Dielectric waveguides are crucial devices in the making of integrated-optical circuits. It is very important to analyze this type of waveguides so we can optimize the design for better performance. Analysis of bent waveguides has been a difficult problem in the past. In a bent waveguide, two coordinate systems are needed to fully describe the ongoing complex scattering process in the transition region of the waveguide. It is extremely hard to analyze such problems for methods built on a single coordinate system such as the finite-difference,finite-element methods and the beam propagation method (BPM). In this thesis, we adopt dual mode-field representations (for all the low and higher-order modes), one for the incident and reflected waves and the other for the transmitted waves, to study bending effects. To calculate the wave fields, we apply the analytic continuity principle to allow the waves to analytically extend and join smoothly on the bordering line. By matching the two continuity conditions of both the fields and their normal derivatives we get two matrix equations for the reflection and transmission coefficients. For symmetrical bending waveguide, the task can be further reduced to solving two smaller problems each with even or odd symmetry on the bordering line. As the bent angle increases the governing matrix equation becomes more singular. As a result, all the elements in the matrix are calculated with closed-form formulae to minimize the stability problem. In addition, special numerical methods are used to extend the range of the bending angles that this method can handle. In conclusion, our theory can calculate microwave bending waveguides up to 30 degrees and for dielectric slab waveguide with 15 degree bent angle. With this method we are able to compute small reflection coefficients of about -60dB and less.

Research of efficacy after university (continuity) studies in contemporary educated system of Lithuania Master’s work. This master’s final work in social – educated aspect analyses adult’s attitude in continuity their educate, educate qualify increase action, collected and evaluated information, give recommendations how further create efficacy of continuity studies in educated system of Lithuania. Fulfiled theoretical and quantity date analysis ascertain, that educated reform common aim – aspire that everyone has to acquire appropriate qualifications and it always perfect. Summed results, maintain that educate qualify and their plan system has to become part of constant educated system. It is carefully analyses adult’s educate motivation. It is confirmed author’s formulated hypothesis of research, that continuity studies extend conditions for each teacher to receive new knowledge, deep understanding, skills, widen attitude, interests and received knowledge ideal adapt in practice.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Sydney, 2008. / Title from title screen (viewed 10 September, 2008). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Dept. of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts. Degree awarded 2008; thesis submitted 2007. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print form.

Versteek in die westelike uithoeke van Pretoria is die oorblyfsels van die voormalige bewaarder van die Weste, vandag bekend as 'Westfort'. Kort voor die Tweede W?reldoorlog uitbgebreek het is die fort gedemonteer, gestroop vir sy staal, en aan totale verval oorgelaat (Van Vollenhoven 1998:25). Hierdie verhandeling spreek die eindelose proses van ru?nasie en isolasie in hoogs bestrede tye van verandering aan. Deur hierdie verlate ru?ne te rehabiliteer, kan Westfort moontlik raaisels van die verlede ontbloot en terselfdetyd 'n behoefte skep om stories daaroor te vertel. The Heritage Portal will act as the mediator in celebrating the continuity of our collective and continuous South African heritage through the experience of narration. The intention of the project is to protect the heritage significance of the Westfort precinct, secure its future value, and introduce continuity through experiential architecture. KEYWORDS: Ruination, collective, experiential, rehabilitate, narration, continuity a Lost and forgotten ruin a Beacon of continuity and belonging Die Erfenisportaal sal as bemiddelaar optree in die viering van ons gemeenskaplike en deurlopende Suid Afrikaanse erfenis deur middel van vertelling. Die intensie van die projek is om die geskiedkundige belang van Westfort te beskerm, om sy toekomstige waarde te bevorder, en om kontinu?teit deur die ervaring van argitektuur bekend te stel. / Mini Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Architecture / MArch (Prof) / Unrestricted

This qualitative study explores spouse caregivers’ understanding of and responses to partners with dementia. Six wives who had been providing care to their husbands in the community for at least two years were interviewed. Transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and four interconnected themes were proposed: same person or different; relational change; emotional responses to behaviours; and impact on day-to-day life. Participants’ sense of continuity with the past was suggested to influence each theme. The construct of continuity was proposed to be elastic, with both intra-psychic and inter-psychic factors impacting upon its elasticity. Broadly, a sense of continuity seemed to be associated with better adjustment to caregiving.

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Increasing importance has been placed on identifying precursors to childhood and adolescent problem behaviors as a step to intervene in early years and prevent maladaptive developmental outcomes. Using publicly available data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD) longitudinal cohort, the current study investigates the patterns of disorganization from infancy to early childhood as precursors to childhood externalizing behaviors. With specific focus on both the stability and directionality of change in disorganization, latent growth curve modeling was conducted and showed overall main effects of continuous attachment disorganization as a precursor for heightened externalizing behaviors across middle childhood – specifically for male children. To further disentangle the impact of having an organized internal working model versus lacking one, organized models were repeated to exclude attachment security. Results remained generally the same, suggesting the grave importance of attachment disorganization beyond even unfavorable, insecurely organized internal working models. / Psychology

Continuity of care (COC) refers to the delivery of seamless services, continuous caring relationships, and information sharing across care providers. A disruption in COC—that is, care fragmentation (CF)—is an important cause of inefficiency in the Canadian healthcare system; such disruption leads to increased healthcare costs and reduced quality of care. Addressing this issue is particularly challenging among older adults, who often have medically complex needs; such patients can require many care transitions across multiple care settings. An effective strategy for COC improvements is to optimize discharge planning among older adults. However, this is hampered by the imperfect understanding of older patients’ needs, which are associated with their health complexity. Therefore, making early predictions about the patients’ health complexity and incorporating this information into discharge planning decisions can potentially improve COC. In this thesis, I develop data-driven predictive–prescriptive analytics frameworks that leverage machine learning (ML) approaches and a rich, massive set of longitudinal data collected over a decade. The first essay in this dissertation studies the early prediction of older patients’ complexity in hospital pathways using ML. It also examines whether we can conduct accurate prognostics with current information on patient complexity. The second study examines how two common measures of patient complexity—multimorbidity and frailty—concurrently affect post-discharge readmission and mortality among older patients. It also investigates the dependency of the outcomes on other essential socio-demographic factors. Finally, the third study examines the feasibility of predicting patients at risk of fragmented readmission—that is, readmission to a different hospital than the initial one. It uses this predictive information to derive optimal policies for preventing CF while addressing disparities in the decision-making process. The findings highlight the feasibility, utility, and performance of predicting patient complexity and important adverse outcomes, potentially undermining COC. This thesis shows that advanced knowledge and explicit utilization of this information could support decision-making and resource planning toward a targeted allocation at the system level; moreover, it informs actions that affect patient-centered care transition at the service level to optimize patient outcomes and facilitate upstream discharge processes, thereby improving COC. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / The aging population in Canada is growing significantly relative to the population as a whole, and several challenges are involved in providing aging people with proper healthcare services. One of these challenges is disruptions in continuity of care. Older adults are often medically complex or frail; they may have multiple diseases and require many care transitions across healthcare settings. Poor continuity of care among these patients leads to health deterioration during care trajectories, resulting in reduced quality of care and increased healthcare costs and inefficiencies. This thesis includes three essays that provide practical insights and solutions regarding the issue of continuity of care disruptions, spanning from predicting the issue to strategies to prevent it in a data-driven manner.

Continuity of operations planning for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) is critical for institution sustainability. The absence of such planning can result in an HBCU closing for an extended period of time after a disaster resulting in loss of revenue, research projects, students, faculty, and staff. There is a void of information on the extent of continuity of operations planning at HBCUs and how these institutions would continue functioning after a disaster. Using resilience theory as the foundation, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the extent of continuity of operations planning at HBCUs in Alabama in the event of a disaster and explore opportunities to strengthen continuity planning for the future. Four HBCUs were chosen in the State of Alabama for this research. Data were collected through interviews with 5 individuals with information on continuity of operations planning at the universities selected. These data were inductively coded and subjected to thematic analysis. The results of this study indicate comprehensive continuity of operations planning is not taking place, and planners at these institutions perceive they do not have the guidance needed for effective planning and the time to conduct planning activities. It is recommended the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) develop a guideline for continuity of operations planning applicable to higher education. It is further recommended that HBCU leadership insure planners have adequate time and resources to devote to continuity of operations planning. This study fosters positive social change by bringing an awareness to FEMA and HBCU leadership of the need and importance of continuity of operations planning for institutional sustainability.

This research is an investigation into Succession planning initiatives in government agencies in Botswana, a case of the Botswana National Archives and Records Services. The Botswana National Archives and Records Services has been experiencing a significant loss of employees over the years. When people leave the organisation in most cases the vacant position will take too long to fill, especially for those positions that require the technical qualification and experience in Archives and Records Management. This state of affairs according to the researcher may be addressed by implementing a succession planning strategy. Succession planning has the potential to uplift government agencies in terms of increased productivity, motivation, efficiency and retention of staff. Succession planning can help organisations to invest more on developing their staff for future key positions to ensure business continuity. It is important for organisations to have a strong pipeline so that key positions are easily filled as they become vacant. This study sought to establish if the Botswana National Archives and Records Services has any initiatives on succession planning and how well the employees understand the concept of succession planning. A questionnaire was designed and administered to the staff of the National Archives. The findings from the study reveal that most of the employees do not understand the concept of succession planning and the organisation has no initiative on succession planning. These findings led to the conclusion that the National Archives should include succession planning in its business strategy and teach its employees about it to ensure business continuity. / Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2013