The role of engineering in the rehabilitation of the disabled has been steadily increasing in recent years. With the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, that role has taken on a new level of importance. Uncomfortable with the qualitative, disability-oriented assessment tools of their special education, occupational and physical therapists, and medical teammates, engineers have come to rely more and more on their own quantitative assessment devices. Among these, the Available Motions Inventory (AMI) has shown great promise as a tool for the development of job modifications for the moderately disabled individual. From its seventy-one sub-tests, the AMI provides raw and processed data on an individual's capability to manipulate switches, orient settings, and demonstrate strength, as well as perform light assembly tasks. Included in the output is a weighted set of scores showing the subject's strength, range of motion, and reach/reaction capabilities. However, the AMI has its drawbacks. The scoring algorithms can underestimate the capabilities of subjects who fail to perform certain tasks, and it will not permit recombination or selective omission of the various sub-tests. This study examined the feasibility of employing the AMI analysis algorithms using a spreadsheet format for the purpose of better analyzing the data generated by persons with limited range of motion disabilities. Ten Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) were asked to analyze a series of data profiles and place the individuals described by the profiles into one of four job options. The data profiles are the AMI scores for individuals falling into one of three categories of disability: normal, hemiplegic, and limited range of motion. The jobs increase in difficulty from a position of non-feasible employment to employment as a pizza chef. The data generated were analyzed using the Sign Test. The results showed that a difference does exist between the current scoring system and the updated system in the placement of individuals. A difference between the systems was established for the case involving individuals with a limited range of motion. More importantly, the SMEs frequently chose more complex jobs for individuals with limited range of motion, suggesting that the new system provides a more realistic picture of this category of disabled persons. The results of this research permit a more effective use of the AMI by implementing an updated scoring system. The new system allows for several increased benefits during analysis. The scoring system is based on an EXCEL spreadsheet, thus it is operable in both the PC, Windows and Apple environments. Better data control and manipulation allows for better representation of an individual's capabilities. The system operates in the same manner as the existing system; however, the spreadsheet design allows for customization of the data output. Finally, it is believed that the use of the new system will increase the chance of job placement for severely disabled individuals with a limited range of motion. / Master of Science

Major vehicle manufacturers are committed to expand their electrified vehicle fleet in upcoming years to meet fuel efficiency goals. Understanding the effect of the charge/discharge cycle profiles on battery durability is important to the implementation of batteries in electrified vehicles and to the design of appropriate battery testing protocols. In this work, commercial high-power prismatic lithium ion cells were cycled using a pulse-heavy profile and a simple square-wave profile to investigate the effect of cycle profile on the capacity fade of the battery. The pulse-heavy profile was designed to simulate on-road conditions for a typical hybrid electric vehicle, while the simplified square-wave profile was designed to have the same charge throughput as the pulse-heavy profile, but with lower peak currents. The batteries were cycled until each battery achieved a combined throughput of 100 kAh. Reference Performance Tests were conducted periodically to monitor the state of the batteries through the course of the testing. The results indicate that, for the batteries tested, the capacity fade for the two profiles was very similar and was 11 % ± 0.5 % compared to beginning of life. The change in internal resistance of the batteries over the course of the testing was also monitored and found to increase 21% and 12% compared to beginning of life for the pulse-heavy and square-wave profiles respectively. Cycling tests on coin cells with similar electrode chemistries as well as development of a first principles, physics based model were done in order to understand the underlying cause of the observed degradation. The results from the coin cells and the model suggest that the loss of active material in the electrodes due to the charge transfer process is the primary cause of degradation while the loss of cyclable lithium due to side reactions plays a secondary role. These results also indicate that for high power cells, the capacity degradation associated with the charge-sustaining mode of operation can be studied with relatively simple approximations of complex drive cycles. / Ph. D. / Major vehicle manufacturers are committed to expand their electrified vehicle fleet in upcoming years to meet fuel efficiency goals. Understanding the effect of the charge/discharge cycle profiles on battery durability is important to the implementation of batteries in electrified vehicles and to the design of appropriate battery testing protocols. In this work, commercial lithium ion cells were tested using two profiles with the same energy transfer; a pulse-heavy profile to simulate on-road conditions for a typical hybrid electric vehicle, and a simplified square-wave profile with the same charge flow as the pulse-heavy profile, but with lower currents. Cycling tests on coin cells with similar electrode chemistries as well as development of a first principles, physics based model were done in order to understand the underlying cause of the degradation. The results suggest that the degradation observed is not dependent on the type of profile used. These results also indicate that for high power cells, the capacity degradation associated with the charge-sustaining mode of operation can be studied with relatively simple approximations of complex drive cycles.

The purpose of the study was to determine whether or not a variance in the quality of the public high school facilities existed among the Commonwealth of Virginia school divisions, since the 1982 Peccia study, An Analysis Of The Financing Of Public High School Capital Facilities In Virginia. Reasons for the variance in the quality of the public high school facilities, if any, were determined from an examination of a capital facilities survey instrument and various economic and financial characteristics. Methods and procedures used in the study included the capital facilities survey instrument, Crossman CAFIS. The Crossman CAFIS accurately reflected not just the number of facilities that existed in the school divisions but the quality of each facility. The researcher sent an electronic survey instrument to each high school principal within the sampled school divisions to rate their facilities using 75 indicators. The researcher visited all the high schools within the study in order to ensure the variance in how one perceives the differences in facilities would be limited. Any variance in the quality of the public high school facilities among the sampled school divisions were examined for economic factors that include; local composite index, fiscal effort and fiscal capacity. A significant finding of the study was that a large variance existed between the quality of high school facilities within the sampled school divisions, as measured by Crossman CAFIS. Reasons for that variance can be partially attributed to the fiscal effort of the sampled school divisions. School divisions that made a large fiscal effort and had a large fiscal capacity scored high on the Crossman CAFIS. School divisions that made a low fiscal effort and had low fiscal capacity, also scored low on the Crossman CAFIS. The lowest quality of high school facilities were found to be in the Western region of Virginia, despite isolated instances of high fiscal effort by some school divisions. Implications and recommendations were made in accordance with the findings of the study. A large variance existed in the Virginia school divisions between the quality of high school facilities as measured by CAFIS. The reason for the variance in high school facilities were due in part to the level of fiscal effort exerted by the school divisions. / EDD / The purpose of the study was to find out if all the high schools in Virginia had the same student space and program offerings as everywhere else in the state. High School principals completed a high school facilities survey to measure the characteristics of their high school. All survey results were compared with each other. To measure if all high schools were equitable, the high school surveys were measured with three economic measurements. The variables used to measure this study were, school survey, ADM, fiscal effort, and fiscal capacity. The conclusion of the study was that all high schools in Virginia were not equitable. Data suggested that the greater the resources a school division had available the higher quality of high school facility that school division has been able to provide. The need to modernize high school facilities is evident. School division and government leaders need to reassess the current high schools in order to plan for future needs. Local and state legislators should be concerned about providing all students an equal opportunity to have access to education comparable to students in all parts of the state.

The job of principals is demanding and evolving; consequently, they cannot lead alone. Teacher leaders can be a valuable resource if principals know how to build leadership capacity in teachers and practice distributive leadership. Understanding principals' and teachers' perceptions of their needs and how to best meet these needs can aid principals in building, and sustaining teacher leadership capacity. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to identify principals' and teachers' perceptions of their need and efforts to build teacher leadership capacity through school-level supports and professional development as well as principals' and teachers' perceptions of their ability to act as teacher leaders having participated in school-level professional development. Existing literature on building teacher leadership and sharing leadership responsibilities as it relates to the role of the principal, professional development, and sustainability was reviewed. Qualitative data were collected from 18 teachers and six principals in teacher focus groups and individual principal interviews in six high schools in one division in southeastern Virginia. At the conclusion of the data collection process, the researcher examined the perceptions of the teachers and the principals. The analysis revealed principals' and teachers' perceptions about the following areas: formal and informal leadership roles; professional development opportunities, teacher leadership structures in schools, strategic plans for building teacher leadership, mentor relationships between principals and teachers, barriers to teacher leadership, and recommendations for improved professional development opportunities. The study reinforced the notion that school-level supports and professional development need to be systematic and strategic. / Ed. D. / In the past forty years, significant pressure has been placed on school principals to manage schools, provide quality instruction, and raise student achievement. One person cannot accomplish this alone. Rather, school leadership succeeds when teachers take on leadership roles to assist the principal. In order for teachers to become teacher leaders, they need to receive professional development and opportunities to lead at the school level. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of principals and teachers as they relate to teacher leadership, leadership opportunities provided by the principal, and professional development. Six high school principals were interviewed individually and eighteen high school teachers, three per focus group, were interviewed in one school division in southeastern Virginia. The interviews revealed principals’ and teachers’ perceptions about the types leadership roles offered, the quality of the professional development opportunities available, the teacher leadership structures in the school, the types of mentor relationships between principals and teachers, the barriers to teacher leadership, and the recommendations for improved professional development opportunities. The study reinforced the notion that school-level supports and professional development need to be systematic and strategic.

No / The Mental Capacity Act 2005 introduced legal safeguards (which came into force in April 2009) aimed at protecting the liberty of people lacking capacity admitted to institutions in England and Wales. This paper discusses the adequacy of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards for protecting the liberty of residents in social care settings and the role of regulation in monitoring their implementation. In particular, the potential impact of planned unitary regulation on the regulator's ability to protect residents’ liberty is critiqued, centring on people with dementia living in care homes. It is suggested that the capacity of the safeguards to adequately protect the liberty of residents with dementia may be limited by under-recognition of the extent to which deprivation of liberty can actually occur in care homes, insufficient resourcing and a lack of critical independence in their proposed implementation. In addition, the planned contraction of regulation – especially a reduction in inspections – will constrain the regulator's ability to ensure that residents’ right to liberty is protected. The author concludes that the new model of regulation adopted by the UK government has prioritised economic efficiency over safeguarding the right to liberty of vulnerable residents in institutions.

Yes / The report entitled “Legal capacity and decision making: The ethical implications of lack of legal capacity on the lives of people with dementia” received funding under an operating grant from the European Union’s Health Programme (2014–2020).

Yes / This study investigates how buyer-supplier interfirm networks with foreign affiliates affect the internationalization of local firms in developing countries. In a study of 1601 sub-Saharan African manufacturing firms, we find that foreign supply linkages positively influence firm internationalization, but this does not relate to marketing linkages. We further examine the role of absorptive capacity and find that both potential and realized absorptive capacity has positive and independent effects on firm internationalization. However, potential absorptive capacity has no moderating effect and realized absorptive capacity negatively moderates the relationship between foreign supplying networks and internationalization. Finally, implications for public policy and managerial practice are discussed.

This dissertation comprises of three related essays in regard of puzzling negative book equity phenomenon among U.S. public firms. In essay 1, I present the evidence that there is an increasing trend of negative book equity firms over the past 50 years, from 0.3% up to over 5% among publicly traded firms in US. In contrast to previous research which generally classify these firms as distressed firms with highly likelihood of bankruptcy, I propose a new method to separate Healthy Negative Book Equity Firms (HNBEF) from relatively more distressed negative book equity firms. The results show that HNBEF have much higher net income and interest coverage ratio, they survive longer, and pay more dividends. More interestingly, these firms are often actively increase share repurchases and debt issuance. These facts, combined with their strong profitability, indicate that managers of these firms are actively increasing their leverage and choose to be negative book equity firms. To explain the existence of HNBEF, in essay 2, I investigate several possible reasons that may contribute to the extreme leverage of these firms. I find that HNBEF are substantially undervalued by their book assets as stated on the balance sheet. In addition, the value of intangible assets, especially those off-balance sheet intangible assets, is positively related to the probability of becoming HNBEF. Moreover, I find that characteristics of intangible assets and firms also play important role on existence of HNBEF. Specifically, I find that both liquidity and redeployability of intangible assets are positively related with the probability of becoming HNBEF. Also, firms associated with closer borrower-lender relationship are more likely to become HNBEF. To investigate if the aggressive capital structure adopted by HNBEF is optimal, in essay 3, I performed several tests to analyze how these firms differ from other firms in terms of operating performance, corporate governance and firm value. My research finds that compared to firms from same industry and with similar size, managers of HNBEF invest more heavily in their own firms, and HNBEF have better corporate governance. In addition, HNBEF are associated with better operating performance and higher value.

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between intensity of short-range and medium-range capacity management and effectiveness of manufacturing operations. Data were collected to test the null hypothesis which stated that intensity of short-range and medium-range capacity management does not influence manufacturing effectiveness. Intensity of short-range and medium-range capacity management was indicated by the following variables: (1) production standards; (2) priority determination; (3) delivery dates determination; (4) material requirements planning; (5) routing information; (6) capacity utilization; and (7) backlog measurement. Manufacturing effectiveness was indicated by the following variables: (1) delivery dates performance; (2) lead times; (3) subcontract work; (4) direct labor overtime; (5) direct labor efficiency; (6) plant and equipment utilization; and (7) work in process inventory. The population selected to provide data for this study is the manufacturing firms in the State of Texas with five hundred or more employees. Over 42 percent of the eligible firms responded to a six-page questionnaire. Several multivariate techniques were utilized for data analysis: (1) factor analysis; (2) canonical correlation analysis; (3) bivariate correlation; (4) multiple linear regression; (5) cross-tabulation; and (6) analysis of variance. The results of this research did not adequately support the rejection of the null hypothesis. However, they did definitely identify a distinct group of capacity management intensity variables that influence manufacturing effectiveness in specific cases. Intensity variables were placed in three groups that identified how influential they were over the effectiveness measures. The most influential group included the variables: production standards and material requirements planning. The indication for the manufacturing manager is to concentrate on improvements in these areas. Effectiveness variables were also placed in three groups that identified the level at which the variables were influenced by the intensity variables. The highly influenced group included plant and equipment utilization and delivery dates performance.

Innovations as a source of economic wellbeing and social prosperity has been well researched, albeit primarily done in the context of developed economies. However, of late, interest in the effect of innovation on economic performance and quality of life has been renewed as the world observes the rise of emerging economies, and at the same time, the prolonged recession in the more developed economies (i.e. North America and European countries). There has been a marked increase in the quantity and quality of research and development, spawn by innovative companies from emerging economies that are making their mark in global marketplace. These phenomena challenge the traditional concept that innovation flows from the resource rich developed countries to less developed countries, and that the latter are at a disadvantage in terms of knowledge, technology and competitiveness. Existing studies on national innovation highlight the relationships between innovative capability and its outcomes; however, few have tried to explain the determinants of a nation’s innovative capabilities. Using a sample of 95 countries and panel data analysis covering 28 years of observation, this study attempts to model the determinants of innovative capability at national level, and focuses on absorptive capacity and institutional framework as the main determinants of innovative capability. Further, this study identifies different aspects of absorptive capacity: creation and exploitation of innovation. Findings offer support on the importance of various sources of external knowledge in the creation of innovation, with FDI inflow and High Technology Export as the strongest sources. Corruption as institutional factor has negative effect on innovative capability, whereas openness shows no effect. National absorptive capacity moderates the effect of external knowledge on innovative capability, except on FDI outflow in which a negative effect on trademark application as a measure of innovative capability. The findings suggest that innovative capability and moderating role of absorptive capacity enhance economic wellbeing. Findings show that economic wellbeing increases happiness and income inequality (as the measures of quality of life); same thing as innovative capability, which also increases both happiness and income inequality. This study demonstrates that for happiness, higher education and better infrastructure (as the measure of foundational absorptive capacity) decrease the level of happiness. Higher education and ease access to information may increase expectation, which lead to unhappiness when the expectation is not met. For income inequality, negative effect of the moderating role of absorptive capacity means that higher education and better infrastructure contribute to lowering income inequality. Based on these findings, a nation should continue to attract FDI and trade in high technology because these sources of knowledge contribute to innovative capability. Policy makers can develop country positioning and country’s marketing activities by using the combination of the improvement of national factors and policy reforms. The upgrading of national factors helps to achieve higher economic wellbeing and quality of life in general.