O presente texto - Inventários do Impalpável: uma coleção de sombras, temporalidades e projeções -, resultado de pesquisa em poéticas visuais, tem como foco principal a análise de meu percurso artístico no qual a sombra foi o principal elemento constituinte. Interessa-me pensar na qualidade da imagem que, se por um lado fixa um momento, por outro lado remete ao movimento, à passagem do tempo e à sua fluidez: o tempo suspenso ou o tempo acumulado, mas sempre a passagem, o devir e o tempo. Por meio de desenhos e de fotografias realizo escrituras temporais. Durante a pesquisa, interessou-me ainda observar como se dá a percepção do tempo-espaço a partir de projeções e investigar, por meios plásticos, a operacionalidade de sua visualidade. O texto está ancorado em três conceitos implicados no processo artístico: temporalidade, materialidade e colecionismo. / This text, – Impalpable Inventories: a collection of shadows, temporalities and projections - the result of research into visual poetry is focused on an analysis of my artistic career in which shadow was the main constituent element. Interests me to think about the image quality which, if on one hand fixes a moment, on the other hand refers to movement, the passage of time and its fluidity: the suspended time or cumulative time, but always in transition, the becoming and the time. Through drawings and photographs I perform temporal scriptures. During the research, I was also interested in observing how the perception of space-time takes place from projections and investigate, by plastic means, the operation of its visuality. The text is anchored on three concepts involved in the artistic process: temporality, materiality and hoarding.

Um dos algoritmos para cálculo de sombras mais eficientes existentes atualmente é o Shadow Mapping de Williams. Ele é simples, robusto e facilmente mapeável para o hardware gráfico existente. Este algoritmo conta com duas etapas. A primeira é responsável pela geração de um depth buffer (Shadow Map) a partir do ponto de vista da luz. Na segunda etapa a imagem final da cena é gerada a partir do ponto de vista da câmera. De maneira a determinar se os pixels da imagem final estão iluminados ou em sombra, cada pixel é transformado para o espaço da luz e testado contra o Shadow Map. Shadow Maps tradicionais armazenam apenas um valor de profundidade por célula, fazendo com que os testes de sombra retornem valores binários. Isso pode ocasionar o surgimento de aliasing nas bordas das sombras. Este trabalho apresenta uma nova abordagem capaz de produzir melhores resultados de suavização que, em conjunto com o algoritmo de PCF (Percentage Closer Filtering), reduz o serrilhado das bordas das sombras através do uso de filtros de menor tamanho. O novo algoritmo estende os conceitos de Shadow Map e de teste de sombra de forma a suportarem múltiplos valores de profundidade. Esta nova abordagem apresenta potencial para implementação em hardware, e também pode ser implementada explorando a programabilidade das recentes placas gráficas. / William’s Shadow Mapping is one of the most efficient hard shadow algorithms. It is simple, robust and can be easily mapped to the actual grapics hardware. It is a two-pass technique. In the first pass a depth buffer (Shadow Map) is created from the light’s view point. In the second pass the final image is rendered from the camera’s view point. In order to decide whether each pixel in the camera’s view is lit or in shadow with respect to the light source, the pixel is transformed into the light space, and tested against the Shadow Map. Shadow maps store a single depth value per cell, leading to a binary outcome by the shadow test, and are prone to produce aliased shadow borders. This work presents a new approach that produces better estimates of shadow percentages and, in combination with percentage closer filtering (PCF), reduces aliasing artifacts using smaller kernel sizes. The new algorithm extends the notions of shadow map and shadow test to support the representation of multiple depth values per shadow map cell, as well as multi-valued shadow test. This new approach has the potential for hardware implementation, but can also be implemented exploiting the programmable capabilities of recent graphics cards.

From the early 1980s until the late 1990s the genre or sub-genre known as sword-&-sorcery was largely moribund. The Tolkien-derived high fantasy novel, on the other hand, flourished and mutated into six, eight, ten volume, or open-ended series. Even though the terms high fantasy and sword-&-sorcery are sometimes used interchangeably, sword-&-sorcery came to be viewed as an inferior, cruder form: rougher in style, more limited structurally, stunted in terms of character development, even morally questionable (rather than ambiguous). Revivifying the Ur-text aims to investigate if it is possible to subvert the genre, to create a work that realizes the form s potential to exist as literature . In order to do this it attempts to both analyze and re-vision the form by rendering the genre down to its pristine elements - exemplified but not monopolized by the widely-acknowledged creator of the sword-&-sorcery form, Robert E. Howard. The critical areas of the thesis thus concentrate on Howard, but extend backwards to Beowulf as proto-sword-&-sorcery and forwards to contemporary fantasy writers such as Joe Abercrombie and Steve Erikson. It begins by constructing an account of the creation of the form by Howard, hypothesizing that the conditions for its genesis are a result of the writer s internal emotional and thought processes interacting with external circumstances. This is followed by a study of a set of highly influential anthologies published in the sixties edited by Lyon Sprague de Camp, interrogating de Camp s introductions as well as his selections, sub-categorizing these into the variations on the Howardian model which evolved in the wake of his 1920/30s work, work from which other writers developed a commonly perceived genre. From this the thesis proceeds to a consideration of related forms such as epic fantasy, science fantasy, and grimdark, prefaced by a survey and analysis of what sword-&-sorcery was/is perceived to be by commentators such as de Camp, Brian Attebery and Peter Nicholls. These sections are followed and augmented by a refocusing on Robert E. Howard. A consideration of the crucial relationship between violence and the numinous in his fantasy is central to this thesis. This is done both through research into published texts, mainly fictional but also non-fictional, and is discussed both generally and through in-depth case studies of two stories, attempting to identify the particular elements of his writing which contributed to the birth and definition of sword-&-sorcery in order to establish Howard s output as an Ur-text . The creative heart of this research is my sword-&-sorcery fiction, The Shadow Cycles. Here I have attempted to write a narrative in the form which innovates narrative techniques, modifying or abandoning the generic scaffolding of situations, and methods of characterization, and developing a style of language appropriate to my aim of revisioning Howard s Ur-text for the 21st century. This is followed by a concluding afterthesis which draws on all the preceding sections to explicate the relationship between the critical and creative elements of the thesis. As with earlier critical sections, these recruit a synthesis of literary history, influence studies, genre theory, narratology, and practical criticism. By so doing they touch on conceptions of the literary such as those of Bakhtin, Eagleton, Todorov, and Katherine Hume.

Radiation polymerization is a rapid, sustainable process, requiring no environmentally damaging solvents and less energy than thermal polymerization methods. This process is used extensively each year to produce millions of tons of films, coatings, inks, and adhesives. In this work, kinetic- and property-control strategies were developed for three underdeveloped areas of radiation polymerization: free-radical electron beam (EB) polymerization, free-radical/cationic hybrid photopolymerization, and cationic shadow cure. Raman spectroscopy, an analytical technique for studying photopolymerization kinetics, was established as a method of determining the conversion of EB-initiated polymer films. This technique, in conjunction with dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), was used to investigate the impact of chemical structure on the magnitude of EB dose rate effects (DREs). A strong correlation was determined between the DRE magnitude and monomer size, which may be attributed to chain transfer opportunities. A preliminary predictive relationship was developed to estimate the magnitude of the DRE using the property shift caused by changes in dose, enabling scale-up of process variables for polymers prone to dose rate effects. In addition, a protocol was developed to produce films with equivalent energy deposition for both EB and photopolymerizations, allowing the effect of the initiating radiation to be studied. Distinct kinetic and physical property differences were shown in the resulting EB- and photo-initiated films, despite equivalent initiation energies and energy rates. Monomer chemistry was determined to be an important factor in the magnitude of these differences. In order to control the phase separation that can occur in free-radical/cationic hybrid systems, the cationic AM mechanism was promoted through a hydroxyl group located on the (meth)acrylate, covalently bonding the (meth)acrylate and epoxide networks. The impact of the AM mechanism on the reaction kinetics and physical properties was studied using real-time Raman spectroscopy and DMA to compare a hydroxyl-containing acrylate and methacrylate to non-hydroxyl-containing controls. The promotion of the AM mechanism improved epoxide conversion and network homogeneity. The affect on the (meth)acrylate kinetics correlated to the propagation rate of the neat (meth)acrylate. It was also demonstrated that the glass transition temperature of the hybrid system could be controlled by varying the ratio of (meth)acrylate to epoxide. Cationic shadow cure, which offers a means of circumventing the light penetration limitations in photopolymerization, was modeled using a central composite design. This model was shown to be predictive of both shadow cure length and gel fraction while varying effective irradiance, exposure time, exposure area, and sample depth. Moreover, the model helped ascertain the impact of each variable and its interactions: shadow cure length was most influenced by sample depth, but the gel fraction was reliant on the other three variables. Active center mobility was also qualitatively tracked, and it was established that the section of solid polymer formed during illumination was restricting the movement of the active centers, preventing complete cure. Through this discovery, a new method of shadow cure was developed, termed transferable shadow cure (TSC). This new method separates the initiation and propagation mechanisms, and, as the name suggests, allows for the active-center-containing monomer to be transferred to areas unreachable by light before solidifying. Conversion of the TSC, as determined via Raman spectroscopy, was also modeled using a central composite design. The model predicts TSC conversion is equally dependent on effective irradiance, sample depth, and exposure time, but independent of exposure area. Through the development of control strategies in these three areas, this work provides a better fundamental understanding of radiation polymerization, as well as guidelines that aid in product design and technology expansion.

This thesis presents estimates of capital flight from Ukraine in the period 1994 to 2017. We use the World Bank Residual method to calculate capital flight as a residual difference between sources and uses of funds in the economy. Our findings show that pre-2014, capital flight amounted to 7.5 billion USD on average. On the contrary, in 2014 our method reports unrecorded capital inflow of 10.7 billion USD, which took place in times of economic recession and military conflict in the east of Ukraine. We analyze the factors that might have caused reverse capital flight, and consider that increase in remittance flows, growth of the black currency market and new niches in the underground economy might have had an effect on unrecorded capital inflows. Finally, we study the components of the World Bank Residual method, and suggest that capital flight might have taken forms that the method doesn't encompass. Therefore, we underline the importance of accounting for gaps in the method by adding trade misinvoicing estimates to capital flight volumes. Keywords Ukraine, Capital Flight, World Bank Residual Method, Balance of Payments, Shadow Economy Range of thesis: 89 886 Characters

Return on equity is often associated with prudent risk-taking and the attraction of new clients in advanced economies like the United States, where shadow banks are not regulated. Researchers have contended that freedom from regulation encourages risk-taking and earning of higher profits, but there is a lack of empirical evidence addressing this relationship. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate whether lack of regulations result in increased return on equity. The theoretical framework was regulatory arbitrage by Ricks M, Gennaioli N, Shleifer A, and Vishny R. The research question addressed the relationship between regulation, profit margin, leverage, asset turnover, economic condition, and strategy, and the bottom-line of banks (traditional and shadow) as measured by return on equity. A quasi-experimental design was used to examine data from 42 annual returns filed using Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) Form 10-K from U.S. banks with Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code 6021 and 6211. Multiple regression was used to analyze the data. Results indicated that regulation did not show any significant correlation with the bottom-line of banks as measured by return on equity. However, there was a significant correlation between the bottom-line banks and other independent variables including profit margin, leverage, and asset turnover. This study contributes to positive social change by assisting regulators and lawmakers in improving their roles in regulating traditional and shadow banks, thereby reducing the likelihood of crises in the U.S. banking system.

Photopolymerizations offer many advantages (such as temporal and spatial control of initiation, cost efficiency, and solvent-free systems) over traditional thermopolymerization. While they are now well-established as the preferred option for a variety of films and coating applications, they are limited from many applications due to problems such as oxygen inhibition, light attenuation, additive interference, or the creation of shadow regions and oxygen pockets due to complex shapes. These problems can be solved by using an underutilized form of photopolymerization--cationic photopolymerization. Cationic photopolymerizations have unique active centers which are essentially non-terminating causing extremely long active center lifetimes. In this contribution, the unique characteristics of cationic active centers are explored for their ability to be used in many new applications where previous photopolymerization techniques failed. It was found that the long lifetimes of the active centers permitted them to be very mobile, allowing them to migrate into and polymerize regions that were never illuminated in a process termed shadow cure. The mobility of cationic active centers provides a very efficient means of photopolymerizing of thick and pigmented systems. The long lifetimes of the cationic active centers can be used in the creation of a sequential stage curable polymer system and in the development of novel methods to cure complex shapes, two applications previously unattainable by photopolymerization. The termination of the cationic active centers was found to be reversible and can be used as a technique for external temporal control of the photopolymerization after the illumination has ceased. These abilities have great potential and will allow cationic photopolymerization to be used in many new applications where previous photopolymerization techniques failed, expanding their influence and benefits.

In project appraisal of infrastructure projects, cost benefit analysis has an important role. One of the central concerns is to adjust the distortions in markets to provide a better guide to a more effective allocation of scarce resources. The objectives of this thesis are : to establish the lack of a comprehensive estimation of the shadow wage rate (SWR) in most project appraisals in the Australian context; to develop a model for the estimation of the SWR for groups of occupations; to estimate the SWRs for the major groups of occupations in Australia; to forecast the number of employees required for Sydney's second airport project and to apply the estimated SWRs to the project, followed by estimation of the total social cost of the project. The latter estimation is done using a novel approach which, unlike many previous studies of transport infrastructure projects, estimates the SWR entirely from published statistical sources. Overall, the results are significant not only in the context of Sydney's second airport, but for other airports, the transportation sector, and in general for Australian project appraisal. The study proposes the need to change the traditional approach to the treatment of labour costs in project appraisal in Australia and provides a framework which can be useful to other researchers and analysts who wish to examine the pricing of labour in Australian project appraisal. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

<p>Foreground segmentation is a common first step in tracking and surveillance applications.  The purpose of foreground segmentation is to provide later stages of image processing with an indication of where interesting data can be found.  This thesis is an investigation of how foreground segmentation can be performed in two contexts: as a pre-step to trajectory tracking and as a pre-step in indoor surveillance applications.</p><p>Three methods are selected and detailed: a single Gaussian method, a Gaussian mixture model method, and a codebook method.  Experiments are then performed on typical input video using the methods.  It is concluded that the Gaussian mixture model produces the output which yields the best trajectories when used as input to the trajectory tracker.  An extension is proposed to the Gaussian mixture model which reduces shadow, improving the performance of foreground segmentation in the surveillance context.</p>

<p>A common problem when using background models to segment moving objects from video sequences is that objects cast shadow usually significantly differ from the background and therefore get detected as foreground. This causes several problems when extracting and labeling objects, such as object shape distortion and several objects merging together. The purpose of this thesis is to explore various possibilities to handle this problem.</p><p>Three methods for statistical background modeling are reviewed. All methods work on a per pixel basis, the first is based on approximating the median, the next on using Gaussian mixture models, and the last one is based on channel representation. It is concluded that all methods detect cast shadows as foreground.</p><p>A study of existing methods to handle cast shadows has been carried out in order to gain knowledge on the subject and get ideas. A common approach is to transform the RGB-color representation into a representation that separates color into intensity and chromatic components in order to determine whether or not newly sampled pixel-values are related to the background. The color spaces HSV, IHSL, CIELAB, YCbCr, and a color model proposed in the literature (Horprasert et al.) are discussed and compared for the purpose of shadow detection. It is concluded that Horprasert's color model is the most suitable for this purpose.</p><p>The thesis ends with a proposal of a method to combine background modeling using Gaussian mixture models with shadow detection using Horprasert's color model. It is concluded that, while not perfect, such a combination can be very helpful in segmenting objects and detecting their cast shadow.</p>