A public private partnership is an alternative to procurement of the facility by the public sector, using funding from tax revenues or public borrowing. In a typical public sector procurement, the public authority sets out the specifications and design of the facility, calls for bids on the basis if this detailed design, and pays for construction of the facility by a private sector contractor. The public authority has to fund the full cost of construction, including cost overruns. Operation and maintenance of the facility are handled by the public authority and the contractor takes no responsibility for the long term performance of the facility after the construction warranty period has expired. In a public private partnership, on the other hand, the authority specifies its requirements in terms of outputs, which set out the public services which the facility is intended to provide, but which do not specify how these are to be provided. It is then left to the private sector to design, finance, build and operate the facility to meet the longterm output specifications. The project company receives payments over the life of the PPP contract, which are supposed to repay the financing costs and give a return to investors. The payments are subject to deductions for failure to meet output specifications, and there is no extra allowance for cost overruns which happen during construction or in operation of the facility.

A novel UHV microcalorimeter has been used to study the interaction between calcium and three polymers: MEH-PPV, MEH-PPP and P3HT. All three polymers behave differently in their reaction kinetics with calcium. On MEH-PPV we measure 45 μJ/cm² of heat generated in excess of the heat of bulk metal growth, 120 μJ/cm² for MEH-PPP, and 100 μJ/cm² for P3HT. Comparison of the MEH-PPV and MEHPPP data indicate that the initial reaction of calcium with MEH-PPV occurs at the vinylene group. We propose, based on hypothetical models, that calcium reacts with the vinylene groups of MEH-PPV with a reaction heat of 360 kJ/mol and at a projected surface density of 1.7 sites/nm², while it reacts with the phenylene groups of MEH-PPP in a two-step process with reaction heats of 200 and 360 kJ/mol respectively, at a projected surface density of 3.5 sites/nm². Optical absorption experiments, using either a 1.85 eV diode laser or a xenon lamp coupled to a scanning monochromator, have also been performed using the same calorimeter sensor. In the case of MEH-PPV, using the laser we find an optical absorption cross-section of 3E-¹⁷ cm² per incident calcium atom at low coverages. The change in absorptance at higher coverages correlates perfectly with the population of reacted Ca atoms determined calorimetrically. The size of the absorbance cross-section, and its position just within the band gap of the polymer, are consistent with the reaction being one of polaron formation. Calcium does not appear to dope P3HT, while the photon energy range of 1.5 to 3.75 eV used in these experiments is likely too small for probing polaronic energy states in MEH-PPP.

While the outright privatization of water services has declined globally, it has been replaced with public-private partnerships (P3s) in the government procurement and delivery of water services, and increasingly at the local level. This research finds that such initiatives are on the rise in Canada, and considering the overall record of failure that has amounted from varied types of water privatization thus far, it seeks to analyze this expanding waterscape from a critical perspective. More specifically, by historically situating the privatization of Canadian municipal water in a political-economic context that identifies its relation to contemporary (neoliberal) capitalism, this research examines how the focused state commitment to water P3s is indicative of the processes of neoliberalization. I argue that regulatory and budgetary changes since the economic crisis of 2008 have formed an institutionalized policy apparatus that essentially forces needy municipalities into long-term contracts with private firms, therefore establishing sustained sites for capital accumulation. This thesis concludes with a discussion concerning the implications that such a “partnership” will have for municipal autonomy, organized labour, and the environment, particularly in light of the intensifying state focus on international free trade. / Graduate / 0626 / 0629

This thesis is focused on multiple myeloma (MM), a haematological malignancy that still remains incurable. The pathogenesis of MM is not fully understood and there is a large intra-tumour and interclonal genetic variation in MM patients. One of the most challenging areas in MM research is to find mechanisms for initiation and progression of MM, but also to overcome the arising resistance to therapy. In paper I, a signature of under-expressed genes in MM was found to significantly correlate with already defined Polycomb target genes. In selected genes from the profile we found an enrichment of H3K27me3, a repressive mark catalysed by Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), in MM patients and MM cell lines. Treatment with LBH589 (HDAC inhibitor) and DZNep (methyltransferase inhibitor) reactivated the H3K27me3 target genes and induced apoptosis in MM cell lines. LBH589 reduced tumour load and increased overall survival in the 5T33MM mice. These results suggest an important role for Polycomb complex in MM development and highlight PRC2 as a drug target in MM. In paper II, the insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor tyrosine kinase (IGF-1RTK) inhibitor picropodophyllin (PPP) in combination with LBH589 synergistically inhibited cell proliferation and enhanced the apoptotic effect in MM. Since the bone marrow microenvironment has an important role in MM disease and also contributes to drug-resistance, we therefore evaluated the drug combination in the immunocompetent 5T33MM murine model. The drug combination significantly prolonged the survival of the 5T33MM mice compared to single drug treatment. We conclude that the combination of PPP and LBH589 has a therapeutic potential in MM. In paper III, the role of the cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (cIAP2) was evaluated in MM cells harbouring TRAF3 deletion/mutation. By overexpressing cIAP2 in these cells we found an increased resistance to proteasome inhibitors. cIAP2 over-expression by lentiviral constructs led to decreased caspase activation, activation of the canonical NF-κB pathway, and down-regulation of tumour suppressor genes and genes that contribute to apoptosis. Supporting the role of cIAP2 mediated drug-resistance, we here demonstrate that inhibiting cIAP2 using an IAP antagonist, increased the sensitivity to the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib.

A novel UHV microcalorimeter has been used to study the interaction between calcium and three polymers: MEH-PPV, MEH-PPP and P3HT. All three polymers behave differently in their reaction kinetics with calcium. On MEH-PPV we measure 45 μJ/cm² of heat generated in excess of the heat of bulk metal growth, 120 μJ/cm² for MEH-PPP, and 100 μJ/cm² for P3HT. Comparison of the MEH-PPV and MEHPPP data indicate that the initial reaction of calcium with MEH-PPV occurs at the vinylene group. We propose, based on hypothetical models, that calcium reacts with the vinylene groups of MEH-PPV with a reaction heat of 360 kJ/mol and at a projected surface density of 1.7 sites/nm², while it reacts with the phenylene groups of MEH-PPP in a two-step process with reaction heats of 200 and 360 kJ/mol respectively, at a projected surface density of 3.5 sites/nm². Optical absorption experiments, using either a 1.85 eV diode laser or a xenon lamp coupled to a scanning monochromator, have also been performed using the same calorimeter sensor. In the case of MEH-PPV, using the laser we find an optical absorption cross-section of 3E-¹⁷ cm² per incident calcium atom at low coverages. The change in absorptance at higher coverages correlates perfectly with the population of reacted Ca atoms determined calorimetrically. The size of the absorbance cross-section, and its position just within the band gap of the polymer, are consistent with the reaction being one of polaron formation. Calcium does not appear to dope P3HT, while the photon energy range of 1.5 to 3.75 eV used in these experiments is likely too small for probing polaronic energy states in MEH-PPP.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-04-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:40:33Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 marques_ha_dr_prud.pdf: 2254240 bytes, checksum: 4a444b57aeb7b0a9588734345c28c149 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Dentre os diversos métodos possíveis de posicionamento GNSS, encontra-se atualmente em evidência aqueles que proporcionam posicionamento em tempo real (ou próximo do tempo real) com acurácia ao nível centimétrico ou decimétrico. Nesse caso, destaca-se o PPP em tempo real, o qual requer a disponibilização de órbitas precisas em tempo real, bem como as correções ou erros dos relógios dos satélites. Atualmente, é possível utilizar as efemérides preditas denominadas IGU, as quais são disponibilizadas pelo IGS, porém, as correções dos relógios dos satélites contidas nessas efemérides não apresentam acurácia suficiente (3 ns @ 0,9 m) para obtenção de resultados com qualidade centimétrica no PPP. Logo, é necessário pesquisar e desenvolver metodologias adequadas para estimar as correções dos relógios dos satélites com melhor qualidade para aplicação no PPP em tempo real. A estimativa das correções dos relógios dos satélites pode ser realizada com base numa rede de estações GNSS de referência. Nesta tese, a metodologia adotada para estimar estas correções consiste em realizar o ajustamento dos dados no modo PPP para uma rede de estações GNSS. Dessa forma, todos os efeitos sistemáticos envolvidos com os sinais dos satélites GNSS devem ser modelados adequadamente para cada estação da rede, realizando-se assim a estratégia denominada de PPP em rede. Uma vez estimadas as correções dos relógios dos satélites em tempo real, estas devem ser enviadas ao usuário, o qual as utilizará para aplicação... / Among several possible methods of GNSS positioning, it is currently in evidence those that provide real time positioning (or near real time) with accuracy near to decimeter or centimeter level. In this case, we highlight the real time PPP method, which requires the availability of real time precise orbits and corrections or errors of the satellites clocks. Currently, it is possible to use the predicted IGU ephemerides which are made available by the IGS centers. However, the satellites clocks corrections available in the IGU do not present enough accuracy (3 ns @ 0.9 m) to accomplish real time PPP with the level of centimeter accuracy. Therefore, it is necessary to research and develop appropriate methodologies for estimating the satellite clock corrections in real time with better quality for real time PPP aplication. The estimation of satellite clock corrections can be performed based on a GNSS network of reference. In this PhD thesis, the methodology used to estimate these corrections is based on the adjustment of data in the PPP mode for stations of a GNSS network. Thus, all systematic effects involved with the GNSS satellite signals must... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

This dissertation consists of three research studies on capital flows to South Asian countries, estimation of interest rate pass through in Pakistan and the relative city price convergence in Pakistan. The study has used panel data techniques for empirical estimations. The first study attempts to estimate capital mobility in South Asia using saving investment relationship technique and real interest rate differentials methods as suggested by Frankel (1992). The study finds that real interest rate differentials of South Asian countries are stationary and mean reverting with North American, European and Asian countries. Although the RIDS are stationary showing strong evidence of capital mobility, the savings investment correlation is significant. The correlation of savings and investment decreased after 1990s, the post liberalization period implying increased capital mobility afterwards. The RIDs technique provided stronger evidence of than savings and investment correlation technique. The second study is on the estimation of interest rate pass through in Pakistan using two types of data sets i.e. aggregate bank type and retail bank data. The study finds that both lending, deposit and Treasury Bill (TB) rates are non stationary using aggregate data. The lending and TB rate are found to be cointegrated but deposit rate is not found to be cointegrated. The IRPT of four types of banks is found to be less than 1 but three banks showed the IRPT to be higher than 0.5. The highest IRPT is 0.72 in the case of nationalized banks followed by o.70 by privatized banks. The foreign banks IRPT are 0.60. The lowest IRPT is estimated at 0.3. The error correction model estimates overall IRPT to be 0.6 and the convergence parameter is 0.05. It is low and implies that convergence takes time. The study does not find change in 2005 after January 2005 but the speed of adjustment increased when the lending rate is below equilibrium. The retail data provides evidence that lending and deposit rates both are non stationary and cointegrated with TB rate. I found evidence of complete lending rate pass through with Spatial GLS but Phillips Loretain (1991) model shows incomplete pass through. The deposit rate is found to be incomplete and sticky with both the techniques. The third essay provides evidence on relative city price convergence in 35 Pakistani cities with 2 numeraire cities of Lahore and Karachi. The study estimates the autocorrelation coefficient with 2 techniques i.e. OLS and Spatial GLS. Furthermore city wise half life of price shock is also estimated. The empirical evidence supports the hypothesis of convergence in Pakistani cities with both the numeraire cities. The overall half life is estimated to be less than 6 months but there is found heterogeneity in the city wise half life estimates. The half life estimates from Spatial GLS are found to be lower than OLS. The convergence has been found even in the case of distant bordering cities. The overall results support that domestic Purchasing Power Parity holds in Pakistan.

abstract: As an alternative to the traditional public transportation system, (urban) rail transit has many advantages such as large capacity, fast speed, tight schedule, safety and comfort, and punctuality, , and has gradually become a top choice of many cities in countering environmental pollution and optimizing traffic quality. At the same time, we must also see that huge amounts of capital are required for the construction of rail transit. The traditional reliance on government investment clearly has its own limitations. The investment not only has a long cost-recovery cycle and a low rate of return, but also hardly attracts investments from the private sector. Therefore, when the government vigorously promotes the construction of a rail transit system, it is generally faced with problems such as a large funding gap and an overall financial loss. Therefore, how to establish a reasonable and efficient mode of investment and financing and further broaden the financing channels for rail transit projects is of great practical significance for improving the profitability of rail transit enterprises and realizing the sustainable development of rail transit. This thesis attempts to study the issue, in general, and further exmines a detailed case study of metro rail transit in a Chinsese city (city A), in particular. The thesis first studies the concept and attributes of urban rail transit, and analyzes four modes and corresponding cases of urban rail transit investment and financing., It then discusses the characteristics of investment and financing of urban rail transit projects and the concept of investment and financing. Moreover, this thesis focuses on the current situation, characteristics and challenges of city A’s rail transit construction,. More specifically, it takes an in-depth look at the financial planning, investment and financing planning and the investment and financing channels products. The study innovatively puts forward three models, namely, PPP, TOD, ABS of rail transit investment and financing products. Based on the AHP decision-making method, the study shows PPP as the optimal integrated choice for city A. Finally, based on the core issues of the domestic urban rail transit project investment and financing, this thesis analyzes the rationality of the PPP model thoroughly and comes up with some managerial and policy suggestions on how to further optimize the investment and financing of the urban rail transit construction from the perspectives of the government management and the rail transit enterprises / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Business Administration 2018

Orientador: João Francisco Galera Monico / Coorientador: Milton Hirokazu Shimabukuro / Coorientador: : Marcio de Oliveira Aquino / Banca: Celso Braga de Mendonça / Banca: Hélio Koiti Kuga / Banca: Silvio Jacks dos Anjos Garnés / Resumo: Dentre os diversos métodos possíveis de posicionamento GNSS, encontra-se atualmente em evidência aqueles que proporcionam posicionamento em tempo real (ou próximo do tempo real) com acurácia ao nível centimétrico ou decimétrico. Nesse caso, destaca-se o PPP em tempo real, o qual requer a disponibilização de órbitas precisas em tempo real, bem como as correções ou erros dos relógios dos satélites. Atualmente, é possível utilizar as efemérides preditas denominadas IGU, as quais são disponibilizadas pelo IGS, porém, as correções dos relógios dos satélites contidas nessas efemérides não apresentam acurácia suficiente (3 ns @ 0,9 m) para obtenção de resultados com qualidade centimétrica no PPP. Logo, é necessário pesquisar e desenvolver metodologias adequadas para estimar as correções dos relógios dos satélites com melhor qualidade para aplicação no PPP em tempo real. A estimativa das correções dos relógios dos satélites pode ser realizada com base numa rede de estações GNSS de referência. Nesta tese, a metodologia adotada para estimar estas correções consiste em realizar o ajustamento dos dados no modo PPP para uma rede de estações GNSS. Dessa forma, todos os efeitos sistemáticos envolvidos com os sinais dos satélites GNSS devem ser modelados adequadamente para cada estação da rede, realizando-se assim a estratégia denominada de PPP em rede. Uma vez estimadas as correções dos relógios dos satélites em tempo real, estas devem ser enviadas ao usuário, o qual as utilizará para aplicação... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Among several possible methods of GNSS positioning, it is currently in evidence those that provide real time positioning (or near real time) with accuracy near to decimeter or centimeter level. In this case, we highlight the real time PPP method, which requires the availability of real time precise orbits and corrections or errors of the satellites clocks. Currently, it is possible to use the predicted IGU ephemerides which are made available by the IGS centers. However, the satellites clocks corrections available in the IGU do not present enough accuracy (3 ns @ 0.9 m) to accomplish real time PPP with the level of centimeter accuracy. Therefore, it is necessary to research and develop appropriate methodologies for estimating the satellite clock corrections in real time with better quality for real time PPP aplication. The estimation of satellite clock corrections can be performed based on a GNSS network of reference. In this PhD thesis, the methodology used to estimate these corrections is based on the adjustment of data in the PPP mode for stations of a GNSS network. Thus, all systematic effects involved with the GNSS satellite signals must... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

abstract: Public Private Partnerships (PPP) have been in use for years in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and for a shorter time here in the United States. Typical PPP infrastructure projects include a multi-year term of operation in addition to constructing the structural features to be used. Early studies are proving PPP delivery methods to be effective at construction cost containment. An examination of the key elements that constitute the early stage negotiation reveal that there is room for negotiation created by the governing documentation while maintaining a competitive environment that brings the best value available to the Public entity. This paper will examine why PPP's are effective during this critical construction period of the facilities life cycle. It is the intent of this study to examine why the features and outcomes of more or less negotiation and the degree of rigor associated with it. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Construction 2012