The energy sector in the developing world is expected to account for 27% of global emissions of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion in 2035 – in 1990 it accounted for 7%. The increase is concentrated in rapidly growing countries in Asia that depend on coal for power generation. Maximizing electricity generation using renewable technologies in these countries provides an obvious approach to slowing global emissions growth. A barrier to increased use of renewable generation is cost: financial incentives could help to increase its use in developing countries. The principal objective of this research is to examine the practicability and potential scale of an offset scheme aimed at providing this incentive. Offset schemes have a poor reputation due to problems experienced with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). I identify the CDM’s failure to ensure the additionality of projects as a key issue and propose an approach to the assessment of additionality specific to grid connected generation projects. I present case studies of wind and small hydro projects in China and India in which I calculate the marginal abatement cost of emissions cuts and use the new approach to additionality to draw conclusions regarding the eligibility of projects to receive offsets in some hypothetical future scheme. My analysis shows that the proposed approach offers advantages over methodologies permitted by the CDM. I analyze the supply and demand for credits from existing schemes during 2013-2020 and show that oversupply will continue to impact their price, removing any incentive for investment in renewable generation. Using an original approach based on IEA forecasts for the energy sector, I estimate the maximum availability of offsets from a post-2020 scheme based on renewable generation, and assess the potential global demand. / text

Cette recherche se propose de revisiter l'histoire de l'autisme dans ses rapports avec la schizophrénie en interrogeant leur statut respectif dans la psychopathologie et dans la psychanalyse. Outre l'apport de cas de la littérature, j'ai utilisé l'outil clinique de la construction de cas, pour ordonner et commencer à théoriser les rencontres cliniques que j'ai pu faire. Ilhoa,Sacha, Milo et Louis guident les développements théoriques du chapitre axé sur la question du corps, de l'espace de surface à une contenance, de l'objet et de la jouissance pulsionnelle (orale, anale, scopique, invoquante) dans l'autisme de Kanner. Le travail de Jules, David et Lison illustre la difficulté du diagnostic dans la clinique entre schizophrénie autistique et autisme, où parfois seule la question des hallucinations permet de trancher. Je me suis ensuite appuyée sur le travail de Manu et Léon pour rendre compte du rapport au langage, à la pensée, au vivant, aux affects et à l'autre dans l'autisme de haut niveau et le syndrome d'Asperger. Puis sur le récit de Anna, Max et Gaël pour identifier le traitement réel que le schizophrène, qui a une défense mélancolique ou paranoïde, produit de la perte symbolique, de la division subjective. Ces rencontres m'ont appris que la singularité de ces sujets cache une forme spéciale de créativité pour construire un monde plus ordonné. Des modalités de lien à l'autre s'inventent, dans une dépendance n'impliquant pascependant les mêmes modalités de jouissance... Si cela ne voile pas la part intraitable du réel, un travail avec ces sujets est toujours possible, même s'ils ne se manifestent pas et ne parlent pas, même s'ils sont en errance ou dans un entre-deux... Ainsi, l'a-structure de l'autisme n'est pas assimilable au conformisme ou à la dé-structuration qu’entraîne la schizophrénie / This research proposes to revisit the history of autism in its relations with schizophrenia by querying their respective status in the psychopathology and psychoanalysis. In addition to providing case of literature, I used the tool in the construction of clinical cases, to order and begin to theorize the clinical encounters that I have done. Ilhoa, Sacha, Milo and Louis are used as guide for the theoretical developments of the chapter focusing on the question of the body, the space of a surface to capacity, the purpose and enjoyment instinctual (oral, anal, scopic, citing) in 'Kanner autism'. The work of Jules, David and Lison illustrates the difficulty to diagnose between schizophrenia and autism in the clinic, where sometimes only the question of sign and hallucinations enable us to decide. I have then used the work of Manu and Leon to account for the relation to language, to the thought, the living, the affects and the other in the high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome. Then the story of Anna Max and Gael to identify the actual treatment that the schizophrenic, who has a melancholic or paranoid defence product of the symbolic loss, of the subjective division. These encounters have taught me that in the uniqueness of these individuals lies a special form of creativity to build a more ordered world. Schemes oflinks to the other are invented, which doesn't imply the same terms enjoyment by both parties… If this does not obscure the part of the intractable reality, working with these subjects is always possible, even if they do not come forward and do not speak, even if they are wandering or in an in-between state... Hence, autism astructure is not comparable to the conformism or the deconstruction brought about by schizophrenia

High performance real-time applications have become and will continue to be anintegral part of today’s world. With this comes the requirement to provide reliablecommunication networks for these applications requiring real-time guarantees.Depending on the specific application the requirements vary and adapting to allthese requirements is important. Ethernet is a commonly used communication medium in these real-time applicationnetworks because of the advantages it provides with its simplicity, which comesalong with lower cost and higher bit rates. However since Ethernet was notspecifically designed for real-time applications, it has been under constant study inorder provide the required QoS (Quality of Service) requirements for theapplication. In this thesis our aim is to provide a less pessimistic approach to the real-timeanalysis of packet switched networks by the use of knowledge about the offsetintroduced to the packets travelling in the network. Therefore we have taken aspecific application with high real-time requirements, namely a radar application.We are using the available data to simulate and analyze the network’s performanceunder the use of offsets. The analysis is done by calculating some of the commonlyused QoS requirements such as end to end delay, deadline miss ratio and link utilization.

This dissertation explores the combined effects of biofuel mandates and terrestrial greenhouse gas GHG mitigation incentives on land use, management intensity, commodity markets, welfare, and the full costs of GHG abatement through conceptual and empirical modeling. First, a simple conceptual model of land allocation and management is used to illustrate how bioenergy policies and GHG mitigation incentives could influence market prices, shift the land supply between alternative uses, alter management intensity, and boost equilibrium commodity prices. Later a major empirical modeling section uses the U.S. Forest and Agricultural Sector Optimization Model with Greenhouse Gases (FASOMGHG) to simulate land use and production responses to various biofuel and climate policy scenarios. Simulations are performed to assess the effects of imposing biofuel mandates in the U.S. consistent with the Renewable Fuels Standard of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (RFS2). Simulations are run for several climate mitigation policy scenarios (with varying GHG (CO2) prices and eligibility restrictions for GHG offset activities) with and without conservation land recultivation. Important simulation outputs include time trajectories for land use, GHG emissions and mitigation, commodity prices, production, net exports, sectoral economic welfare, and shifts in management practices and intensity. Direct and indirect consequences of RFS2 and carbon policy are highlighted, including regional production shifts that can influence water consumption and nutrient use in regions already plagued by water scarcity and quality concerns. Results suggest that the potential magnitude of climate mitigation on commodity markets and exports is substantially higher than under biofuel expansion in isolation, raising concerns of international leakage and stimulating the “Food vs. Carbon” debate. Finally, a reduced-form dynamic emissions trading model of the U.S. economy is developed using simulation output from FASOMGHG and the National Energy Modeling System to test the effect of biofuel mandate expansion and domestic offset eligibility restrictions on total economy-wide GHG abatement costs. Findings are that while the RFS2 raises the marginal costs of offsets, full abatement costs depend on a number of policy factors. GHG payment incentives for forest management and non-CO2 agricultural offsets can increase full abatement costs by more than 20%.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the cost implications of various provisions of the Virginia Nutrient Credit Exchange Act. The first objective was to estimate the cost implications of point source trading provisions of the Act. An integer programming cost minimization model was constructed to estimate the cost of achieving four point source trading policy scenarios. The model estimated the annual cost of meeting two different nutrient cap levels, each with and without a limits-of-technology concentration standard requirement for new and expanding point sources. The limits-of-technology concentration standard requirement was found to significantly affect cost while providing little apparent benefit to water quality. The second objective was to develop a screening procedure for municipalities to estimate the cost of generating waste load allocation from nonpoint source offsets under their jurisdictional control. A spreadsheet based cost screening procedure was developed for municipalities to estimate the cost of implementing of nitrogen offsets from stormwater practices, septic retirement, and land conversion. One of the important findings from developing the screening procedure is that the cost of generating WLA from non-point sources under the control of local governments was much higher than the cost of removing nitrogen at wastewater treatment plants. / Master of Science

Background: When governments procure fighter jets from international suppliers, offsets frequently occur. In 2009, the European Commission issued Defence and Security Directive 2009/81/EC – a first step to incorporate the defence sector into the European single-market model. The regulation has changed the circumstances on the fighter market by limiting the use of offsets. Whether the fighter market, or the defence sector, is able to adjust to these changes remain unanswered.Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyse the role of offsets in procurements of fighter jets, to get a better understanding of the present situation at the fighter market where the EU attempts to ban offset agreements.Research method: This study uses a qualitative method. Seven interviews with employees at Saab Aeronautics were carried through. In addition to the interviews, a literature study was conducted on defence markets, offsets and the European context. The gathered material was thereafter analysed with selected theories of institutional and transaction cost economics, as well as previous research in order to fulfil the purpose of the study.Conclusion: The study concludes that offsets can be seen as a by-product of the existing market imperfections and political transactions, and therefore a natural component in procurements of fighter jets. Certain forms of offset can be used by purchasing governments to neutralize existing market imperfections and lower the transaction costs. However, this is only one dimension to offsets since they may appear in several forms with different purposes and risks attached to them. The institutional change on the European fighter market will produce both winners and losers in the years to come. Whether eliminating offsets will lead to a more open and transparent fighter market remains ambiguous

Accurate flow measurement is essential for the management of any type of fluid system. In order for a meter to accurately measure the flow, some installation requirements must be met. These installation requirements are meant to produce a condition where there are limited flow disturbances as the fluid enters the meter. If flow disturbances do occur, the meter may produce inaccurate measurements. This research investigated the effect on accuracy that different types of 12-inch flow meters have as a result of being installed in pipelines of differing inside diameter. The types of meters chosen for this research were the portable ultrasonic meter, the magnetic meter, and four types of differential pressure meters: classical Venturi, Halmi Venturi Tube, V-cone, and the wedge meter. Each meter was tested for accuracy with ten different pipe schedules installed upstream forming a pipewall offset varying between +0.125 inches and 0.937 inches. Ten flow rates between 400gpm and 6,550gpm were considered for each test setup. The meters’ accuracy during each test series was compared to the specified accuracy as defined by the manufacturer of the meter. All results were displayed graphically for comparison. In general, most of the meters tested were affected by the disturbances caused by the pipewall offsets, and some meters were more affected than others. The measurement error was found to be as high as 8% for the ultrasonic meter type. This research demonstrated that for accurate flow measurement, most flow meters require that the inside diameter of the piping be the same as the inside diameter as the meter. Laboratory tests showed that the wedge meter was not dependent upon the upstream pipe installation. Normally, it is recommended that laboratory calibrations be performed to ensure the accurate use of any meter type.

In computer science, real-time research is an interesting topic. Nowadays real-time applications are close to us in our daily life. Skype, MSN, satellite communication, automation car and Ethernet are all things related to the real-time field. Many of our computer systems are also real-time, such as RT-Linux, Windows CE. In other words, we live in a “real-time” world. However, not everyone knows much about its existence. Hence, we chose this thesis in order to take a knowledge journey in the real-time field. For an average reader, we hope to provide some basic knowledge about real-time. For a computer science student, we will try to provide a discussion on switched multi-hop network with offsets, and the influence of offsets on real-time network performance. We try to prove that offsets provide networks of high predictability and utilization because offsets adjust packet‟s sending time. A packet‟s sending time is the time when a sender/router starts to transmit a date packet. Packets are sent one after the other. Therefore, we need to lower the time interval between one packet and another. Hence, in our network model, network performance is more predictable and effective. There might be some things left to discuss in future, so we would like to receive any advice and also suggestions for future discussions.

Proposed Omkareshwar National Park Complex (ONPC), is a planned park in Madhya Pradesh (central India) that is being designed as a compensatory conservation plan to overcome the loss of wildlife and forest by the construction and submergence from nearby Indira-Sagar and Omkareshwar dams, part of the infamous multi-purpose Narmada dam project. All the village communities in the ONPC largely depend on the forest resources for their daily sustenance, particularly fuel-wood and non-timber forest products such as tendupatta, mahua, kullu and dhavda gums. The local people typically engage as gatherers of non-timber forest resources, farmers or work as labors on other agricultural farms. Enclosing, this forest commons, threatens the livelihood opportunities of adivasis. Hence, this dissertation questions how compensatory conservation transforms the forest governance and the economic activities of the local communities. I examine how rules-in-use control spatial actions alter economic, political and social relationships within proposed ONPC in central India. I gathered the economic, social and political data through interviews, case-studies and surveys. Farmers benefit from the creation of the ONPC as a biodiversity offset, while other villagers engaged in off-farm and NTFP extraction labor, are more economically vulnerable. Adivasi depend mostly on the forest resource extraction for their income generation. Therefore, with increasing restrictions placed on the resource access and control, resource users are forced to travel outside their villages in search of wage labor.

Insight into the relationship between the Ionization Energy (IE) offsets between donor and acceptor materials and the performance of the organic solar cells (OSC) could improve the charge generation efficiency. Charge generation can proceed through two different paths in Bulk Heterojunction (BHJ) based OSCs which are electron transfer from donor to acceptor and hole transfer from acceptor to donor. Electron transfer can be controlled by electron affinities and hole transfer can be controlled by ionization energies. In this work, large IE offsets were investigated in poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)(P3HT):Non Fullerene Acceptor (NFA) based OSCs by fabricating and characterizing devices, also conducting several experiments to optimize the processing conditions for the devices. These results provide an overview of the charge transfer and IE offsets dependence, also a general picture of the photophysics in P3HT:NFAs based OSCs. Moreover, using wide bandgap polymer donor which has shallow IE such as P3HT with low-bandgap NFAs may provide sufficient IE offsets between donor and acceptors enabled us to reach the inverted Marcus regime. In this regime, the electron transfer rate decreases upon decreasing the charge transfer (CT) state energy compared to the exciton energy. The decrease of the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) upon increasing the IE offset suggests that we are in that regime.