<p>The objectives of this thesis are to establish a chronological framework for environmental changes during the last 15,000 years in northwest Romania, to reconstruct the vegetation development, and to evaluate the underlying processes for forest dynamics. Furthermore, an overview of earlier and ongoing pollenstratigraphic work in Romania is provided. </p><p>Sediments from two former crater lakes, Preluca Tiganului and Steregoiu, situated in the Gutaiului Mountains, on the western extremity of the Eastern Carpathians at 730 m and 790 m a.s.l., respectively were obtained and analysed for high-resolution pollen, macrofossils, charcoal, mineral magnetic parameters and organic matter. The chronostratigraphic framework was provided by dense AMS ¹⁴C measurements. </p><p>Cold and dry climatic conditions are indicated by the occurrence of open vegetation with shrubs and herbs, and cold lake water prior to 14,700 cal. yr BP. The climatic improvement at the beginning of the Lateglacial interstadial (around 14,700 cal. yr BP) is seen by the development of open forests. These were dominated by <i>Pinus</i> and <i>Betula</i>, but contained also new arriving tree taxa, such as <i>Populus</i>, <i>Alnus</i> and <i>Prunus</i>. The gradual establishment of forests may have led to a stabilization of the soils in the catchment. Between ca. 14,100 and 13,800 cal. yr BP the forest density became reduced to stands of <i>Pinus</i>, <i>Betula</i>, <i>Alnus</i>, <i>Larix</i> and <i>Populus</i> trees and grassland expanded, suggesting colder climatic conditions. <i>Picea</i> arrived as a new taxon at around 13,800 cal. yr BP, and between 13,800 and 12,900 cal. yr BP, the surroundings of the sites were predominantly covered by <i>Picea </i>forest. This forest included <i>Betula</i>, <i>Pinus</i>, <i>Alnus</i>, <i>Larix</i> and <i>Populus</i> and, from 13,200 cal. yr BP onwards also <i>Ulmus</i>. At ca. 12,900 cal. yr BP, the forest became significantly reduced and at 12,600 cal. yr BP, a recurrence of open vegetation with stands of <i>Larix</i>, <i>Pinus</i>, <i>Betula</i>, <i>Salix</i> and <i>Alnus</i> is documented, lasting until 11,500 cal. yr BP. This distinct change in vegetation may by taken as a strong decline in temperature and moisture availability.</p><p>At the transition to the Holocene, at ca. 11,500 cal. yr BP, <i>Pinus</i>, <i>Betula</i> and <i>Larix</i> quickly expanded (from small local stands) and formed open forests, probably as a response to warmer and more humid climatic conditions. At 11,250 cal. yr BP<i> Ulmus</i> and <i>Picea</i> expanded and the landscape became completely forested. The rapid increase of <i>Ulmus</i> and <i>Picea</i> after 11,500 cal. yr BP may suggest the existence of small residual populations close to the study sites during the preceding cold interval. <i>Ulmus</i> was the first and most prominent deciduous taxa in the early Holocene in the Gutaiului Mountains. From ca. 10,750 cal. yr BP onwards <i>Quercus,</i> <i>Tilia</i>, <i>Fraxinus </i>and <i>Acer</i> expanded and <i>Corylus</i> arrived. A highly diverse, predominantly deciduous forest with <i>Ulmus</i>, <i>Quercus</i>, <i>Tilia</i>,<i> Fraxinus</i>, <i>Acer</i>, <i>Corylus</i> and <i>Picea</i> developed between 10,700 and 8200 cal. yr BP, which possibly signifies more continental climatic conditions. The development of a <i>Picea-Corylus</i> dominated forest between 8200 and 5700 cal. yr BP is likely connected to a more humid and cooler climate. The establishment of <i>Carpinus</i> and <i>Fagus</i> was dated to 5750 cal. yr BP and 5200 cal. yr BP, respectively. The dominance of <i>Fagus</i> during the late Holocene, from 4000 cal. yr BP onwards, may have been related to cooler and more humid climatic conditions. First signs of human activities are recorded around 2300 cal. yr BP, but only during the last 300 years did local human impact become significant. </p><p>The vegetation development recorded in the Gutaiului Mountains during the Lateglacial is very similar to reconstructions based on lowland sites, whereas higher elevation sites seem not to have always experienced visible vegetation changes. The time of tree arrival and expansion during the past 11,500 cal. yr BP seems to have occurred almost synchronously across Romania. The composition of the forests during the Holocene in the Gutaiului Mountains is consistent with that reconstructed at mid-elevation sites, but differs from the forest composition at higher elevations. Important differences between the Gutaiului Mountains and other studied sites in Romania are a low representation of <i>Carpinus </i>and a late and weak human impact. </p><p>The available data sets for Romania give evidence for the presence of coniferous and cold-tolerant deciduous trees before 14,700 cal. yr BP. Glacial refugia for <i>Ulmus</i> may have occurred in different parts of Romania, whereas the existence of <i>Quercu</i>s, <i>Tilia</i>, <i>Corylus</i> and <i>Fraxinus</i> has not been corroborated. </p>

Le problème de la direction du temps est un problème classique autant en physique qu’en philosophie. Quoiqu’il existe plusieurs façons de s’interroger sur ce problème, l’approche thermodynamique est la plus fréquemment utilisée. Cette approche consiste à considérer la flèche du temps thermodynamique comme la flèche fondamentale de laquelle les autres flèches ne sont que des manifestations. Ce mémoire vise à fournir une analyse philosophique de cette approche. Pour ce faire, nous esquisserons la problématique générale, nous exposerons les différentes approches et théories alternatives visant à résoudre ce problème et nous présenterons la thèse forte soutenant l’approche thermodynamique. Ensuite, nous évaluerons la pertinence du recours à la mécanique statistique et à la cosmologie visant à remédier aux déficiences de cette même approche. Enfin, nous analyserons en quoi cette approche, et plus particulièrement la notion d’entropie, est en mesure de fournir un cadre conceptuel pour la résolution du problème de la flèche du temps. / The problem of the direction of time is a classical problem in both physics and philosophy. Although there are various ways to tackle this problem, the thermodynamic approach is the most commonly used. This approach considers the thermodynamic arrow of time as the fundamental arrow of which all others arrows are only manifestations. This essay aims to provide a philosophical analysis of this approach. To do this, we sketch the research question, we introduce various alternate theories and approaches set to answer this problem, and present the strong thesis underlying the thermodynamic approach. Then we will evaluate the use of statistical mechanics and cosmology that are used in attempt to mitigate the deficiencies of this approach. Finally, we will analyze how this approach, and more importantly the notion of entropy, can provide an adequate conceptual scheme to solve the problem of the arrow of time.

The present thesis is devided into two basic parts. The first part is theoretical. The theoretical part deals with cathegory of tense generally and the situation of past tenses in three mutually connected languages, i.e. in Latin, contemporary Italian and the 14th centrury Italian as found in grammar books. The second part is practical. The practical part is an analysis of Boccaccio`s Decameron, including the complex relation between passato prossimo and passato remoto.

Comparison of the Tense Systems in Spanish and French: the Use of the Present Perfect and Past Simple This paper is concerned with tenses in Spanish and in French. First they are analysed generally, from the theoretical point of view, and subsequently, the author focuses on comparing the use of two of them: the present perfect and the past simple. The author is building on the conviction that although the verb systems of Roman languages are nearly identical, and also that the basic values of their tenses are identical, their specific uses may differ. First, she examines how tenses participate in the expression of time in language and how they can refer to extralinguistic time. As much attention has been paid to this topic, part one of the paper examines the theories that have been reflected the most in works on Spanish and French verbs. The fact that each of them emphasises a different aspect in explaining the meaning and function of each tense allows us to better understand the fundamental value of the tenses. One chapter is devoted to the diachronic view of the Roman system of verbs which allows us to see which features and development tendencies are common to all Roman languages, and which are only found in some of them. Here, the author points out primarily the fact that the loss of the...

Medieval castle ruins undoubtedly create the face of the Czech landscape. Moreover, the few previous studies on this topic have shown that ruins are unique and extraordinary biotope. This work aims to characterize castle vegetation on thirty examined localities (thirty ruins). Phytosociological relevés and soil samples were collected, soil depth was measured and the cover of individual layers was observed - all of this on three spots on each locality. One of the places covered castle and the other ones the nearby forests (each one was chosen differently than the other). The castle walls were sampled separately. The results show that castles not only increase the diversity of forests by hosting a higher number of species but also by a different species composition - castles have a rather large set of species with high fidelity to ruins areas. Approximately half of the uniqueness of the ruins can be explained by the soil qualities, such as higher pH, higher quantity of calcium and magnesium, the other half remains unclear notwithstanding the usage of various explanatory variables. It is certain that castle ruins are from a biological point of view exceptional, unique and they surely deserve the attention which we owe them so far.

This thesis examines the influence of the colonial past on contemporary media coverage of France and Britain. It focuses on selected colonies and the frequency of their references on two websites - Skynews.com and France24.fr. Thus the thesis tries to answer the question whether or not the colonial past is still a strong determinant which governs the media's priorities. Imperial history has always been very vivid in these countries, where vast colonial land was possessed. Consequently they must now deal with the impact of their incursions. A strong relationship with former colonies exists and still be seen through the media. In addition, the fact that news media still prefers those states to the information about different former colonies, proves the existence of very strong bonds after the end of decolonial processes. The thesis is divided into two main sections. The first section considers the theoretical frame of analyzed notions (e.g. the geography of communication, colonialism or postcolonialism etc.), colonial history and pursuits the basic facts from media studies. Subsequently, the second section focuses on research results, whereby the principal aim is to confirm the assumption that British and French media prefers to inform more about their own former colonies than colonies of the second great...

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Hospitality Management and Dietetics / Deborah Canter / Junehee Kwon / Foodborne illnesses are a challenge, especially in ethnic restaurants partly because of differences in food handling practices and ethnic cultures. Chinese restaurants, representing the largest number of ethnic restaurants in the U.S., have unique food safety challenges. This study investigated variables including Chinese cultural values (CCVs) that influence U.S. Chinese restaurateurs’ behavioral intention regarding food safety training. The qualitative study, individual interviews with 20 Chinese restaurateurs, found 17 major CCVs that are important to participants. Most participants felt satisfied with previous health inspections, but several expressed difficulty with understanding health inspectors’ instructions and the reports. A limited number of participants provided food safety training mainly because it was required by law. Lack of money, time, labor, energy, and perceived needs for food safety training were major obstacles to providing food safety training in Chinese restaurants. The quantitative study assessed behavioral intention to provide food safety training and the influencing factors including CCVs using the instrument developed based on the qualitative study. Sample included 500 Chinese restaurateurs across the U.S., and 261 provided usable data. Among 17 CCVs, respondents perceived “courtesy” (6.95±0.24), “respect” (6.87±0.47), and “harmony” (6.85±0.41) as most important. The opinions of customers (5.74±1.71), family members (5.73±1.60), and business partners (5.49±1.57) were considered most important. Barriers to providing food safety training included employees’ physical exhaustion (5.89±1.58), employees’ learning capabilities (4.80±1.97), and financial resources (4.56±2.19). Of five CCV factors identified, CCVs pertaining to customer relations (β=0.133, p<.05) and interpersonal relations (β=0.320, p<.001) were significantly associated with behavioral intention to provide food safety training. Additional factors influencing food safety training intention were, personal influence (Fchange=3.98, p<.05), perceived barriers (Fchange=6.42, p<.05), and past experiences (Fchange=21.78, p<.001). Among participants, the males (t =2.97, p<.05) valued customer relations, whereas the females (t =5.52, p<.001) valued interpersonal relations. Chinese restaurateurs with bachelor’s degrees or higher (F=5.905, p<.01) had greater intentions to provide food safety training than others. Manual-based food safety training (6.17±1.23) in Chinese (6.13±1.33) was preferred by the respondents. Future research should evaluate if recommendations from this study have positive influences on food safety training at Chinese restaurants.

Dendroarchaeological samples can contain three kinds of information: chronological, behavioral, and environmental. The decisions of past people regarding species selection, beam size, procurement and modification techniques, deadwood use, and stockpiling are the most critical factors influencing an archaeological date distribution. Using dendrochronological samples from prehistoric and historic period sites in the same area of eastern Utah, this paper examines past human behavior as the critical factor in dendroarchaeological date distributions.

La pénétration des Scandinaves en Russie, qui s’insère dans un vaste mouvement d’échanges qui entre les VIIIe et XIIe siècles fait circuler hommes et biens, apparaît à bien des égards comme un stimulant économique et politique d’envergure dans l’émergence d’organisations politiques et sociales qui aboutirent au développement de centres proto-urbains et du premier État russe. L’objectif de cette étude est donc de s’attacher à travers le traitement des sources historiographiques scandinaves et leur croisement avec les corpus slavon, byzantin et arabo-persan, à l’appréhension des modalités de transport de ces Scandinaves qui empruntèrent la voie de l’Est. Ce traitement nous permettra alors en plus de mesurer la variété et la richesse des contacts et des types de voyages entrepris, de redessiner des itinéraires, et d’appréhender plus en détail de quelle manière l’historiographie envisageait la géographie russe ainsi que le voyage en ces régions. / The penetration of the Scandinavians in Russia, which takes place in this vast movement of exchanges between the eighth and twelfth centuries where men and goods where circulating around Europe, appears in many respects as a political and economic stimulus in the emergence of political and social organizations that led to the development of proto-urban centers and to the creation of the first Russian state. So the aim of this study is through the analyze of the Scandinavian historiography and its crossing with the Slavonic, Byzantine and Arabo-persian corpuses, to focus on the transport modalities of these Scandinavians who took the road to the East. This treatment will allow us to underline the wide variety of contacts and journeys undertaken, and in addition to reconstruct itineraries, and to understand in a better way how historiography dealt with Russian geography and with the journey across those regions as a pattern.

Esta Dissertação, intitulada Narrativa da Espera no Romance Angolano Contemporâneo: Notas às alegóricas Noites de Vigília de Boaventura Cardoso, propõe a leitura de Noites de vigília (2012), do angolano Boaventura Cardoso. Essa obra, voltada para a revisitação do passado histórico-político angolano, sob o signo da alegoria lançada no universo teorizador por Walter Benjamin, irrompe com a história oficial ao pôr em questionamento o projeto da Terra Prometida, cujo marcador é a espera ancorada no desejo de fundação de uma associação das personagens- protagonistas, a saber: Quinito, do MPLA, e Saiundo, da UNITA. Por conseguinte, através do comparativismo literário, procuramos analisar como a recriação do sociopolítico angolano, em Noites de Vigília, indicia a desrepressão da história, visando a consumação do projeto de comunidade imaginada angolana, hasteando-se, desse modo, a bandeira da igualdade social, dando-se voz e vez aos da pereiferia social. Assim, procura-se demonstrar como a ficcionalização do histórico-político angolano denuncia um socius na contramão do apregoado ao longo do movimento anti-colonial, haja vista a proclamação da sociedade pautada na igualdade, liberdades e bemestar coletivo ainda em processo. / This Dissertation, entitled Narrative of Waiting in the Contemporary Angolan Romance: Notes to the allegorical Vigil Nights of Boaventura Cardoso, proposes the reading of Vigil Nights (2012), by Angolan Boaventura Cardoso. This work, aimed at revisiting the Angolan historical-political past, under the sign of the allegory launched in the theorizing universe by Walter Benjamin, bursts into official history by questioning the Promised Land project whose marker is the \"waiting\" anchored in the desire to found an association of the main characters, namely: Quinito, MPLA, and Saiundo, UNITA. Therefore, through literary comparativeism, we seek to analyze how the re-creation of the Angolan sociopolitical, in Nights of Vigil, indicates the derepression of history, aiming at the consummation of the Angolan imagined community project, thereby hovering the banner of social equality , giving voice and time to those of the social pereiferia. Thus, we try to demonstrate how the fictionalization of the Angolan historical-political denounces a socius against the one proclaimed throughout the anti-colonial movement, given the proclamation of a society based on equality, liberties and collective well-being still in process.