This paper examines the long-run aftermarket performance of Swedish IPOs between 2000- 2016, including two market downturns (the burst of IT and housing bubble). The main objective is to investigate whether performance is explained in terms of firm maturity, which is the main contribution to existing literature. Hence, the final sample of 96 IPOs is ranked by the level of RE/TA ratio, a categorization defined by the life-cycle theory of dividend payouts proposed by DeAngelo et al. (2006). To assess the long-run performance of the different IPO portfolios, two methodologies are applied: BHAR and the Fama-French Three Factor regression. The main finding is that the Swedish IPOs underperform their benchmark reference portfolios 12, 24 and 36 months after the offering. Young IPOs, with low RE/TA, outperform on a one- year basis while no significant results were found for old IPOs with high RE/TA. On a longer term, young IPOs underperform their benchmarks while old IPOs outperform three years after the initial issue. There is no support that younger IPOs exhibit a higher level of underperformance in comparison to older IPOs in the long-run.

This thesis discusses the opportunities of using open data particularly from the perspective of commercial organizations. At first, the concept of open data is generally described including the relationships with related concepts. The thesis also mentions the general benefits and estimated economic impact of using open data. Next, it is described the current situation of open data activities in the Czech republic, the current possible sources of open data and also the possible business models for open data. The practical benefits of this thesis include the visualized outputs from the content analysis of national open data catalogues data.gov.uk and govdata.de, which demonstrate what kind of published datasets are available in those catalogues as an example for the Czech republic and also the conclusions of the performed pre-survey on demand for open data in the Czech republic. Based on this and similar surveys around the world, it was found that there is a big interest on open data from the commercial organizations and the biggest issue is its insufficient availability.

With the current development of the computer industry, CFD simulations have become the widespread standard in the industry, forming a baseline tool for numerous designs and safety procedures. This extensive dependence on the CFD codes rather than experiments raises the issue of the reliability of the results obtained from these codes. This thesis is intended to study the dependence of the CFD results on the grid types, numerical schemes and turbulence models. Additionally, comparisons between a general purpose commercial code STAR-CCM+ and a specialized code FDS are presented towards the end of this thesis. To study the numerical errors introduced by the grids and schemes, a laminar flow induced by natural convection inside a square cavity was considered first. Using Richardson’s extrapolation, a grid independent solution was calculated and compared with the results obtained from different grid types and schemes for Rayleigh (Ra) numbers , and . Comparison plots showed a higher dependence of the accuracy of the results on the cell shapes along with the order of the scheme and the cell size. Additionally, with the same cavity a grid dependence study for the and model has been done at .To test the reliability of the Quasi-DNS performed by an Unstructured Finite Volume (FV) CFD code, Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE) budgets should be calculated. User subroutines were developed to calculate the budgets of the TKE and to verify the user subroutines, prior to coaxial cylinder test case, a Q-DNS of the channel flow at has been performed using different grid configurations and numerical schemes. Results obtained from the Q-DNS of the channel flow on the polyhedral cells with the bounded central differencing scheme were found to be in good agreement with the reference DNS data. After the validation test case, a Q-DNS of the buoyancy driven turbulent flow inside a horizontal annular cavity at a high Rayleigh number, Ra = 1.18x109 with outer to inner cylinder ratio of 4.85 was carried out using a commercial code. Comparisons of Q-DNS results with low-Re URANS models, and model, showed that the latter models are able to capture the general flow features but fail to predict the large unsteadiness and high turbulence levels in the plume. However, local heat transfer rates along the inner and outer cylinder walls are on average of acceptable accuracy for engineering purposes. Finally, a full scale industrial test case of a fire in a compartment has been simulated. Both URANS ( model) and LES (Smagorinsky model) approaches are applied to model the turbulence with and without incorporating the combustion modelling. A comparison of the CFD results with the experimental data showed that for building fire simulations, accuracy of the results is more sensitive to the correlations used in the combustion modelling rather than the type of the turbulence model.

Although participation of Canadian women in the labour force has significantly increased in the past decade, and in turn the number of maternity leave claims, information is limited on actual employment behavior following maternity leave and the factors which influence this behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine the employment behavior following maternity leave for 313 women of varying occupations from a large metropolitan hospital in order to: isolate significant variables which influence this behavior, examine return rates and employment patterns for women who return to work, identify the major problems women experience upon their return to work, examine the experience of women with the current maternity leave legislation, obtain their opinions on whether flexible work policies encourage staff retention and finally, to develop a set of recommendations to assist organizations in achieving staff retention following maternity leave. Data respecting the positions of the women, their personal characteristics and their employment behavior following their leave were collected from personnel records. The dependent variables for the study were three distinct types of employment behavior: employees who terminated following their maternity leave, employees who terminated following their return to work and employees who remained employed at the hospital. There were nine independent variables which were tested as potential employment behavior influences namely level of education, age, organizational tenure, employment status, union/management affiliation, salary level, occupational level, number of previous maternity leaves and organizational division. The Chi Square test of Independence was run for six variables and the One Way Analysis of Variance for three variables. In-depth structured interviews were conducted with five women selected randomly from the sample in order to identify the major problems they encountered in returning to work as well as to obtain their opinions on the current maternity leave legislation. They were also questioned regarding the effectiveness of flexible work policies. Two of the variables tested were found to be significant employment behavior influences: type of union and organizational tenure. It was also found that the least flexible union had the highest termination rate. Although the majority of women returned to work and remained employed at the hospital, a high percentage transferred to part-time and casual employment. The interviews revealed that the major concerns women had were the need for more flexible work policies, an increase in part-time opportunities and child-care concerns including the need for on-site day care. All of the women interviewed felt that 18 weeks was an inadequate length of time for a maternity leave and some of the women wanted maternity benefits for their entire leave and not just 15 weeks. It was concluded from the results of the study that flexible work policies and organizational support systems encourage staff retention following maternity leave, it was recommended that in order for organizations to achieve staff retention following maternity leave that they must introduce flexible work policies and a specific staff retention plan. / Business, Sauder School of / Graduate

The basis of this research project stems from reflections upon the process of composition for electroacoustic audio-visual music. These are fixed media works in which sound and image materials are accessed, generated, explored and configured in creation of a musically informed audio-visual expression. Within the process of composition, the composer must decide how to effectively draw relationships between these time based media and their various abstract and mimetic materials. This process usually has no codified laws or structures and results in relationships that are singular to the individual artworks. The composer uses their own experience and intuition in assessing how best to associate sounds and images and they will use their own interpretation of the materials to evaluate the how successful they are in realising their intentions. But what is there to say that the interpretation made by the composer bares any resemblance to interpretations made by audiences? The current research sought to assess any trends or commonalities in how people interpret such works. Utilising a combination of empirical research, composition and scholarly study, the project investigated various theoretical approaches to interpretation and the occurrence of correlation between compositional intention and audience interpretation. Models from different theoretical disciplines were combined in order to build up a picture of the processes involved in making interpretations, and to aid in the rationalisation of empirical data. The application of three methodological approaches allowed for the topic to be considered from a diversity of perspectives, and for triangulation to take place in confirmation of the research outcomes. The way in which individuals build up interpretations from non-codified abstract and mimetic materials also provided a suitable case study for the critique and assessment of various theoretical approaches to interpretation. The project challenges structuralist approaches to interpretation, drawing together theoretical materials and empirical research findings in support of a post-structrualist model of interpretation that demonstrates the absolutely vital role played by context - the framing of the artwork in the consciousness of the individual audience member.

This dissertation investigates the significant problem of abandoned buildings in the Pretoria Central Business District and, to a lesser extent, the lack of public exposure to art, architecture and design. For the purpose of this study, empty spaces in the City Centre and Die Meent buildings are examined. A new system for their reuse is developed and a gallery for the exhibition of multiple art forms is incorporated therein, as an example of how the aforementioned system can be appropriated. These problems, especially the first, is not restricted to the local urban context. The investigation is thus divided into two phases: the first provides a solution to the challenge of reusing abandoned spaces in buildings; the second phase, as a proposed future exploration of this system, provides a solution to the need for a multi-purpose exhibition area. City Property is the proposed client for the first phase, while MINI Space is the proposed client for the second phase. Empty buildings are a growing concern worldwide, due to concerns for sustainable development and decreasing greenfield sites. This dissertation proposes that the term ‘site’ should be redefined, using the x-y-z axes as a base. By applying the theory of Deconstruction, it is argued that ‘ground zero’ be shifted to a higher level, to include not only the x- and y-axis, but also the z-axis, leading to the creation of truly three-dimensional cities. This project aims to advance a new way of looking at the city and promoting different forms of art. Culturally rich spaces within vibrant cities with multiple levels of living, working and playing, aid the creation of new communities and unique spaces for each individual. Copyright / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Architecture / unrestricted

Manter os documentos de requisitos atualizados e recuperar os requisitos de um software são desafios enfrentados por desenvolvedores no seu dia a dia durante o desenvolvimento, a manutenção e a evolução de sistemas. Embora existam técnicas para gestão de requisitos, muitas vezes estas técnicas não são aplicadas, os requisitos não são atualizados e a única fonte de informação confiável sobre um software passa a ser seu código-fonte. Esta tese apresenta a TDRRC, uma técnica para a documentação e recuperação dos requisitos no código-fonte usando anotações. A TDRRC possibilita a reengenharia de requisitos sem que haja uma interrupção no desenvolvimento e permite que os requisitos sejam documentados em ambientes de desenvolvimento ágil. A TDRRC contribui para a redução dos problemas relacionados à atualização dos requisitos, pois o desenvolvedor responsável pelo programa passa a ser responsável pela documentação e atualização dos requisitos no código-fonte que ele escreve e mantém. Este trabalho apresenta também formas de aplicar a TDRRC na reengenharia de requisitos, em métodos ágeis e na gestão de requisitos, assim como a sua aplicação em um estudo de caso. / Keeping requirements documents updated and recovering requirements of a software are common challenges faced by developers on their day to day activities. Although there are many requirements management techniques, usually these techniques are not applied, requirements are not updated and the only reliable source of information about a software becomes its source code. This thesis presents TDRRC, a technique that can be used to document and retrieve requirements from the source code using annotations. Applying TDRRC, it is possible to reengineer the requirements of a software without interrupting its development. Also requirements can be documented in a agile environment. TDRRC also contributes to minimize requirements documents update issues as the developer will be clearly responsible for documenting and updating the requirements in the source code he is programming. This thesis also presents how to apply the technique in a requirement reengineering project, in a agile development environment and in a requirements management process. Finally a case study is presented.

Recentes avaliações nacionais, como SARESP Sistema de Avaliação de Rendimento Escolar do Estado São Paulo (2012) e Prova Brasil Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Educação Básica SAEB (2012), apontam um número considerável de alunos brasileiros que não compreendem o que leem e não conseguem escrever um simples bilhete, resultado alarmante que demanda um trabalho mais eficaz voltado para a proficiência em leitura e escrita. Aumentar ou expandir a competência leitora e escritora dos educandos, por meio do contato com a literatura, é um grande desafio para os professores de Língua Portuguesa. Portanto, investir neste objetivo deveria constituir um dos principais escopos da educação e, consequentemente, das instituições escolares que desejam contribuir efetivamente na formação de cidadãos reflexivos, críticos, autônomos e atuantes diante da sociedade. A hipótese que permeia este estudo é que, por meio de um trabalho sistemático com a Literatura Infanto-juvenil no Ensino Fundamental, o aluno se motive para a releitura e a escrita criativa de Contos, desenvolvendo, assim, sua competência leitora e escritora. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo geral realizar um projeto cujas ações levassem à releitura e à escrita criativa de Contos. O projeto foi denominado `Recriar é preciso! e realizado com alunos do nono ano do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola da Rede Pública Municipal de São José dos Campos. As produções textuais dos alunos culminaram na confecção de uma antologia de contos. Tendo por base a perspectiva sociointeracionista da Linguística Aplicada, utilizou-se como metodologia a pesquisa-ação que visa a intervir na situação, privilegiando objetivos factíveis. Os aportes teóricos utilizados nesta pesquisa baseiam-se em Bakthin (1992 e 2005) e seus conceitos sobre gênero do discurso e dialogia; Vygotsky (2007) e zona de desenvolvimento proximal; Kleiman (1989), acerca dos processos de leitura e escrita, além de Paiva (2008) e Cosson (2006) sobre literatura. A obra literária infanto-juvenil carrega em si um conteúdo existencial muito intenso, porque estabelece um forte vínculo com a vivência dos alunos, cujas identidades são formadas por diversas vozes. As estratégias de leitura e de produção escrita desenvolvidas se mostraram eficientes e os resultados obtidos foram satisfatórios. Ficou demonstrado neste trabalho que os alunos gostaram dos textos selecionados e se motivaram para a escrita criativa e seus discursos evidenciaram mudanças de atitudes perante suas experiências de vida. / Recent national evaluations, like SARESP Sistema de Avaliação de Rendimento Escolar do Estado de São Paulo (system of evaluation in the education performance on the state of São Paulo) (2012) and Prova Brasil Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Educação Básica (national system of evaluation on the basic education) SAEB (2012), show a significant amount of Brazilian students who do not comprehend what they read and cannot write a simple note, an alarming result that demands a more efficient work regarding reading and writing proficiency. Enhancing or expanding the reading and writing skills of students, through the contact with literature, is a big challenge for Portuguese Language teachers. Therefore, investing in this purpose should constitute one of the main scopes of education and, consequently, of educational institutions that wish to effectively contribute in the training of citizens who are sensible, independent and active in society. The hypothesis that permeates this study is that through a systematic work with youth literature during Elementary School, the student motivates himself to re-reading and creative writing of tales, developing this way his reading and writing skills. This research had as a general goal to carry out a project which actions led to re-reading and creative writing of tales. The project was named `Recriar é preciso! (Recreating is necessary!) and it was done with ninth grade Middle School students from a city public school of São José dos Campos. The textual productions of the students composed an anthology of stories book. As basis they had the social interactionist perspective of Applied Linguistics, using as methodology the action-research which aims to intervene in the situation, giving priority to feasible goals. The theoretical contribution used in this research were based in Bakthin (1992 and 2005) and his concepts about speech genres and dialogism; Vygotsky (2007) and his proximal zone of development; Kleiman (1989), about reading and writing proceedings, besides Paiva (2008) and Cosson (2006) about literature. The youth literary work has a very intense existential content because it establishes a strong link with the students experiences, whose identities are formed by different languages. The reading strategies and writing productions developed were considered effective and the obtained results were reasonable. In this work it was proved that students liked the chosen texts and motivated themselves to creative writing and their speeches showed changes of attitude facing life experiences.

abstract: This thesis analyzes the unsettling presence of the Holocaust in Cynthia Ozick’s The Shawl (1980), Philip Roth’s The Ghost Writer (1979), and Nathan Englander’s What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank (2013). Characters in these texts struggle to maintain a stable sense of what it means to be Jewish in America outside of a relationship to the Holocaust. This leaves the characters only able to form negative associations about what it means to live with the memory of the Holocaust or to over-identify so heavily with the memory that they can’t lead a normal life. These authors construct a re-formed memory of the Holocaust in ways that prompt a new focus on how permanently intertwined the Holocaust and Jewish identity are. In this context, re-formed means the way Jewish American writers have reconstructed the connection between Jewish identity and its relation to the Holocaust in ways that highlight issues of over-identification and negative identity associations. By pushing past the trope of unspeakability that often surrounds the Holocaust, these authors construct a re-formed memory that allows for the formation of Jewish American identity as permanently bound with constant Holocaust preoccupation, the memory of Anne Frank, and the Holocaust itself. The authors’ treatment of issues surrounding Jewish identity contribute to the genre of post-Holocaust literature, which focuses on re-forming the discussion about present day Jewish American connection to the Holocaust. Giving voice to the Holocaust in new ways provides an opportunity for current and future generations of Jewish Americans to again consider the continued importance of the Holocaust as a historical event within the Jewish community. In a world that is once again becoming increasingly anti-semitic as a result of the current political climate, white supremacist riots, desecration of Jewish grave sites, and shootings at temples, the discussion that these texts open up is increasingly important and should remain at the forefront of American consciousness. The research in this thesis reveals that through the process of Holocaust memory constantly being re-formed through the work of these Jewish American authors, its continued influence on Jewish American culture is not forgotten. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis English 2020

Memoria para optar al Título de Arquitecto / La obsolescencia y des-significación del espacio en elementos arquitectónicos industriales, provocando un estado de ruina dentro de paisajes rurales protegidos, son las características que presenta la ex-Industria Ballenera Macaya ubicada en Caleta Chome, dentro del Santuario de la Naturaleza de la Península de Hualpén. A esto se suma la progresiva reconversión de la zona tendiendo a generar un nuevo polo de desarrollo económico orientado al turismo y la gastronomía. Por lo tanto, la búsqueda de la integración de la ruina a través de la re-significación de su uso como nuevo polo turístico gastronómico, definiendo estrategias de ordenamiento territorial y arquitectónicas, donde se realizará una activación de soportes conectados a través de un recorrido principal lineal para potenciar el eje histórico y de borde costero, a través de un centro territorial de activación económica; y un recorrido secundario que permitirá un recorrido más pausado de contemplación y conocimiento.