There appears to be a need to demystify suicidal behaviour not just for the benefit of researchers and health workers but equally for parents, teachers and most importantly for adolescents themselves. The focus in this study was on attempting to provide a fresh perspective of adolescent suicidal behaviour by viewing some delinquent and deviant behaviour as possible manifestation of suicidal behaviour and by decoding and making an attempt to understand the non-verbal voices/cries of suicidal adolescents. In general, suicide and suicidal behaviour among adolescents, has received relatively little attention from Education Departments throughout South Africa. Suicide-prevention is also sadly neglected by government and public health authorities. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the phenomenon has become the first cause of death among the younger age groups, with a higher mortality rate than for road accidents, it has not so far managed to provide backing for preventive schemes within the school and community systems of the same magnitude as the ones developed to tackle other public health problems, such as Aids. The purpose of this study was to gain greater insight into the phenomenon of adolescent suicidal behaviour so that a clearer and broader definition (that included both overt and covert behaviour) was formulated. This will then assist, amongst others, educators, parents and adolescents to identify more easily adolescent suicidal behaviour in its various forms . The study also hoped to investigate and identify the factors that could contribute to suicidal behaviour in adolescents. It also hoped to explore what support systems were available and accessible to the adolescents, more especially those manifesting deviant and delinquent forms of suicidal behaviour and to investigate the effectiveness of the support systems. The concept of networking and creating supportive connections is strongly supported when facing problems of suicide and suicidal behaviour. In creating a connection with the parents, teachers are able to better connect with learners because they will be more aware of the stressors that adolescents are experiencing. Since evidence indicates (Snyder, 1971) that potential suicide victims typically turn first to family and everyday friends and to the more traditional and perhaps formal sources such as clergy, psychiatrists, social workers only later, the need for the school to be more ready to play the role of referrer to other established sources of help is apparent. Teachers should not mistake adolescent suicidal behaviour for just delinquent 'brat' behaviour. In many situations adolescent suicidal behaviour becomes a way of communicating with others after all other forms of communication have broken down - when connections with the outer world is tenuous or non-existent. Stigma keeps adolescent suicidal behaviour from being identified as a public health problem that is preventable. This could be the reason (besides financial ones) why the Department of Education has not seen the urgency to strengthen counselling services in schools. In the absence of such support parents, educators and adolescents need to join forces - create a network of connections - both physical and emotional - so that desperate cries of adolescents are heard, interpreted and eliminated. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

Urbanisation, a process occurring at an excessive rate per annum, has implications for the natural environment that are vast and varied. One of the most significant is the effect on natural habitats, shaped by habitat destruction and modification. The simplification of ecosystems, homogenisation of landscapes and influence on keystone species are a few impacts on indigenous fauna existing in these habitats. Some species are unable to withstand external disturbances, while other species are more adaptable, and often thrive in these modified, and now optimal, environments. Increasingly, provisions are made to accommodate nature in an urbanising world with tools like Impact Assessments and Opens Space Systems. These procedures however, do little to specifically protect indigenous fauna, progressively categorised as "problem animals" or vermin, like monkeys, which often bear the brunt of attacks by humans who see them as a nuisance and a threat to their well-being. The study therefore aimed to "Assess the nature and extent of the monkey problem in the former Westville Borough", a suburb in the city of Durban, South Africa. Questionnaires administered to residents and interviews done with stakeholders documented their views on the "monkey problem," and the effectiveness of proposed solutions in alleviating these problems. Using orthographic photographs, illustrating land-use change, the rate and nature of habitat destruction experienced in the former Westville Borough between 1974 and 2001 was assessed. Records of injuries to monkeys held by the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), along with letters of complaint regarding monkeys in local newspapers, were collected to assess the nature and frequency of the problem. Resident's opinions implied that the threat of Vervet Monkeys was more perceived then real. Eighty three percent thought monkeys were not a threat to humans. Education and awareness campaigns were thought to be successful in alleviating the problem by 86% of residents and 100% of interviewees. Residents believed that "everyone" should be responsible for the problem while interviewees were divided in opinion but placed most responsibility on local government. An assessment of land-use changed showed a decrease of over 15% in open space provision over a twenty six year period. CROW records showed that the majority of monkey injuries were due to assault or shooting and most often to males between the months of April and July. Conclusions based on the findings of the study emphasise the need for stronger legislation specifically for Vervets and detailed guidelines on both management of and responsibility for the monkeys, with less shifting of blame by stakeholders and authorities. The implementation of education and awareness programs were also advocated, to educate the public on the problem and their role in protecting one of Africa's most valuable assets. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

Retail carts were recently introduced in the terminals at JHB International Airport and a need was identified by the researcher to gain an understanding on the buying behavior of low cost passengers. This segment is growing in double digits yearly and an opportunity for enhancing Airports Company's revenue exists by offering a tailor-made product to this segment. A profile was established on the low cost passenger in this study, enabling the development of a customized product for this segment. The current product offering was matched to preferences and expectations of the low cost passenger, with recommendations on enhancing retail opportunities and revenue streams within the terminal building contained in this study. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

The present study examined community/tribe, peer/family, and individual correlates of suicidal behaviour in a representative on-reserve sample of First Nations adolescents. Data came from the 2002-2003 Manitoba First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey of Youth. Household interviews were conducted with adolescents ages 12-17 (n=1,125) from 23 First Nations communities in Manitoba. Bivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between a range of factors and lifetime suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and any suicidality. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified those correlates most strongly related to any suicidality. Findings showed that several correlates were found to be associated with an increased likelihood of suicidal behaviour, including being female, depressed mood, abuse/fear of abuse, a hospital stay, and substance use. Results of this study will likely be of importance in informing First Nations and government policy related to the implementation of suicide prevention strategies in Manitoban First Nations communities.

Four experiments were conducted to determine a management strategy for providing effective electrolyte concentrations in the drinking water of newly weaned piglets to encourage early fluid and feed intake [weaning age=19±1 d, n=360]. In Exp. 1, electrolytes (Vetoquinol, QC, Canada) were provided at the label dose of 60 ml/L of water for 0, 6, 12, 18 or 24 h on d1-d3. In Exp. 2, electrolytes were given ad lib at 100, 75, 50, 25 or 12.5 % of the label dose on d1-d3 (72 h). In Exp. 3, electrolytes, at the label dose, or water (control) were given ad lib on d1, d1 and d2, d1-d3, or d1 and d3. In Exp. 4, based on the results of the previous experiments, the most effective combinations of "hours/concentration/days"(12 h of 25 % or 50 % on d1 or alternate days) were tested. All piglets had water ad lib from d4-d14. In Exp. 1, higher feed disappearance was observed in the 0, 6 and 12 h/d than 18 h/d and 24 h/d electrolyte groups (P<0.05). In Exp. 2, by d14 piglets in the 12.5, 50, 75, and 100 % groups experienced lower weight gain and daily FI than those in the 25 % group (P<0.05). In Exp. 3, piglets that received electrolytes on d1 only had comparable FI to those in the water group (respectively; 64.55 g/pig/day vs. 75.59 g/pig/day; SEM=8.61). Overall, evidence indicated that weanlings tended to benefit from electrolyte administration at 25 % of the label dose and durational period of ≤ 12 h/d. However, in Exp. 4 testing neither 25 % or 50 % concentration for 12 h/d result in improved daily FI despite the increased FLI in groups given electrolytes on alternate days. The results suggest that high electrolyte intake occurred at the expense of feed intake.

In general terms a mand is a requesting response. Typically, children learn basic mands (e.g., “I want drink”) before learning to mand for information. Across three experiments I taught children with autism to mand for information using the mands “What is it?,” “Where?,” and/or “Which?”. In Experiment 1, a modified multiple-baseline design across situations was used to evaluate a teaching procedure that consisted of contrived motivating operations, prompt fading and prompt delay, natural consequences, error correction, and a brief preference assessment for teaching “What is it?” The results demonstrated strong internal validity with each of the three participants, with each showing generalization to situations, activities, scripts, the natural environment, and over time. In Experiment 2, a modified multiple-baseline design across three participants was used to evaluate approximately the same teaching procedure for teaching “Where?” The results demonstrated strong internal validity with each of the three participants, with generalization by all three participants to novel situations, activities, location the natural environment, and over time. In Experiment 3, a modified multiple-baseline design across three participants was used to evaluate approximately the same teaching procedure for teaching “Which?” The results demonstrated strong internal validity with generalization by all three participants to novel situations, activities, scripts, the natural environment, and over time. These findings are discussed in terms of its contributions to applied behaviour analysis research on teaching mand to children with autism.

Measurement of the electrostatic nature of materials is an essential step towards understanding the underlying processes and to the eventual modification of charge behaviour. Indirect monitoring was achieved by resistivity measurements, however, this approach is limited to studying the material and not the electrostatic charge and is, in general, not a satisfactory method. Electrostatic field meters allowed the electrical behaviour of polyethylene to be monitored; its charge accumulation and decay processes were accurately monitored, thus giving a good information base for material modification later in the programme. The use of a data-logging system (based on the Apple//e computer) allowed the manipulation and long term storage of information, whilst giving improved presentation of results. High Density Polyethylene is an intrinsically insulating polymer whose electrostatic properties can be greatly modified by the use of internal antistats. Such additives migrate to a surtace and become effective [at reducing surtace resistivity] over a period of time depending on the diffusivity of the antistat species, and on the external atmospheric conditions, particularly humidity. The effusion of antistat onto a surface was monitored by surtace analysis techniques including X-ray photoelectron scattering, goniometry and infra-red spectroscopy, however, whilst such techniques offered a direct indication of the surtace state and the effect of any surtace modification, electrostatic testing was found to be the most sensitive technique for following antistat action. It is possible to tailor individual antistats to specific applications, however such usage provides only specific protection (fast acting but short lived, or slow acting but long lived). Two single antistat species were combined, and a synergistic effect was obtained for fast acting and long lived systems. It was found that antistats operate by welting (coating) an insulating surtace, and then absorbing atmospheric water vapour, thus lowering the surtace resistivity. Complete surtace coverage is not possible over an HDPE surtace due to its low surtace energy (28mNm'1), however, more complete surtace coverage was achieved by surtace oxidation [raising the polar surlace energy). Natural HDPE is not readily susceptible to surface oxidation; therefore oxidation treatment had only a limited effect. An addition of the fully compatible polymer LLDPE raised the oxidation level and allowed more complete antistat coverage, thereby improving antistatic activity and raising the level of protection gained by using a standard level of antistat. A patent is being taken out covering the use of LLDPE in conjunction with mixed antistat systems.

Moffitt (1993) proposed two trajectories for the development of criminal behaviour; one was life-course-persistent offenders with long histories of developmental and behavioural problems and the other was normally developing adolescence-limited offenders who engaged in criminal behaviour for a brief period during the teen years. Moffitt suggested that adolescence-limited offenders mimicked the behaviour of their life-course-persistent contemporaries in order to access the trappings of adulthood, a sign of the “maturity gap” that is hypothesised to occur between physical maturity and social acceptance into adult roles. Consistent with this, Bukowskiet al. (2000) found support for an increased attractiveness of antisocial peers during the adolescent years. The goal of the present study was to examine how young adolescents believe others would view different kinds of behaviour. Subjects from a longitudinal study on low socioeconomic families in Christchurch, NZ, completed a questionnaire where they indicated what they believed others would think if they engaged in pro-social, unconventional, and antisocial behaviours. Adolescents rated how they thought parents, same-sex peers, and attractive opposite-sex peers would perceive the different behaviours, and also indicated how they would perceive the same behaviours in an opposite-sex peer. Results showed that, overall, the sample did not think others would approve of antisocial behaviour, and that they would not approve of antisocial behaviour in an opposite-sex friend. However, differences in perceived approval were found when comparisons were made between boys and girls, and across variations in parenting styles of the adolescent’s caregivers. Differences were also found across indicators of different developmental trajectories, such that those youth who are probably on the life-course persistent trajectory expected less disapproval of antisocial behaviour in others than youth who are probably not on that trajectory. These results are partially consistent with Moffitt’s theory.

When donating to a charity there is an implied assumption that a proportion of the donation will be used to support the administration functions of the charity. The present study investigated whether it was possible to obtain direct donor support for the administration function of a charity. A ‘donation splitting’ technique was used, whereby participants could split a donation into a proportion that the charity could use for administration, and a proportion that could be used to deliver the charity’s programmes and services. Two experiments were conducted using an on-line format. All participants were reimbursed $5 for participating, and this money was made available for the participants to donate with. The primary aim of Experiment 1 was to determine whether participants were willing to allocate a proportion of their donation directly to the administration function of the charity. Sixty-two students from the University of Canterbury participated in Experiment 1, with 37 participants making a donation to the charity. Results from Experiment 1 confirmed that it was possible to obtain direct donor support for administration. Experiment 2 aimed to replicate this finding, and to examine the influence that providing information about the charity’s administration expenditure had on the donation split. Sixty students from the University of Canterbury participated in Experiment 2, with 38 making a donation to the charity. Results from Experiment 2 replicated those of Experiment 1, and indicated that it may be beneficial for a charity to provide donors with information about the nature of their administration expenditure, but this information should be kept to a minimum. The donation splitting approach gives the donor an element of control over how their money is used, as well as providing the charity with valuable information to guide administration spending. Results are discussed in terms of how the donation splitting approach can help generate and maintain the public’s trust in a charity.

The aim of this study was to explore how caregivers caring for severely demented patients experience ethical conflict situations. Feeding patients in a late state of dementia was chosen as focus. Special attention was paid to analyses of the caregivers' experiences with regard to their feelings, use of force, interpretations of the patients' behaviour and their ethical reasoning. The study was carried out in five separate parts, presented as five papers. A phenomenological - hermeneutic approach was consistent. Personal interviews, a projective defence mechanism test, the Meta Contrast Technique and an analysis of patient/caregiver behaviour as shown in video taped feeding sessions were the methods used. Study participants were forty-one caregivers in psychogeriatric care, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurses' assistants. The result indicated that, when facing ethical decisions the caregivers were caught in a double bind conflict due to the contradicting ethical demands "Keep the patient alive!" and "Don't cause the patient suffering!". The difficulty to interpret what the patients experienced and the impossibility to know for sure what actions would be right or wrong were sources of anxiety. They defined force feeding individually, yet a pattern was found. Some caregivers defined force feeding according to the amount of persuasiveness or violence they had to perform. Some regarded force feeding from a patient wish perspective. A majority combined the two dimensions. The caregivers' ethical reasoning showed that their decision making was to be regarded as a process grounded on ethical rules. Interdependence in the relation caregiver/patient made them develop their reasoning in a direction of existential reasoning. / <p>S. 1-38: sammanfattning, s. 39-113: 5 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu