Polymeric insulators are now a common replacement for conventional porcelain and glass string insulators on overhead distribution and transmission lines. The use of this mature technology represents many advantages to the utilities; however, in polluted environments and those with high moisture levels in the environment, electrical discharges will develop on the surface of the insulation. In the long term, electrical discharges cause degradation of the polymer insulation in the form of electrical tracking and material erosion, and both are detrimental to the life of the insulation. Inorganic fillers are added to polymer materials to make the insulation more resistant to discharges, and at the same time, to lower the cost of the insulation. However, there is a limit to the amount of filler that can be added as the processability of the polymer compound becomes extremely difficult and expensive. Microfillers are extensively used to modify the physical properties of the polymeric matrix, and the properties of these composites are well known. On the other hand, nanofillers are being used in some insulating composites for reinforcement of mechanical properties; their electrical characteristics have shown inconsistency in the literature, and this is attributable to the non-uniformity of the filler dispersion. Most researchers agree that particle dispersion is critical in the development of nanocomposites for electrical insulation applications. If the nanoparticles are well dispersed, the electrical properties of these materials will be significantly improved. The main problem in using nanofillers is that the nanoparticles agglomerate easily because of their high surface energy, such that conventional mixing techniques are unable to break apart the nanoparticle aggregates. A secondary problem is the incompatibility of the hydrophobic polymer with the hydrophilic nanoparticles which results in poor interfacial interactions. In this thesis, the reinforcement of a silicone rubber matrix is successfully accomplished with the combination of microfiller, nanofiller, and a commercial surfactant. To improve particle dispersion, several techniques are available apart from mixing. This includes surface modification of the nanoparticles by chemical and physical methods by using surfactants. While surfactants are commonly applied to liquids, their use to disperse nanoparticles in compositions forming solid dielectric materials has not yet been reported. The findings in this thesis have shown that Triton X-100, a common surfactant, significantly aids in the dispersion of nanosilica and nanoalumina in silicone rubber. The main advantage of the surfactant is that it lowers the surface energy and the interfacial tension of the nanoparticles. This reduces agglomeration and facilitates the separation of the particles during mixing, thereby allowing improved dispersion of the nanofillers, as observed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). However, also shown in the thesis is that Triton X-100 cannot interact efficiently with all types of nanofillers. A high concentration of surfactant can also compromise the adsorption of the matrix polymer chains on the filler particles, so it is necessary to establish a balance between matrix adsorption and the dispersion of the particles. Mechanical properties such as the tensile strength, elongation at break, and hardness may also suffer from the use of excess surfactant. In addition, excess surfactant can lead to surface wetting properties different from composites containing none. Better wetting due to the migration of excess surfactant to the surface of the silicone may favour arcing in a wet environment. The current investigation shows that for a specific filler and concentration, an optimal concentration of surfactant provides good erosion resistance without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the nanocomposite. Stress–strain and hardness measurements are done to investigate the surfactant’s effect on the mechanical properties of the composites. The effect of the surfactant on the surface of the composites is analyzed with static contact angle measurements. The heat resistance of nanofilled silicone rubber is explored using an infrared laser simulating the heat developed by dry-band arcing. Also, several industry standard test methods such as salt fog and inclined plane tests are used to evaluate the erosion resistance of the filled composites. The results of all three tests confirm that the combination of microfiller and nanofiller with surfactant results in composites with improved erosion resistance to dry band arcing, with the exception of the case where calcinated filler is used in the formulation. In this thesis, the thermal conductivity is measured using a standard ASTM method and calculated using several theoretical, semi-theoretical, and empirical models. A thermal model developed in COMSOL Multiphysics and solved using a finite element method (FEM) shows a temperature distribution in the modelled nanocomposites which is comparable to the temperature distribution measured with an infrared camera under laser heating. In addition, this investigation aims to define the mechanism by which the nanofillers improve the heat and erosion resistance of the silicone composites. In order to understand this mechanism, nano fumed silica, nano natural silica, and nano alumina are used in a silicone rubber (SiR) matrix in order to study the thermally decomposed silicone and the residual char that is formed during laser ablation tests. The white residue remaining after laser ablation on the surface of composites with fumed silica, natural silica, and alumina is analyzed in a number of ways. Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques are used to analyze the thermally decomposed silicone residue after laser heating indicating that the protective mechanism of the three analyzed nanofillers – fumed silica, natural silica, and alumina – appears to be the same. The formation of a continuous layer on the surface behaves as a thermal insulator protecting the material underneath from further decomposition.

Detta är en intervjustudie gjord med elva pedagoger verksamma i förskolan. Syftet med undersökningen är att ta reda på hur pedagoger ser skogen som en pedagogisk resurs. Resultatet visar att förskolepedagoger ser skogen som en pedagogisk resurs. Man använder sig av skogen i inlärningen av naturkunskap men också i exempelvis svenska och matematik. Pedagogerna såg möjligheter med skogen som till exempel att konkret visa barnen hur de olika årstiderna ser ut. Men de såg även hinder, som t.ex. pedagogers brist på intresse och okunskap för naturkunskap och skogen. Dels var det att vissa förskolor har hög invandringsprocent på barn från krigshärjade länder vilket försvårade arbetet med skogen som pedagogisk resurs. Detta för att barnen och deras familjer fann skogen som en otrygg och farlig miljö. / This is an interview study with eleven preschool teachers. The purpose with this study has been to find out teachers view on the forest as an educational resource. The result shows that the interviewed consider the forest as an educational resource. With educational resource means that the pedagogs saw the forest as an access in children’s learning process. They use the forest in the learning of science, but also, for example, Swedish and mathematics. Some difficulties were encountered during the interviews; one was the lack of interest and knowledge of science and the forest. The other thing was that many of the children come from war- torn countries which made it difficult to work with the forest as an educational resource. Because these children and their families found the forest as an insecure and dangerous environment.

Polymeric insulators are now a common replacement for conventional porcelain and glass string insulators on overhead distribution and transmission lines. The use of this mature technology represents many advantages to the utilities; however, in polluted environments and those with high moisture levels in the environment, electrical discharges will develop on the surface of the insulation. In the long term, electrical discharges cause degradation of the polymer insulation in the form of electrical tracking and material erosion, and both are detrimental to the life of the insulation. Inorganic fillers are added to polymer materials to make the insulation more resistant to discharges, and at the same time, to lower the cost of the insulation. However, there is a limit to the amount of filler that can be added as the processability of the polymer compound becomes extremely difficult and expensive. Microfillers are extensively used to modify the physical properties of the polymeric matrix, and the properties of these composites are well known. On the other hand, nanofillers are being used in some insulating composites for reinforcement of mechanical properties; their electrical characteristics have shown inconsistency in the literature, and this is attributable to the non-uniformity of the filler dispersion. Most researchers agree that particle dispersion is critical in the development of nanocomposites for electrical insulation applications. If the nanoparticles are well dispersed, the electrical properties of these materials will be significantly improved. The main problem in using nanofillers is that the nanoparticles agglomerate easily because of their high surface energy, such that conventional mixing techniques are unable to break apart the nanoparticle aggregates. A secondary problem is the incompatibility of the hydrophobic polymer with the hydrophilic nanoparticles which results in poor interfacial interactions. In this thesis, the reinforcement of a silicone rubber matrix is successfully accomplished with the combination of microfiller, nanofiller, and a commercial surfactant. To improve particle dispersion, several techniques are available apart from mixing. This includes surface modification of the nanoparticles by chemical and physical methods by using surfactants. While surfactants are commonly applied to liquids, their use to disperse nanoparticles in compositions forming solid dielectric materials has not yet been reported. The findings in this thesis have shown that Triton X-100, a common surfactant, significantly aids in the dispersion of nanosilica and nanoalumina in silicone rubber. The main advantage of the surfactant is that it lowers the surface energy and the interfacial tension of the nanoparticles. This reduces agglomeration and facilitates the separation of the particles during mixing, thereby allowing improved dispersion of the nanofillers, as observed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). However, also shown in the thesis is that Triton X-100 cannot interact efficiently with all types of nanofillers. A high concentration of surfactant can also compromise the adsorption of the matrix polymer chains on the filler particles, so it is necessary to establish a balance between matrix adsorption and the dispersion of the particles. Mechanical properties such as the tensile strength, elongation at break, and hardness may also suffer from the use of excess surfactant. In addition, excess surfactant can lead to surface wetting properties different from composites containing none. Better wetting due to the migration of excess surfactant to the surface of the silicone may favour arcing in a wet environment. The current investigation shows that for a specific filler and concentration, an optimal concentration of surfactant provides good erosion resistance without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the nanocomposite. Stress–strain and hardness measurements are done to investigate the surfactant’s effect on the mechanical properties of the composites. The effect of the surfactant on the surface of the composites is analyzed with static contact angle measurements. The heat resistance of nanofilled silicone rubber is explored using an infrared laser simulating the heat developed by dry-band arcing. Also, several industry standard test methods such as salt fog and inclined plane tests are used to evaluate the erosion resistance of the filled composites. The results of all three tests confirm that the combination of microfiller and nanofiller with surfactant results in composites with improved erosion resistance to dry band arcing, with the exception of the case where calcinated filler is used in the formulation. In this thesis, the thermal conductivity is measured using a standard ASTM method and calculated using several theoretical, semi-theoretical, and empirical models. A thermal model developed in COMSOL Multiphysics and solved using a finite element method (FEM) shows a temperature distribution in the modelled nanocomposites which is comparable to the temperature distribution measured with an infrared camera under laser heating. In addition, this investigation aims to define the mechanism by which the nanofillers improve the heat and erosion resistance of the silicone composites. In order to understand this mechanism, nano fumed silica, nano natural silica, and nano alumina are used in a silicone rubber (SiR) matrix in order to study the thermally decomposed silicone and the residual char that is formed during laser ablation tests. The white residue remaining after laser ablation on the surface of composites with fumed silica, natural silica, and alumina is analyzed in a number of ways. Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques are used to analyze the thermally decomposed silicone residue after laser heating indicating that the protective mechanism of the three analyzed nanofillers – fumed silica, natural silica, and alumina – appears to be the same. The formation of a continuous layer on the surface behaves as a thermal insulator protecting the material underneath from further decomposition.

PURPOSE: To evaluate Canada’s most comprehensive outdoor smoke-free ordinance, in Woodstock, Ontario, using both quantitative (longitudinal cohort survey) and qualitative methods (key informant interviews with policy makers). Measures include levels of support for outdoor smoking restrictions, smoking behaviour in outdoor environments, measures of the social denormalization of smoking, measures of concern about litter or fires caused by discarded cigarette butts, and reported changes in use of services, facilities or businesses that were regulated by the by-law. This study also sought to understand aspects of the policy development process and determine to how relevant the findings may be to other communities across Canada, and the world. BACKGROUND: The City of Woodstock, Ontario created a comprehensive outdoor smoke-free ordinance (OSFO) that came into effect on September 1, 2008. This by-law restricted or banned smoking in 5 different outdoor environments owned or regulated by the city including patios on downtown sidewalk cafés, parks and recreational fields, areas around transit stops and shelters, and doorways of city run facilities such as city hall. The by-law also created two schedules to further regulate smoking in other outdoor environments if elected by citizens in the community; one for non-city-owned properties such as private business to regulate smoking in their doorway environments and a second schedule for outdoor events organized by groups in the community. The schedules allowed council to pass a by-law that could easily regulate and enforce additional smoke-free environments, as requested by citizens, without the need for council approval. METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to address the research objectives. Quantitative measures were collected using a pre-post survey design, interviewing smokers and non-smokers, in the City of Woodstock, and a neighbouring community (Ingersoll) in the same county (Oxford County). Before the by-law was enacted, two surveys were conducted. The telephone survey (August 13-28, 2008) was a random digit dialled (RDD) general adult population survey of non-smokers (n=373) and smokers (n=234). A face-to-face survey (August 13-19, 2008) was conducted among a targeted sample of smokers who were observed smoking in one of the outdoor areas that was to become smoke-free in accordance with the by-law (n=176). Face-to-face interviewers used handheld Palm III devices to assist in the interviewing of these respondents. Surveying both samples ensured the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviour of those smokers who, given circumstances of their recruitment, would be more likely to be affected by the by-law, would be measured in this evaluation study. Using a longitudinal cohort design, respondents from both Wave 1 surveys were re-contacted by telephone in approximately one year after the ban was implemented (August 18-September 15, 2009), to measure changes in the key outcome variables. The Wave 2 survey was conducted entirely by telephone with no replenishment. The Wave 2 survey included respondents that were successfully re-contacted from the general population sample (non-smokers n=299, smokers n=182), and respondents from the targeted sample (n=61). This qualitative study sought to identify any specific lessons or findings from the process undertaken that would be applicable or helpful to other communities. The qualitative study involved 6 key informant interviews with identified public health and city staff and an elected official who were involved in different aspects of the by-law, from development to enforcement. The data collected from the key informant interviews was analysed using an inductive qualitative method called the ‘framework approach’. RESULTS: After the Woodstock outdoor smoking restrictions had been in place for approximately 1 year, most respondents from the general population survey, smokers, (71%), and non-smokers (93%), supported or strongly supported the by-law. Most smokers (82%) and non-smokers (96%) agreed or strongly agreed that the by-law had been good for the health of the children of Woodstock. The by-law was also associated with increased quit intentions; 15% of the smokers from the general population sample reported that the smoke-free by-law made them more likely to quit, and approximately 26% of the smokers from the targeted sample reported the by-law made them more likely to quit. Smokers from both the general population (30%) and the targeted sample (42%) reported that the smoke-free outdoor by-law had helped them cut down on the number of cigarettes they smoke. There were 30 respondents in the Wave 1 survey that were smokers, who had successfully quit at the time of the Wave 2 survey. Of these ‘quitters’, 33% reported that they outdoor smoke-free by-law had helped them to quit smoking, and approximately half (48%) reported that they by-law had helped them to stay a non-smoker. The overwhelming majority of smokers reported that the by-law did not impact their use of facilities or businesses that had been regulated by the by-law. The key informant interviews revealed that the outdoor smoke-free ordinance was developed by following a standard public health policy development process that involved community (public) participation, exploration of policy options, and a political decision made by the city’s elected officials. It was identified that the implementation of two schedules in the by-law, which allows for expansion of the environments regulated and enforced by the city, was an effective strategy to gradually increase smoke-free spaces without burdening the City Council with regular needs to amend or update a by-law. Appropriate public relations were engaged including disseminating information about the by-law, and publicizing it through established networks in the community. Signage in the regulated environments, and enforcement were considered critical by the implementation team. City staff members recommended that other communities should consider passing similar by-laws and dedicate more effort to implementing and enforcing restrictions, rather than discussing or debating whether or not to enact a by-law. An analysis of the key informant interviews revealed that there were no unique features or circumstances specific to Woodstock that would suggest this by-law could not be developed or passed in another area municipality provided the community already has established smoke-free policies in indoor or enclosed public spaces. If Woodstock is unique in any way, it was in the presence of conditions such as high smoking prevalence and close proximity to tobacco growing regions that make it less likely to have successfully enacted an outdoor smoke-free ordinance. CONCLUSION: Support for the Woodstock comprehensive outdoor smoking by-law is high among smokers and non-smokers. The overwhelming majority of residents interviewed supported the by-law and felt that the by-law was good for the health of the children of Woodstock. The by-law has not had negative impacts on use of facilities including parks and recreational fields. Further, a third of smokers reported that the outdoor by-law has helped them to cut down how much they smoke and almost a fifth of smokers reported that the by-law has made them more likely to quit smoking. Approximately half of the quitters in the sample also reported the by-law helped them to stay quit. These findings suggest that expanding smoke-free ordinances to include a range of outdoor environments will be supported by citizens, and will help smokers to reduce how much they smoke, encourage quitting and help those that quit, remain abstinent. The findings from the key informant interviews suggest that other jurisdictions should explore expanding their smoke-free ordinances to include outdoor environments, particularly environments frequented by children.

Voluntary associations representing numerous types of recreation users and environmental issues have flourished across the landscape in America. However, the literature has not sufficiently studied these associations and their role in collaborative natural resource management. A lack of understanding of voluntary associations has not only limited managers’ ability to accommodate changing values of the American public, but also resulted in tremendous costs for land management agencies. This dissertation was aimed at gaining a better understanding of outdoor recreation and environmental voluntary associations and their involvement in collaborative forest management. Five objectives guided this study: (1) assessing the organizational characteristics of voluntary associations; (2) exploring organizational concerns about forest management issues; (3) examining organizational leaders’ experiences in collaborating with the Forest Service; (4) evaluating the perceived effectiveness of collaboration efforts with the Forest Service, and (5) developing and testing a social psychological model to predict members’ participation in organizational activities. To achieve our research goals, a case-study approach utilizing a mixed-methods research framework was employed. The Sam Houston National Forest (SHNF) located in New Waverly, Texas served as the geographic focus of this research. Semi-structured interviews and a web-based survey were conducted with members in selected voluntary associations that are currently involved in collaborative forest management at SHNF. The findings identified stakeholder attributes and interests, validated assumptions held regarding voluntary groups and assessed collaboration effectiveness, and helped to uncover alternative explanations for members’ differential participation in voluntary associations. The study offers a conceptual bridge linking several areas of study including inter-organizational collaboration, environmental communication, outdoor recreation studies, and volunteerism.

In recent years, new media grow vigorously, and in which is most noticeable by the outdoor media. The reason is that along with the progress of technology the broadcasting of advertisement can be settled in many kinds of place filled with people, like department stores and supermarkets, no longer limited by the time or the place. Besides, people will be attracted by the visual and acoustic effect of this new medium. Therefore, this study is based on Web Advertising Attitude Model, and the main purpose of this study is to understand the audience¡¦s attitude toward digital signage, a new outdoor medium. Three findings are revealed. First, the relevant demographic variables have no significant effect on attitude toward advertising. Second, the informativeness and credibility of advertising have significant effect on advertising value. Furthermore, they will result in the positive attitude toward advertising. Finally, the entertainment and irritation have no significant effect on advertising value.

<p>I naturen får barnen upplevelser som ingen bok kan ge. Här får de upptäcka, undersöka och använda alla sinnen. Naturen kan även få barnen nyfikna och väcka deras intresse. Detta tror jag liksom många av de författare jag läst böcker av, ger en djupare inlärning. Även lärare jag intervjuat ser detta som en anledning till varför man ska använda ett utomhuspedagogiskt arbetssätt. Det är även viktigt att ge barnen naturupplevelser eftersom de tillbringar allt mer tid inomhus framför TV och dator. Detta kan leda till mindre förståelse för naturen och sämre kunskaper om närmiljön. Andra anledningar till att använda sig av naturen i undervisningen är att barnen får frisk luft och får röra mycket på sig, vilket är bra för hälsan och för koncentrationen. Jag har kommit fram till att det finns många anledningar till att använda ett utomhuspedagogiskt arbetssätt, men självklart finns det även svårigheter. </p><p>Syftet med mitt examensarbete är att visa på fördelar med ett utomhuspedagogiskt arbetssätt, men även att se vilka svårigheter arbetssättet kan medföra. Jag söker även argument för att det är ett arbetssätt som går att använda även i en stadsskola. Jag ville förstärka mina egna kunskaper inom detta område med hoppas även att mitt arbete ska inspirera andra lärare att använda sig av naturen i undervisningen. Metoden jag använt är litteraturstudier och intervjuer.</p>

Thesis (PHD)--University of Montana, 2009. / Contents viewed on December 22, 2009. Title from author supplied metadata. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Psy. D.)--Wheaton College, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-60).

Place is highly connected with outdoor education; it is defined by the location of the learning process and it designates both practically and theoretically ways to foster to students a strong bond with natural places. Place attachment refers to this bond or, in other words, the love relationship, one can develop with a place. This research tries to investigate if there is a causal relationship between outdoor education and development of place attachment. A quasi-experimental design research was conducted to 31 teenagers, 12-13 years old. A questionnaire, for measuring the level of place attachment to the natural surroundings of their school, was distributed at two different timelines. Four different dimensions of place attachment were measured; place identity, place dependence, social bonding and nature bonding. The experimental group participated in the program “Attachment to my Local Natural Landscape”, which was developed especially for this study and promoted direct connection with the land, through outdoor activities. The control group received no intervention. The results demonstrated that the program influenced only the female participants of the experimental group. No significant differences were indicated between the two groups after the implementation of the program. The small sample and the short length program implemented were important limitations of this study, which demand further future research to extract more clear results.