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The transportation sector has a significant impact on the environment both nationally and globally since it is a major vehicle fuel consumption and emissions contributor. These emissions are considered a major environmental threat. Consequently, decision makers desperately need tools that can estimate vehicle emissions accurately to quantify the impact of transportation operational projects on the environment. Microscopic fuel consumption and emission models should be capable of computing vehicle emissions reliably to assist decision makers in developing emission mitigation strategies. However, the majority of current state-of-the-art models suffer from two major shortcomings, namely; they either produce a bang-bang control system because they use a linear fuel consumption versus power model or they cannot be calibrated using publicly available data and thus require expensive laboratory or field data collection. Consequently, this dissertation attempts to fill this gap in state-of-the-art emission modeling through a framework based on the Virginia Tech Comprehensive Power-Based Fuel consumption Model (VT-CPFM), which overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks. Specifically, VT-CPFM does not result in a bang-bang control and can be calibrated using publicly available vehicle and road pavement parameters. The main emphasis of this dissertation is to develop a simple and reliable emission model that is able to compute instantaneous emission rates of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) for the light-duty vehicles (LDVs) and heavy-duty diesel trucks (HDDTs). The proposed extension is entitled Virginia Tech Comprehensive Power-Based Fuel consumption and Emission Model (VT-CPFEM). The study proposes two square root models where the first model structure is a cubic polynomial function that depends on fuel estimates derived solely from VT-CPFM fuel estimates, which enhances the simplicity of the model. The second modeling framework combines the cubic function of the VT-CPFM fuel estimates with a linear speed term. The additional speed term improves the accuracy of the model and can be used as a reference for the driving condition of the vehicle. Moreover, the model is tested and compared with existing models to demonstrate the robustness of the model. Furthermore, the performance of the model was further investigated by applying the model on driving cycles based on real-world driving conditions. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the model in replicating empirical observations reliably and simply with only two parameters. / Ph. D. / The transportation sector places a huge burden on our environment and is one of the major emitters of pollutants. The resulting emissions have a negative impact on human health and could be a concern for national security. Therefore, policymakers are keen to develop models that accurately estimate the emissions from on-road vehicles. Microscopic emission models are capable of estimating the instantaneous vehicle emissions from operational-level projects, and policymakers can use them to evaluate their emission reduction plans and the environmental impact of transportation projects. However, the majority of the current existing models indicate that to achieve the optimum fuel economy, the driver should accelerate at full throttle and full braking for deceleration to minimize the acceleration and deceleration times. This assumption is obviously incorrect since it requires aggressive driving which will result in increasing the fuel consumption rate. Also, the models cannot use publicly accessible and available data to estimate the emissions which require expensive laboratory or field data collection. Consequently, this dissertation attempts to fill this gap in emission modeling through a framework based on the Virginia Tech Comprehensive Power-Based Fuel consumption Model (VT-CPFM), which overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks. Specifically, VT-CPFM does not follow the mentioned assumption of aggressive driving to minimize the fuel consumption as previously explained and can use publicly available vehicle and road pavement variables to estimate the emissions. Also, it utilizes US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) city and highway the fuel economy ratings to calibrate its parameters. The main emphasis of this dissertation is to develop a simple and reliable emission model that is able to compute instantaneous emission rates of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) for the light-duty vehicles (LDVs) and heavy-duty diesel trucks (HDDTs). The proposed extension is entitled Virginia Tech Comprehensive PowerBased Fuel consumption and Emission Model (VT-CPFEM). The study proposes two models where the first model structure that depends on fuel estimates derived solely from VT-CPFM fuel estimates, which enhances the simplicity of the model. The second modeling framework combines the VT-CPFM fuel estimates with the speed parameter. The additional speed term improves the accuracy of the model and can be used as a reference for the driving condition of the vehicle. The model framework is consistent in estimating the three emissions for LDVs and HDDTs. Moreover, the performance of the model was investigated in comparison with existing models to demonstrate the reliability of the model. Furthermore, the performance of the model was further evaluated by applying the model on driving cycles based on real-world driving conditions. The results demonstrate the capability of the model in generating accurate and reliable estimates based on the goodness of fit and error values for the three types of emissions.

Yes / Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) remains a challenge globally. High school youths without comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) are more likely to engage in high risk sexual behaviors than their peers in schools with CSE. Fiji continues to have very poor adolescents SRH indicators. This study aimed to gauge the perceptions of students towards the delivery of SRH education in schools in Fiji. A qualitative study design was used to collect data from students in year 11-13 in public secondary schools in Suva, Fiji in 2018. Schools with equal ethnic mix were selected. A semi-structured open-ended questionnaire was used to guide Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). A male research facilitator conducted FGD with males while a female research facilitator facilitated that amongst the females. Data collected was analyzed thematically. Seven FGDs were conducted. A total of 46 students (29 males) participated with the age range from 17-19 years old. Eight themes emerged: current SRH education; students' knowledge on adverse consequences of SRH; sources of SRH information; need for sex education; provision of SRH education in schools; characteristics of teachers of SRH education; age-appropriate incremental sex education; and ideal version of SRH. The study shows that Fijian students desired a lot more from sex education than what is currently offered for sexual decision-making. There is a need for mandatory and comprehensive sex education for young people.

The final qualifying work examined the theoretical foundations of social project activities and the role of socially useful activities in state youth policy. The factors influencing the motivation for the involvement of high school students were also identified. The empirical basis of the study consisted of semi-structured interviews with teachers and a survey of high school students in grades 8-11 of comprehensive schools in Yekaterinburg. / В ВКР были рассмотрены теоретические основы социально-проектной деятельности и роль общественно-полезной деятельности в государственной молодежной политике. Также были выделены факторы, влияющие на мотивацию вовлечения старшеклассников. Эмпирическую базу исследования составили полуструктурированные интервью с педагогами и опрос старшеклассников 8-11 классов общеобразовательных школ города Екатеринбурга.

Master of Regional and Community Planning / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Jason Brody / As effects of social and environmental conflicts perpetuate globally, fewer nations in the world appear to be at settled peace. The on-set of natural disasters and socio-political conflicts continue to force the United States Government to be increasingly called upon to provide resources that secure unstable regions during times of conflict. One method the government uses to securing its international neighbors is through the deployment of US Army reconstruction teams. These teams assist in transforming a negatively impacted foreign nation into a peaceful and functioning sovereignty within itself and its region; however, in order to begin reconstruction and engage in long term stability for the best interest of the host-nation, the Army must scrutinize current decision-making techniques to assure that basic human rights are instilled and local inhabitants have a means to sustain those efforts. This research sets out to define a planning model which supplements Army doctrine concerning post-conflict reconstruction, mainly FM 3-07 Stability Operations. It looks to incorporate academia, professional experience, and government resources with indigenous leadership in order to define a process to reconstruct infrastructure for a foreign nation during a time of need. More importantly, it looks to enforce those measures which endorse the basic human rights of society to instill security in post-conflict regions.

The study attempted to identify R425 diplomates' perceptions of their psychiatric competencies. An exploratory descriptive survey investigated specific strengths and weaknesses of the R425 diplomates in the psychiatric clinical units in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, as perceived by the diplomates themselves. The diplomates were reportedly competent in performing numerous, but not all cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills addressed by this survey. The R425 diplomates perceived themselves to be incompetent in designing and implementating rehabilitation programmes/workshops, managing community projects, conducting research and managing crises in psychiatric nursing units. / Health Sciences / M.A. (Health Studies)

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) represents the New Partnership for Africa’s Developments’ (NEPAD) framework for revitalising Africa’s agriculture. Improving agricultural performance is at the heart of improved economic development and growth. NEPAD believes that agriculture will provide the engine for growth in Africa. The CAADP framework was developed by the NEPAD Steering Committee in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. It also includes the contributions of other institutions such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (FAD), the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Bank, and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). The CAADP focused on investments in four pillars that can make the earliest difference to Africa’s agricultural crisis. These mutually reinforcing pillars were expected to bring about improvements in terms of Africa’s agriculture, food security, and trade balance. This will ultimately enable Africa to reach its Millennium Development Goal of reducing hunger and poverty by half by 2015 (WDR). For the purpose of this particular study, the first investment pillar, which is water and land management, will be scrutinised extensively, as this is critical to achieving the so much talked about food security. The study will utilise both secondary and primary documents of NEPAD. More specifically the implemented water and irrigation projects in the East and West Africa countries will be reviewed to determine success in African agricultural development under NEPAD. It will identify specifically water management projects already implemented and those already initiated, and find out whether the CAADP is set to deliver the Millennium Development Goal. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ‘Omvattende Landbou Ontwikkelingsprogram’ (CAADP) is die raamwerk van NEPAD se pogings om Afrika se landbousektor te hergenereer. Verbeterde landbou is die kern van verbeterde ekonomiese groei en ontwikkeling in Afrika. Trouens, NEPAD glo dat landbou die dryfkrag van Afrika se ekonomiese groei sal wees. Die CAADP-raamwerk is ontwikkel deur NEPAD se leierskap, in noue samewerking met die Verenigde Nasies se Voedsel en Landbouorganisasie (FAO). Die raamwerk sluit ook in bydraes van ander liggame, soos die Internasionale Fonds vir Landbouontwikkeling (FAD), die Wêreldvoedselprogram (WFP), die Wêreldbank en die Forum vir Landbounavorsing in Afrika (FARA). Die CAADP fokus op vier investeringspilare wat Afrika se landboukrisis van onder af kan aanpak. Hierdie interafhanklike pilare is veronderstel om Afrika se landbou, voedselversorging en handelsbalans gelyktydig aan te pak. Hierdie stappe behoort te help dat Afrika die Millennium Ontwikkelingsoogmerk (nl. ‘n halvering van honger teen 2015) te bereik. In hierdie studie val die klem op die eerste pilaar, nl. water en grondbestuur, as voorwaarde vir voedselsekuriteit. Die studie maak gebruik van sowel primêre en sekondêre dokumentasies van NEPAD, met besondere fokus op water en besproeiingsprojekte in Oos- en Wes-Afrika. Daar word gekyk na spesifieke projekte wat reeds bestaan en wat geïnisieer is, ten einde die sukses van CAADP te bepaal.

國內政府為發展國內知識經濟產業，協助企業增加融資管道，屬於無形資產之融資制度，即將實施。無衡量即無管理，企業無形資產價值的評估，在融資、管理及投資決策上，就益顯重要。本研究參考Gu and Lev (2001)之無形資產評估方法，以國內電子資訊業與化學產業為研究對象，探討（1）考量無形資產之企業綜合價值是否比帳面價值更能解釋股價的變動；（2）智慧資本密集產業的市價綜合價值比是否與未來股價報酬成負相關；及（3）綜合價值是否能由衡量企業人力、創新及關係構面之指標加以解釋。 實證結果發現不論是資訊電子業或化學業，在加入帳面淨值後，無形資產對股價仍具有增額解釋能力。此結果意謂，對知識資本密集產業而言，除了帳面價值外，無形資產亦具有價值攸關性。此外，本研究發現，市價綜合價值比對於後期股價報酬確實具有顯著的預測能力，顯示市價綜合價值比具有資訊內涵，可協助投資人之投資決策或金融機構之授信決策。實證結果亦顯示，未來二期之股價報酬與市價綜合價值比之負相關較未來一期股價報酬與市價綜合價值比之關係更顯著。最後，對資訊電子業而言，衡量創新資本之當年度研發費用率和新專利權數，以及衡量人力資本的每人營收及員工紅利保留盈餘比為知識資本之價值決定因素；而對化學業而言，當年度研發費用率與員工紅利保留盈餘比與企業綜合價值呈顯著正相關。 / Taiwan government sets forth policies in order to assist companies in the knowledge industries obtain financial resources from the market on the basis of their intangibles. As there is no proper management measures could be exercised when there is no measurement to intangibles, the importance of valuation of intangibles surges with respect to financing, operating and investing decision making. Based on the approach developed by Gu and Lev (2001) and sample firms from chemical and information and electronics industries, this thesis explores issues: (1) whether the comprehensive value has incremental explanatory power in addition to book value of equity; (2) if there is a negative association between future stock return and the ratio of market value to comprehensive value for firms studied; and finally (3) if the variation in comprehensive value can be explain by value drivers that contribute to human, innovation and customer capitals. The empirical findings indicate that for firms both in the information and electronics and chemical industries, the comprehensive value contributes additionally to book value of equity in the return-value relation. This implies that information of the comprehensive value is value-relevant. The results also evidence that the ratio of stock market price to comprehensive value is significantly and negatively related to stock return for the future period. Moreover, such association is found to be stronger for two-period ahead stock return than that of one-period. The predictive ability of market-to-comprehensive value ratio indicates that the provision of the ratio could be helpful for investments decision making. Finally, this thesis finds that, for the information and electronics industry, variables such as R&D intensity, number of new patent, revenue per employee and stock bonus-to-retain earnings ratio determine the comprehensive value of the firm. With respect to the chemical industry, variables such as R&D intensity and stock bonus-to-retain earnings ratio explain the variation in comprehensive value of the sample firm.

In the field of city planning, a growing need exists for the integration of spatial development with transportation planning instruments. This study identifies issues related to the definition, evaluation and implementation of the integration of sustainable development and sustainable transportation within three types of municipalities. Significant issues that are explored include the various definitions of integration; the range of issues considered under notions of integration; the diverse perspectives on, and criticism of development and transportation integration analysis, as well as approaches to evaluating integration and transportation impacts on development. Furthermore, the study reports on the goals of each municipality, specifically with reference to sustainable public transportation decision-making; approaches to sustainable transportation, automobile dependency; land use; and finally, on sustainable transportation and development integration solutions. Approaches to spatial development used to focus on the organisation of land use issues, but this field is increasingly defined more broadly to include economic and social welfare, quality of human health/life and environmental integrity. From a sustainability perspective, a narrow definition of sustainable transportation tends to favour individual technological solutions, while a broader definition tends to favour more integrated solutions, including improved travel choices, economic incentives, institutional reforms, land use changes as well as technological innovation. Integration focuses on the teamwork required between the relevant departments as well as between levels or spheres of government, and often entails the implementation of nodal-corridor approaches. Sustainability planning may require changing the way people think about solutions to transportation problems in the future. The literature survey (Chapter 2) addresses a number of salient concepts, namely transportation and spatial development integration, public transportation and its orientated development, nodal-corridor development, as well as environmental and development relationships. Furthermore, an investigation into the legislative frameworks and policies is presented with emphasis on spatial development, transportation plans and node-and-corridors development (Chapter 3). This is followed in Chapter 4 by a report on an investigation into, and interviews held with representatives from the three municipalities (Hermanus local municipality, Cape Town metropolitan municipality and Eden district municipality) with reference to the integrated transportation plans (ITP) and spatial development frameworks (SDF) of these municipalities. This section reflects the opinions of relevant role-players regarding the central aspects of this study. Chapter 5 presents a summary of the study as well as a number of conclusions. In this chapter, planning recommendations are provided with the aim of advising municipalities on possibilities for the integration of sustainable transportation plans and spatial planning / development instruments. / Thesis (M.Art. et Scien. (Urban and Regional planning))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Recently, there is an increasing interest and awareness on sustainability and sustainable development. Sustainability is comprised of the three E’s: environment, economy and equity. Of these three, the equity or the social sustainability component is often overlooked. As cities become more global and demographically diverse due to immigration, diversity’s impact to the city should be addressed through policies and plans. The content analysis and evaluation of city plans, policies and urban design examines their response to accommodating and including inter-cultural diversity using identified indicators of social sustainability and equity. This study finds that the length of time a city has been a foreign-born population hub does not statistically impact its integration of social sustainability measures in its comprehensive and sustainability plans. It concludes with best practices of sample cities and discussion on how city and other jurisdictions’ plans can incorporate, address and measure immigrant and inter-cultural responsiveness through social sustainability and equity concerns.