Turn is a collection of personal essays that loosely focus on what it means to become an adult. The topics of the essays range from crushes to dog walking, from weddings to working at a New Orleans snoball stand. The essays deal with how much more complicated the world turned out to be than as a child I expected.

The previous Fiber Image Analysis System (FIAS-I) is not reliable enough to detect fibers, especially for the immature fibers. It yields a systematic bias in the maturity distribution. Furthermore, the maturity distributions are often assumed to be normal without any normality tests in many previous studies, and those distributions are commonly measured by a sole parameter, e.g., the mean maturity value. In fact, those statistical inferences on cotton maturity may not be valid when cotton maturity does not follow a normal distribution. In light of the complexity of maturity distributions, the sole-parameter approach does not appear to be reliable and rational to rank the maturity among different samples. In this thesis, modified algorithms are made in the previous Fiber Image Analysis System (FIAS-I) to improve the number and accuracy of detected cross-sections and reduce the bias on immature fiber. The normality of cotton maturity distributions are analyzed through multiple parameters and patterns of cotton maturity distributions, and the experimental results on the cross section images selected from seven cotton varieties are displayed. Finally, several normality tests are introduced, and the Box-Cox transformation is applied to the maturity distribution, which makes the comparisons among the mean maturity feasible. / text

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The IT consultancy industry is characterized by knowledge intensive implementationprojects related to varying levels of standardized information system software. When faced with a large implementation project at a previously unknown customer various assessmentsis usually conducted to identify the level of fit between the software and organizationin order to plan and structure the implementation process. However, there are several aspects of the customer organization that potentially can affect the end result as well as the implementation process that is unrelated to the fit between the software and the implementation organization as well as the potency of the implementation method. By conducting measurements of these maturity factors within the customer organization the implementing procedure can be modified based on the customer maturity level in order to become more aligned with the capabilities present in the customer organization. Research question: Which aspects need to be covered by a Customer Maturity Analysis Tool (CMAT) in order to evaluate the pre implementation maturity for potential customersof our case company and how should these aspects be organized and measured? The first task of the research process was to create an underlying model of maturity perspectives and aspects to structure the literature review as well as the empirical data collection. It was decided to adhere to a deductive approach where the theoretical model would be validated and if necessary modified in accordance to feedback from potential users of the CMAT within the case company. This procedure was repeated in the creation of measurements and maturity levels for the aspects to be used in the tool. The research process would therefore transition from a general model based on literature review, through a iterative feedback loop to a final model tailored to the specific requirementsof the case company. The final CMAT ended up containing four main perspectives of customer maturity; ITi nfrastructure, Culture, Process and Business Governance. These four perspectives were in turn divided into subgroups in order to be able to aggregate and compare differentaspects of the perspectives with each other.

The objective of this research was to determine if differential camber of prestressed concrete girders could be reduced by accurate prediction of initial camber at release of prestress. Maturity at prestress transfer was used to calculate modulus of elasticity for predicting camber at release. The research consists of a literature review of maturity methods, testing of a standard concrete mix to determine strength and modulus functions and measurement of girder camber and maturity. Both the Nurse-Saul and the Arrhenius maturity models were evaluated. Maturity relationships were developed for concrete mixes containing Type II and Type III cements. A relationship of modulus as a function of maturity was developed. Seven girders were tested. Camber predictions within 0 to ¼ in. of actual camber were obtained using modulus of elasticity calculated from a maturity based function. Comparison was made between maturity based modulus and standard strength based modulus models. Camber predictions based on modulus calculated based on field cured cylinder strengths were within 0 to ½ in. / Master of Science

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology) in the Department of Psychology University of Zululand, 2007. / Moral maturity is understood as the progressive development of more morally adequate forms of moral judgment. Thus one would expect higher levels of moral reasoning from the highly educated. In this study, this assumption is proved to the contrary. When moral judgments of undergraduates and post graduate students of the University of Zululand were compared in relation to their socio-political beliefs, results proved that education does not play a significant role when it comes to such issues. The level of education did not correlate with all political beliefs as one would expect. The results of this study showed that a relatively high level of moral reasoning is related to more progressive political ideas, not to a high level of education. Theories of moral reasoning and those in contrary have supported research findings.

Digital maturity is frequently discussed in organizations and research but is not always defined. There is also limited information about digital maturity in different industries. The purpose of this study was to compare a technical consulting firm's view of digital maturity compared to current research literature. The study consists of two parts: a literature study and a case study at Sweco civil in Sundsvall. The literature study showed that five factors are recurring: strategy, culture, technology, leadership and obstacles. This study confirms similarities with previous research findings regarding strategy, culture, barriers and technology described in similar ways at Sweco. The difference points to the fact that the company focuses more on technology and less on leadership than the literature does. In the literature, the factors are not always structured in a staircase that describes the relationship between levels. However, Sweco has a staircase that goes from standardization to integration and automation and finally transformation of business models. In all levels, the absence of leadership: goals, vision, and governance is an obstacle. To achieve standardization, the absence of a common industry standard was an obstacle and a negative attitude to new technology among employees. The middle level integration has barriers in the form of lack of coordination. The automation level experiences obstacles in the form of a lack of technical competence. The highest level of innovation has barriers in the form of lack of interest for innovation among employees, customers and partners. There is also a shortage of venture capital. / Digital mognad diskuteras flitigt i organisationer och forskning men är inte alltid definierat. Det finns också begränsats med information kring digital mognad inom olika branscher. Syftet med denna undersökning var att jämföra ett teknikkonsultföretags syn på digital mognad jämfört med aktuell forskningslitteratur. Studien består av två delar: en litteraturstudie och en fallstudie hos Sweco civil i Sundsvall. Litteraturstudien visade att fem faktorer är återkommande: strategi, kultur, teknik, ledarskap och hinder. Denna studie bekräftar likheter med tidigare forskningsresultat gällande strategi, kultur, hinder och teknik som beskrivs på liknande sätt hos Sweco. Skillnaden pekar mot att företaget fokuserar mer på tekniken och mindre på ledarskap än vad litteraturen gör. I litteraturen är inte alltid faktorerna strukturerade i en trappa som beskriver relationen mellan nivåer. Sweco har dock en trappa som går från standardisering vidare till integration och automation och till sist transformation av affärsmodeller. I alla nivåer är frånvaro av ledarskap: mål, vision, och styrning ett hinder. För att nå standardisering var en avsaknad av en gemensam branschstandard ett hinder samt en negativ inställning till ny teknik hos anställda. Mellannivån integration har hinder i form av avsaknad av samordning. Automationsnivån upplever hinder i form av brist på teknisk kompetens. Den högsta nivån innovation har hinder i form av att intresse saknas för innovation hos anställda, kunder och partners. Det finns också brist på riskkapital.

Purpose – The purpose of this thesis is to present the result of simulation process maturity (SPM) assessments in the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industry using a process maturity model derived from empirical research. The model is used to benchmark an organisations simulation capability and to apply the results of the assessment to develop a road map for implementing simulation process improvement as well as integration initiatives within the organisation. Methodology approach – This is a survey-based research on benchmarking simulation process in the industry. The SPM model was adopted as the reference model and data were collected through interviews with key simulation staff within each organisation with the aim of identifying anomalies or conformities in the way simulation projects are performed. A pragmatic scoring system was introduced based on the fulfilment of defined requirements to score findings from the interviews based on defined SPM tenets and the sample profiles SPM tier calculated. Findings – Each tenet of the SPM model consists of 3 maturity tiers with increasing level of complexity of the process. The results of the assessment showed that the overall average of SPM of the sample profile is at tier 2. Key discrepancies representing the lowest and highest ratings are found to be mostly related to process understanding and management commitment.  A higher mean score is recognised for the samples displaying a deeper integration with top management and alignment with organisational strategic objectives. These maturity tiers and tenets reflect the extent of the implementation of contracting best practices within the studied industries. Research limitations/implications – This thesis uses a purposeful sampling approach designed at acquiring data on an organisational current simulation process. The assessment survey was conducted solely on qualified simulation personal within pharmaceutical and manufacturing. It is as such not clear whether the proposed SPM model will work within other types of industrial settings and if so how to organise the simulation activities in that setting. By purposively selecting the sample profile there are limitations concerning generalizability. Still, the conclusion based on the analysis of these benchmarking assessments may offer key take-aways in the context of process management. Practical implications – The findings suggest that benchmarking can be effective in measuring and improving simulation process capabilities within the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industry. The use of these benchmarking assessment can be instrumental in tracking the achievements of this process and enable management to measure the quality of the simulation activities in addition to offer guidance on what development actions to prioritise. By improving the simulation process, organisations will work towards furthering the integrity and credibility of its simulation studies. Originality/value – The existing literature does properly not present adequate empirical research in the field on maturity on the simulation process.  Also, the analysis method used in this study will further help organisation to perform self-assessment and determine their respective SPM. This value is reflected in using the results for implementing simulation process improvement initiatives that will ensure that the process is conducted in the most effective and efficient way.

This study investigated the relationship between the Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS) and the Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS) in their assessment of adaptive behavior. Both scales, the VSMS and the ABS, were administered to a randomized sample of male and female residents of varying degrees of mental retardation. The ABS and the VSMS were administered by those hospital staff who were most familiar with the members in the sample. The scores from the ABS and the scores from the VSMS were then correlated. Additional correlations were carried by matching the sub-categories of the VSMS with the domains of the ABS.The results of this study indicate that there exists a significant relationship between the Adaptive Behavior Scale and the Vineland Social Maturity Scale. In the assessment of adaptive behavior one scale may be substituted for the other in those situations where an overall index of adaptive behavior is required.One of the major differences between the two scales is that the Adaptive Behavior Scale provides an extensive survey of personality and behavior disorders which identify areas that prevent progress in adaptive growth. As the assessment of maladaptive behavior is a major concern in the management of the mentally retarded, the Adaptive Behavior Scale has been found to be the preferred scale in this investigation.

This thesis integrates Lean construction (LC) with the organisational assessment method ofmaturity models (MM) and delivers an original contribution to knowledge in the form of avalidated innovative organisational framework to measure the current state of LC maturity,which is called Lean Construction Maturity Model (LCMM). This framework provides andsupports organisations towards the development of greater maturity and subsequentlyenhances the awareness and understanding of LC. The aim of this research was to enableorganisations to measure the gap between their current state and where they want to be interms of embedding LC. Accordingly, the research addressed this aim further by providingbusinesses with support and guidance in their LC maturation process in particular inmeasuring sought improvement in their journey towards greater maturity in LC. The studywas conducted as a qualitative mixed-method design in order to discover and achieve a richunderstanding of the phenomenon of LC maturity from LC key informants and best fulfil theresearch aim. Consequently, a phenomenological approach was utilised, with focus groups(FGs) as the primary study, combined with a group interview as well as individual interviewsas supplementary components. To ensure validity, three different approaches weredeployed: first the triangulation of three different methods to collect the data, second a richand thick-description, and finally the validation of the developed framework by memberchecks in the form of interviews and a FG. The major findings of this research are: thesuccessful integration of MMs and LC achieved through the development of the proposedframework, and the simplification of LC into 11 Key Attributes that explain LC in a simplerand better way than before. This framework defined a LC maturity assessment methodutilising five maturity levels, 11 Key Attributes, which have been described through 60Behaviours, Goals & Practices, and 75 Ideal Statements that more mature organisations willexemplify. Finally, the most important consequence of this work is the enabling oforganisations to obtain a systemic and holistic overview of their current state of LC maturityand providing them with support in their maturation.