velocidade do vento e temperatura do globo negro. Foram avaliadas as características morfológicas do pelame (espessura da capa, comprimento médio, densidade numérica e ângulo dos pêlos) para cada animal. As análises estatísticas basearam-se no método dos quadrados mínimos para dados não-balanceados, tendo o modelo linear geral proposto incluído os efeitos: ambiente (fixo), animal (aleatório), interação animal x ambiente e regressão sobre a temperatura do ar, a umidade relativa, a temperatura radiante média, a temperatura da superfície corporal, a temperatura retal, a freqüência respiratória e a idade do animal, além das características morfológicas do pelame, no caso da evaporação cutânea. A termólise evaporativa compreendeu 61,5% da perda de calor para o ambiente, sendo a única via de perda térmica possível ao sol sob temperaturas radiante média acima de 35ºC...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The present work aimed at to study the elimination of latent heat and esteem the total thermal flow to the sun and the shade in Saanen goats in tropical environment, to determine importance of evaporative heat loss these animals and to provide subsidies for the establishment of methods of handling in tropical environment. The total evaporation was determined by means of gravimetrical process, for a weighing system of precision. The cutaneous evaporation was gotten by direct determination, by means of a ventilated capsule; the respiratory evaporation gotten by calculations of heat flow of respiratory device for environment. It was determined still the heat storage and the convective and radiative exchanges. For occasion of each determination, the rectal temperature, respiratory rate and surface temperature of the animal, as well as meteorological data: air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and black globe temperature were register. The morphologic characteristics of the hair coat (coat thickness, hair length, numerical density and hair angle to skin) had been evaluated for each animal. The statistical analyses were carried through by the lest-squares method for not-balanced data. The considered model included the effect of environment and animal and the covariates: air temperature, relative humidity, mean radiating temperature, surface temperature, rectal temperature, respiratory rate and age of animal, beyond the morphologic characteristics of the hair coat for cutaneous evaporation. Heat loss evaporative understands 62.2% of the heat carried for environment exchange, being the way possible to the sun under radiant temperatures above of 35º...(Complete abstract, click electronic access below) / Orientador: Roberto Gomes da Silva / Coorientador: Danísio Prado Munari / Banca: Iran Jose Oliveira da Silva / Banca: Orlando Rus Barbosa / Banca: Isabel Cristina Boleli / Banca: Renato Luis Furlan / Doutor

Resumo: Considerando a importância da compreensão da dinâmica espaço temporal dos componentes do balanço de energia (BE) em escala regional para o gerenciamento de recursos hídrico e o manejo agrícola, o objetivo principal desta tese foi construir e analisar uma série temporal dos componentes do BE adequada às condições de clima subtropical úmido do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Para tanto, inicialmente foi avaliada a adequação de modelos de estimativa de BE para o Estado. Nesta etapa foram utilizados produtos MODIS e dados de referência medidos em uma torre micrometeorológica instalada em Cruz Alta – RS, usando valores instantâneos para um período de estudo de 2009 a 2011. Na sequência foi avaliada a adequação dos modelos em representar a variabilidade espacial dos componentes do BE. Nesta etapa foram usados produtos MODIS, dados de reanálise ERA Interim, dados de referência da torre micrometeorológica e dados de estações meteorológicas do INMET, para o mesmo período de estudo. Na última etapa do trabalho foi construída a série temporal dos componentes do BE usando o modelo METRIC, a qual abrangeu um período de 14 anos, de 2002 a 2016. Os resultados demonstraram que os três modelos analisados apresentam coerência com as medidas de referência, sendo as maiores limitações apresentadas pelo modelo SEBAL, as quais se atribui principalmente às condições ecoclimáticas do Estado e a baixa resolução espacial das imagens. Na análise da variabilidade espacial, o modelo METRIC apresentou maior consistência nos resultados e proporcionou maior número de dias com resultados válidos, sendo assim apontado como o mais apto para realização do restante do estudo. A série temporal construída possibilitou a compreensão dos padrões de distribuição espaço temporal dos componentes do BE no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Há uma marcada sazonalidade nos componentes do BE, com maiores valores no verão e menores no inverno. G (fluxo de calor no solo) é o componente de menor magnitude e sua distribuição espacial e temporal é determinada pela distribuição de Rn (saldo de radiação). Já os componentes LE (fluxo de calor latente) e H (fluxo de calor sensível), são os que mostram magnitude maior e apresentam padrões de distribuição espacial e temporal coerentes com as condições climáticas e com os tipos de uso e cobertura na área de estudo. Observase um padrão inverso, com um gradiente de LE no sentido noroeste para sudeste e para o componente H, no sentido sudeste para noroeste. Sendo estas informações de grande importância para gerenciamento de recursos hídricos em escala regional, para estudos de zoneamento agrícola. / Abstract: Given the importance of understanding the temporal and spatial dynamics of of the energy balance (EB) components in a regional scale for the management of water resources and agricultural, the main objective of this thesis was to construct and analyze a time series of the components of BE appropriate to the subtropical humid climate conditions of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. In order to reach the objective initially, the adequacy of the models for the humid climate conditions was evaluated, in this step we used MODIS data and reference data measured in a micrometeorological tower installed in Cruz Alta - RS. The analyzes performed with instantaneous values and the study period was from 2009 to 2011. The next step evaluate the spatial variability of the BE components, the data used were the MODIS products, ERA Interim reanalysis data, reference data of the micrometeorological tower and INMET meteorological stations, for the same study period. In the last stage the time series of the BE components was constructed from the METRIC model. The period series was 14 years from 2002 to 2016.The results showed that the three models analyzed were consistent with the reference measurements, with the greatest limitations presented by the SEBAL model, which are mainly attributed to the state's eco-climatic conditions and the low spatial resolution of the images In the analysis of the spatial variability, the METRIC model presented greater consistency in the results and provided greater number of days with valid results, this model thus indicated as the most suitable for the rest of the study. The time series constructed allowed us to understand the temporal distribution patterns of BE components in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. There is a marked seasonality in the BE components, with higher values in summer and lower in winter. G is the smallest magnitude component and its spatial and temporal distribution is determined by the Rn distribution. On the other hand, the LE and H components are those that show higher magnitude and present spatial and temporal distribution patterns consistent with the climatic conditions and the types of use and coverage in the study area. An inverse pattern is observed, with a LE gradient from north-west to south-east and for H-component, from southeast to northwest.

The aim of this investigation was to discover if there is different knowledge of Human Physiology at Grammar Schools students and Secondary Nursing Schools students. The research carried out among students of secondary schools showed that the time interval in school curriculum hadn´t a big effect on the amount of students´ knowledge. The research consisted of preparing and checking of a didactic test investigating the Human Physiology knowledge, then its distribution at carefully chosen secondary schools and finally evaluation the results. The didactic test was submitted to 156 third-level students, 87 fourth-level students at Grammar Schools and 56 students at medical secondary school. The test was set just after finishing the topic of Human Physiology with the third-level students. The fourth-level students completed the test with a 6-month interval. The test results could show if the time interval of a term influenced students´ knowledge and if they could remember the information after certain time. Analysis of results carried out in particular levels was evaluated in details and summarized in charts.

O objetivo geral desta tese foi conceber uma sistemática para elaborar um plano de prevenção, a partir do delineamento das falhas humanas, com a finalidade de minimizar os acidentes numa organização. Essa sistemática está baseada no pressuposto de que as organizações podem aprender com os acidentes, e que estes não são decorrentes de comportamentos inapropriados dos trabalhadores, mas consequência de um contexto organizacional desfavorável, e nos conceitos provenientes dos erros ativos e das condições latentes, propostos como fatores causais de um acidente. Para se alcançar tal objetivo, foi realizada revisão bibliográfica acerca dos assuntos pertinentes e, a partir deste estudo, foi concebida a proposta inicial da sistemática para, em seguida, submetê-la a um estudo de caso. A revisão de literatura abordou as teorias sobre como os acidentes acontecem, qual a participação do erro humano nestes eventos, quais os tipos de erros, como eles se manifestam e quais as técnicas de prevenção. Além disso, a revisão de literatura permitiu avaliar o Sistema de Análise e Classificação de Fatores Humanos (HFACS), técnica desenvolvida para identificar e classificar os erros humanos, de forma ordenada, percebendo-se que este sistema possui limitações e que as técnicas de prevenção enfatizam ações centradas na segurança operacional, não abrangendo outros níveis na organização. A proposta inicial da sistemática foi concebida em dois módulos: o de Investigação, que visa entender como a organização conduz o processo de análise dos acidentes e determinar os principais erros ativos e as condições latentes, por meio de múltiplas fontes de evidência, baseando-se nas categorias e subcategorias do sistema HFACS e com a utilização de entrevistas com grupos focados e de observação não-participante; e o módulo de Prevenção, o qual procura, juntamente com a equipe gerencial da empresa, determinar ações de prevenção estratégicas para a organização. Com os resultados empíricos obtidos, foi possível avaliar o emprego da sistemática numa concessionária de energia elétrica, detectando-se pontos de melhorias e estabelecendo a versão final da mesma, além de se definir parâmetros de como aplicá-la. Constatou-se, também, que a sistemática possibilita, por meio do cenário dos erros ativos e das condições latentes, visualizar setores que necessitam intervenções na área de segurança, auxiliando, dessa forma, este setor na organização, além de permitir avaliar o desempenho da Gestão do Sistema de Segurança e Saúde do Trabalho (GSST) da empresa. / The object of this thesis was to conceive a framework to develop a prevention plan, based on the outlining of human errors, in order to minimize accidents in organizations. This work is based on the assumption that organizations can learn from accidents, and that these are not due to workers inappropriate behavior, but because of an unfavorable organizational context; and on concepts originated from active errors and latent conditions proposed as casual factors in an accident. To reach such object, we reviewed literature on relevant subjects and from that study the original proposal of the system was conceived and subjected to a case study. The literature review approached the theories on how accidents happen, the role of human errors in such events types of errors concerned, how they manifest themselves in accidents and which are the prevention techniques. In addition, the literature review allowed, an evaluation of the Human Factor Analysis Classification System – HFACS, a framework developed to identify and classify human error, in an orderly manner, but with limitations; and prevention techniques are centered on operational safety, not involving other levels of the organizations. The initial framework proposal was designed in two modules: the Research Module, aiming to understand how the organization conducts the process of analysis of accidents, and to determine the main active errors and latent conditions using multiple sources of evidence based on the categories and subcategories of the HFACS, on interviews applied to focused groups and on non-participant observation; and the Prevention Module, which aims to determine prevention strategies for the organization, together with their management team. With the results attained in the case study, it was possible to evaluate performance the framework in an electric utility company, detect improvement points, establish its final version and set the parameters on how to apply it. It was also noted that, by means of the active errors and the latent condition settings, this framework is able to help the sectors of a company as it displays where assistance in the security field is needed; besides allowing the organization to evaluate the management performance of the Safety and Health at Work System.

Submitted by Rafael Gueli Tomaz Silva (rafaelgueli@yahoo.com.br) on 2018-09-28T00:08:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Gueli Final.pdf: 7824195 bytes, checksum: 531b574f7867b6c9a244bd73f27efa1e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Laura Mariane de Andrade null (laura.andrade@ia.unesp.br) on 2018-09-28T19:15:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_rgt_me_ia.pdf: 7824195 bytes, checksum: 531b574f7867b6c9a244bd73f27efa1e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-28T19:15:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_rgt_me_ia.pdf: 7824195 bytes, checksum: 531b574f7867b6c9a244bd73f27efa1e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-31 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O presente trabalho propõe uma abordagem teórica/analítica do conceito e aspectos estruturais de um procedimento explorado por compositores no período barroco conhecido por polifonia latente. Neste período, diversos compositores buscaram expressar uma textura polifônica em uma linha melódica única. Primeiramente, este trabalho consiste em comparar os aspectos estruturais da melodia e polifonia com os da polifonia latente, e em segundo lugar, expor, qualificar e determinar os métodos e estratégias composicionais empregados nas obras analisadas e, assim explicitar aquilo que está latente pela ocultação da multiplicidade de partes em uma linha melódica única, resultando em uma textura polifônica latente. Para o cumprimento dos objetivos propostos adotamos diferentes estudos teóricos, analíticos e históricos, dos quais destacamos Albert Bregman (1994), Alexander Ringer (2001), Allen Forte e Steven Gilbert (1982), Arnold Schoenberg (2001), Ernst Kurth (1991), e Walter Piston (1947), estes autores, entre outros, fundamentaram o desenvolvimento do trabalho e a análise das peças, Presto da Fantasia VII em Mib maior para violino desacompanhado de Telemann, e Allemande da Partita em Lá menor para flauta desacompanhada - BWV 1013 de Bach. Verificamos que a aparente melodia que se apresenta na polifonia latente possui características melódicas e polifônicas diferentes, devido a múltiplas continuidades e unidades que a caracteriza. E que, a organização vertical e horizontal explicita na polifonia está condensada em uma linha melódica única na polifonia latente, se tornando então implícita. No fluir da aparente linha melódica única, percebe-se a atuação de várias vozes sem no entanto elas se sobreporem, pois essa técnica é resultado de uma maneira de utilizar os diversos parâmetros musicais onde a alternância entre as notas que se associam umas às outras permite estabelecer uma relação entre elas. / The present work proposes a theoretical/analytical approach to the concept and structural aspects of a procedure explored by composers in the baroque period known as latent polyphony. In this period, several composers sought to express a polyphonic texture in a single melodic line. First, this work consists of comparing the structural aspects of melody and polyphony with those of latent polyphony, and secondly, exposing, qualifying and determining the compositional methods and strategies employed in the analyzed works and thus explaining what is hidden by the occultation of the multiplicity of parts in a single melodic line, resulting in a latent polyphonic texture. In order to fulfill the proposed objectives, we adopted different theoretical, analytical and historical studies, such as Albert Bregman (1994), Alexander Ringer (2001), Allen Forte and Steven Gilbert (1982), Arnold Schoenberg (2001), Ernst Kurth , and Walter Piston (1947), these authors, among others, founded the development of the work and the analysis of the pieces, Presto of Fantasia VII in Mib major for unaccompanied violin by Telemann, and Allemande of Partita in A minor for unaccompanied flute - BWV 1013 by Bach. We verified that the apparent melody that displays in the latent polyphony has different melodic and polyphonic characteristics, due to the multiple continuities and units that characterizes it. And that, the explicit vertical and horizontal organization in polyphony is condensed into a single melodic line in latent polyphony, thus becoming implicit. In the flow of the apparent single melodic line, we can see the performance of several voices without however overlapping, since this technique is the result of a way of using the various musical parameters where the alternation between the notes that are associated with each other allows to establish a relationship between them.

This study defines and characterizes etno-racial self-identification patterns of the Peruvianpopulation employing the Encuesta Nacional de Hogares (Enaho) 2012. For this purpose, we have employed a module with questions recently added to this survey, in order to approach empirically to the notion of identity, combining the dimensions of native language, self-acknowledgment and the notion of indigenous population. The results are based on a latent classes analysis employing, at the same time, the information in this questions in order to identify four possible etnoracial identities. These identities are intertwined in the self-acknowledgment process with certain ancestors and customs, and also the one based on language. With the methodology and  the  data  collected,  we  haven’t  found  evidence that point that ethnic identities are multiple and fluent. The ethnic identities show certain heterogeneity in terms of the dimensions they are composed. / Este estudio define y caracteriza los patrones de autoidentificación etnorracial de la población peruana haciendo uso de la Encuesta Nacional de Hogares (Enaho) 2012. Para ello utilizamos un módulo con preguntas recientemente incorporado a la encuesta, el cual nos permite aproximarnos empíricamente a la noción de identidad integrando las dimensiones de la lengua o idioma materno, el autorreconocimiento y la noción de pueblo indígena. Los resultados se basan en un análisis de clases latentes usando simultáneamente la información de estas preguntas, las cuales permiten identificar hasta cuatro posibles identidades etnorraciales entretejidas en el autorreconocimiento con ciertos antepasados y costumbres, así como el que está basado en la lengua. Así, con las herramientas metodológicas usadas, y con la actual modalidad de recolección de datos, no se encuentra evidencia que indique que las identidades étnicas son múltiples y fluidas. Las identidades étnicas muestran cierta heterogeneidad en términos de las dimensiones que las componen.

abstract: Dwindling energy resources and associated environmental costs have resulted in a serious need to design and construct energy efficient buildings. One of the strategies to develop energy efficient structural materials is through the incorporation of phase change materials (PCM) in the host matrix. This research work presents details of a finite element-based framework that is used to study the thermal performance of structural precast concrete wall elements with and without a layer of phase change material. The simulation platform developed can be implemented for a wide variety of input parameters. In this study, two different locations in the continental United States, representing different ambient temperature conditions (corresponding to hot, cold and typical days of the year) are studied. Two different types of concrete - normal weight and lightweight, different PCM types, gypsum wallboard's with varying PCM percentages and different PCM layer thicknesses are also considered with an aim of understanding the energy flow across the wall member. Effect of changing PCM location and prolonged thermal loading are also studied. The temperature of the inside face of the wall and energy flow through the inside face of the wall, which determines the indoor HVAC energy consumption are used as the defining parameters. An ad-hoc optimization scheme is also implemented where the PCM thickness is fixed but its location and properties are varied. Numerical results show that energy savings are possible with small changes in baseline values, facilitating appropriate material design for desired characteristics. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Civil Engineering 2012

abstract: In order to analyze data from an instrument administered at multiple time points it is a common practice to form composites of the items at each wave and to fit a longitudinal model to the composites. The advantage of using composites of items is that smaller sample sizes are required in contrast to second order models that include the measurement and the structural relationships among the variables. However, the use of composites assumes that longitudinal measurement invariance holds; that is, it is assumed that that the relationships among the items and the latent variables remain constant over time. Previous studies conducted on latent growth models (LGM) have shown that when longitudinal metric invariance is violated, the parameter estimates are biased and that mistaken conclusions about growth can be made. The purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of non-invariant loadings and non-invariant intercepts on two longitudinal models: the LGM and the autoregressive quasi-simplex model (AR quasi-simplex). A second purpose was to determine if there are conditions in which researchers can reach adequate conclusions about stability and growth even in the presence of violations of invariance. A Monte Carlo simulation study was conducted to achieve the purposes. The method consisted of generating items under a linear curve of factors model (COFM) or under the AR quasi-simplex. Composites of the items were formed at each time point and analyzed with a linear LGM or an AR quasi-simplex model. The results showed that AR quasi-simplex model yielded biased path coefficients only in the conditions with large violations of invariance. The fit of the AR quasi-simplex was not affected by violations of invariance. In general, the growth parameter estimates of the LGM were biased under violations of invariance. Further, in the presence of non-invariant loadings the rejection rates of the hypothesis of linear growth increased as the proportion of non-invariant items and as the magnitude of violations of invariance increased. A discussion of the results and limitations of the study are provided as well as general recommendations. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Psychology 2013