Schmidt's game, and other similar intersection games have played an important role in recent years in applications to number theory, dynamics, and Diophantine approximation theory. These games are real games, that is, games in which the players make moves from a complete separable metric space. The determinacy of these games trivially follows from the axiom of determinacy for real games,ADR, which is a much stronger axiom than that asserting all integer games are determined, AD. One of our main results is a general theorem which under the hypothesis AD implies the determinacy of intersection games which have a property allowing strategies to be simplified. In particular, we show that Schmidt's (α,β,ρ) game on R is determined from AD alone, but on Rn for n≥3 we show that AD does not imply the determinacy of this game. We then give an application of simple strategies and prove that the winning player in Schmidt's (α,β,ρ) game on R has a winning positional strategy, without appealing to the axiom of choice. We also prove several other results specifically related to the determinacy of Schmidt's game. These results highlight the obstacles in obtaining the determinacy of Schmidt's game from AD

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Concentrating solar power as a sustainable energy technology is considered favourable in South Africa due to the high solar resource and the integration possibilities with the current electricity grid. Considering the various concentrating solar power technologies, the central receiver system is thought to be one of the most promising due to its high capacity factor and cost-efficient thermal storage capabilities. These thermal systems are able to reach high temperatures (more than 1000°C have been shown), and to obtain such temperatures, a high solar flux is required. This is achievable by aiming all of the heliostats at the centre of the target. High flux gradients over the receiver surface area and between the outer and inner surfaces of the receiver material can exist. These thermal gradients account for differences in temperatures on the receiver which result in thermal stresses leading to elastic and potentially plastic deformation of the material. To eradicate the thermal stresses, the aim points of the heliostats can be managed such that the flux density distribution over the receiver aperture is decreased and homogenised. The primary objective of this thesis is to develop an aiming strategy specifically for small experimental heliostat fields. To reach this objective, a simulation platform was developed to model any heliostat field and receiver, and an analysis was conducted to compare analytical flux prediction methods to ray tracing. At high incidence angles of between 30° and 60°, the standard deviations of the circular Gaussian flux approximation methods were found to differ between approximately 10 % and 30 % from the ray traced results. A novel method, the Gaussian mixture model, was suggested and deviated less than 4 % from the ray traced results when considering the standard deviation of the flux profile. Two basic aiming strategies were developed using the Tabu search and Genetic algorithm optimisation methods. These two strategies make use of approximate method of flux prediction. Experiments were conducted to investigate static aiming strategies on physical systems and to identify factors that could have an effect on the experimental results. Finally a method of implementing the aiming strategy on a dynamic system was proposed. By implementing both optimisation methods to complement each other, a new aiming strategy was developed that proved to provide better homogenisation of the flux distribution than either of the two methods alone. The accuracy of the final predicted flux distribution was improved by using the Gaussian mixture model as the flux distribution approximation method. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gekonsentreerde sonenergie as ’n hernubare energie bron, word in Suid-Afrika as uitvoerbaar beskou weens die hoë stralingsdigtheid asook die moontlikheid om hierdie tegnologie te koppel aan die huidige energienetwerk. As die verskeie gekonsentreerde sonenergie tegnologieë in ag geneem word, word sentrale ontvangerstelsels beskou as die mees belowende sonenergie konsep as gevolg van die hoë energie kapasiteit en die vermoë om termiese energie te stoor. Hierdie termiese stelsels besit die vermoë om hoë temperature te bereik (meer as 1000°C is al opgemerk), en om hierdie temperature te verkry word ’n hoë termiese vloed benodig. Dit is bereikbaar deur al die heliostate op die middel van die ontvanger te rig. Hoë termiese vloedgradiënte oor die oppervlakte van die opvanger en tussen die buite- en binne laag van die opvanger materiaal kan ontstaan. Termiese vloedgradiënte kan verskille in temperatuur op die ontvanger veroorsaak wat termiese spanning tot gevolg het kan lei tot elastiese en potensieel plastiese vervorming van die materiaal. Omvan die termiese spanning ontslae te raak kan die heliostate deur beheerstelsels na ander dele van die ontvanger gerig word om sodoende ’n laer en meer egalige termiese vloed oor die oppervlak van die ontvanger te verkry. Die hoofdoel van hierdie tesis is die ontwikkeling van ’n mikstrategie, hoofsaaklik bedoel vir klein eksperimentele heliostaatvelde. Om hierdie hoofdoel te bereik, was ’n simulasieplatform ontwikkel waardeur heliostaatvelde en opvangerstelsels gemodelleer kan word, en ’n analise is gedoen om die verskeidenheid benaderende analitiese metodes te vergelyk met die straalopsporingsmetode. By hoë invalshoeke tussen 30° en 60° is daar gevind dat die benaderende modelle wat die termiese vloed as ’n normale Gaussiese verspreiding beskou, ’n afwyking van die straalopsporingsresultate toon van ongeveer 10 % tot 30 %. ’n Nuwe metode, die Gaussiese mengsel model, was voorgestel en het minder as 4 % van die straalopsporings resultate afgewyk, met die standaard afwyking van die termiese vloed profiel in ag geneem. Twee basiese mikstrategieë is ontwikkel deur gebruik te maak van die Tabu soek en Genetiese algoritme optimeringsmetodes. Hierdie strategieë maak gebruik van die benaderende metodes om termiese vloed te voorspel. Eksperimente is uitgevoer om die implementering van statiese mikstrategieë op ’n fisiese stelsel te beskou en die faktore wat ’n invloed op die eksperimentele resultate sal hê te identifiseer. Ten laaste word ’n metode voorgestel vir die implementering van die mikstrategieë op ’n dinamiese stelsel. Deur beide optimeringsmetodes te implementeer sodat hul mekaar komplimenteer, word ’n nuwe mikstrategie ontwikkel wat beter homogenisering van die termiese vloed verspreiding bewys het as enige van die alleen staande metodes. Die akkuraatheid van die finale voorgestelde termiese vloed verspreiding was verbeter deur gebruik te maak van die Gaussiese mengsel model as die benaderende metode van die termiese vloed verspreiding.

This thesis investigates the vocabulary learning behavior of Romanian high school students in a digital context. The research identifies the vocabulary learning strategies used by EFL high school students and focuses on how the choice of vocabulary learning strategies varies across four independent variables: students' age, gender, academic profile (math-ICT, humanities, science and economic-technical) and language program (intensive English, bilingual, normal). These variables are hypothesized to influence learners' vocabulary behavior. Furthermore, the study examines the technology enhanced tools (computer and mobile assisted language learning tools) used by these students in their vocabulary learning as well as their attitudes towards using technology in vocabulary learning. Likewise, the study analyzes how students' choice of technology enhanced tools and their attitudes towards them vary across the four independent variables. The study is a mixed methods investigation with 1,239 participants (60% female, 40% male, aged 14-19 years old) learning English as a foreign language in nine Romanian secondary schools. Of the 1,239 participants who filled in the self-reported questionnaire, 43 also participated in focus group discussions prior to the administration of the questionnaire. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics procedures whereas the qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The results from both phases were integrated in the results chapter. The main findings indicated that Romanian high school students prefer social strategies, followed by determination, metacognitive, cognitive and memory strategies. However, the usage of the strategies in these categories is medium towards low. As for individual vocabulary learning strategies, the participants reported that the impact of a new word, English media, guessing from context, associating the word with a picture and using cognates are frequently used strategies. The results also indicated that students' use of vocabulary learning strategies varies across the four independent variables. As far as the use of digital tools for vocabulary learning, the findings indicated that the students in this particular cultural context use few available digital tools with a preference for online dictionaries, games and social networking web sites. The results showed that overall Romanian students are not very familiar with computer and mobile assisted language learning tools, their attitudes towards the use of digital tools for vocabulary learning are neutral and they mostly associate the use of personal devices with their personal space, suggesting that they may not want to embed learning in their everyday activities. The results enrich existing knowledge of vocabulary learning strategies in a Romanian cultural context and they also give us an insight into how high school students use computer and mobile assisted language tools in their vocabulary learning. Implications for theory and practice are also discussed.

L’environnement économique des entreprises devient de plus en plus instable (mondialisation, volatilité de la demande, renouvellement rapide des produits, arrivée de nouveaux acteurs…). Penser les relations inter-organisationnelles fait généralement référence à des rapports concurrentiels et conflictuels. L’environnement dans lequel les entreprises évoluent constitue un ensemble de contraintes pour lesquelles elles devront apporter des solutions afin de pouvoir survivre. Au-delà des comportements concurrentiels les acteurs d’un même secteur d’activité reconnaissent cependant l’importance de la coopération souvent nécessaire à leur survie. Ces relations évoluent donc au même niveau que les relations concurrentielles. L’interdépendance entre les entreprises est désormais inévitable. Dans ces conditions, nous pouvons nous demander quelles sont les stratégies appropriées pour faire face à un environnement instable ? Les entreprises ont-elles intérêt à coopérer pour faire face aux instabilités de leur marché, voire les supprimer grâce à des actions concertées ?En prenant le cas du secteur du prêt-à-porter, notre recherche souhaite montrer que les relations inter-organisationnelles sont beaucoup plus complexes et ne se limitent pas qu’à du conflit pur ou de la coopération. Ainsi, les stratégies collectives ne s’inscrivent pas seulement dans une démarche globale, la coopération s’exerçant à tous les niveaux de la filière, mais peut se limiter à quelques processus organisationnels. L’étude de la filière nous montre qu’il existe une situation de coopétition : des stratégies à la fois individuelles et collectives existent au sein d’un même secteur. Autrement dit, la compétition et la coopération sont des modèles relationnels qui coexistent, parfois même à des niveaux différents que ceux observés dans d’autres secteurs. La thèse met notamment en avant le rôle tenu par des acteurs tiers, tels que les syndicats et bureaux de style, pouvant être perçus comme des chefs d’orchestre, dans la mise en place d’actions collectives en environnement fortement concurrentiel. / The economic environment of enterprises becomes more and more unstable (globalization, volatility of the demand, rapid product renewal, new actors...). Think of the enterprises relationship made generally reference to competitive and conflicting reports. The environment in which enterprises evolve constitutes a set of constraints for which they will have to bring solutions to be able to survive. Beyond competitive behavior enterprises of the same sector recognize however the importance of the cooperation often necessary for their survival. These relations evolve in the same level as the competitive relations. The interdependence between companies is henceforth inevitable. Under these conditions, which strategies are appropriate for face an unstable environment? Are enterprises interested in cooperating in order to cope with market instability?Taking the case of the ready-to-wear sector, our research shows that relationships between enterprises are more complex and can’t be reduce to conflict or cooperation. Thus, collective strategies don’t make part of a global approach in a given sector, with cooperation at every level of the industry, but can be limited to just a few organisational processes. A study of the industry shows the existence of a coopetition situation: both individual and collective strategies that exist within a single industry. In other words, competition and cooperation are relationship models that coexist, sometimes at levels that differ from those observed in other sectors. The thesis highlights in particular the role played by third party stakeholders such as syndicates and style agencies, which may be viewed as orchestrators of the implementation of collective action in a highly competitive environment

Value and momentum strategies have been heavenly researched in financial academic literature. In this essay, different portfolios based on value and momentum strategies have been constructed to examine if it is possible to exploit market anomalies to outperform market returns. Both value and momentum is seen as two market anomalies according to earlier literature. The test were made on the Swedish market, and all data were collected from the Nasdaq OMX Stockholm Large Cap list. The findings includes a significant outperformance of market returns in nearly all portfolio tested, as well as lower standard deviations for some. However, an empirical asset pricing model, based on four factors from the Swedish market were constructed to seek explanation for the results. Overall the factor variables were rejected on their statistical significances, except for the market factor which were statistical significant for all portfolios except one.

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo avaliar a proporção que assumem as atividades de serviços nas montadoras, as estratégias e trajetórias recentes em torno destas atividades, bem como analisar as implicações do desenvolvimento destas atividades no interior da indústria. Para este propósito, foram analisados os dados de desempenho financeiro de doze montadoras, as mais expressivas da indústria automobilística, bem como acompanhadas suas estratégias de serviços, ao longo do período 1998-2004. A partir dos dados financeiros das montadoras pesquisadas, extraídos dos relatórios anuais destas companhias, a pesquisa procurou avaliar a real dimensão das atividades de serviços entre as montadoras. Através da proporção que assumem os serviços nas contas do Balanço Patrimonial e nas contas de resultado, foi possível estabelecer, simultaneamente, o peso que assumem nos negócios totais das companhias e sua importância enquanto fonte geradora de lucros. Observa-se em geral um forte peso dos serviços nas companhias pesquisadas, motivado pelo movimento das montadoras em direção a estas atividades nos últimos anos, determinando conseqüências para a competitividade e para a estrutura industrial do setor. Por outro lado, a partir do acompanhamento das estratégias das companhias no período, principalmente através de notícias da imprensa especializada mundial, foi possível estabelecer suas trajetórias recentes em serviços e apontar algumas perspectivas. Foram acompanhadas não só as estratégias em serviços financeiros tradicionalmente fornecidos pelas montadoras, mas também o movimento recente de engajamento nos serviços baseados na telemática e internet. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho permitem identificar os diferentes posicionamentos quanto às atividades de serviços pelas montadoras e algumas tendências recentes. / This work aims to assess the ratio taken by the car assembly companies service activities, their strategies and the recent trajectories surrounding these activities, as well as to evaluate the implications of the development of these activities within the industry. For this, twelve assembling companies the most significant in the automotive industry - had their financial performance data analyzed and their service strategies were followed up within the period 1998-2004. As from the financial data of the assembling companies researched, taken from these companies annual reports, the research sought to evaluate the real magnitude of the service activities among the assembling companies. As from the ratio taken by services in the Balance Sheet accounts and in the result accounts, it was possible to simultaneously establish the weight they assume in the companies total business and their importance while a profit-generating source. The significant weight of services can generally be observed in the companies researched, motivated by the movement of the assembling companies towards these activities in the last years, determining consequences for the competitiveness and for the sector industrial structure. On the other hand, from following the companies strategies in the period, mainly by means of news in the specialized world press, it was possible to establish their recent trajectories in services and to point out some perspectives. Not only the strategies in financial services traditionally provided by the assembling companies, but also the recent movement of engagement in services based on telematics and the internet were followed. The results obtained from this work allow identifying the different positioning as to the service activities by the assembling companies and some recent tendencies.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to provide knowledge about how children in a preschool class use access strategies and exclusion strategies in the free play. Also why children exclude each other during play. The questions of the study are: What access strategies do children in preschool class use during the free play? What exclusion strategies do children in preschool class use during the free play? Why do children exclude each other during play? To investigate this, I have been non-participating observer in a preschool class. I have used the fifteen access strategies of William Corsaro (1979) and Tellgren's (2004) eight exclusion strategies. The result of the study shows that the preschool class children often use verbal access strategies together with nonverbal strategies. And that those strategies together are more successful than to only use the non-verbal access strategies. The results also indicate that the children's exclusion strategies take place more discreet and inside the play. The children exclude each other to protect their established communities or play groups. The children at the top of the hierarchy are the ones who determines which ones should be included and excluded. My conclusion is that children are skilled users of play strategies and they learn from each other what access strategies are working and what exclusion strategies are being accepted by other children and by the teachers.

A indústria de frangos brasileira, representa um importante gerador de divisas e empregos, e tem-se destacado no cenário internacional altamente competitivo, e com fortes barreiras de entrada, sejam elas de natureza econômica, sanitárias, ou econômicas disfarçadas por uma justificativa sanitária. O excelente desempenho do setor, justifica-se pelos diversos fatores, sejam eles de natureza econômica, geográfica, e pela competência das principais empresas do setor. Neste sentido, é que o presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar as principais estratégias adotadas pelas duas maiores empresas brasileiras exportadoras de carne de frango, líderes no setor. Após análise de diversos relatórios setoriais, materiais institucionais das próprias empresas, e consultas à diversos artigos sobre o setor, realizou-se um breve questionário com o objetivo de identificar as principais estratégias destas empresas, além de possíveis ferramentas de análise estratégica utilizadas. Verificou-se que as estratégias gerais das empresas baseiam-se na diversificação de produtos para atender a novos mercados. Para isso torna-se necessário o investimento em inovação, como objetivo de desenvolvimento de produtos de maior valor agregado. Além disso somente uma das empresas analisadas utiliza-se de ferramentas formais de análise estratégica, mais conhecidas pela literatura acadêmica. / The Brazilian poultry meat industry represents an important exchange value and employments maker, and has been detached it in the international market, high competitive, and with strong entry barriers, being them from economics nature, sanitary, or economics disguised by one sanitary justification. The sector excellent performance, justifies it for the different factors being from economic nature, geographic nature, and for the competence of mayor industry companies. In this sense, the present study has the objective to analysis the main strategies adopted by the big two poultry meat Brazilian exporters companies, leaders in industry. After to analysis various industry reports, institutional material of the companies, and consulting different articles about the industry, a brief questioner was prepared, with the intend to identify the main strategies of this companies, besides possible strategies analysis tools used. Find out that the companies general strategies, relies in the products diversification to attend new markets. For that, it makes necessary investment in innovation, with the objective to develop products with high aggregate value. Besides, only one of the companies analyzed, uses strategic analysis formal tools, most known in the academic literature.

The diploma thesis concerns the link between coping and attachment. The primary aim is to discover and define how children cope in respect to specific type of attachment. Research sample includes children at the age of 11-12. Research methodologies include qualitive field research. The data were collected by a questionnaire (Experience in Close Relatioship) for purpose to meassure attachment. Research was then accompanied by semi-structured interviews with children, which based on theories of Lazarus and Folkman (1987) and motivational theory (Skinner and Wellborn, 1994). The findings show that in this research children with secure attachment cope differently from children with other types of attachment. The two groups of children vary in their reactions of stress, how they experience stressful encounters, in their appraisal of stresfull encounters and a purpose of social support. KEYWORDS Stress, coping strategies, attachment, stress reactions, emotional regulation

U.S. Small Business Administration reports that small businesses are one of the pillars of the U.S. economy, providing employment, innovation, and productivity. However, these businesses are constantly faced with challenges resulting from limited resources and continuous technological advances. This qualitative multiple-case study was performed to explore the strategies that small business owners (SBOs) in Maryland use to acquire capital to sustain their businesses financially for more than 5 years. The study's framework, the strategic management theory, was applied to determine the most effective approaches for the small businesses. Face-to-face interviews with 6 recruited SBOs were performed. A qualitative thematic analysis was then used to analyze the interviews. The main strategies to sustain capital were to create a business plan focusing on long-term goals and invest in employee knowledge and skills. In the process of measuring success, participants mostly determined their success by their ability to acquire customers based on feedback and good service. The interviewees managed their cash by minimizing debt, maximizing the use of technology, and keeping track of cash flows. The SBOs also shared that the challenges in business were endured by staying debt-free, adjusting their strategies with the market changes, and conserving cash and expenses. Contributions to social change include helping small businesses sustain by leveraging strategic planning, management, and implementation in their businesses, thereby providing jobs and contributing to the overall economic vitality of the community.