The concepts of self-gifting and goal setting are combined in the context of physical activity, in order to investigate their impact on the likelihood to self-gift when setting physical goals. Mick and DeMoss’ original work on self-gifting is explored further in this investigation, with the utilisation of an exploratory, qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women setting physical goals related to running, with findings from thematic analysis showing support for new concepts in this area. This includes the provision of new themes, namely ‘Pre-gifting’ (gifts purchased before goal outcome) and ‘Tools of the Trade’ (related to how items differ in significance between individuals). Seemingly, physical activities relate strongly to reward orientation in self-gifting behaviour, thus a conceptual model of self-gifting likelihood in a reward context in relation to the goal setting process is contributed. This is inclusive of the themes that emerge as influential on this process, showing the times at which self-gifting opportunities arise as individuals move through the goal setting process to eventual goal success, and the factors that influence this outcome. Consequently, areas are outlined that require further investigation, and a discussion of this concludes the chapters.

Texas water availability modeling has undergone a transition from paper-based documents to digital databases and GIS maps. This results in many discrete components: a water rights database, a GIS database, a monthly flow simulation model to quantify water availability, and an environmental flows assessment to quantify how much water should remain in Texas rivers. This dissertation examines how these components can be connected by a conceptual model and automated as a Hydrologic Information System (HIS) for Texas water availability modeling using custom GIS toolsets and data processing. The HIS is defined using three tools that combine components of the conceptual model. These tools automate the processes of water availability modeling and synthesize the conceptual model components. This dissertation also explores how desktop-based Texas water availability modeling can be informed by web services and how a services-oriented architecture for water availability modeling could be constructed. Existing hydrologic information models are used as a guide in creating an Arc Hydro Web information model as a framework for this activity. This model is demonstrated using scenarios highlighting its capabilities for representing desktop and web-informed analyses. The functionality of Arc Hydro Web is demonstrated via a use case of five associated component studies in the San Jacinto Basin illustrating the functionality of the HIS of water availability modeling in Texas. The shift from desktop-based analyses to web-enabled processing enables certain aspects of water availability modeling being moved to cloud computing. The network aspects of the Texas water availability modeling environment can be informed by web services using a centrally-stored network, negating the current system of having nearly-identical duplicate networks. This could foster communication and sharing of water resources models. It is recommended that Arc Hydro Web be implemented, that aspects of water availability modeling processing become web-enabled through the combination of web processing and web services, and that additional services be developed to meet the needs of web-based water availability modeling. / text

<p><font face="TimesNewRoman"> <p align="left">Research findings in current study provide a new insight into the fractured rock aquifers in the TMG area. Some of the results will have wide implications on the groundwater management and forms a solid basis the further study of the TMG aquifers.</p> </font></p>

When a jack-up foundation is installed on seabeds consisting of a sand layer overlying soft clay, potential for 'punch-through' failure exists. This happens due to an abrupt reduction in bearing resistance when the foundation punches a block of sand into the underlying soft clay in an uncontrolled manner. This can lead to a sudden large penetration that can cause temporary decommissioning and even toppling of the unit. This research has addressed this problem with the aim of developing a practical design method for the jack-up industry to assess potential punch-through hazards. This objective has been achieved with the successful development of a new conceptual model for predicting the peak penetration resistance and a consistent method for constructing a complete resistance profile of spudcan foundations penetrating through sand into the underlying clay. The analytical basis of the new conceptual model follows the approach for silo analysis, and takes into account the stress level and dilatant response of sand. It is therefore a significant improvement over the punching shear and load spread models recommended in the current industry guidelines SNAME (2002), which do not consider the strength properties of the sand. To provide relevant experimental data for the new model, an extensive series of 30 continuous penetration tests were performed using the UWA drum centrifuge. These experimental results were retrospectively simulated using finite element (FE) analysis, in order to back-calculate the stress-level dependent friction and dilation angles in the sand during peak penetration resistance. The back-analysis showed that larger values of peak resistance gave lower friction and dilation angles, which is consistent with gradual suppression of dilatancy under high confining stress. When compared to published results from visualisation experiments, the FE analysis showed a similar failure mechanism during peak resistance, where a frustum of sand was forced into the underlying clay, with the outer angle reflecting the dilation in the sand. This has formed the basis of the new conceptual model. The performance of the new model in predicting the experimental peak resistance was compared with other existing analytical methods. Additional experimental results, including those already in the literature, were incorporated in the comparative study. It was found that the new conceptual model generally gave a good prediction of the experimental values, while the prediction from SNAME (2002) was conservative, with the predicted values being about half the experimental results on average. It was also shown that the new model could be modified to predict the post-peak penetration resistance in the sand layer. Finally, an analytical method for predicting the resistance profiles in the underlying clay was devised based on new bearing capacity factors developed through FE analysis. By joining the values of peak resistance, post-peak resistance and the resistance profile in the underlying clay, a complete simplified penetration resistance profile for spudcan foundations in sand overlying clay can be generated. The predicted profiles were shown to match the experimental results well.

The current period is characterized by profound scientific and technological progress not only in the medicine but also in the field of nursing, which is now based more on scientific knowledge than ever before. Nursing as a science requires professionally trained nurses providing high quality nursing care. Therefore, the development of modern medicine, particularly in the field of cardiology, justifies the need to change the perception and status of nurses with respect to patient care together with strengthening the prestige and status of nurses in society. The main research intention of the dissertation was to determine how the nursing behaviour in connection with the procedure of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) due to atrial fibrillation (AF) is perceived by nurses and patients, what is the impact of the RFA on the life quality of patients with AF, and what is the level of education in patients with AF. To meet these goals the research, the empirical part was divided into two phases. In the first phase, a non-standardized questionnaire was used, role of which was to assess the needs of patients with AF before and after RFA comparing baseline and 1 year follow-up data. In the second phase, which only examined the conditions 1 year after the RFA, a standardized questionnaire CBI - 24 (Caring Behaviour Inventory) was additionally used together with another form with questions investigating education of patients. Further data were obtained from nurses taking care for patients during the medical intervention. The research results show that quality of life of patients with AF before ablation was reduced. Patients´ most common problem areas included pain, physical and mental problems. Our research also showed that if we compared meeting patients´ physical and mental needs, meeting physical needs was evaluated better. Another area under consideration was the education of patients. Evaluated results showed the fact that education was focused on its content rather than its form. Evaluation of the perception of nursing care from the perspective of patients and nurses was the last part of the research. The results of the survey showed that nurses evaluated technical competence better than the humanistic approach to patients. It was also discovered that patients evaluated areas focused on performance of nurses better than creating a relationship of security and safety for patients. Finally, the results indicated that communication is also problematic area. We managed to meet the set goals and gain both theoretical and practical recommendations. Analyzing the results, we found out that there is a need to support humanistic approach in nursing care for cardiac patients, communication and education.

As tecnologias verdes assumiram uma posição importante para o desenvolvimento da sustentabilidade global, e a transferência de tecnologias pode ser um mecanismo pelo qual as indústrias podem conquistar e manter sua competitividade no mercado e garantir a sustentabilidade, promovendo uma atitude de mudança e de acompanhamento das necessidades humanas, econômicas, sociais e ambientais da era atual. O objetivo geral da tese consistiu em desenvolver um modelo conceitual de processo de transferência de tecnologia verde para os Institutos de Ciência e Tecnologia brasileiros, tendo o NIT como o agente facilitador para a cooperação. Com a revisão sistemática da literatura realizada sobre os processos e modelos de transferência de tecnologia, foi possível verificar que ainda não existem modelos aplicados para tecnologias verdes. Através da ferramenta proposta para avaliar a estrutura de transferência de tecnologia, identificou-se quais as dimensões que integram o modelo e sua relação com os grupos de pesquisa e NITs. O modelo proposto elaborado consistiu em três macrofases: pré-transferência, desenvolvimento e pós-transferência. Através deste modelo é possível apontar, antecipadamente, as principais barreiras que impedem esse processo, além de fomentar desenvolvimentos científicos e tecnológicos futuros, capazes de influenciar de forma significativa nas indústrias, uma vez que anteciparia futuros problemas relativos à propriedade intelectual que possam inviabilizar a cooperação entre universidade-indústria no Brasil. / Green technologies have assumed an important role towards global sustainability development. Technology transfer processes could become the responsible mechanism for industries to assure and keep market competitiveness and sustainability, promoting a change of attitude and monitoring nowadays economical, social and human needs. The main purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual model of green technology transfer process for Brazilian Science and Technology Institutes, focusing on the Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) as the facilitators of such cooperation. Literature review on processes and methodology for technology transfer showed that there is no specific methods for green technologies. Through the proposed tool designed to evaluate technology transfer processes, it was possible to identify the dimensions integrated into the model and into the research group and TTOs. The elaborated model consists of three distinct phases: before, during and after technology transfer process. Such tool besides being able to point out, beforehand, the barriers which interfere negatively on such process, it is able to promote future scientific and technological development capable of significantly influence on industries specially because it can anticipate intellectual property issues that could undermine industry-university cooperation in Brazil.

Medical staff and therefore also nurses may currently more and more often meet patients from foreign countries. It is beyond question that these clients have their own specific biological, psychological and social needs which the nurses should respect. Theoretical part of this assignment describes the issue of trans-cultural nursing, defines it and explains its importance and historical development. It also deals with some of the multi-cultural care models, i.e. the models by Leininger, Giger-Davidhizar, Campinhy-Bacote and Bloch's Ethnic Nursing Care. In general it also mentions conceptual nursing models, their definitions, origin and importance. The following goals were set for this dissertation: Goal 1: Map the issues related to the Leininger's and Giger-Davidhizar's models and their practical use in selected hospitals in the Czech Republic. Goal 2: Find out if nurses use aspects of multi-cultural nursing within their nursing care for foreign patients. Goal 3: Find out how the nurses benefit from using the trans-cultural nursing models for foreign patients within their nursing process. Goal 4: Formulate nursing documents suitable for application of nursing care for foreign patients. Based on the above goals, several research questions were defined: 1. What nursing models are used in selected hospitals in the Czech Republic? 2. How do nursing documents in selected hospitals in the Czech Republic respect nursing process specifics when foreign patients are concerned? 3. Are nurses aware (and in what scope) of the principles of the Leininger's and Giger-Davidhizar's models? 4. How do nurses use trans-cultural nursing models when caring for foreign patients? 5. How do nurses, in their opinion, satisfy foreign patients' biological, psychological and social needs with respect to their cultural differences? 6. How do nurses educate themselves in multi-cultural care? In practical part of the work, nursing documents or anamneses from selected hospitals in the Czech Republic were collected and their content was analysed with focus on multi-cultural aspects identification. Gathered results were then plot in charts. In the next phase of the investigation, semi-structured interviews were held with ten nurses working in standard wards of selected health-care facilities which provided nursing anamneses. Each of the nurses worked in different hospital. The outcome of my dissertation is a draft of nursing anamnesis based on the Leininger's model which is suitable for data collection from patients coming from different cultural backgrounds.

The conceptual models in nursing care provide healthcare workers with a comprehensive philosophical-theoretical framework for provision of care to both healthy and ill individuals. They also contribute to develop nursing as a self-standing scientific discipline, supply a common language, an opportunity to make communication more efficient, to improve the provided care, they constitute a tool to evaluate the intervention results and last but not least, they support the education and the development of practice. The Calliste Roy's model, developed in the 1970s already and called "Adaptation model", understands the human as a holistic being that is in permanent interaction with the internal and external environment. According to the Roy's model, nursing is aimed at influencing the individuals' health in health, but also in illness, and at achieving their efficient adaptive behaviour. Our goal consisted in finding out the particularities of nursing care in clinical and community practice in the 50+ generation, under application of Calliste Roy's Adaptation model. Six hypotheses were formulated in collection with the set goal. Quantitative investigation under use of a non-standardized questionnaire was performed in order to get the data needed for processing of the research part of the work. The results of the investigation allowed confirming five out of the six hypotheses set. It was proved that with increasing age, 50+ people experience serious changes at 26 of the changes under evaluation. However, it was not confirmed that the life changes of the 50+ generation directly depend on gender, as no statistically significant connection between all changes tested and the gender was proved. It further applies that with increasing age, the percentage of individuals assessing the attitude to changes as negative rises significantly. It was also found out that the attitude of men towards changes is significantly more positive than the women's attitude. With increasing age, it is more and more difficult for the respondents to adapt to changes in their lives. However, men state significantly more often to be able to adapt to changes without difficulties, while women state difficulties significantly more often. A recommendation for practice consists in applying Calliste Roy's Adaptation model not only to assess the needs of the 50+ generation, but primarily in applying modified nursing case history in practice to support comprehensive assessment of the patient/client. The work brings stimuli for further research investigations, among other things.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-11-08Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:03:12Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 moraes_crb_dr_mar.pdf: 2526314 bytes, checksum: da4ec9023c1674f7834588ab7fc45f71 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O conhecimento é criado por indivíduos, ou seja, uma organização não pode criar conhecimento por si mesma sem os indivíduos que a compõe. Assim, para se ter o foco na criação de conhecimento, há que se buscar o desenvolvimento dos colaboradores. Diante de tal cenário, questiona-se a dificuldade de se estudar os comportamentos e as atitudes profissionais das pessoas envolvidas no processo de Gestão do Conhecimento em organizações, considerando-se a existência de elementos subjetivos e complexos, por envolver o trato com pessoas. Como hipótese, parte-se do pressuposto que um Modelo Conceitual, baseado na Cultura Organizacional e na Gestão de Pessoas, pode contribuir para a Gestão do Conhecimento nas organizações. Desta forma, objetivou-se elaborar um modelo conceitual, baseado na Cultura Organizacional e na Gestão de Pessoas, por meio da Metodologia Sistêmica Soft, visando a minimizar os obstáculos para a implantação de Gestão do Conhecimento nas organizações. Como objetivos específicos, este estudo buscou analisar os conceitos de Cultura Organizacional, Comportamento Humano e Gestão do Conhecimento nas organizações; adotar a Metodologia Sistêmica Soft no ambiente organizacional; propor um Modelo Conceitual de Gestão do Conhecimento centrado na Cultura Organizacional e nas Pessoas; e validar o Modelo Conceitual de Gestão do Conhecimento em uma organização do ramo alimentício. Como resultado, obteve-se um Modelo Conceitual para a Gestão do Conhecimento centrado na Cultura Organizacional e nas Pessoas, que foi validado em uma organização do ramo alimentício de uma cidade do Centro- Oeste do Estado de São Paulo através da aplicação dos sete passos da Metodologia Sistêmica Soft. Pode-se concluir que a aplicação da Metodologia Sistêmica Soft foi capaz de gerar um modelo conceitual a partir do qual foram elaboradas recomendações de mudança para... / Knowledge is created by persons, that is, an organization cannot create knowledge itself without the persons that compose it. Thus, to have the focus in the knowledge creation, it has that to search the development of the collaborators. In this scenery, this research questions the difficulty of studying the behavior and the professional attitudes of the persons involved in the process of Knowledge Management in organizations, considering the existence of subjective and complex elements, by involving the deal with people. As hypothesis, it has been estimated that a Conceptual Model, based in the Organizational Culture and the People Management, can contribute to the Knowledge Management in organizations. In this way, this study objectives the construction of a Conceptual Model, based in the Organizational Culture and the People Management, based on Soft System Methodology, aiming to minimize the obstacles for the implantation of Knowledge Management in the organizations. As specific objectives, this study aimed to analyze Organizational Culture, Human Behavior and Knowledge Management concepts; adopt the Soft System Methodology at organizational environment; propose a Conceptual Model, based in the Organizational Culture and the People Management; validate the Conceptual Model at a food business organization. As result, a Conceptual Model for the Knowledge Management centered in the Organizational Culture and the People was build, which was validated in an organization of the São Paulo State by the application of the Soft System Methodology seven steps. It can be concluded that Soft System Methodology application was able to generate a Conceptual Model, which provided changes suggestions to the organization on Knowledge Management

Orientador: Barbara Fadel / Banca:Marta Lígia Pomim Valentim / Banca:Regina Célia Baptista Belluzzo / Banca: Emeide Nóbrega Duarte / Resumo: O conhecimento é criado por indivíduos, ou seja, uma organização não pode criar conhecimento por si mesma sem os indivíduos que a compõe. Assim, para se ter o foco na criação de conhecimento, há que se buscar o desenvolvimento dos colaboradores. Diante de tal cenário, questiona-se a dificuldade de se estudar os comportamentos e as atitudes profissionais das pessoas envolvidas no processo de Gestão do Conhecimento em organizações, considerando-se a existência de elementos subjetivos e complexos, por envolver o trato com pessoas. Como hipótese, parte-se do pressuposto que um Modelo Conceitual, baseado na Cultura Organizacional e na Gestão de Pessoas, pode contribuir para a Gestão do Conhecimento nas organizações. Desta forma, objetivou-se elaborar um modelo conceitual, baseado na Cultura Organizacional e na Gestão de Pessoas, por meio da Metodologia Sistêmica Soft, visando a minimizar os obstáculos para a implantação de Gestão do Conhecimento nas organizações. Como objetivos específicos, este estudo buscou analisar os conceitos de Cultura Organizacional, Comportamento Humano e Gestão do Conhecimento nas organizações; adotar a Metodologia Sistêmica Soft no ambiente organizacional; propor um Modelo Conceitual de Gestão do Conhecimento centrado na Cultura Organizacional e nas Pessoas; e validar o Modelo Conceitual de Gestão do Conhecimento em uma organização do ramo alimentício. Como resultado, obteve-se um Modelo Conceitual para a Gestão do Conhecimento centrado na Cultura Organizacional e nas Pessoas, que foi validado em uma organização do ramo alimentício de uma cidade do Centro- Oeste do Estado de São Paulo através da aplicação dos sete passos da Metodologia Sistêmica Soft. Pode-se concluir que a aplicação da Metodologia Sistêmica Soft foi capaz de gerar um modelo conceitual a partir do qual foram elaboradas recomendações de mudança para... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Knowledge is created by persons, that is, an organization cannot create knowledge itself without the persons that compose it. Thus, to have the focus in the knowledge creation, it has that to search the development of the collaborators. In this scenery, this research questions the difficulty of studying the behavior and the professional attitudes of the persons involved in the process of Knowledge Management in organizations, considering the existence of subjective and complex elements, by involving the deal with people. As hypothesis, it has been estimated that a Conceptual Model, based in the Organizational Culture and the People Management, can contribute to the Knowledge Management in organizations. In this way, this study objectives the construction of a Conceptual Model, based in the Organizational Culture and the People Management, based on Soft System Methodology, aiming to minimize the obstacles for the implantation of Knowledge Management in the organizations. As specific objectives, this study aimed to analyze Organizational Culture, Human Behavior and Knowledge Management concepts; adopt the Soft System Methodology at organizational environment; propose a Conceptual Model, based in the Organizational Culture and the People Management; validate the Conceptual Model at a food business organization. As result, a Conceptual Model for the Knowledge Management centered in the Organizational Culture and the People was build, which was validated in an organization of the São Paulo State by the application of the Soft System Methodology seven steps. It can be concluded that Soft System Methodology application was able to generate a Conceptual Model, which provided changes suggestions to the organization on Knowledge Management / Doutor