A diatom-salinity transfer function is developed for quantitative palaeosalinity reconstruction. from a data-set of 74 modem diatom samples and limnological data from Spanish salt lakes. Relationships between species and environmental data are explored using principal components analysis (PCA), detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) with variance partitioning. and a conductivity transfer function is derived by weighted averaging (apparent r = 0.91). A model for direct lake-level reconstruction is developed using lWINSPAN to explore the relationship between diatom species distribution and lake permanence. A survey is made of diatom preservation in the recent sediments of >50 lakes throughout Spain. and of the overall potential for Holocene reconstruction of a selected group of lakes. Diatoms are best preserved (least dissolved) in systems of southern Spain. and the Laguna de Medina is selected for analysis as a result. It is established by PCA that the correlated variables water depth and lake permanence. and salinity. are the most important factors influencing preservation. The diatom record preserved in the lower 6m of a lO.3m core from the Laguna de Medina is analysed. Application of the transfer function is shown to be unreliable due to the effects of fossil diatom dissolution and a lack of modem analogues. A modified transfer function is derived which includes partially-dissolved assemblages and improves the match with the surface set. but remains unreliable. Palaeosalinity reconstruction therefore relies on traditional palaeoecological techniques. Lake-level change is also reconstructed independently from changes in the relative abundance of taxa Separate palaeosalinity and lake-level reconstructions are derived from lithological and ostracod shellchemistry analysis. and the palaeoecology of ostracods, foraminifera, molluscs and plant macrofossils. The influence of human impact is assessed by comparison with the pollen and charcoal record. The diatom record is strong despite dissolution effects, and a consistent interpretation of lake-level change can be made based on different indicators. Lakes were high prior to c. 7860 yr BP; following a phase of low. fluctuating lake levels. maximum lake level was attained around 6000 yr BP. after which it declined gradually. The record shows affmities with African and Mediterranean lake-level data and makes an important contribution to an understanding of Holocene climate change in these regions.

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This thesis proposes that the concept 'permanence' is relevant at the beginning of the twenty first century. It examines why the term, while perhaps pertinent in addressing the disposability of architecture in Western society, seems anachronistic. The study reviews the seeming inaccessibility of the term in its contested and plural interpretations, and reviews problems in its definition and relevance. <br /><br /> A close examination of definitions, interpretations and contemporary approaches is provided in order to create a conceptual framework that reveals complex implications of the term. Four strategies for understanding the concept are offered: 'realms versus modes', definitions, a distillation of four positions relating to permanence, and an inquiry into contemporary issues relating to the concept. 'Absolute' and 'relative' realms illuminate a scope for permanence, and 'static' and 'dynamic' modes are discussed. A series of definitions are reviewed that reveal nuance in implications. An analysis of four essays on permanence is included, one from the beginning of the twentieth century and three from the end. This section reveals a series of conflicts relating to the way contemporary Western society uses and understands the term. <br /><br /> Permanence within architecture is widely associated with the Vitruvian definition of <em>firmitas</em>: mass and solidity crafted to endure eternally. Vitruvius' employment of 'permanence' is used as a grounding definition and a fundamental reference for the term's evolution into contemporary usage. In observing the endurance of the original Vitruvian term today, a disconnect becomes evident: absolutism in a society defined by relativity. This thesis argues for the critical significance of the term at a pivotal point in history in addressing the problem of disposable architecture on both a cultural and ecological level. Final open-ended questions are raised that consider staggering construction and demolition waste statistics, implying that permanence could play a significant role in effective responses to a global environmental crisis.

This thesis proposes that the concept 'permanence' is relevant at the beginning of the twenty first century. It examines why the term, while perhaps pertinent in addressing the disposability of architecture in Western society, seems anachronistic. The study reviews the seeming inaccessibility of the term in its contested and plural interpretations, and reviews problems in its definition and relevance. <br /><br /> A close examination of definitions, interpretations and contemporary approaches is provided in order to create a conceptual framework that reveals complex implications of the term. Four strategies for understanding the concept are offered: 'realms versus modes', definitions, a distillation of four positions relating to permanence, and an inquiry into contemporary issues relating to the concept. 'Absolute' and 'relative' realms illuminate a scope for permanence, and 'static' and 'dynamic' modes are discussed. A series of definitions are reviewed that reveal nuance in implications. An analysis of four essays on permanence is included, one from the beginning of the twentieth century and three from the end. This section reveals a series of conflicts relating to the way contemporary Western society uses and understands the term. <br /><br /> Permanence within architecture is widely associated with the Vitruvian definition of <em>firmitas</em>: mass and solidity crafted to endure eternally. Vitruvius' employment of 'permanence' is used as a grounding definition and a fundamental reference for the term's evolution into contemporary usage. In observing the endurance of the original Vitruvian term today, a disconnect becomes evident: absolutism in a society defined by relativity. This thesis argues for the critical significance of the term at a pivotal point in history in addressing the problem of disposable architecture on both a cultural and ecological level. Final open-ended questions are raised that consider staggering construction and demolition waste statistics, implying that permanence could play a significant role in effective responses to a global environmental crisis.

Retention of experienced workers is an ongoing challenge in child protection social work. The purpose of this study is to understand more about the permanence of frontline child protection workers, where permanence is defined as ten or more consecutive years of frontline practice. Using a qualitative narrative methodology, supported by anti-oppressive theory, conversational interviews were conducted with experienced frontline child protection workers. Through narrative analysis of these interviews, I uncover some of the impacts and influence on worker permanence. / Graduate / 0452 / 0700 / 0630 / 0628

Retention of experienced workers is an ongoing challenge in child protection social work. The purpose of this study is to understand more about the permanence of frontline child protection workers, where permanence is defined as ten or more consecutive years of frontline practice. Using a qualitative narrative methodology, supported by anti-oppressive theory, conversational interviews were conducted with experienced frontline child protection workers. Through narrative analysis of these interviews, I uncover some of the impacts and influence on worker permanence. / Graduate / 0452 / 0700 / 0630 / 0628

The adoption of children in care who are legally referred to as “looked after”, (Children Act 1989, s22, HMSO, 1989) usually by local authorities is a key national Government objective (DfE, 2016a) where rehabilitation with the birth family is not viable. The desire to place more "looked after" children for adoption with greater speed is not new. It became increasingly apparent after the election of the New Labour Government in 1997 due to concerns about drift and delay in planning for children in care (DoH, 2000a) leading to poorer outcomes. This led to a series of measures aimed at increasing the use and speed of adoption. Eventually this resulted in the introduction of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (HMSO, 2002) that also for the first time in English law recognised that the welfare of the child is of paramount concern when considering adoption. There is an abundance of published literature that considers the topic of adoption. However, there is a dearth of studies that have comprehensively considered the journey that adopters undertake to become parents. This practice based study was conducted by a researcher who is a senior academic manager and an active social work practitioner with extensive professional experience of adoption. A unique aspect of the study is the longitudinal mixed methods approach used to gather data in real time from a sample of adopters. The three part study tracks the journeys of the sample of adopters from when their application to adopt had been accepted by an adoption agency until after children were placed. The study was supported by five adoption agencies based in England. The data was collected over a period of two years from the adopters who described their experiences and perceptions of their journeys in real time. The information from the adopters is triangulated with data from adoption professionals from the agencies that supported the study. The professionals discussed their approaches to the adoption process, as well as their own experiences of working with adopters. The longitudinal nature of the study enables an analysis of how and why adopters’ experiences and perceptions changed over time. The research considered the changing power dynamics between adopters and professionals during the different stages of the journey to adopt. Furthermore, the long-term impact of professional interactions with adopters during the adoption process are discussed.

The transition from Apartheid urban space to – something else – draws our attention from the fixing moments of historically divided cities to the experience of mobility, interaction and the dynamism of space. (Robinson 1999: 163) This dissertation will approach the modern, post-colonial and post-apartheid African city as experimental ground for exploring, understanding and expressing spatial dynamics through the visual language of cinema. The proposal intends to mediate between the complex historical context which is manifested in the built fabric of the city and the new dynamic and often unstable urban conditions of Johannesburg, by specifically focusing on the contrasting conditions of the Johannesburg Art Gallery and the Noord Street Taxi Rank. The role of cinema as a philosophical device in this dissertation is to produce a point of inception, an assemblage, or a terrain of encounter through which the project will be further investigated and articulated. The principal aim of the dissertation is to effectively react to contrasting aspects of both heritage and transience, whilst simulating the Cinematic Gaze, by creating a public platform that serves as an aperture for viewing as well as an urban stage with the potential to be viewed. The hypothesis states that, if successfully applied, cinematic space can accentuate the unique and vibrant conditions of the inner city. This will ultimately lead the city dweller to a better sense of association with his/her immediate surroundings and a better comprehension of his/her role in place-and-time in the urban environment / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted