This project considers the ways in which Wiccan marriage and American marriage law interact with each other. The thesis examines certain aspects of the history of 20th-century American marriage law, the concurrent development of contemporary marriage ritual in Wicca, developing problems in this area, and possible solutions. In particular, the project focuses on the recognition of religious groups and their officials as they are authorized by state and federal law to perform marriages and how this process has affected Wiccan ritual.

The purpose of this paper is to study Uno von Troil's book Bref rörande en resa til Island MDCCLXXII as part of the transfer of knowledge about Iceland to Sweden and Europe during the late 1700s. On the basis of discussions on travel books and the image of 'the other', 'I will argue that von Troil, using the skills he already had access to, as well as the skills he acquired after his trip, provides a multifaceted picture of Iceland. At the same time, I will examine how von Troil conveys information about Iceland both to a Swedish and a European audience and illustrate his network relationships and career aspirations.

Das Forschungsvorhaben liefert einen Beitrag zum Schweißen von Gleich- und Mischmaterialverbindungen aus Naturfaserverstärkten Kunststoffen (NFK) sowie deren Verarbeitung im Compoundieren und Spritzguss. Es wurde holzfasergefülltes (WPC) und flachsfasergefülltes (FFC) Polypropylen (PP) mit unterschiedlichen Füllgraden verwendet. Der Einsatz synthetisch-organsicher Fasern (PET-Fasern) im Compound zielte darauf ab, besonders die Schlagzähigkeit zu verbessern. Im Bereich des Urformens wurden Aussagen zur Verarbeitbarkeit, zu rezepturabhängigen Kurz- und Langzeiteigenschaften sowie Aussagen zur Dauergebrauchsfähigkeit erarbeitet. Die Anwendbarkeit der Fügeverfahren Heizelement- (HE-Schweißen) und Vibrationsschweißen (VIB-Schweißen) konnte für Gleich- und Mischmaterialverbindungen sowohl ohne als auch mit angepasster Energieeinbringung nachgewiesen werden. In diesem Zusammenhang können Aussagen zur Rezepturabhängigkeit, Verfahrensführung, Parameterauswahl, Prüfkriterien sowie den technischen Grenzen der Schweißverbindung unter kurzzeitmechanischer Beanspruchung getroffen werden. Weiterhin wird ein Beitrag zur Dauergebrauchsfähigkeit unter UV-Globalbewitterung und thermischer Alterung sowie zu langzeitmechanischen Eigenschaften von NFK-Schweißverbindungen geliefert.

Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) / This thesis is concerned with the theoretical and practical development of a surface-based mapping algorithm for reliable and robust localization and mapping in prior unknown and unstructured environments. A surface-based map consists of a set of compressed surfaces, processed and represented without geometrical modelling. Each surface in the surface-based map represents an object in the environment. The ability to represent the exact shapes of objects via individual surfaces during the mapping process makes the surface-based mapping algorithm valuable in a number of navigation applications, such as mapping of prior unknown indoor and outdoor unstructured environments, target tracking, path planning and collision avoidance. The ability to unify representations of the same object taken from different viewpoints into a single surface makes the algorithm capable of working in multi-robot mapping applications. A surface-based map of the environment is build incrementally by acquiring the 3D range image of the scene, extracting the objects' surfaces from the 3D range image, aligning the set of extracted surfaces relative to the map and unifying the aligned set of surfaces with surfaces in the map. In the surface unification process the surfaces representing the same object are unified to make a single surface. The thesis introduces the following new methods which are used in the surface-based mapping algorithm: the extraction of surfaces from 3D range images based on a scanned surface continuity check; homogenization of the representation of the non-homogenously sampled surfaces; the alignment of the surface set relative to a large set of surfaces based on surface-based alignment algorithm; evaluating the correspondence between two surfaces based on the overlap area between surfaces; unification of the two surfaces belonging to the same object; and surface unification for a large set of surfaces. The theoretical contributions of this thesis are demonstrated with a series of practical implementations in different outdoor environments.

No description available.

L’influence libérale en droit de la famille et l’essor de l’idéologie individualiste ont provoqué un pluralisme des formes de conjugalité et ont considérablement accru la diversité des règles et des méthodes applicables aux couples en droit international privé contemporain.L’analyse des couples en droit international privé nous a alors conduit à repenser le droit international privé du couple. La déconstruction de la matière met en lumière l’inadaptation actuelle de la méthode conflictuelle classique et l’insuffisance de la méthode de la reconnaissance. En effet, l’actuel droit international privé du couple ne permet pas de garantir la continuité internationale du lien conjugal, pas plus qu’elle ne permet d’assurer un traitement juridique cohérent des problèmes auxquels sont confrontés les couples internationaux. Une réflexion quant à une possible évolution méthodologique de la matière était donc nécessaire. Cette étude vise à démontrer qu’une adaptation de la méthode conflictuelle classique à l’aune des objectifs de la méthode de la reconnaissance et fondée sur un raisonnement en termes de conflit d’autorités est possible. Elle apporterait aux règles de droit international privé du couple une meilleure cohérence tout en assurant aux rapports conjugaux internationaux une réelle stabilité. / The liberal influence in Family Law and the rise of individualist ideology have led to a multiplication of conjugal life forms and considerably increased the diversity of laws and methods applicable to couples in International Private Law. To analyse couples under International Private Law leads us to rethink the International Private Law of the Couple. Deconstructing this subject brings to light the current non-adaptation of the classic conflict of laws method and the insufficiency of the recognition approach. In fact, current International Private Law as it pertains to couples neither guarantees the international recognition of theconjugal bond nor ensures a coherent legal treatment of legal problems faced by international couples. It is therefore necessary to examine a possible methodological evolution of thesubject. This study aims to demonstrate that it is possible to adapt the classic conflict of lawsmethod by taking into account the objectives of the recognition approach whilst founding iton the lex auctoritas rule. This would not only bring better coherence to International Private Law of the Couple but it would also assure a real legal stability for international conjugal relationships.

A presente tese tem por tema a pioneira jurisprudência do Tribunal de Justiça do Rio Grande do Sul, relativamente às demandas por reconhecimento de efeitos jurídicos às uniões entre pessoas do mesmo sexo, compreendidas essas demandas como uma luta pela implementação da cidadania sexual, cujo obstáculo político principal na América Latina tem sido a resistência de setores conservadores do campo religioso. Partindo dessa premissa, a qual está evidenciada na literatura, o objeto da pesquisa focou a questão da influência religiosa no enfrentamento jurídico de questões ligadas à cidadania sexual. No intuito de pensar as causas das diferentes interpretações judiciais que conduzem ao reconhecimento (ou não) das uniões gays, foram analisadas decisões do TJRS e entrevistas realizadas com os magistrados que atuam na área do Direito de Família. O estudo buscou identificar as concepções dos magistrados sobre conjugalidade gay, religião e família, tentando identificar as categorias de pensamento que são acionadas pelos magistrados no momento de decidir. Um dos principais achados da pesquisa foi identificar a vinculação entre a rejeição à conjugalidade gay e o emprego de categorias de classificação ligadas à moral sexual cristã manifesta na valoração negativa da homossexualidade. Tal valoração aparece como fundamento subjacente aos argumentos formalmente empregados para justificar um tratamento desigual a gays e lésbicas. / The pioneering jurisprudence of the Rio Grande do Sul Court is analyzed regarding the recognition of juridical consequences of same sex unions. The legal claim for same sex marriage is here understood as part of a pledge for sexual citizenship. The main obstacle for such sexual rights in Latin America has been the resistance of conservative religious sectors. This thesis focuses on examining the religious influence of legal and juridical decisions regarding sexual citizenship. In order to analyze the factors related to the diversity of judicial interpretations leading the recognition (or not) of same sex marriage, we collected and analyzed documents consisting of the Court decisions, as well as interviewed in depth judges who work in Family Courts. The judges’ ideas of gay conjugality, religion and family were studied as to understand the concepts and categories they use when they take decisions on legal matters. One of the main findings of our research is a negative relation between gay marriage and the use of Christian concepts and categories regarding sexual morality – the use of religious categories which place a negative value on homosexuality. The negative value of homosexuality underlies arguments formally used in legal decisions that justify treating differently gays and lesbians.

All companies have strategic assets comprising financial capital, physical capital, human capital and organisational capital which, when effectively utilised, contribute to the competitive advantage necessary to survive in a globalised economy. The manifestation of adverse factors in a company will impact detrimentally on the performance of these strategic assets. Since the 1980s, one factor has become prominent in the management of a company’s human capital, namely sexual harassment. Sexual harassment constitutes behaviour of a sexual nature that leads to, and perpetuates, a working environment in which it becomes unpleasant to work, and if allowed to go unchecked, will lead to the underperformance of the company’s human capital. Besides the cost of litigation associated with sexual harassment, companies are confronted with the more troubling and subtle costs arising out of the psychological and physiological harm to both victims and co-workers. The psychological and physiological effects manifest themselves in symptoms such as depression, frustration, decreased self-esteem and fatigue which, in turn, lead to decreased productivity and increased absenteeism. Accordingly, in an effort to gain the competitive advantage to survive in a globalised economy, companies must manage the phenomenon of sexual harassment in the workplace. The existing theoretical principles relating to the management of sexual harassment in the workplace have been analysed in depth and a model developed to satisfy this need. This model was subsequently used to determine to what extent sexual harassment management is taking place within companies affiliated to the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa (SEIFSA). Various informative findings resulted from the investigation, amongst which were the lack of a proper sexual harassment policy within companies, the lack of proper training of employees regarding the occurrence of this phenomenon in the workplace, and the absence of proper formal/informal complaints procedures. It thus became evident that the management of sexual harassment in these companies – despite the Government’s Code of Good Practice on the Handling of Sexual Harassment Cases – had not been fully established and that there is a need for guidelines in this regard. / Business Management / D. Comm. (Business Management)

With the advent of a new constitutional dispensation in South Africa, intimate relationships that were not formally recognised, such as customary marriages, became fully recognised through designated legislation. Domestic partnerships are, however, afforded only limited recognition despite compelling reasons that lead people to domestic partnerships. Domestic partners are also discriminated against based on marital status despite a Constitution that forbids discrimination based on equality, human dignity and marital status. The object of this study is to investigate whether there are sufficient grounds to afford domestic partnerships full recognition similar to that granted to civil marriage. This study includes arguments in favour and against the recognition of domestic partnerships and a discussion of the reasons that lead people into domestic partnerships. There will also be an analysis of the draft Domestic Partnership Bill 36 of 2008 to determine the suitability of the draft Bill to regulate domestic partnerships. This investigation is conducted with reference to relevant draft Bills, legislation, and case law. / Private Law / LL. M.

A presente tese tem por tema a pioneira jurisprudência do Tribunal de Justiça do Rio Grande do Sul, relativamente às demandas por reconhecimento de efeitos jurídicos às uniões entre pessoas do mesmo sexo, compreendidas essas demandas como uma luta pela implementação da cidadania sexual, cujo obstáculo político principal na América Latina tem sido a resistência de setores conservadores do campo religioso. Partindo dessa premissa, a qual está evidenciada na literatura, o objeto da pesquisa focou a questão da influência religiosa no enfrentamento jurídico de questões ligadas à cidadania sexual. No intuito de pensar as causas das diferentes interpretações judiciais que conduzem ao reconhecimento (ou não) das uniões gays, foram analisadas decisões do TJRS e entrevistas realizadas com os magistrados que atuam na área do Direito de Família. O estudo buscou identificar as concepções dos magistrados sobre conjugalidade gay, religião e família, tentando identificar as categorias de pensamento que são acionadas pelos magistrados no momento de decidir. Um dos principais achados da pesquisa foi identificar a vinculação entre a rejeição à conjugalidade gay e o emprego de categorias de classificação ligadas à moral sexual cristã manifesta na valoração negativa da homossexualidade. Tal valoração aparece como fundamento subjacente aos argumentos formalmente empregados para justificar um tratamento desigual a gays e lésbicas. / The pioneering jurisprudence of the Rio Grande do Sul Court is analyzed regarding the recognition of juridical consequences of same sex unions. The legal claim for same sex marriage is here understood as part of a pledge for sexual citizenship. The main obstacle for such sexual rights in Latin America has been the resistance of conservative religious sectors. This thesis focuses on examining the religious influence of legal and juridical decisions regarding sexual citizenship. In order to analyze the factors related to the diversity of judicial interpretations leading the recognition (or not) of same sex marriage, we collected and analyzed documents consisting of the Court decisions, as well as interviewed in depth judges who work in Family Courts. The judges’ ideas of gay conjugality, religion and family were studied as to understand the concepts and categories they use when they take decisions on legal matters. One of the main findings of our research is a negative relation between gay marriage and the use of Christian concepts and categories regarding sexual morality – the use of religious categories which place a negative value on homosexuality. The negative value of homosexuality underlies arguments formally used in legal decisions that justify treating differently gays and lesbians.