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For a sign-changing function a(x) E C^αloc(Rn) with bounded Ω+ = {x E R^n |a(x) > O}, we study non-negative entire solutions u(x) ≥ 0 of the semilinear elliptic equation -Δu = a(x)u^q + b(x)u^p in R^n with n ≥ 3.0 < q < 1, p > q, and λ > 0. We consider two types of coefficient b(x) E C^αloc(R^n), either b(x) ≤ 0 in (R^n) or b(x) ≡ 1. In each case, we give sufficient conditions on a(x) for which all solutions must have compact support. In case Ω+ has several connected components, we also give conditions under which there exist "dead core'' solutions which vanish identically in one or more of these components. In the "logistic" case b(x) ≤ 0, we prove that there can be only one solution with given dead core components. In the case b(x) ≡ 1, the question of existence is more delicate, and we introduce a parametrized family of equations by replacing a(x) by ay = ya^+(x) - a^- (x). We show that there exists a maximal interval y E (0, f] for which there exists a stable (locally minimizing) solution. Under some hypotheses on a^- near infinity, we prove that there are two solutions for each y E (0, f). Some care must be taken to ensure the compactness of Palais-Smale sequences, and we present an example which illustrates how the Palais-Smale condition could fail for certain a(x). The analysis is based on a combination of comparison arguments, a priori estimates, and variational methods. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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The prediction results demonstrated that the method using six frames of variables as the input vectors for the BPNN model could improve the model prediction accuracy. Also, the number of nodes used in the hidden layer had a significant impact on the performance of the BPNN model. The results indicated that the best prediction accuracies in advance of a driver’s actual driving behavior with a lead time of 1s, 1.5s, and 1.8s were at 89.6%, 84.9%, 78.8% for merge events, and for non-merge events were at 92.2%, 87.5%, 81.1% respectively. / Recently, the applications of some driver assistance systems on vehicles have reduced vehicle accidents. However, studies have shown that the number of vehicle accidents caused by improper lane-changing behavior remains at a high level. Therefore, research has been focusing on developing a lane-changing assistance system to increase the safety level of driving in traffic. Many researchers have attempted to predict lane-changing behavior, and a general trend in the study of predicting driving behavior is the greater application of computational artificial intelligence. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is one of the artificial intelligence methods, and it is well-known for its high reliability in a variety of applications. An ANN model can mimic human thinking and behavior due to its ability to capture the complex relationship among different variables in an environment of uncertainty. In this thesis, a BP (back-propagation) Neural Network model established by two methods was developed to predict a driver’s mandatory lane-changing decisions (merge or non-merge) at an early stage by considering driving environment features as the input vectors. Vehicle trajectory data from the Next Generation Simulation (NGSIM) dataset was used for training and testing the model. The results of the proposed model indicated that the prediction accuracies in advance of a driver’s actual driving behavior with a lead time of 1s, 1.5s, and 1.8s were at 89.6%, 84.9%, 78.8% for merge events, and for non-merge events were at 92.2%, 87.5%, 81.1% respectively. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc) / Lane-changing behavior at freeway on-ramps has a significant effect on driving safety and the stability of traffic flow. During the lane-changing process, the information processed by drivers is more complicated than that processed while remaining in a lane. If drivers fail to accurately judge the appropriate lane-changing time or the relative movement characteristics of related vehicles, vehicles accidents may occur. Thus, accurate prediction of lane-changing behavior is essential for a driving assistance system to ensure driver safety.

Order in design, whether in music or a building comes from bringing together parts to make a whole. These parts can have an autonomous existence separately and combine to formulate a different event collectively. This thesis is a study of how a building accommodates to the changing needs of a diverse community. It does this by investigating to what end two neighboring apartments, one small and one medium-sized could combine to develop into one large apartment, and revert back again to two apartments when the needs of the inhabitants change. This concept could be paralleled to Jazz, where the musicians find means of altering the sound of the music through improvisation between the notes of the song. The structure of the building like the notes of the melody provides the stationary component and forms the rhythmic beat between the apartments. The pauses or gaps between the structure provide the opportunity for flexibility and improvisation. The melody of the construction comes from the integration of the repetitious permanent structural elements, semipermanent conditions and spontaneously alterable parts. The orchestration of these components allows the building to transform and experience an altering production of its own. / Master of Architecture

The aim of this study was to reach an increased understanding about how the changing process with regards to criminality and violent behaviour of men may look like. The questions on these issues were: (1) How do three men describe the changing process of their life manner from violence and criminality into non violence and non criminal way of life? (2) How do three professionals from the probation service describe the life changing process of men from violence and criminality into non violence and non criminal way of life? Our research study was thoroughly done based on a qualitative approach method, interviewing six individuals by following the theme focused interview guidelines. Three men with previous violence and crime records, actors, and three professionals working in the probation service, observers, were interviewed and the selection was intended to highlight the problem from two angles. The interviews were analyzed through social psychology and pattern which describes the process of changes. The results showed that the changing process from violence and criminality is complex and there are indeed several factors likewise major cause such as important circumstances, supporter and mentor, altered self-image and motivation was of great importance. The results correspond with previous research.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of support provided by District-Based Support Teams (DBSTs) to learners experiencing barriers to learning in the Free State province. The study focused specifically on the implementation of the changed role of the DBSTs as proposed by the Education White Paper 6 in 2001. This was a two-phased study involving a literature study and empirical research. The first phase of this study focused on a literature study undertaken on topics such as the history of learner support in South Africa, the previous role of Education Support Services at school and school district level and different education documentation and policy documents relating to the topic. Furthermore the literature study explored the ecosystemic approach to learner support specifically focusing on Bronfenbrenner‘s ecological systems theory and Epstein‘s model of human development. The second phase of the study comprised empirical research. A quantitative approach was used to collect data with a little element of the qualitative approach just to verify some information. For the quantitative component of the research, a questionnaire consisting of both closed and open-ended questions was administered, while for the qualitative component, the researcher held some interviews with participants selected randomly at first, but with a snowball effect. The research was conducted in all the districts of the Free State Department of Education. The data collected revealed that the implementation of the proposed changes to learner support is in fact subdued due to various problems experienced by District Based Support Teams. These problems hamper the effective implementation of the changes set out in various education policy documents. The study contributes to the practice of learner support by proposing a model for the DBSTs to implement their changed roles. / PhD, Learner support, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012

The present programme of research discusses a series of studies which explore the relationships between individual characteristics and well being. The FIT theory (e.g. Fletcher & Stead, 2000a) was used as a framework. It attempts to explain individual’s cognitions and behaviours using two broad dimensions: an ‘Inner’ dimension which details factors used to guide decision making (a cognitive dimension), and an ‘Outer’ dimension which focuses on behaviour. The research explored whether FIT was directly or indirectly related to well being. Initial findings from an exploratory, cross-sectional, study revealed that individuals with greater ‘Inner’ FITness demonstrated significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression. They also perceived their work and personal projects more positively. Individuals with greater ‘Outer’ FITness were found to demonstrate better physical well being. This latter finding was replicated in the second study which explored why individuals with reater ‘Outer’ FITness would demonstrate a significantly lower Body Mass Index (BMI). The results showed that ‘Outer’ FITness did not relate to weight management behaviours, such as controlling calorie intake or regular exercise, measured over a week, via the components of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (e.g. Ajzen, 1991). It was hypothesised that it may instead be underpinned by habitual behaviour. Study 3 explored whether ‘Outer’ FITness could be trained and whether this would impact on habits and BMI. A longitudinal pilot intervention was run which encouraged individuals to Do Something Different in order to change habits and facilitate weight loss. Doing something different did increase ‘Outer’ FITness and this increase had a ‘dose-response- relationship with BMI change – the greater the increase in ‘Outer’ FITness, the greater the decrease in BMI. This was accompanied by changes to dietary and exercise behaviours. A qualitative follow up of a sub-sample revealed that doing something different did facilitate changes to some habitual behaviours but the formation of implementation intention plans was also a significant contributor to weight loss. Further research is required to elucidate the exact relationship between behavioural flexibility, habitual behaviour and weight loss.

The primary aim of this dissertation is to examine the hermeneutical foundation, the biblical basis, the historical principle, and then to formulate a four-bridge application paradigm based on four distinguished processes--exegetical, doctrinal, homiletical, and transformational--aiming at transforming the lives of listeners for the glory of God. Chapter 1 analyzes the indispensability of a well-balanced hermeneutical application paradigm by arguing the relationship between hermeneutics and application, by reexamining application paradigms and bridge-building models, and by refocusing the four bridge paradigm. Chapter 2 examines the sermons of biblical prototypes--Moses, Ezra, the Minor Prophets, and Paul--and their features of application paradigms by means of a paradigmatic analyses rather than an exhaustive one. This chapter thoroughly explores Paul's sermons in his epistles, his preaching in Acts, and his hermeneutical bridge-building paradigm. The essential characteristics of these biblical models lead to a four-bridge life-changing application paradigm. Chapter 3 investigates four exemplary historical models--John Chrysostom, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, and John Broadus--and examines their illustrative sermons to identify their indispensable principles of application paradigms and to apply these historical facets for formulating a contemporized application paradigm. Four models provide a historical validation to formulate a legitimate life-changing application paradigm. Chapter 4 proposes a four-bridge application paradigm rooted in hermeneutical, biblical prototypes and historical models. The chapter systemizes (1) an exegetical bridge for discerning the aim of author-intended signification and the criteria for transferring universal principles of application (2) a doctrinal bridge for examining seven master keys to unlock the universal principles of ethical application, (3) a homiletical bridge for identifying a variety of relevance categories, legitimate methodologies of audience exegesis and adaptation, and an appropriate degree of transfer, and (4) a Spirit-led transformational bridge that is legitimate to change the lives of listeners. Chapter 5 concludes that contemporary preachers, as bridge-builders, need to seek a life-transforming application paradigm by utilizing the exegetical bridge, the doctrinal bridge, the homiletical bridge and the Spirit-led transformational bridge.