The connection that players can feel toward their characters in pen-and-paper roleplaying games is a known phenomenon that has been previously studied and is recognized among roleplaying enthusiasts. Pen-and-paper roleplaying games are a complex form of games, with three distinct frames which are ludological, social, and diegetic (also called narrative). The frames are different aspects of the game as well as the base of different motivations for players, who value the frames in a varied degree. The goal of this thesis is to examine if in-game choices based on the diegetic frame in contrast to the ludological frame are correlated with the player/character connection. The method used for data collection is distribution of a quantitative questionnaire on the internet, spread to Swedish roleplayers through social media and associations tied to SVEROK. With their answers, the analysis identifies correlations between the player/character connection and the three frames of pen-and-paper roleplaying games, as well as other correlations noted in the data analysis. The literature revolves around the two core concepts; the player/character connection and the three frames of roleplaying games. The result shows that diegetic choices in contrast to ludological are weakly correlated with the player/character connection.

Bakgrund: Idag är det vanligt att mödrar inte ammar, dock värderas detta fortfarande lågt i samhället. Forskningen som finns angående dessa mödrars erfarenheter av anknytning till sina barn, är begränsad. En distriktssköterska ska kunna ge olika sorters stöd i moderskapet, exempelvis genom praktisk kunskap och på ett sätt som identifierar mödrars upplevelser kring att inte amma.  Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var att beskriva hur mödrar som ger sina barn modersmjölksersättning, upplever känslorna och relationen till sina barn.  Metod: Tio intervjuer med mödrar genomfördes. Kvalitativ innehållsanalys med en induktiv ansats och en deduktiv ansats användes i studien. Den induktiva delen bestod av öppna frågor och i den deduktiva delen användes MIRF-skalan.  Resultat: Åtta underkategorier och tre huvudkategorier framträdde. Kategorierna resulterade i ett tema: " Upplevelser av att skapa en föräldraroll och hur relationen till barnen varierade och utvecklades känslomässigt över tid." Konklusion: Mödrarna uttryckte starka, mestadels positiva känslor gentemot sina barn. De mödrar som försökt att amma men fått avsluta amningen, var särskilt sårbara och i behov av stöd. Känslor av att vara en otillräcklig moder på grund av att inte kunna amma, kunde påverka moderns psykiska hälsa negativt och orsaka fördröjda moderskänslor. / Background: It is common for mothers not to breastfeed today, still it is of low value by society. The research available about these mothers´ experiences of connection to their children, is limited. A district nurse should be able to support motherhood in different manners, for example by practical knowledge and in a way, that identifies mothers’ experiences about not breastfeeding.  Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe how mothers who give formula milk to their infants, experience feelings and the relationship to their infants.  Method: Ten interviews with mothers were conducted. Qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach and a deductive approach was used. The inductive part consisted of open questions and the MIRF-scale was used in the deductive part.  Results: Eight subcategories and three main categories emerged. The categories resulted in a theme: “Experiences of creating a parenting roll and how the relationship with the children varied and developed emotionally over time.”  Conclusion: The mothers expressed strong, mostly positive feelings towards their children. Mothers who tried to breastfeed and could not continue, were particularly vulnerable and in need of support. Feeling inadequate as a mother because of not being able to breastfeed, could affect the mother´s mental health negatively and cause delayed maternal feelings.

The role of input and output in the acquisition of language has been a source of controversy in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research. This present study aimed to investigate the relative effects of processing instruction (PI) as a type of input-based instruction and traditional instruction (TI) as a type of output-based instruction. Specifically, this experiment examined whether PI and TI bring about any improvement in comprehension and production of the Arabic subjunctive by beginner-level learners of Arabic. The PI instructional technique was based on the principles of input processing suggested by VanPatten (1993, 2002, 2004). It has three main elements: (a) an explicit explanation of grammar, (b) information on processing strategies, and (c) structured input activities. The study involved second semester students of Arabic and it aimed at assessing the impact of PI and traditional output instruction on the interpretation and production of the Arabic subjunctive on immediate and delayed posttests. One instructional package was developed for the PI group and another package was developed for the TI group. To assess the effects of instruction, a pretest/posttest/delayed posttest procedure with three tests was used. Each test included: 1) interpretation task with sixteen multiple choice items and 2) production task with sixteen sentence-completion items. The results from this study showed that participants who received PI outperformed participants from the TI as measured by Interpretation tasks of the subjunctive. However, the performance of both groups were statistically similar as was measured by the production tasks of the subjunctive. These results supported those of previous research that had compared PI with TI (Benati, 2001, 2005; Cadierno, 1995; VanPatten & Cadierno, 1993a, 1993b; VanPatten & Wong, 2004).

Previous research emphasises the importance of a counsellor’s ‘way of being’ in determining therapeutic effectiveness and outcome. The capacity to tolerate uncertainty is regarded as an important counsellor attribute. However, failing to show how counsellors learn this, limits the practical relevance of the existing literature for psychotherapy and counselling. This study questions how a counsellor can learn to bring his or her self more fully into relationship with clients and what the implications of this learning process on counselling work are. Central to this study is Levine’s (2002) conception that learning occurs through a willingness to think about experiences, which necessitates facing uncertainty. This thesis argues that the capacity to tolerate uncertainty is an individual learning process and a precondition for a counsellor developing his or her ‘way of being’ or therapeutic ‘use of self’ (Wosket, 1999). In this study, the counselling practitioner-researcher draws on her own learning process to show how reflection on personal issues triggered by experiences of uncertainty, that could obstruct a counsellor’s emotional availability necessary for ‘use of self’, may be a fundamental part of counsellor professional development. A learning process is demonstrated through reflection on five vignettes of experiences of uncertainty from life and counselling practice. Beginning with an inexplicable experience in counselling practice that the counsellor struggles to understand her response to, she wonders how her difficulty with tolerating uncertainty might relate to experiences of uncertainty and learned defences from her childhood and adolescence. Through an experience with a client’s overt uncertainty, the practitioner grasps the difference between trying to tolerate uncertainty and developing this capacity as a ‘way of being’. When creative and play work with a child client challenges use of the counsellor’s defences, her learning moves from a conceptual understanding to an embodied one. She becomes more present and vulnerable with clients allowing for connection with clients and greater depth in counselling work. The practitioner-researcher attributes this personal learning to the six phases of Sela Smith’s (2002) heuristic self-search inquiry that requires immersing in uncertainty, dwelling in the research question and accessing tacit knowledge. This study contributes to a lack of practical literature within psychotherapy and counselling on how counsellors develop their therapeutic ‘use of self’, a way of being that has been linked to effective therapeutic outcome yet only a small number of therapists possess. Although the process and findings of this subjective study cannot be generalised, it aims to stimulate each counsellors’ own reflection on therapeutic ‘use of self’. This study suggests a heuristic self-search framework for a counsellor to confront his or her own relationship to uncertainty as an integral part of professional development beyond what training can provide.

Class of 2016 Abstract and Report / Objectives: To evaluate the successes and failures of the recent implementation of the Arizona Health-e Connection (AzHeC) health information exchange (HIE) at the Pima County Adult Detention Center (PCADC); to identify a generalized infrastructure and draft recommendations for implementing HIE at other correctional facilities. Methods: Participants pertinent to the implementation by current staff at the PCADC were identified through snowball sampling. Interviews were conducted in-person or by telephone using a semi-structured interview guide. Demographics regarding roles and responsibilities during implementation were collected during each interview. Participants were asked for input regarding key aspects and lessons learned from the implementation. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then analyzed with Atlas.ti software for common themes. Results: A total of 12 individuals were interviewed, providing a comprehensive set of perspectives. Six common themes were identified: impact of being a novel implementer; challenges surrounding implementation; problems during implementation; what was done well; benefits of the system; and communication during implementation. Potential barriers that were successfully anticipated were establishing the value of the HIE through pilot studies to obtain early stakeholder buy-in, and addressing legal/privacy issues for the at-risk population in the corrections system. Problems that arose during implementation often involved information technology issues. Conclusions: Despite challenges faced throughout the HIE implementation, improvements in patient care, workflow, and time-savings made a tremendous impact for those involved. The lessons learned and advice given by the participants of this study can provide guidance for other correctional health systems wishing to implement a HIE at their facility.

Master of Science / Department of Architectural Engineering / Kimberly W. Kramer / In structural steel connection design, simple shear connections are one of the most common connection types utilized. The industry, especially from the side of the engineer, tends to lean toward using Double Clip Angle Connections as the default standard for simple shear connections. A double clip angle connection is a connection consisting of two angles transferring the shear forces from one member to the next either through bolts or welds. The design of Double Clip Angle Connections is efficient and the connections themselves are easy to fabricate. However, benefits to utilizing other types of shear connections exist. Many of these benefits are seen in the fabrication shop or during erection and construction. This is especially true of single shear plate or shear tab connections when applied to open structure design. Shear tab connections consist of a single plate that transfers the shear forces from one member to the next with bolts or with welds. The design of shear tab connections can be a more involved process than the design of double clip angles. Sometimes the shear plate or shear tab has to be longer than is typical. This is called an extended shear plate connection. These extended shear plates can bring other variables into the design that typically don’t occur with Double Clip Angle Connections such as bending of the plate or the need for multiple bolt columns. However, with proper planning and detailing, the benefits and savings experienced in the fabrication or construction phase may outweigh what can be seen as a more laborious design task. The purpose of this report is to identify the possible benefits achieved in using each of these connections, highlight the differences in the design approach for each, and use a study model to compare the outcome of using one connection over another in the design of a typical open structure. Double clip angles are typically the most efficient approach when speed of design and simplicity of fabrication are the desired outcomes. However, shear plate or shear tab connections have the potential to provide safer erection alternatives and materials savings if used in appropriate ways and with the right applications.

The following dissertation is located in South Africa, Pretoria. The aim is to define the Threshold of entry from the South of Pretoria, passing the University of South Africa and via Elandspoort Road and Mears Street. An Urban Design and Centre for Media + Image form the final resolution for the proposal. Education and Display are explored in creating a facility for the University of South Africa and a public and visual venue for Pretoria. Connection and Communication are the theoretical concepts carried through into the design. This is done in order to fully integrate design within a context both locally and internationally. Visual interaction with the building in the following design is a major factor. This is due to the dynamics surrounding the site and already existing movement channels and patterns creating an Urban Environment. The work of Bill Hillier has been consulted in relation to Architecture and Movement. The design approach is one of aknowleding our place in time. This is reflected in the programme for the facility and in the environment and technologies incorporated. Tilt-Up Construction, Post-Tensioned Slabs and Steel Construction are the main building methods. Steel, Glass and Concrete make up the material palette in conjunction with technological advances such as nanotechnology and smart surfaces. Steel and Glass Louvre Systems with Nanotechnology enable Large Screen Display on external Surfaces of the Facility. Copyright 2006, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Bevan, B 2006, Centre for Media + Image, MArch(Prof) dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10122006-121826/ > / Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Architecture / unrestricted

In a context where timber is gaining popularity as a building material and glass-fibre reinforced composites (GFRC) are becoming more accessible in a wide variety of formats, it is considered appropriate to reconsider the combination of these two materials. Additionally, given the increasing use of laminated timber elements where stiffness and strength are better controlled, attention is drawn back to the connection between elements. For these reasons, it is considered of interest to study reinforcing possibilities for connections within timber structures. This work consists in a parametric study of a single-dowelled connection between a timber part and a slotted-in steel plate, reinforced wirh GFRC plates glued into the timber slot at both sides of the steel plate. The study was carried out through simulations in ABAAUS Finite Element Analysis software considering the effect of specimen's geometry and the fibre distribution within the GFRC. Results show the increase of stiffness for the different configurations and give an insight of what can be expected from such type of reinforcements.

Cold-formed steel purlin systems are widely used in modem building construction, for supporting the roof and floor structures. The rotational behaviour of beam-to-beam bolted connections, which are used between the sections, significantly affects the performance of purlin systems and is hard to predict. The behaviour models currently available for the connections only offer linear or multilinear predictions with low levels of accuracy. The aim of the research presented in this thesis is to develop and propose a nonlinear, more accurate behaviour model for the sleeved modified Z bolted connections, by means of experimental and numerical analysis. Finite element models are presented for the single-bolt, single-lap connection, sleeved modified Z connections in the simply supported arrangement, and a six-span purlin system. Based on the numerical results that have been validated by the experiments, a nonlinear behaviour model is proposed for the sleeved modified Z connections. In the model, the behaviour of the connections is divided into four stages, based on the dominant mechanism that provides the resistance to the rotation. Different formulas are used in different stages to determine the behaviour of the connection, boundary conditions, and magnitudes of bolt forces. The new model reflects well the true behaviour of the connections, and provides a good understanding of what happens inside the connections. The model reveals the failure pattern of the connections and enables optimization in the design of purl in systems, for improving efficiency in material usage.

Ce travail de thèse a pour objectif de développer une nouvelle technologie afin de fournir une solution bas coût et simple d’utilisation pour les raccordements de fibres optiques entre elles. Cette technologie fibre-fibre pourra être étendue à des raccordements fibre-composant d’optique intégrée.Cette nouvelle technique est basée sur la photo-polymérisation d’une solution chimique, utilisée pour reconstruire une structure d’indice guidante entre les deux éléments de guides optiques à connecter. Pour mettre au point cette technologie nous nous sommes concentrés sur la réalisation d’un raccordement de deux fibres optiques.Après une analyse des technologies existantes et des causes de pertes lors des raccordements entre deux fibres optiques, nous détaillons les différentes solutions de photo-polymères employés. Nous abordons le fonctionnement de la polymérisation radicalaire, ainsi que la composition des solutions utilisées, puis nous présentons les performances attendues. Pour cela nous utilisons un environnement de simulation FDTD (Finite Différence Time Domaine), ce qui nous permet de mettre en évidence que cette technique de raccordement a le potentiel d’être équivalente aux techniques employées dans les télécoms de nos jours. Toujours dans l’objectif d’étudier ce nouveau type de connexion, et d’en optimiser les performances, nous avons mis en place une méthode d’analyse de la répartition de l’indice de réfraction au cœur même des connexions polymère. Pour cela nous employons une méthode de tomographie interférométrique, que nous avons adapté à la mesure de fibre et de petits objets en extrémité de fibre. Cette nouvelle technique d’analyse, développée en partenariat avec le département mécatronique de l’Université de Varsovie, permet de reconstruire une cartographie en trois dimensions de la répartition de l’indice de réfraction. Nous avons ainsi pu analyser des connexions polymères réalisées avec différentes solutions photochimiques, et observer les défauts d’homogénéité d'indice. Ceci dans le but de reproduire le plus parfaitement possible la structure d’indice des fibres optiques, et par là même réduire au maximum les pertes optiques au niveau de la connexion. A l’aide de ces analyses, nous sommes arrivés à l’application final de cette technique pour le marché des Télécommunication optiques : Nous avons ainsi réaliser des prototypes de raccordement de deux fibres optiques, ainsi que de tous les outils nécessaires à leur réalisation sur le terrain, et avons démontré que leur performances étaient équivalente aux produits aujourd’hui présent sur le marché. / The aim of this thesis is to develop a new technology providing a low cost and “easy to use “solution for interconnections of optical fibers. This fiber-optic technology can be extended to connections between fiber and integrated optical component. This new technique is based on photo-polymerization of a chemical solution used to rebuild a guiding index structure between two elements of optical waveguides. With the aim to study this new type of connection, and optimize it’s performances, we have implemented a method for analysing the distribution of the refractive index within the polymer connexions. For this we use an interferometric tomography method, that we adapted to measure the fiber and small items at fiber end. This new analysis technique, developed in partnership with the Department of Mechatronics of Warsaw University, allows to reconstruct a three-dimensional mapping of the refractive index distribution. We are able to analyse polymers connections made with different photochemical solutions and observe defects in the index homogeneity. This is done in order to replicate as possible the index structure of optical fibers, and thereby minimize optical losses at connection. Using these analysis, we set to the final application of this technique, at the optical Telecommunications market: we have developed prototypes of splicing between two optical fibers, as well as designed all necessary tools for their implementation in the field, and we have demonstrated that their performance is equivalent to products now available on the market.