A drainage basins runoff response can be determined by the connectivity of generated runoff to the stream network and the connectivity of the downstream stream network. The connectivity of a drainage basin modulates its ability to produce streamflow and respond to precipitation events and is a function of the complex and variable storage capacities along the drainage network. An improved means to measure and account for the dynamics of hydrological connectivity at the basin scale is needed to improve prediction of basin scale streamflow. The overall goal of this thesis is to improve the understanding of hydrological connectivity at the basin scale by measuring hydrological connectivity at the Baker Creek Research Basin during 2009. To this end, the objectives are to 1) investigate the dynamics of hydrological connectivity during a typical water year, 2) define the relationship between the contributing stream network and contributing area, 3) investigate how hydrological connectivity influences streamflow, and 4) define how hydrological connectivity influences runoff response to rainfall events. At a 150 km2 subarctic Precambrian Shield catchment where the poorly-drained heterogeneous mosaic of lakes, exposed bedrock, and soil filled areas creates variable contributing areas, hydrological connectivity was measured between April and September 2009 in 10 sub-basins with a particular focus on three representative sub-basins. The three sub-basins, although of similar relative size, vary considerably in the dominant typology and topology of their constituent elements. At a 10 m spatial resolution, saturated areas were mapped using both multispectral satellite imagery and in situ measurements of storage according to land cover. To measure basin scale hydrological connectivity, the drainage network was treated as a graph network with stream reaches being the edges that connect sub-catchment nodes. The overall hydrological connectivity of the stream network was described as the ratio of actively flowing relative to potentially flowing stream reaches, and the hydrological connectivity of the stream network to the outlet was described as the ratio of actively flowing stream reaches that were connected to the outlet relative to the potentially flowing stream reaches. Hydrological connectivity was highest during the spring freshet but the stream network began to disintegrate with its passing. In some drainage basins, large gate keepers were able to maintain connectivity of the stream network downstream during dry periods. The length of the longest stream was found to be proportional to contributing area raised to a power of 0.605, similar to that noted in Hacks Law and modified Hacks Law relationships. The length of the contributing stream network was also found to be proportional to contributing area raised to a power of 0.851. In general, higher daily average streamflows were noted for higher states of connectivity to the outlet although preliminary investigations allude to the existence of hysteresis in these relationships. Elevated levels of hydrological connectivity were also found to yield higher basin runoff ratios but the shape of the characteristic curve for each basin was heavily influenced by key traits of its land cover heterogeneity. The implications of these findings are that accurate prediction of streamflow and runoff response in a heterogeneous drainage basin with dynamic connectivity will require both an account of the presence or absence of connections but also a differentiation of connection type and an incorporation of aspects of local function that control the flow through connections themselves. The improved understanding of causal factors for the variable streamflow response to runoff generation in this environment will serve as a first step towards developing improved streamflow prediction methods in formerly glaciated landscapes, especially in small ungauged basins.

Background: The focus of this study is on how far GPs' perceptions of dementia map onto the components and contributing factors to stigma as described by Link and Phelan (2001; 2006) and Jones et al. (1984). Aim: The study explores GPs' perceptions of dementia as a stigma, develops a specific conceptualization of the stigma of dementia and considers implications for timely diagnosis. Methods: Data from twenty-three GPs in northern England were collected by semistructured telephone interviews. Within the context of a qualitative design, a combined process of grounded theory and framework analysis was adopted to collect and analyse data. Results: The findings reveal that GPs' perceptions of dementia map onto Link and Phelan and Jones' identification of contributing factors and components of stigma and may hinder timely diagnosis. Three themes emerged reflecting a dynamic process of making sense of dementia, relating perceptions to oneself and considering the consequences of dementia. Within those themes, certain categories had particular salience for GPs, namely the characteristics of the attribute, existential anxiety and discrimination. The themes and categories are inter-related and can be considered as parts of a system. Perceived lack of reciprocity could be detected in most categories which suggests that it is influential in the social construction of the stigma of dementia. Conclusion: The data suggest that current conceptualizations of stigma are insufficient to fully account for the stigma of dementia. A specific conceptualization of the stigma of dementia is proposed and the implications of GPs' perceptions for timely diagnosis are discussed.

Uma das maiores preocupações dos órgãos responsáveis pelo planejamento do trânsito e também da comunidade científica é encontrar soluções que possam reduzir o número de fatalidades e de feridos por acidentes de trânsito. Analisar os acidente e melhor compreender esses eventos pode ajudar a prevenir ou reduzir a sua ocorrência e o seu impacto. Paralelamente, é preciso buscar dados que expressem a realidade brasileira e que permitam a realização de estudos com base nesses dados. Tendo em vista esses aspectos, esta dissertação apresenta um estudo do registro de fatores contribuintes para os acidentes de trânsito urbanos, discutindo a importância deste tipo de registro como complemento as informações para a análise de segurança e o planejamento de intervenções. Inicialmente, o estudo da literatura permitiu reunir uma listagem ampla de fatores contribuintes. Após, as informações coletadas foram processadas, foram eliminadas redundâncias e superposições e foi gerada uma listagem que compõe um formulário de registro de fatores contribuintes. Este formulário foi aplicado em uma pesquisa prática, para avaliar a potencialidade da metodologia proposta. O estudo, envolvendo revisão da literatura, pesquisa aplicada e entrevista com o gerente de fiscalização de empresa municipal de transportes, revelou que: (i) o registro de fatores contribuintes é uma opção considerada relevante para a obtenção de informações referentes a melhoria da segurança viária; (ii) o formulário desenvolvido para registro dos fatores contribuintes atende as questões de abrangência e facilidade de uso; (iii) utilizando o formulário proposto, esse registro pode ser feito por pesquisadores dedicados, agentes de trânsito ou policiais; (iv) do ponto de vista de entendimento da gênese do acidente e do desenvolvimento de medidas mitigadoras, o levantamento de informações sobre os fatores que contribuem para a ocorrência dos acidentes, de forma direta ou indireta, revela elementos importantes para a promoção da segurança viária. / A major concern of governments and also the scientific community is to find solutions that can reduce the number of fatalities and injuries from traffic accidents. Analyze accidents and better understand these events can help preventing or reducing their occurrence and impact. In parallel, we need to collect data that reflect Brazilian reality and allow studies based on these data. Considering these aspects, this dissertation presents a study of the record of contributing factors for urban traffic accidents, discussing the importance of such information as a complement to safety analysis and intervention planning. Initially, a literature review brought together a broad list of contributing factors. Next, the data were processed, duplication and overlapping were eliminated, and a list that constitutes a contributing factors report form was generated. This report form was applied in a practical research, to evaluate the suitability of the proposed methodology. The study, involving literature review, applied research and interviews with the manager of traffic inspectors of the municipal transport agency, revealed that: (i) the record of contributing factors is a consistent option to obtain relevant information for the improvement of road safety (ii) the form developed for recording the contributing factors meets the questions of coverage and ease of use, (iii) using the proposed form, the record of contributing factors may be carried out by dedicated researchers, traffic agents, or police, (iv) in the point of view of understanding the genesis of the accidents and the development of mitigating measures, collecting information about factors that contribute to the occurrence of accidents, either directly or indirectly, reveals important elements for the promotion of road safety.

Uma das maiores preocupações dos órgãos responsáveis pelo planejamento do trânsito e também da comunidade científica é encontrar soluções que possam reduzir o número de fatalidades e de feridos por acidentes de trânsito. Analisar os acidente e melhor compreender esses eventos pode ajudar a prevenir ou reduzir a sua ocorrência e o seu impacto. Paralelamente, é preciso buscar dados que expressem a realidade brasileira e que permitam a realização de estudos com base nesses dados. Tendo em vista esses aspectos, esta dissertação apresenta um estudo do registro de fatores contribuintes para os acidentes de trânsito urbanos, discutindo a importância deste tipo de registro como complemento as informações para a análise de segurança e o planejamento de intervenções. Inicialmente, o estudo da literatura permitiu reunir uma listagem ampla de fatores contribuintes. Após, as informações coletadas foram processadas, foram eliminadas redundâncias e superposições e foi gerada uma listagem que compõe um formulário de registro de fatores contribuintes. Este formulário foi aplicado em uma pesquisa prática, para avaliar a potencialidade da metodologia proposta. O estudo, envolvendo revisão da literatura, pesquisa aplicada e entrevista com o gerente de fiscalização de empresa municipal de transportes, revelou que: (i) o registro de fatores contribuintes é uma opção considerada relevante para a obtenção de informações referentes a melhoria da segurança viária; (ii) o formulário desenvolvido para registro dos fatores contribuintes atende as questões de abrangência e facilidade de uso; (iii) utilizando o formulário proposto, esse registro pode ser feito por pesquisadores dedicados, agentes de trânsito ou policiais; (iv) do ponto de vista de entendimento da gênese do acidente e do desenvolvimento de medidas mitigadoras, o levantamento de informações sobre os fatores que contribuem para a ocorrência dos acidentes, de forma direta ou indireta, revela elementos importantes para a promoção da segurança viária. / A major concern of governments and also the scientific community is to find solutions that can reduce the number of fatalities and injuries from traffic accidents. Analyze accidents and better understand these events can help preventing or reducing their occurrence and impact. In parallel, we need to collect data that reflect Brazilian reality and allow studies based on these data. Considering these aspects, this dissertation presents a study of the record of contributing factors for urban traffic accidents, discussing the importance of such information as a complement to safety analysis and intervention planning. Initially, a literature review brought together a broad list of contributing factors. Next, the data were processed, duplication and overlapping were eliminated, and a list that constitutes a contributing factors report form was generated. This report form was applied in a practical research, to evaluate the suitability of the proposed methodology. The study, involving literature review, applied research and interviews with the manager of traffic inspectors of the municipal transport agency, revealed that: (i) the record of contributing factors is a consistent option to obtain relevant information for the improvement of road safety (ii) the form developed for recording the contributing factors meets the questions of coverage and ease of use, (iii) using the proposed form, the record of contributing factors may be carried out by dedicated researchers, traffic agents, or police, (iv) in the point of view of understanding the genesis of the accidents and the development of mitigating measures, collecting information about factors that contribute to the occurrence of accidents, either directly or indirectly, reveals important elements for the promotion of road safety.

Uma das maiores preocupações dos órgãos responsáveis pelo planejamento do trânsito e também da comunidade científica é encontrar soluções que possam reduzir o número de fatalidades e de feridos por acidentes de trânsito. Analisar os acidente e melhor compreender esses eventos pode ajudar a prevenir ou reduzir a sua ocorrência e o seu impacto. Paralelamente, é preciso buscar dados que expressem a realidade brasileira e que permitam a realização de estudos com base nesses dados. Tendo em vista esses aspectos, esta dissertação apresenta um estudo do registro de fatores contribuintes para os acidentes de trânsito urbanos, discutindo a importância deste tipo de registro como complemento as informações para a análise de segurança e o planejamento de intervenções. Inicialmente, o estudo da literatura permitiu reunir uma listagem ampla de fatores contribuintes. Após, as informações coletadas foram processadas, foram eliminadas redundâncias e superposições e foi gerada uma listagem que compõe um formulário de registro de fatores contribuintes. Este formulário foi aplicado em uma pesquisa prática, para avaliar a potencialidade da metodologia proposta. O estudo, envolvendo revisão da literatura, pesquisa aplicada e entrevista com o gerente de fiscalização de empresa municipal de transportes, revelou que: (i) o registro de fatores contribuintes é uma opção considerada relevante para a obtenção de informações referentes a melhoria da segurança viária; (ii) o formulário desenvolvido para registro dos fatores contribuintes atende as questões de abrangência e facilidade de uso; (iii) utilizando o formulário proposto, esse registro pode ser feito por pesquisadores dedicados, agentes de trânsito ou policiais; (iv) do ponto de vista de entendimento da gênese do acidente e do desenvolvimento de medidas mitigadoras, o levantamento de informações sobre os fatores que contribuem para a ocorrência dos acidentes, de forma direta ou indireta, revela elementos importantes para a promoção da segurança viária. / A major concern of governments and also the scientific community is to find solutions that can reduce the number of fatalities and injuries from traffic accidents. Analyze accidents and better understand these events can help preventing or reducing their occurrence and impact. In parallel, we need to collect data that reflect Brazilian reality and allow studies based on these data. Considering these aspects, this dissertation presents a study of the record of contributing factors for urban traffic accidents, discussing the importance of such information as a complement to safety analysis and intervention planning. Initially, a literature review brought together a broad list of contributing factors. Next, the data were processed, duplication and overlapping were eliminated, and a list that constitutes a contributing factors report form was generated. This report form was applied in a practical research, to evaluate the suitability of the proposed methodology. The study, involving literature review, applied research and interviews with the manager of traffic inspectors of the municipal transport agency, revealed that: (i) the record of contributing factors is a consistent option to obtain relevant information for the improvement of road safety (ii) the form developed for recording the contributing factors meets the questions of coverage and ease of use, (iii) using the proposed form, the record of contributing factors may be carried out by dedicated researchers, traffic agents, or police, (iv) in the point of view of understanding the genesis of the accidents and the development of mitigating measures, collecting information about factors that contribute to the occurrence of accidents, either directly or indirectly, reveals important elements for the promotion of road safety.

Background: Dispensing medication is a chain of multiple stages, and any error during the dispensing process may cause potential or actual risk for the patient. Few research studies have investigated the nature and contributory factors associated with dispensing errors in hospital pharmacies. Aim: To determine the nature and severity of dispensing errors reported in the hospital pharmacies at King Saud Medical City (KSMC) hospital in Saudi Arabia, and at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital (L&D) NHS Foundation Trust in the UK; and to explore the pharmacy staff perceptions of contributory factors to dispensing errors and strategies to reduce these errors. Materials and Methods: A mixed method approach was used and encompassed two phases. Phase I: A retrospective review of dispensing error reports for an 18-month period at the two hospitals. The potential clinical significance of unprevented dispensing errors was assessed. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS and A Fisher's test was used to compare the findings. Phase II: Self-administered qualitative questionnaires (open-ended questions) were distributed to the dispensary teams in KSMC and L&D hospitals. Content analysis was applied to the qualitative data using NVivo qualitative analysis software. Result: Dispensing the wrong medicine or the incorrect strength were the most common dispensing error types in both hospitals. Labelling errors were also common at the L&D pharmacy dispensary. The majority of the unprevented dispensing errors were assessed to have minor or moderate potential harm to patients. Look-alike/sound-alike medicines, high workload, lack of staff experience, fatigue and loss of concentration during work, hurrying through tasks and distraction in the dispensary were the most common contributory factors suggested. Ambiguity of the prescriptions was a specified factor in the L&D pharmacy, while poor pharmacy design and unstructured dispensing process were specified contributory factors in the KSMC pharmacy. Conclusions: Decreasing distractions and enhancing the pharmacy design and the dispensing workflow are necessary to reduce dispensing errors. Furthermore, monitoring and reporting errors and educating the dispensary team about these errors is also needed. Automation and e-prescribing systems may improve dispensing efficiency and safety. The findings of this study reemphasise the fact that dispensing errors are prevalent in hospital pharmacies. Efficient interventions need to be implemented to mitigate these errors.

The objectives of this study are: (1) To analyse the legal framework of peacekeeping operations to determine its strengths and weakness in addressing the issue of SEA (Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, (2) To determine whether the UN’s present accountability mechanism can adequately support protection of children’s rights in peacekeeping operations and (3) To explore the question of prosecution as a way to enhance the accountability mechanism in peacekeeping missions, particularly for TCC (Troop Contributing Countries). This study is mainly a non-empirical analysis of the UN (United Natrions) approach on SEA in its activities with a focus on peacekeeping missions. / Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2007. / A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Law University of Pretoria, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Law (LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa). Prepared under the supervision of Dr Heny Odimbo Ojambo of the Faculty of Law, University of Makerere, Uganda. / http://www.chr.up.ac.za/ / Centre for Human Rights / LLM

Surface depressions are important topographic features, which affect overland flow, infiltration, and other hydrologic processes. Specifically, depressions undergo filling-spilling-merging-splitting processes under natural rainfall conditions, featuring discontinuity in hydrologic connectivity and variability in contributing area. However, a constant and time-invariant contributing area is often assumed in traditional hydrologic modeling, and consequently, the real threshold-controlled overland flow dynamics cannot be captured. The overall goal of this dissertation research is to improve hydrologic modeling, especially for depression-dominated areas, by quantifying the hydrologic effects of depressions. The specific objectives are to analyze the hydrotopographic characteristics of depressions and identify the intrinsic relationships of hydrologic variables, develop new modeling methods to simulate the depression-oriented dynamics in overland flow and variations in contributing area, and reveal the influence of spatially distributed depressions on the surface runoff generation and propagation processes. To achieve these objectives, three studies were conducted: (1) the frequency distribution of depression storage capacities was determined and a puddle-based unit (PBU)-probability distribution model (PDM) was developed; (2) the intrinsic changing patterns of contributing area and depression storage were identified, based on which a new depression-oriented variable contributing area (D-VCA) model was developed; and (3) a modified D-VCA (MD-VCA) model was further developed by introducing a depressional time-area zone scheme and a new variable contributing area-based surface runoff routing technique to account for the spatial distribution of depressions. These three models (PBU-PDM, D-VCA, and MD-VCA) were evaluated through the applications to depression-dominated watersheds in North Dakota, and simulation results demonstrated their capabilities in simulating the variations of contributing areas and threshold-controlled overland flow dynamics. In addition, these three studies emphasized the important roles of depressions in the evolution of contributing areas as well as surface runoff generation and propagation. Without considering the spatial distribution of depressions, the formation of contributing area and the timing and quantity of runoff contributions cannot be characterized.

Theses ( MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Background: Maternal mortality is a significant public health problem worldwide, and is a vital indicator of the functioning of a health system. The South African maternal mortality ratio is higher than other countries with same economic growth, despite people having free access to maternal health. How to develop relevant policies and programmes to reduce maternal mortality factors contributing to maternal mortality was investigated. Aims of the Study: To investigate the factors contributing to maternal mortality in public health institutions in the Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: A quantitative, retrospective study was undertaken where 138 medical records of maternal mortality cases reported between 2013 to 2017 were reviewed. A simple random sampling method was used to select files that met the selection criteria from seven hospitals in the Sekhukhune District, Information was collected on maternal demographics and health service-related characteristics, including age, marital status, parity, antenatal care utilisation of services and delivery type. Inferential data were analysed using the student t-test and SPSS version 25. Results: The mean age of the women involved in this study was 30 years, with a standard deviation of 5.7. All the women who participated in the study were black African. The majority of maternal mortality occurred in hospital. The women in the majority of maternal mortality cases were unemployed, at 93.5%, while most of the maternal mortality cases involved single women (71%).The women involved in these maternal mortality cases booked their ANC care and the major health provider was a professional nurse (58.0%), while 57.2% of the participants attended their ANC at primary healthcare facilities. Most of the maternal deaths occurred after delivery (58.7%) and, in most deliveries, the Partogram was not used (66%). HIV testing occurred in 99% of the maternal mortality cases. The causes of maternal mortality were both direct (71.0%) and indirect (23.9%) causes. The leading cause of maternal mortality was direct haemorrhage (33%), followed by eclampsia (27%) and infection (16%). The leading indirect cause was respiratory causes (22%) and retro viral disease (RVD) (9%). The personal factor that contributed most to maternal mortality was delay in seeking help (62%). v Conclusion and Recommendations: The personal factor, delay in seeking medical help by the women, contributed to maternal mortality and it was further concluded that the majority of maternal mortality cases did not occur as a result of any complications in ANC and delivery. It is recommended that the training of healthcare providers in the utilisation of the Partogram be implemented to improve skills in the management of haemorrhage and eclampsia. Furthermore, the management of complications needs to be strengthened through a multi-sectorial approach. / SAMRC

Conservation and recovery plans for rare species require biological and ecological information to discern how they may be susceptible to human disturbances. Phacelia submutica is a threatened annual species in western Colorado. Human activities including energy development, recreation, and livestock grazing are occurring within the species’ range. To provide conservation practitioners with a scientific basis for management, this research aimed to elucidate elements of the species’ ecology. Chapter 2 describes the reproductive biology of P. submutica. Potential insect pollinators were not observed during two years of observations. Floral traits and development ensure self-pollination and reduce the likelihood that insects would be effective pollinators. Hand pollination experiments using varying pollen sources did not result in significant differences in seed number and mean mature seed weight per fruit, two metrics of reproductive success. These results indicate that the species is habitually autogamous. Conservation of this species will not require the protection of pollinators and their habitat, but should consider the potential impacts of autogamy on the species’ genetic diversity. Chapter 3 examines aspects of P. submutica’s seed ecology as they relate to the development and maintenance of the seed bank. Observations suggest seeds are limited in their long-range dispersal capacity. Average seed bank density was low (74 seeds per m2) and seeds were highly aggregated within sites. Based on three years of seed burial data, the species forms a long-term persistent seed bank that maintains high proportions of viability in drought years, but germinates prolifically in favorable years. Projections of seed depletion rates from this dataset predicted longevity to be between four and six years. Finally, seeds were generally unresponsive to germination trials involving varying degrees of cold-moist stratification, incubation temperatures, and scarification. P. submutica shows adaptations that promote its persistence in an arid environment characterized by climatic variability. Appropriate management of this species will require protection of the seed bank and the dynamics involved in its replenishment and maintenance. Chapter 4 presents implications of the two major studies and provides conservation practitioners with an integrated assessment of the results and how they relate to management.