This thesis determined the feasibility of developing a 16-inch, gun-launched anti-satellite weapon. The general performance capability of rocket-and scramjet-boosted, gun-launched vehicles is examined with regards to propelling a miniature homing vehicle to a satellite intercept altitude. Rocket and scramjet boost vehicle performance is modeled and optimum trajectories are determined. A low gun elevation at launch and a pop-up manuever are required to maximize the scramjet boost vehicle acceleration potential. The rocket boost vehicle is capable of intercepting a low altitude satellite without a pop-up manuever from a gun elevation of 45 degrees. Both boost methods provide apogees consistent with the intercept of known Soviet Electronic Intelligence Ocean Reconnaissance satellites, EORSAT, and Radar Ocean Reconnaissance satellites, RORSAT.

China’s successful test of a direct ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon last year marks a highly significant development in the strategic use of outer space and represents a milestone achievement in China’s quest to develop asymmetrical anti-access and area denial strategies to counter the ability of the United States military to operate effectively in the Western Pacific. However, the reckless manner in which the test was conducted, producing as it did a historic amount of dangerous space debris, and the unresponsive and duplicitous manner in which the Beijing government dealt with (or failed to deal with) the diplomatic fallout produced by the test have led scholars to speculate that the test was the result of one of the following: 1) a desire to challenge the U.S. dominance in space, 2) an effort to force the issue of space weapons arms control to the diplomatic forefront, or 3) a diplomatic blunder resulting from bureaucratic “stovepiping” and miscommunication. However, these three viewpoints, while all providing valuable insights into Chinese decision-making, fail to fully develop the topic and leave key questions unanswered. The purpose of this study is to link the questions raised by the aforementioned typologies and achieve a deeper level of analysis vis-à-vis the application of the theoretical prism of offensive realism. Ultimately this study finds that the ASAT test represents a top-level decision made by the Chinese leadership, and was informed by a number of strategic and domestic-political factors, none of which bode particularly well for the future of U.S.-Chinese relations. / China’s successful test of a direct ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon last year marks a highly significant development in the strategic use of outer space and represents a milestone achievement in China’s quest to develop asymmetrical anti-access and area denial strategies to counter the ability of the United States military to operate effectively in the Western Pacific. However, the reckless manner in which the test was conducted, producing as it did a historic amount of dangerous space debris, and the unresponsive and duplicitous manner in which the Beijing government dealt with (or failed to deal with) the diplomatic fallout produced by the test have led scholars to speculate that the test was the result of one of the following: 1) a desire to challenge the U.S. dominance in space, 2) an effort to force the issue of space weapons arms control to the diplomatic forefront, or 3) a diplomatic blunder resulting from bureaucratic “stovepiping” and miscommunication. However, these three viewpoints, while all providing valuable insights into Chinese decision-making, fail to fully develop the topic and leave key questions unanswered. The purpose of this study is to link the questions raised by the aforementioned typologies and achieve a deeper level of analysis vis-à-vis the application of the theoretical prism of offensive realism. Ultimately this study finds that the ASAT test represents a top-level decision made by the Chinese leadership, and was informed by a number of strategic and domestic-political factors, none of which bode particularly well for the future of U.S.-Chinese relations.

Multiple choice testing has been introduced as an assessment instrument in almost all educational systems during the past twenty years. A growing body of research seems to indicate that tests structured to a multiple choice format favour males. In the ACT, Queensland and Western Australia, a multiple choice examination known as ASAT was used to moderate student scores. Using data from the 1989 ASAT Paper 1, as well as data from the ACT Year 12 cohort of that year, an investigation was made of the items in the ASAT paper. This investigation attempted to identify specific types of questions that enabled males, on average, to perform better than females. Questions, which had a statistically significant difference between the results of males and females, were examined further. An ASAT unit was given to students to complete and their answers to a questionnaire concerning the unit were taped and analysed. The study found that males performed better, on average, than females on the 1989 ASAT Paper 1. The mean difference in the quantitative questions was much greater than in the verbal questions. A number of factors appear to contribute to the difference in performance between males and females. A statistically significant number of females study Mathematics at a lower level, which appears to contribute to females lower quantatitive scores. Females seem to be considerably more anxious about taking tests and this anxiety remains throughout a multiple choice test. Females lack confidence in their ability to achieve in tests and are tentative about "risktaking" which is an element of multiple choice tests. The language of the test and male oriented content may contribute to females' negative performance in multiple choice testing.

The thesis considered the feasibility of space warfare with an emphasis on the malicious potential of dual-use technology. I have described the orbital principles and set the presumptions of space warfare and the principles for space warfare strategy, introduced dual- use technology and its connections to space weapons, elaborated on existing counterspace capabilities and its impact, described the challenges for space warfare and evaluated the utilization of dual-use technology as space weapons. I have reached the conclusion that current space technology does not allow to lead extensive space warfare. However, counterspace technology is mature enough for the conduct of destructive space operations and states are encouraged to proliferate advanced offensive counterspace capabilities that are not sufficiently addressed and bounded to international law. Though, despite it seems space warfare is unlikely, the growing tensions of state space actors and rapid development of new technology that is currently mostly driven by the commercial actors may soon change the situation. Potentially destructive dual-use technology may then increase the risk and probability of space warfare. The thesis proposed several options of potentially destructive dual-technology technology that could be turned into space weapons.

Since 2006 Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges have been recapitalised through massive government investment in order to improve infrastructure, implement a more relevant curriculum and assist college learners financially to gain access to the different learning programmes. A new curriculum with 11 programmes was introduced and implemented under the National Certificate Vocational (NCV). The results of the 2007 examinations, were disappointing and in general, the national performance of the learners was dismal. Policy requirements for certification and promotion to the next level stipulated that learners need to pass all 7 subjects in a programme. The main aim of the study was to identify variables that are the best predictors of academic success of first year FET students. Thus, if these predictors are considered during the admission process of first year FET students, it could lead to overall improved first year pass rate at FET Colleges and contribute towards the enhancement of human resources and economical development of our country. In order to achieve the research aim and objectives, a literature study and an empirical investigation were conducted. The literature study focussed on cognitive and non-cognitive factors that contribute to academic success of students at colleges. The empirical investigation departed from a positivist paradigm to determine which variables contributed the best towards the prediction of academic success of first year NCV Level 2 students at FET Colleges and a quantitative non-experimental, ex post facto approach was followed .The results of the General Scholastic Aptitude Test (GSAT), the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory – High School version (LASSI-HS), grade mark average and biographical details of the registered first year NCV Level 2 students of the Vuselela FET College (Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp campuses) in 2008 (n=309), were used to determine whether any of these variables significantly predicted the academic success of these students. The investigation revealed that: • None of the LASSI-HS scales were predictors of academic success of the first year NCV Level 2 students; • The GSAT (Total) was a predictor of academic success of these students; • None of the biographical variables, i.e. age or gender, were predictors of academic success; and • Grade mark average on students’ last school reports, was a predictor of academic success. These findings revealed that Grade mark average, and GSAT-(Total) (which is also an indication of intelligence quotient (IQ)) were the best predictors of academic success of first year NCV Level 2 students at the Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp campuses of the Vuselela FET College. / Thesis (MEd (Educational Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Since 2006 Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges have been recapitalised through massive government investment in order to improve infrastructure, implement a more relevant curriculum and assist college learners financially to gain access to the different learning programmes. A new curriculum with 11 programmes was introduced and implemented under the National Certificate Vocational (NCV). The results of the 2007 examinations, were disappointing and in general, the national performance of the learners was dismal. Policy requirements for certification and promotion to the next level stipulated that learners need to pass all 7 subjects in a programme. The main aim of the study was to identify variables that are the best predictors of academic success of first year FET students. Thus, if these predictors are considered during the admission process of first year FET students, it could lead to overall improved first year pass rate at FET Colleges and contribute towards the enhancement of human resources and economical development of our country. In order to achieve the research aim and objectives, a literature study and an empirical investigation were conducted. The literature study focussed on cognitive and non-cognitive factors that contribute to academic success of students at colleges. The empirical investigation departed from a positivist paradigm to determine which variables contributed the best towards the prediction of academic success of first year NCV Level 2 students at FET Colleges and a quantitative non-experimental, ex post facto approach was followed .The results of the General Scholastic Aptitude Test (GSAT), the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory – High School version (LASSI-HS), grade mark average and biographical details of the registered first year NCV Level 2 students of the Vuselela FET College (Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp campuses) in 2008 (n=309), were used to determine whether any of these variables significantly predicted the academic success of these students. The investigation revealed that: • None of the LASSI-HS scales were predictors of academic success of the first year NCV Level 2 students; • The GSAT (Total) was a predictor of academic success of these students; • None of the biographical variables, i.e. age or gender, were predictors of academic success; and • Grade mark average on students’ last school reports, was a predictor of academic success. These findings revealed that Grade mark average, and GSAT-(Total) (which is also an indication of intelligence quotient (IQ)) were the best predictors of academic success of first year NCV Level 2 students at the Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp campuses of the Vuselela FET College. / Thesis (MEd (Educational Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Für die Untersuchung standen 20 tragende Booroola*Merinofleischschaf Kreuzungsgenotypen, meist pluripar, zwischen 2 und 6 Jahren zur Verfügung. Während der Trächtigkeit wurden in wöchentlichem Abstand die Größenveränderungen der Plazentomdurchmesser mittels transkutaner und transrektaler Ultrasonographie erfasst und Blutproben genommen. Post partum erfolgte die detaillierte Auswertung der Plazenta nach Anzahl und Durchmesser der Kotyledonen und des Kotyledonen- und Sekundinengewichts. Aus den gewonnenen Daten wurden Plazentomwachstumskurven im Verlauf der Trächtigkeit erstellt. Die Blutproben wurden hormonanalytisch auf Progesteron, 17ß-Östradiol, und IGF-1, sowie stoffwechselphysiologisch auf die, den Eiweiß- und Energiehaushalt charakterisierenden Substanzen Albumin, Gesamteiweiß, Harnstoff, BHB, Bilirubin und Glukose untersucht. Zudem erfolgte die Bestimmung von Substanzen, die in der Trächtigkeit stark beansprucht werden, wie ASAT, Calcium, Eisen und Cholesterol. Die Auswertung sämtlicher Daten erfolgte in Abhängigkeit von Wurfgröße (WG) und Wurfgewichtsklassen (WGK). Der größte Einfluss von WG und WGK auf die Plazenta zeigt sich bei der Auswertung der morphologischen Aspekte. Dabei sind in erster Linie eine Vergrößerung der Plazentomdurchmesser von uni- zu triparen Tieren sowie von WGK 1 zur WGK 3 festzustellen. In den jeweils höchsten Klassen fällt der Durchmesser wieder. Zudem nimmt in der Regel mit steigender WG und WGK die Anzahl der Plazentome mit kleinen Durchmessern (1-20 mm)ab, die Anzahl der Plazentome mit großen Durchmessern (20-50 mm) dagegen zu. Tripare Tiere und WGK 3 weisen die meisten Plazentome mit den größten Durchmessern (40-50 mm) auf. Bei der Gesamtkontaktfläche zeigt sich ein Anstieg der Fläche von uni- bis zu quadriparen Tieren und der WGK 1 bis WGK 4. Nur WGK 5 weist eine gegenüber WGK 4 verminderte Gesamtkontaktfläche auf. Unabhängig von WG und WGK verkleinern sich die Plazentomdurchmesser und die Gesamtkontaktflächen p.p. gegenüber den Plazentomdurchmessern und Gesamtkontaktflächen a.p. WG und WGK beeinflussen den Hormonhaushalt mäßig. Dabei zeigt sich der größte Einfluss beim Progesteron. Die kleinste WG bzw. WGK präsentiert die niedrigsten Progesteronkonzentrationen. Beim 17ß-Östradiol ist der Verlauf aller Konzentrationskurven im gesamten Trächtigkeitsverlauf und beim IGF-1 ab dem 100. Tag p.c. einheitlich. Durch WG oder WGK werden bei den Booroola*MF Kreuzungsgenotypen keine den Stoffwechsel charakterisierenden Substanzen in einer auffallenden oder für die Tierart untypischen Weise verändert. Die Anzahl Feten bzw. die WGK zeigen im vorliegenden Datenmaterial keinen gravierenden Einfluss auf den maternalen Stoffwechsel während der Gravidität. / The analysis was founded on 20 pregnant Booroola* Merino Mutton crossbreed sheep between 2 and 6 years, most of them pluriparous. During pregnancy the variations of size of the placentomdiameters were drawn up on a weekly basis using transcutaneous and transrectal ultrasonography. Samples of blood were taken likewise in a weekly rhythm. After birth a detailed examination of the placentae followed, considering especially their number and diameter as well as the weight of the cotyledons and the secundinae. The gained data were used to create placentom-growth-diagrams during pregnancy. The samples of blood were hormonally analysed with regard to progesterone, estradiol and IGF-1 as well as to the substances that characterize the protein- and energy metabolism as there are: albumin, protein, urea, BHB, bilirubin, glucose. Moreover substances which are highly required during pregnancy were determined as e.g. ASAT, calcium, iron, cholesterol. The evaluation of all the gained data was made in dependence on the littersize (LS) and total litterweight (TLW). The major influence of the LS and TLW on the placenta is noticed at the morphological aspects. The placentomdiameter increase from uni- to triparous ewes and from TLW 1 to TLW 3. On the other hand the placentomdiameters decrease in the highest groups. With an increase of LS and TLW the amound of placentoms with small diameters (1-20 mm) generally decreased in favour of the placentoms with big diameters (20-50 mm). Triparous ewes and TLW 3 show most of the placentoms with the largest diameters (40-50 mm). The "total contact area" demonstrates an increase from uni-to quadriparous ewes and TLW 1 to TLW 4. Only TLW 5 has a smaller "total contact area" as TLW 4. Independent of LS and TLW of the Booroola* Merino Mutton crossbreed sheep the placentomdiameter and the "total contact area" decrease p.p. in comparison to the placentomdiameter and "total contact area" a.p. The influence of LS and TLW on the endocrinological system is moderate. The highest influence is proved concerning progesterone, the smallest LS and TLW show the lowest blood-progesterone concentration. In contrast to this, the estradiol concentration of both groups seems to be uniform during the whole pregnancy and equally the IGF-1 concentration from the 100 day p.c. None of the metabolism characterising substances seems to be affected by the LS or TLW. The littersize as well as the litterweight do not influence in the gained data the maternal metabolism during pregnancy.

Für die Untersuchung standen 20 tragende Booroola*Merinofleischschaf Kreuzungsgenotypen, meist pluripar, zwischen 2 und 6 Jahren zur Verfügung. Während der Trächtigkeit wurden in wöchentlichem Abstand die Größenveränderungen der Plazentomdurchmesser mittels transkutaner und transrektaler Ultrasonographie erfasst und Blutproben genommen. Post partum erfolgte die detaillierte Auswertung der Plazenta nach Anzahl und Durchmesser der Kotyledonen und des Kotyledonen- und Sekundinengewichts. Aus den gewonnenen Daten wurden Plazentomwachstumskurven im Verlauf der Trächtigkeit erstellt. Die Blutproben wurden hormonanalytisch auf Progesteron, 17ß-Östradiol, und IGF-1, sowie stoffwechselphysiologisch auf die, den Eiweiß- und Energiehaushalt charakterisierenden Substanzen Albumin, Gesamteiweiß, Harnstoff, BHB, Bilirubin und Glukose untersucht. Zudem erfolgte die Bestimmung von Substanzen, die in der Trächtigkeit stark beansprucht werden, wie ASAT, Calcium, Eisen und Cholesterol. Die Auswertung sämtlicher Daten erfolgte in Abhängigkeit von Wurfgröße (WG) und Wurfgewichtsklassen (WGK). Der größte Einfluss von WG und WGK auf die Plazenta zeigt sich bei der Auswertung der morphologischen Aspekte. Dabei sind in erster Linie eine Vergrößerung der Plazentomdurchmesser von uni- zu triparen Tieren sowie von WGK 1 zur WGK 3 festzustellen. In den jeweils höchsten Klassen fällt der Durchmesser wieder. Zudem nimmt in der Regel mit steigender WG und WGK die Anzahl der Plazentome mit kleinen Durchmessern (1-20 mm)ab, die Anzahl der Plazentome mit großen Durchmessern (20-50 mm) dagegen zu. Tripare Tiere und WGK 3 weisen die meisten Plazentome mit den größten Durchmessern (40-50 mm) auf. Bei der Gesamtkontaktfläche zeigt sich ein Anstieg der Fläche von uni- bis zu quadriparen Tieren und der WGK 1 bis WGK 4. Nur WGK 5 weist eine gegenüber WGK 4 verminderte Gesamtkontaktfläche auf. Unabhängig von WG und WGK verkleinern sich die Plazentomdurchmesser und die Gesamtkontaktflächen p.p. gegenüber den Plazentomdurchmessern und Gesamtkontaktflächen a.p. WG und WGK beeinflussen den Hormonhaushalt mäßig. Dabei zeigt sich der größte Einfluss beim Progesteron. Die kleinste WG bzw. WGK präsentiert die niedrigsten Progesteronkonzentrationen. Beim 17ß-Östradiol ist der Verlauf aller Konzentrationskurven im gesamten Trächtigkeitsverlauf und beim IGF-1 ab dem 100. Tag p.c. einheitlich. Durch WG oder WGK werden bei den Booroola*MF Kreuzungsgenotypen keine den Stoffwechsel charakterisierenden Substanzen in einer auffallenden oder für die Tierart untypischen Weise verändert. Die Anzahl Feten bzw. die WGK zeigen im vorliegenden Datenmaterial keinen gravierenden Einfluss auf den maternalen Stoffwechsel während der Gravidität. / The analysis was founded on 20 pregnant Booroola* Merino Mutton crossbreed sheep between 2 and 6 years, most of them pluriparous. During pregnancy the variations of size of the placentomdiameters were drawn up on a weekly basis using transcutaneous and transrectal ultrasonography. Samples of blood were taken likewise in a weekly rhythm. After birth a detailed examination of the placentae followed, considering especially their number and diameter as well as the weight of the cotyledons and the secundinae. The gained data were used to create placentom-growth-diagrams during pregnancy. The samples of blood were hormonally analysed with regard to progesterone, estradiol and IGF-1 as well as to the substances that characterize the protein- and energy metabolism as there are: albumin, protein, urea, BHB, bilirubin, glucose. Moreover substances which are highly required during pregnancy were determined as e.g. ASAT, calcium, iron, cholesterol. The evaluation of all the gained data was made in dependence on the littersize (LS) and total litterweight (TLW). The major influence of the LS and TLW on the placenta is noticed at the morphological aspects. The placentomdiameter increase from uni- to triparous ewes and from TLW 1 to TLW 3. On the other hand the placentomdiameters decrease in the highest groups. With an increase of LS and TLW the amound of placentoms with small diameters (1-20 mm) generally decreased in favour of the placentoms with big diameters (20-50 mm). Triparous ewes and TLW 3 show most of the placentoms with the largest diameters (40-50 mm). The "total contact area" demonstrates an increase from uni-to quadriparous ewes and TLW 1 to TLW 4. Only TLW 5 has a smaller "total contact area" as TLW 4. Independent of LS and TLW of the Booroola* Merino Mutton crossbreed sheep the placentomdiameter and the "total contact area" decrease p.p. in comparison to the placentomdiameter and "total contact area" a.p. The influence of LS and TLW on the endocrinological system is moderate. The highest influence is proved concerning progesterone, the smallest LS and TLW show the lowest blood-progesterone concentration. In contrast to this, the estradiol concentration of both groups seems to be uniform during the whole pregnancy and equally the IGF-1 concentration from the 100 day p.c. None of the metabolism characterising substances seems to be affected by the LS or TLW. The littersize as well as the litterweight do not influence in the gained data the maternal metabolism during pregnancy.

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / Die bruikbaarheid van die Goodenough Draw-A-Manmeetmiddel met verstandelik gestremdes is ondersoek. Die Goodenough Draw-A-Man-meetmiddel, alhoewel aangewend om intelligensievlak van verstandelik gestremdes te bepaal, het beperkte ondersteuning volgens gepubliseerde studies. Twee studies het kontrasterende bevindinge ten opsigte van die bepaling van spesifieke grade van verstandelike gestremdheid aangedui. Ander studies het die geldigheid van die meetmiddel ten Die huidige studie het die volgende ondersoek: die bruikbaarheid van die Goodenough Draw-A-Man-meetmiddel ten opsigte van die klassifisering van die verskillende grade (sowel as onderverdeelde grade) van verstandelike gestremdheid; die verhouding tussen verstandelik gestremdes se prestasie op die Goodenough Draw-A-Manmeetmiddel en die volgende veranderlikes: geslag, ouderdom, institusionalisering versus nieinstitusionalisering; en om stereotiperende mensfiguurtekeninge en leerpotensiaal te ondersoek. van kronologiese ouderdom en geslagsverskille, sowel as die algemene bruikbaarheid met verstandelik gestremdes bevraagteken. Die ondersoekgroep het bestaan uit 153 verstandelik gestremdes met kronologiese ouderdomsomvang van 7 jaar tot 84 jaar. Hierdie subjekte is as erg tot verstandelik gestremd geklassifiseer. Hierdie groep het bestaan uit 64 manlike en 89 vroulike subjekte van wie 99 uit In institusie populasie geselekteer is, terwyl 54 geselekteer is uit In nie-institusie populasie. Die subjekte is in drie ouderdomskategorieë, naamlik 7 tot 21 jaar, 22 tot 59 jaar en 60 tot 84 jaar gegroepeer. Die ondersoekgroep se psigometriese data (die Goodenough Draw-A-Man en die Ou Suid-Afrikaanse Individuele Skaal bevindinge) gedateer 1985 tot 1990 is ontleed. Hierbenewens is 20 verstandelik gestremde inwoners se mensfiguur-tekeninge (60 tekeninge) wat tydens 1993 geadministreer is, ontleed om stereotiperende tekeninge en leerpotensiaal te ondersoek. Die resultate van die huidige studie is soos volg: Bepaling van die spesifieke grade van verstandelike gestremdheid (erg, matig en lig) illustreer dat die Goodenough Draw-A-Man-meetmiddel en die Ou Suid- Afrikaanse Individuele Skaal, verskil ten opsigte van die bepaling van spesifieke klassifikasies. Die McNemar-toets bevindinge dui op In betekenisvolle verskil tussen die twee meetmiddels (p < 0,05). Die ooreenkoms tussen hierdie twee intelligensie-meetmiddels ten opsigte van klassifikasie is soos volg: ligte graad (77,3%), matige graad (57,8%) en erge graad (47,9%). Die Chi-wadraattoets en Fisher se eksakte toets vergelyking tussen die 99 gelnstitusionaliseerdes en die 54 nie-gelnstitusionaliseerdes, sowel as tussen die 64manlike en 89 vroulike subjekte vir die drie ouderdomskategorieë, dui geen beduidende verskil in prestasie op die Goodenough Draw-A-Man-meetmiddel aan nie (p > 0,05). Die t-toets bevindinge met betrekking tot die ondersoek van stereotiperende mensfiguur-tekeninge, dui In beduidende verskil aan tussen die 20 toetslinge se prestasie op die eerste en tweede mensfiguur-tekeninge (t = -3,17, p < 0,05). Die subjekte het gemiddeld 2,4 tellings meer op die tweede tekening behaal Die t-toets bevindinge wat verband hou met die leerpotensiaal van verstandelik gestremdes, dui In beduidende verskil aan tussen die 20 toetslinge se prestasie voor en na die blootstelling aan In "perfekte" mensfiguurtekeninge (t = -5,26, P < 0,05). Die subjekte het gemiddeld 5,1 tellings meer op hul derde tekening behaal. 170 In Opsomming van die bevindinge is soos volg: dat die Goodenough Draw-A-Man-meetmiddel meer betroubaar is met die hoër funksionerende verstandelik gestremdes; dat veranderlikes soos institusionalisering, nieinstitusionalisering, geslag en ouderdom, nie In rol speel ten opsigte van hierdie groep verstandelik gestremdes se prestasie op die Goodenough Draw-A-Man nie; dat vir hierdie groep verstandelik gestremdes, stereotiperende tekeninge en modifikasie van hul kognitiewe strukture voorkom, soos in hul mensfiguurtekeninge aangedui.