This diploma thesis deals with design of surface condensers with axial steam inlet which are widely used in the energy industry. In the practical part, hydraulic and heat calculation, dump-tube design and calculation of by-pass were made to design surface condenser with axial steam inlet. Two types of surface condenser were designed in order to compare impact of two different heat transfer tube materials. Stainless steel and copper-nickel alloy were used for condenser calculation. Stainless steel and copper-nickel alloy condensers were compared in order to weight calculation and condenser price estimation.

Background: Hypertension is a major public health concern for African American women. Many studies have shown a greater prevalence of hypertension, as well as physical inactivity, excess weight, and diabetes, in African Americans. Objective: To determine if differences in eating patterns, as measured by Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores, between African American women and other women in the United States are associated with hypertension. Methods: Data were extracted from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANESIII). The sample included 31,189,534 women aged 45 years or greater after survey weights were applied. The majority was White (86.1 %); minority groups included African Americans (10.5%) and Mexican Americans (3.4%). Women were considered to have hypertension if they reported that a doctor diagnosed them. Other predictor variables included age, body mass index, income, education, marital status, residence, health insurance coverage, regu1a.r source of care, smoking history, hypercholesterolemia, history of myocardial infarction, attempted weight loss, and physical activity level. The Cochran Mantel Haenszel (CMH) statistic and logistic regression were used to determine the magnitude of the association of study variables with the outcome. Results: African American women were more likely to have hypertension than White and Mexican American women. Diet, based on the HE1 score, was significantly related to the development of hypertension (CMH chi-square = 428.39, p-value = Conclusions: These findings provide further support the need to established interventions that target this population. The key to prevention is education and promotion of healthier eating habits.

Nutrition education has become a topic of significant concern in today’s society. An area prominent in the interest of nutrition is the battle against food security. Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) is helping to improve its participants’ food security by providing nutrition education. Kentucky SNAP-Ed participants were asked to complete a survey and a 24-hour food recall to evaluate their knowledge in the following areas: Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores, food resource management and nutrition practices. Each participant completed an average of 7-12 nutrition education lessons throughout the year. To graduate from the program participants were required to complete the same survey and food recall, applying knowledge gained from the program. Responses from 2,868 participants were analyzed to assess the impact of the SNAP-Ed program. Results demonstrated an improvement of average post-mean responses in all three areas (p-value < 0.001). In conclusion, this research supports that those who participated in the 2012 – 2013 SNAP-Ed program graduated with an overall positive change in nutrition behavior, promoting enhanced food security in low-income families.

Syftet med följande arbete är att undersöka i vilken utsträckning hänsyn tas till de särskilda förutsättningar i den fysiska miljön som elever med diagnosen ADHD gynnas av gällande sin koncentrationsförmåga, vid nybyggnation av en skola. På vilket sätt märks dessa hänsyn i plankonstruktionen? Vilka möjligheter finns att anpassa miljön för enskilda individer?   Arbetet ger en överblick över tidigare forskning kring skolhusets utveckling samt över vilka miljöfaktorer som gynnar respektive missgynnar elever med ADHD. Genom att göra en fallstudie, där vi observerade miljön och intervjuade utvalda personer ur olika yrkeskategorier på en nybyggd skola, ville vi se hur man tänker när man ska utforma en lärandemiljö som ska fungera i en skola för alla, även för elever med koncentrationssvårigheter.   Sammanfattningsvis pekar resultaten av vår undersökning på att inga speciella hänsyn tas till denna grupp av elever, utan fokus ligger på att skapa en flexibel skola som ska gå att anpassa efter enskilda elevers behov. I byggnationen av den skola vi har studerat var ambitionen att skapa ett naturligt samarbete spårvis från årskurs F till årskurs 9, alltså en organisationsförändring, vilken har överskuggat en inkluderingstanke som fanns med från början. Det finns heller inga riktlinjer för hur man gör utbildningen tillgänglig för elever med kognitiva orienteringshinder, såsom uttalade koncentrationsnedsättningar, vilket det finns för de flesta andra funktionsnedsättningar. Kunskap inom detta område saknas.

Knowledge has long been acknowledged to be crucial for economic growth and in today’s market economies this is true to an even greater extent. In the past it used to be the parent’s duty to pass on this knowledge to their children, nowadays schools and higher education institutions take this responsibility. Nevertheless, parents still have a significant influence on an individual’s educational attainment. The aim of this study is to investigate and demonstrate this parental influence on the level of education as well as the subject of higher education degree. This thesis shows that individuals whose parents have at least a bachelor’s degree and above are more likely to attain one themselves. Moreover, individuals are more likely to choose a subject for that degree that is similar to their parents’ occupation.

The purpose of this study was to contribute to knowledge on teacher resilience in terms of protective resources and risk factors in rural schools by exploring the significance of higher education institutions (HEI) with rural school teachers. In the comparative case study, following a constructivist meta-theory and Participatory Reflection and Action (PRA) methodology, I used Place-based Social Mobility System theory as lens to compare teacher experiences of purposively sampled teachers (n = 6) in conveniently sampled rural schools (n = 2) with a long-term university-association to those of teachers (n = 12, male = 5, female = 7) in rural schools ( n = 4) in the same school-district without a long-term university-association. Data sources included PRA-interview data and face to face semi-structured teacher-interviews as well as observation data of the rural school context. Following inductive in-case and cross-case thematic analysis, informed by a constructivist grounded theory, it was apparent that, irrespective of a university-association, teachers shared similar experiences of protective resources and risk factors when teaching in a rural context. Feedback from the HEI members rather than parental and student feedback was valued and a lack of knowledge regarding obtaining sponsors and funds to sustain a HE intervention was identified as a constraint. A finding which merits further investigation is that the expectation from teachers in schools without a HEI association to potentially gain from a future association serves as protective resource of hope to promote teacher resilience. In contrast to other studies I found that using instructional resources available in a resource-constrained school setting, a lower student-teacher ratio, low community crime, financial compensation and informal teacher development activities as conducive to teacher resilience. Teachers were silent on the role that teacher illness and personal difficulties play in the development of teacher resilience; how teachers utilise student relationships as a protective resource; the role of hobbies and extracurricular activities in teacher resilience; and, lastly, how the effect of the unstable education system and policy demands on rural education advances/not teacher resilience. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Educational Psychology / PhD / Unrestricted

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Submitted by Secretaria Pós de Produção (tpp@vm.uff.br) on 2017-07-27T18:37:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 D2014 - Roberta Braga Neves.pdf: 4743527 bytes, checksum: caa5fccbd161f89db27e21cfa1d76477 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-27T18:37:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 D2014 - Roberta Braga Neves.pdf: 4743527 bytes, checksum: caa5fccbd161f89db27e21cfa1d76477 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Objetivo Este estudo tem o objetivo de propor uma modelagem para identificar a postura estratégica a ser adotada por uma Instituição de Ensino Superior (IES), considerando a geração de patente, através da integração do ELECTRE TRI original e variações (ELECTRE TRI ME e CPP-TRI), métodos de Auxílio Multicritério à Decisão (AMD), à Análise SWOT, ferramenta de Diagnóstico Estratégico. Metodologia/Abordagem A visão macro da metodologia de pesquisa divide-a em quatro momentos. Primeiro, foi realizada uma revisão da literatura, concentrada em quatro eixos: métodos de AMD aplicados a patente; ferramentas de Diagnóstico Estratégico aplicadas a patente; integração de métodos de AMD e ferramentas de Diagnóstico Estratégico; e fatores influenciadores na geração de patente na Universidade. Em seguida, com base no levantamento na literatura dos fatores influenciadores na produção de patente; na aplicação de questionário e pesquisa com docentes da Escola de Engenharia da Universidade Federal Fluminense; e na análise do conteúdo textual dos fatores relacionados, por meio da aplicação das ferramentas Many Eyes e Wordle, foi proposto o conjunto de 24 critérios para avaliação. Em um terceiro momento foi elaborado o questionário para a coleta da percepções dos dirigentes da Escola. Por fim, foi efetuada a aplicação da modelagem proposta e, consequentemente, identificada a postura estratégica a ser adotada pela Instituição. Resultados O método ELECTRE TRI ME demonstrou-se o mais adequado, uma vez que foi desenvolvido para ser utilizado em problemas de decisão envolvendo múltiplos avaliadores e por permitir atribuir a cada avaliador, para cada critério, um peso próprio. A análise dos resultados indicou que, para quaisquer planos de corte λ ϵ [0,5; 1,0], o decisor deverá optar pelo procedimento menos exigente ou mais exigente. Na aplicação do método ELECTRE TRI original, para realizar uma única classificação, fez-se necessária a utilização da frequência dos resultados, não demonstrando ser eficiente, uma vez que, ao se realizar a análise de sensibilidade com a variação do plano de corte, evidenciou-se o problema de redistribuição desproporcional para outras classes. O método CPP-TRI demonstrou-se robusto e estável ao se variar o plano de corte, indicando, para todos os planos de corte analisados e para ambos os procedimentos de classificação, que a Instituição deverá adotar estratégias de Crescimento. A pesquisa também permitiu identificar os critérios mais favoráveis e menos favoráveis para a geração de patente na IES avaliada. Assim sendo, considerando as variáveis internas, para os procedimentos benevolente e exigente, foram identificados como pontos fracos: Cultura de patente , Infraestrutura , Normas institucionais , Disciplina na grade curricular e/ou divulgação (palestras) e Progressão na carreira . Já para as variáveis externas, em ambos os procedimentos de classificação, os critérios Sistema de avaliação de pós-graduação , Área de atividade de pesquisa , Premiação , Reconhecimento profissional , Bolsa de pesquisa , Financiamento pela indústria , Financiamento por agências de fomento à pesquisa , Mercado de Consultoria , Desenvolvimento colaborativo de projetos de P&D e Retorno sobre o investimento foram considerados oportunidades. Limitações da Pesquisa O estudo não considera a percepção de grupos da Escola de Engenharia como: alunos, corpo docente, ex-alunos e profissionais da indústria. Contribuições Práticas Espera-se que a pesquisa seja aplicada em outras IES e auxilie os gestores na tomada de decisão. Originalidade A originalidade da pesquisa está pautada no exercício sistematizado para construção do conjunto inédito de critérios para avaliação de IES; na ausência, constatada pela revisão da literatura, de publicações que abordem a integração de métodos da família ELECTRE à Análise SWOT; e na lacuna de estudos que realizem aplicação de métodos de AMD ou ferramentas de Diagnóstico Estratégico ao tema patente no âmbito de IES. / Purpose This study aims to propose a model to identify the strategic posture to be adopted by an Higher Education Institution (HEI), considering the generation of patent, by integrating the original ELECTRE TRI and variations (ELECTRE TRI ME and CPP - TRI) , methods of Multicriteria Decision Aid (MCDA) , the SWOT Analysis, Strategic Diagnostic tool. Methodology/Approach The macro view of research methodology is divided into four stages. First, a literature review focused on four areas has been implemented: MCDA methods applied to patent; Strategic Diagnostic tools applied to patent; Integration MCDA methods and Strategic Diagnostic tools; and influencers factors in generating patent in the University. After, based on the literature survey of influencers factors in the production of patent; a questionnaire and interview with teachers from the Escola de Engenharia of the Universidade Federal Fluminense, and the analysis of textual content of the related factors, through the application of tools Many Eyes and Wordle, a set of 24 evaluation criteria was proposed. In a third step, the questionnaire to collect the perceptions of Escola leaders was prepared. Finally, the application of the proposed modeling was effected and, consequently, identified the strategic posture to be adopted by the institution. Findings The ELECTRE TRI ME method proved to be the most appropriate, since it was developed to be used in decision problems involving multiple evaluators and it permits assign each appraiser, for each criterion, a weight. The analysis of the results indicated that, for any cutting plane λ ϵ [0,5; 1,0], the decision maker must choose the pessimistic or optimistic procedure. In the application of original ELECTRE TRI method, to achieve a single classification, it was necessary to use the frequency of results, which proved not to be efficient, since, when achievement sensitivity analysis by varying the cutting plane, became evident the problem of disproportionate redistribution to other classes. The CPP - TRI method has proven to be robust and stable when varying the cutting plane. Therefore, for all cutting planes analyzed and for both classification procedures, the Institution should adopt improvement strategies. The research identified the most favorable and least favorable evaluation criteria for the generation of patent in HEI. So, given the internal variables for the pessimistic procedure, were identified as weaknesses: "Patent culture ", "Infrastructure", "Institutional norms", "Discipline in the curriculum and/or disclosure (lectures)" and "Career Progression". For the external variables in both classification procedures, the criteria "Evaluation System Graduate", "Award", "Professional recognition", "Search grant", "Funding by industry", "Funding by agencies fostering research", "Consulting market", "Collaborative development of projects in R&D" and "Return on investment" were considered opportunities. Research Limitations - The study does not consider the perception of groups as alumni, teachers, graduates and industry professionals. Practical Implications It is expected that research is applied in other HEI and aid managers in decision making. Originality The originality of the research is guided in the systematic exercise of construction of the unprecedented set of evaluation criteria of HEI; in the absence, evidenced by the literature review of publications that address the integration of ELECTRE methods to the SWOT Analysis, and the gap of studies which realize application of MCDA methods or of Strategic Diagnostic tools to the patent topic within HEI.

Objective. To determine the relationship between overall psychological well-being and stress on diet quality among young adult women and to examine the potential confounding influence of season, physical activity and sleep on these relationships. Design/Participants. The study used a cross-sectional design. Three hundred and fifty-one women were recruited to participate in the study. All participants were university students (20.2 ± 1.6 y). Overall psychological well-being was assessed using the General Well-being Schedule (GWB) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Diet intake was measured using three 24-hour recalls over a seven day period. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was calculated to assess diet quality. Physical activity (PA) and sleep were both measured objectively using accelerometers over seven consecutive days. Season of assessment was also included as a covariate. Results. The average HEI score was 59.3 ± 12.5 out of 100 and is classified as "Needs Improvement." The average GWB score was 72.8 ± 13.1 out of 110 which is on the border between "moderate distress" (61 to 72) and "positive wellbeing" (73 to 110). Significant relationships were seen with specific aspects of psychological well-being, however global psychological well-being as measured by the General Well-being schedule was not related to any measure of diet quality. Chronic stress was related to low adherence to dietary guidelines (F = 11.46 and p = 0.0008). Chronic stress was also related to low consumption of fruits and vegetables (F = 5.03, p = 0.0256). Feeling in control of emotions and behaviors was related to low consumption of non-nutrient dense foods (NNDF) (F = 3.33, p = 0.0198). Controlling for PA and sleep time reduced the magnitude of all of these relationships between 11% and 42%. Results from the PSS were positively related to the consumption of NNDF (F = 3.97, p = 0.0472). Controlling for PA and sleep time increased the magnitude of this relationship by 34%. Season had a negligible impact on any of the relationships between psychological well-being and any measure of diet quality. Conclusion. Subscales of psychological well-being such as chronic stress, acute stress, emotional behavioral control, and depression were related to diet quality. While these observed relationships were independent of the influence of season, physical activity and sleep, controlling for these variables had a moderating effect.

The strategic decision making process (SDMP) is a major issue in organisations. It is part of the larger topic of strategic management and related to strategic planning. Achievement of strategic objectives outlined in the strategic plan of an organisation depends on the decisions taken through the process. Yet the literature shows that the concept of SDMP is not well understood and organisations find it difficult to develop and implement an SDMP, particularly Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The literature indicates that decisions are taken in organizations in different ways for example using intuition, data, collaboration and ad-hoc considerations. In addition contextual factors are argued to affect the SDMP although very little research has been conducted to explain how contextual factors affect SDMP they do in HEIs. Some examples of contextual factors namely decision process characteristics have been identified and discussed as part of the SDMP literature in industry. However, lack of knowledge about SDMP and how contextual factors influence SDMP is regarded as to be a major obstacle for HEIs in taking decisions and choosing the best alternative amongst available decisions. This research seeks to contribute to address this important issue. Whilst there are many strategic decision characteristics (contextual factors) identified in the literature, this research focuses on decision importance. The rationale for choosing decision importance was that there is always some concern in the minds of the decision makers in the HEIs on what constitutes an important decision. What is considered as important decision while the decision is being taken may prove to be less important after implementation if there is no clear understanding of how to assign importance to a decision. Even in the industrial sector, Elbanna and Child (2007) it has been argued that decision importance has not been studied well. Relying upon the theoretical model developed by Elbanna and Child and other arguments found in the literatue, this research argued that the SDMP is a combination of relationships between decision characteristics, SDMP characteristics and decision outcomes that are influenced by environmental factors. As far as environmental factors were concerned environmental uncertainty was chosen as an external environment factor while organisational performance was chosen as the internal contextual factor. These two factors were argued to moderate the relationship between SDMP characteristics and SDMP outcomes and theoretical support for this conceptualisation was taken from the model developed by Elbanna and Child. A research model was developed to address the research questions, and the aim of the study was “to examine the different decision specific characteristic, SDMP characteristic and SDMP process outcome variables and develop a relationship amongst them in the context of HEIs in a changing environment”. The research was conducted in the United States of America and data was gathered from faculty members involved in decision making at the department level and higher. A positivist epistemological and objective ontological stance was adopted and a deductive approach was used. The research model was tested using the data collected from 485 valid responses to a survey questionnaire. Linear regression was the primary analysis approach and supplemented by path analysis. Results from the regression analysis showed that decision importance exerts influence on decision effectiveness through the mediators, rationality in decision making, intuition and decentralization in decision making. However, the outcome of path analysis showed that only rationality in decision making and intuition are important while decentalisation was not found to be statistically significant. Similarly environmental factors exerted pressure only on the relationship between rationality in decision making and decision effectiveness. The contradicting SDMP factors rationality in decision making and intuition were both found to be necessary to SDMP in the HEI context. This research has contributed to knowledge in terms of establishing a relationship between decision importance and decision process effectiveness mediated by rationality in decision making and intuition and development of the model. Theoretically the findings of this research show that the modification imposed on the model developed by Elbanna and Child was found to be statistically significant and found support from the literature. Environmental factors affected the relationship between rationality in decision making and decision effectiveness. This research has provided a model that can be used to help decision makers in HEIs to implement SDMP practically in the organization, to guide the process towards more robust decisions. The findings of this research find application in supporting policy makers to increase the likelihood of more effective decisions so that the decisions taken more effective.