Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This report presents the design and development of a multilevel inverter for DC reticulation. Two main multilevel inverter topologies are introduced and discussed. The research focusses on the flying capacitor multilevel topology, since it became evident that it is more suitable for DC reticulation than the diode clamped multilevel topology. A bootstrap power supply for the gate drive circuits of a multilevel inverter is developed and its feasibility verified experimentally. A self-starting auxiliary power supply, that aims at addressing the power supply problem of DC to AC and DC to DC converters, is designed and its functionality demonstrated on a flying capacitor multilevel inverter. An FPGA based digital controller for implementing the inverter's control algorithms is also discussed. This controller incorporates a feed-forward output voltage regulation technique. Experimental results obtained with the four-level flying capacitor multilevel inverter, using the FPGA based digital controller and the self-starting auxiliary power supply, are presented in this report. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie verslag word die ontwerp en ontwikkelling van 'n multivlak omsetter vir GS retikulasie bespreek. Twee hoof multivlak omsetter topologië word voorgestel en bespreek. Die navorsing fokus op die "vlieënde-kapasitor" multivlak topologië omdat dit duidelik geword het dat dit 'n beter opsie is vir die GS retikulasie as die diode-klamp multivlak topologië. 'n Kragbron vir die hekaandryfbane van die multivlak omsetter is ontwikkel en die werking daarvan is met experimentele toetse bevestig. 'n Self-begin kragbron, wat die probleem van die kragtoevoer aan die GS na WS en die GS na GS omsetters aanspreek, is ontwerp en die funksionaliteit is gedemonstreer met die "vlieënde-kapasitor" multivlak . omsetter. 'n Digitale beheerder, gebaseer op 'n FPGA, wat gebruik word om die omsetter se beheer algoritmes te implementeer, word ook bespreek. Hierdie beheerder inkorporeer 'n vorentoe-voer uittree spannings regulasie tegniek. Eksperimentele resultate wat gekry is met 'n vier-vlak "vlieënde-kapasitor" multivlak omsetter, wat van die FPGA gebaseerde digitale beheerder en die self-begin kragbron gebruik maak, word ook in die verslag bespreek.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis discusses the analysis and design of a voltage regulator based on an AC-to-AC converter. A background study was performed on the best topology for the purpose. The chosen topology was analysed and the converter was designed in detail. A voltage sign-detector and an over-current detector were designed and built. They were used for control and protection. Three methods of control were investigated. The first was a slow but reliable method of computing the RMS value of the input voltage and then using that value and the RMS value of the desired output voltage to compute the duty ratio of the converter. The second method was fast and is an open-loop control method, where the measured input voltage and a reference value of the desired output voltage are used to compute the duty ratio. The third method is a closed-loop control method in which the input voltage, output voltage and the same reference values used in the second method are used to compute the duty ratio. All of these methods were implemented and tested. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis bespreek die analise en die ontwerp van 'n spannings reguleerder wat gebaseer is op 'n WS-na-WS omsetter. 'n Ondersoek was ingestelom die beste topologie te vind vir die doel. Die topologie wat gekies is, is toe geanaliseer en die omsetter is in detailontwerp. 'n Spannings-tekendetektor baan as ook 'n oorstroombeskermings baan was ontwerp en is gebou. Hierdie bane word gebruik vir die beheer en die beveiliging van die stelsel. Daar is drie metodes van beheer wat ondersoek is. Die eerste metode is stadig, maar betroubaar. Die metode bereken die WGK waarde van die intree spanning en gebruik dan die waarde en die WGK van die gewenste uittree spanning om die diens siklus van die omsetter uit te werk. Die tweede metode van beheer is vinnig en is 'n oop-lus metode van beheer. Hierdie metode maak gebruik van die gemete intreespanning en 'n verwysing van die gewensde uittree spanning om die dienssiklus uit te werk. Die derde metode is 'n geslote-lus beheer wat van die gamete intreespanning, die gemete uittreespanning en die verwysing soos die in die tweede beheermetode gebruik maak on die diens siklus uit te werk. AI die metodes was geimplementeer en getoets.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis presents the design and implementation of shunt active power filtering algorithms for unbalanced, non-linear loads. A three-phase four-wire topology is developed in the dqO space. Based on this development an accurate dynamic system model, taking into account the effect of the neutral inductor is developed. The synchronous reference frame technique is expanded to enable the isolation of the zero sequence current component into its instantaneous active and reactive current components. Additionally a prediction method is proposed that will enable the proper prediction of the reference currents in a threephase four-wire system. Two categories of reference current signal tracking algorithms are investigated; namely the predictive current controller and the sliding mode current controller. A compensating technique is proposed to compensate for the effects that sampling and computational time delay have on the performance of the system. Additionally, an investigation is done into the effect that dead-time has on the performance of the system, and based on this investigation a dead-time compensating strategy is proposed. Finally simulation and practical results are provided to validate the discussed theories. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie verhandeling ondersoek die ontwerp en implementering van parralel gekoppelde aktiewe filter algoritmes vir ongebalenseerde, nie-lineêre laste. 'n Drie-fase vier-draad topologie, asook 'n korrekte model van die dinamiese sisteem, wat die effek van die neutraal induktor insluit, is ontwikkel in die dqO ruimte. Die sinchroon verwysing vlak tegniek is uitgebrei om die isolering van die nul sekwensie stroom in onderskeidelik die oombliklike aktiewe en reaktiewe stroom komponente te verdeel. Addisioneel is a vooruitskatting tegniek aanbeveel wat die beheerder in staat sal stelom voldoende die verwysing strome vooruit te skat in 'n drie-fase vier-draad stelsel. Twee katagoriee van verwysing stroom volging algoritmes is ondersoek, naamlik die afskatting stroom beheerder en die gleiende modus stroom beheerder. 'n Effektiewe kompensasie tegniek is voorgestel om die effek van tydvertraging as gevolg van monstering en verwerking te elimineer. Addisioneel is die effek van dooie-tyd ondersoek en gebasseer op hierdie ondersoek is 'n effektiewe dooie-tyd kompensasie tegniek voorgestel. Laastens is simulasies en praktiese resultate verskaf om die werking van die voorgestelde teorie te bevestig.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As control problems become more and more complex, techniques are required that surpass the capabilities of simple controllers that are linearized about certain parametric set points. Controllers that can operate over a large range of model parameter variations and even controllers that are largely model-independent are becoming more valuable and necessary. In this control application, voltage regulation is done on a direct AC-AC medium voltage regulator, making use of a type of regulated autotransformer configuration. The fifth order system is shown to be prone to oscillations on the input bus. This, together with the control requirement of robustness to load variations, provides a challenging control problem that is rarely addressed in literature. This thesis solves the control problem by means of applying sliding mode control on voltage regulator module level, and supervisory control on system level. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Soos die soeke na oplossings vir hedendaagse beheer probleme al hoe meer uitdagend raak, word die behoefte vir model onafhanklike en robuuste beheerders dienooreenkomstig groter. Eenvoudige beheerders wat gelineariseer is om ’n parametriese werkpunt raak ondoeltreffend vir vandag se vereistes vir doeltreffende beheer ongeag van parametriese veranderinge. In hierdie tesis word spanning regulasie toegepas deur ’n direkte WS-na-WS medium spanning reguleerder in te span. Hierdie toestel maak gebruik van ’n tipe van outotransformator opstelling waar die sekondêre wikkelings gereguleer word deur die skakelaksie van die drywingselektroniese regulasie modules. Die vyfde-orde stelsel se intree bus is geneigd om onstabiel te raak, en moet dus aktief gedemp word terwyl die uitreespanning reguleer word. Die vereiste dat die beheer boonop robuus ten opsigte van las veranderings moet wees maak hierdie probleem ’n monster van ’n uitdaging wat skaars in die literatuur aangeraak is. Hierdie tesis los die probleem van robuuste beheer op deur glymodus beheer toe te pas op reguleerder module vlak, en ook deur toesighoudende beheer op stelsel vlak toe te pas.

O Pinus elliotti representa o principal produtor atual de exploração de resina no setor florestal brasileiro. Recentemente, plantios de P. elliottii X P. caribaea vêm se destacando, principalmente, pela sua maior produtividade em biomassa. Além disto, a resina do híbrido apresenta características químicas semelhantes aos seus parentais. Porém, poucas são as informações quanto a estaquia de espécies do gênero Pinus, e se focarmos na propagação de árvores adultas, tal carência é ainda maior, principalmente ao se considerar a dificuldade de rejuvenescimento/revigoramento do material genético. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo geral avaliar o enraizamento adventício do P. elliottii var. elliottii e P. elliottii X P. caribaea adultos. Para tanto, o trabalho foi dividido em três diferentes estudos. O primeiro (Capítulo 2) avaliou o enraizamento adventício de estacas das matrizes adultas de P. elliottii e P. elliottii X P. caribaea no 5° estágio de enxertia seriada com e sem podas sucessivas, sob ação do AIB, talco com fungicida Cerconil® e terebentina. O segundo (Capítulo 3) foi baseado na avaliação do enraizamento adventício de estacas no 2° estágio de enxertia seriada de uma matriz adulta de P. elliottii var. elliottii submetida a um ano de podas sucessivas, sob ação do AIB, terebentina e paclobutrazol. Por sua vez, o terceiro estudo (Capítulo 4) consistiu na avaliação do enraizamento adventício de braquiblastos e brotos de duas matrizes adulta de P. elliottii e P. elliottii X Pinus caribaea, sob ação do AIB e paclobutrazol. Os resultados permitiram inferir que a sobrevivência e o enraizamento adventício aos diferentes tratamentos variaram de acordo com o genótipo e com as características morfológicas das estacas (grau de lignificação e tipo de estacas, brotos e braquiblastos). De maneira geral, os resultados evidenciaram a atuação das enxertias seriadas e das podas sucessivas na restauração da competência rizogênica das estacas dos brotos das matrizes adultas de P. elliottii e P. elliottii X P. caribaea, promovido pelo rejuvenescimento/ revigoramento parcial das matrizes. Além disto, a estaquia de braquiblastos mostrou ser uma ferramenta promissora para a propagação de espécies do gênero Pinus. / Pinus elliottii is the main current resin extraction producer in the Brazilian forest sector. Recently, plantations of P. elliottii X P. caribaea play a great importance in the production systems mainly by its high biomass productivity. In addition, the hybrid resin has chemical characteristics similar to their parents. However, there is little information on obtaining clones, and considering the propagation of mature trees, this lack of information is even greater, mainly concerning the difficulty to achieve the rejuvenation/ reinvigoration of the genetic material. Based on theses information, the present work was aimed to evaluate the adventitious rooting of mature P. elliottii var. elliottii and P. elliottii X P. caribaea cuttings. Therefore, the work was divided into three basic studies. The first study (Chapter 2) was based on the evaluation of adventitious rooting of mature P. elliottii and P. elliottii X caribaea cuttings of grafts up five sequential grafting with and without pruning, under the action of AIB, talc with fungicide and turpentine. The second (Chapter 3) was based on the evaluation of adventitious rooting of mature P. elliottii cuttings of grafts up two sequential grafting with pruning, under the action of IBA, paclobutrazol and turpentine. The third (Chapter 4) evaluated the adventitious rooting of brachyblast and shoots of mature P. elliottii and P. elliottii X caribaea cuttings, under the action of IBA and paclobutrazol. Results showed that the cutting survival and root growth, under the action of different treatments, varied according to the genotype and morphological characteristics of the material (cutting lignifications and type, brachyblast or shoot). Overall, our results showed the performance of serial grafting and pruning on the restoration of rooting competence in P. elliottii and P. elliottii X P. caribaea stem cuttings, promoted by the rejuvenation of trees. Moreover, the cutting of brachyblast can be a promising tool for the propagation of Pinus species.

This article talks about the concept of autonomy of regulatory agencies, implementing the methodology developed by Gilardi in order to estimate the formal autonomy of the Peruvian telecommunications regulator (OSIPTEL). The results allow to appreciate that the formal autonomy of OSIPTEL is slightly above the average of a set of pairs organisms levels suggesting that a formal level, the regulatory framework gives the Peruvian telecommunications regulator reasonable degree of autonomy compared to standards international. Also, the relation between the concept of formal autonomy and de facto autonomy is discussed, from developments of Maggeti Gilardi, specially the importance of broadening and supplementing the analysis of the first with the second, in order to obtain greater insight into the strengths and weaknesses of regulation in Peru and the region, and outline an agenda for strengthening. / El presente artículo discute el concepto de autonomía de los organismos reguladores, implementando la metodología desarrollada por Gilardi1 para la estimación de la autonomía formal del regulador peruano de las telecomunicaciones (OSIPTEL). Los resultados permiten apreciar que la autonomía formal del OSIPTEL se encuentra en niveles ligeramente superiores a la media de un conjunto de organismos pares sugiriendo que, a nivel formal, el marco regulatorio de telecomunicaciones confiere al regulador peruano grados razonables de autonomía en comparación con los estándares internacionales. Asimismo, se discute la relación del concepto de autonomía formal y el de autonomía de facto, a partir de los desarrollos de Gilardi y Maggeti, resaltando la importancia de ampliar y complementar el análisis del primero con el segundo, a fin de obtener mayores luces respecto de las fortalezas y debilidades de la regulación en el Perú y en la región, y delinear una agenda para su fortalecimiento.

Submitted by Jos? Henrique Henrique (jose.neves@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2017-06-07T22:50:41Z No. of bitstreams: 2 kennedy_paiva_porfirio.pdf: 1795601 bytes, checksum: b5586d73e2887546c047ef31257c28b7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2017-06-22T15:23:55Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 kennedy_paiva_porfirio.pdf: 1795601 bytes, checksum: b5586d73e2887546c047ef31257c28b7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-22T15:23:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 kennedy_paiva_porfirio.pdf: 1795601 bytes, checksum: b5586d73e2887546c047ef31257c28b7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior (CAPES) / Este trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver procedimentos de germina??o, estaquia e micropropaga??o de Xylopia aromatica. Os experimentos foram conduzidos na Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), em diamantina ? MG, cujos trabalhos foram divididos em dois cap?tulos. No primeiro cap?tulo foram realizados oito experimentos. A germina??o foi avaliada em quatro experimentos, onde sementes de Xylopia aromatica, separadas em lotes distintos quanto ? densidade, foram submetidas ? quebra de dorm?ncia utilizando GA3 em diferentes concentra??es (0; 25; 50; 100; 250; 500; e 1000 mg L-1), nos tempos de imers?o 24 e 48 horas. N?o ocorreu germina??o durante os 210 dias de avalia??o. Foram realizados quatro experimentos de estaquia, onde segmentos caulinares (com e sem folhas) e radiculares com classes de di?metros distintas, foram imersos por 30 segundos em solu??o de AIB (0; 2000; 4000; 6000; 8000 e 10.000 mg L-1) a fim de induzir o enraizamento advent?cio. Foi avaliado o percentual de enraizamento durante 140 dias. N?o houve enraizamento em nenhum dos experimentos, porem ocorreu brota??es nas estacas caulinares que foram imersas nas concentra??es de 2000, 4000 e 6000 mg L-1 de AIB. No segundo cap?tulo, foram realizados seis experimentos, que envolveram etapas de multiplica??o, alongamento e enraizamento in vitro. Explantes foram submetidos a diferentes meios de cultura (MS e WPM), e concentra??es de BAP (0,5 e 0,8 mg L-1), objetivando determinar o melhor meio de cultura e concentra??o de BAP para a multiplica??o da esp?cie. Avaliou-se tamb?m, o alongamento em explantes com o uso de combina??es de ANA e BAP e GA3, e enraizamento com o uso de AIB e ANA. O meio MS acrescido de 0,8 mg L-1 de BAP foi o que apresentou melhores resultados para a multiplica??o de Xylopia aromatica. Na fase de alongamento, o GA3 na concentra??o de 5,0 mg L-1 foi o regulador de crescimento que apresentou melhor resultado em altura e n?mero de folhas. No enraizamento, o AIB e o ANA n?o foram eficazes na indu??o de ra?zes, necessitando mais estudos relacionados ? etapa de enraizamento para a esp?cie. / Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Ci?ncia Florestal, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2016. / This study aimed to develop germination procedures, cutting and micropropagation Xylopia aromatica. The experiments were conducted in Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM) in Diamantina - MG, whose works were divided into two chapters. In the first chapter were carried out eight experiments. Germination was evaluated in four experiments where aromatica Xylopia seeds, separated into separate lots for density, were submitted to dormancy breaking using GA3 at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 mg L-1) under immersion for 24 and 48 hours. Not germinated during the 210 days of evaluation. Four cutting experiments were carried out where segments shoot (with and without leaves) and root with different diameter classes were immersed for 30 seconds in AIB solution (0; 2000; 4000; 6000; 8000 and 10,000 mg L-1) to induce adventitious roots. Rooting percentage was evaluated during 140 days. There was no rooting experiments, however sprouting occurred in the cuttings were dipped in concentrations of 2000, 4000 and 6000 mg L-1 AIB. In the second chapter, we were conducted six experiments, involving multiplication steps, stretching and in vitro rooting. Explants were subjected to different culture medium (MS and WPM) and BAP (0,5and 0,8mg L-1), in order to determine the best medium and concentration of BAP for the multiplication of the species. It also evaluated the elongation explants using combinations of ANA and BAP and GA3 and rooting using AIB and ANA. The MS medium plus 0.8 mg L-1 BAP showed the best results for the multiplication of Xylopia aromatica. In the stretching step, the concentration of GA3 at 5,0 mg L-1 was the growth regulator showed better results in height and leaf number. Rooting, AIB and ANA were not effective in inducing roots, requiring more studies related to the rooting stage for the species.

The work is focused on spring application of plant growth regulators and the operating conditions of agricultural society Kosova Hora, as Preparations were applied during the growth phase stands 32-33 BBCH scale, with 2 types of varieties - a line of hybrid canola varieties. 3 preparations were evaluated (Galleko, Toprex, Caryx) and one untreated area for control of the comparison of products. During the vegetation period were gradually on individual plots monitored the main elements of the plant yield (number of plants, number of pods, HTS, the number of branches). After harvesting canola yield was determined at the experimental plot. Results showed a positive reaction to stand on the treated area CARYX product. Attainment and income (4, 53 t / ha) on the experimental plot was achieved on a plot of hybrid rape. Difference treated variants compared to the control side were 0, 28 t / ha. This result is not statistically provable. The results are largely influenced the course of weather throughout the growing season. For better statistical power experiment would be preferable to multi attempts.

Les problèmes de santé publique causés par des bactéries comme Mycobacterium tuberculosis et Salmonella enterica sont amplifiés par l’émergence de souches multi-résistantes aux antibiotiques, d’où la nécessité de mettre au point rapidement de nouvelles stratégies antimicrobiennes. La découverte récente de peptides membranaires bactériens qui ont la propriété de réguler des partenaires protéiques membranaires impliqués dans la virulence bactérienne permet d’envisager des stratégies « anti-virulence » innovantes.Mon travail a porté sur l’étude de deux peptides membranaires, KdpF et MgtR, chez M. bovis BCG et S. typhimurium, qui sont des pathogènes intracellulaires capable de survivre dans les macrophages. La surexpression de KdpF chez M. bovis BCG et de MgtR chez S. typhimurium entraîne une diminution de la survie bactérienne dans les macrophages et je me suis attachée à en comprendre la mécanistique et à étudier l’effet biologique de peptides KdpF et MgtR synthétiques.Ces travaux m’ont permis de mettre en évidence que les peptides KdpF endogène et synthétique augmentent la sensibilité des bactéries au stress azoté. Nous proposons que cela soit en lien avec la déstabilisation de la nitrate réductase. De plus et pour la première fois, j’ai démontré que le peptide synthétique KdpF est biologiquement actif et mime les propriétés anti-virulence du peptide endogène KdpF dans les macrophages.J’ai montré que le peptide synthétique MgtR réduit la survie intra-macrophagique de S. typhimurium, et j’ai identifié un peptide variant ayant une action encore plus efficace. Ces deux peptides entraînent une diminution du taux de plusieurs protéines de la membrane interne, dont certaines sont des facteurs de virulence reconnus.De plus, j’ai contribué à une étude visant à tester l’effet anti-virulence du peptide MgtR de Salmonella chez les mycobactéries. En utilisant un système hétérologue, j’ai montré que l’ajout du peptide synthétique MgtR peut empêcher la dimérisation de la protéine MgtC de M. tuberculosis et également favoriser sa déstabilisation.En conclusion, l’ensemble de mes résultats permet de mieux comprendre le mécanisme d’action des peptides membranaires KdpF et MgtR et montre que les peptides synthétiques KdpF et MgtR possèdent des propriétés anti-virulence prometteuses, point essentiel pour valider la pertinence de ces molécules dans le cadre de stratégies innovantes alternatives ou complémentaires aux antibiotiques. / The public health problems caused by bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Salmonella enterica are amplified by the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains, leading to the demand of new antimicrobial strategies. The recent discovery of bacterial membrane peptides that have regulatory effects on membrane protein involved in bacterial virulence makes it possible to envisage innovative "anti-virulence" strategies.My work was focused on the study of two membrane peptides, KdpF and MgtR, in M. bovis BCG and S. typhimurium respectively, which are intracellular pathogens capable of surviving in macrophages. Overexpression of KdpF in M. bovis BCG and MgtR in S. typhimurium, has already been reported to decrease bacterial survival in macrophages. Therefore, I focused on the study of mechanism and biological effect of synthetic KdpF and MgtR peptides.This work allowed me to conclude that endogenous and synthetic KdpF peptides increase the sensitivity of bacteria to nitrosative stress. I propose that this is related to the destabilization of the enzyme nitrate reductase. In addition and for the first time, I have demonstrated that the synthetic KdpF peptide is biologically active and mimics the anti-virulence properties of the endogenous KdpF peptide in macrophages.In the next part of my study, I have shown that the synthetic MgtR peptide reduces the intramacrophage survival of S. typhimurium and I have identified a variant peptide with even stronger action. These two peptides cause a decrease in the level of several proteins of the inner membrane, some of which are recognized as virulence factors.In addition to that, I tested the anti-virulence effect of Salmonella MgtR peptide in mycobacteria. Using a heterologous system, I have shown that the addition of the synthetic MgtR peptide can prevent the dimerization of M. tuberculosis MgtC protein and also promote its destabilization.In conclusion, all my results provide a better understanding of the mechanism of action of KdpF and MgtR membrane peptides and show that the synthetic peptides KdpF and MgtR have promising anti-virulence properties. This is an essential factor to validate the relevance of these molecules as part of innovative, alternative or complementary strategies to antibiotics.

This thesis consists of three essays on banking in the U.S. The first two chapters study how supervisors and regulators influence bank behavior. The third chapter explores how bank CEOs allocate credit. The first chapter uses a quasi-natural experiment, the closure of regulatory offices, to identify the effects of supervision on bank behavior. Under the decentralized structure of U.S. bank supervision, banks in the same geographic area may be supervised by different regulatory offices. The chapter shows that, following the closure of a regulatory office, banks previously supervised by that office increase their solvency risk and lending compared with banks in the same counties that are supervised by a different regulatory office. Further, these banks exhibit lower risk-adjusted returns, lower asset quality, and opportunistic provisioning behavior for loan losses. Information asymmetry between banks and supervisors partly explains the results. The second chapter documents that nearly 30% of U.S. banks employ at least one board member who currently or previously served on a regulator’s advisory council or on the board of a regulator as a form of public service. The chapter shows that connections to regulators undermine regulatory discipline by decreasing the sensitivity of bank risk to capital. Connected banks are able to extract larger public subsidies than non-connected banks by shifting risk to the financial safety-net, resulting in wealth transfers from taxpayers to shareholders of risk-shifting connected banks. One potential reason for these effects is that connected banks receive preferential treatment in supervision from regulators. The third chapter uses the birthplace of U.S. bank CEOs to investigate the effect of hometown favoritism on bank business policies. Exploiting within-bank variation in distances to a CEO’s hometown, the chapter shows that banks make more mortgage and small business lending as well as branch expansions in counties that are proximate to the hometown of the CEO. This is due to the CEO’s altruistic attachment to her hometown; the effects are stronger during economic downturns, among altruistic CEOs, in poorer counties and marginal mortgage applicants. Further, hometown favoritism does not lead to worst bank performance. However, it is associated with positive economic outcomes in counties exposed to greater favoritism.