In this thesis, we examine the equation describing fluid flow through saturated porous medium in order to develop a new method for approximating hydraulic head values in the subsurface. In particular, we show that under reasonable assumptions, the local explicit equation (LEE) method, an accurate, finite-difference based method that is highly sensitive to changes in the assumed location of hydraulic flow parameters, can be used to approximate hydraulic head values throughout a subsurface domain of interest. This forward solution of the fluid flow equation is solved using an altered finite difference scheme, designed to account for discontinuous jumps often encountered between subsurface material types. While the method is able to handle complicated discontinuities arising from the intermingling of various underground materials, the method determines values at nodes on an easy-to-use uniform Cartesian grid and only requires information from immediately adjacent points. The results of this research directly support the development of more accurate subsurface fluid flow models for use in a wide variety of real-world situations in areas such as water management, contaminant remediation and waste storage. Furthermore, the general development of the LEE method allows it to be used as an approximation technique for any equation where the media of interest encounters a jump.

Ego identity and intimacy statuses were determined for 88 college students, 44 men, and 44 women, and related to each other and to measures of intimacy-isolation, loving and liking, Sex differences were also investigated. Identity achievement subjects were more likely to be engaged in intimate relationships. Students having foreclosure. moratorium. and diffusion identities were variable in their intimacy statuses. A stronger association exists between intimacy and loving than intimacy and liking. While no significant sex differences were found on the overall ego identity and intimacy comparisons, sub scale differences were noted. The evidence suggests identity achievement status is predictive of highly intimate relations while foreclosure, moratorium and diffusion identities are highly variable.

The intention of this thesis is to explore whether New Zealand trends in online dating parallel those identified by overseas studies, or whether patterns are emerging that are unique to New Zealand society. The Internet Windows Messenger instant messenger service (MSN) was used to interview 32 subjects about their experiences with online dating, covering areas such as motivation for using online dating; types of relationships sought; barriers to online dating; online rapport and offline chemistry; online infidelity; and managing 'difference'. Drawing on these responses, this thesis presents findings pertaining to a diverse group of New Zealanders' attitudes towards and uses of online dating. Some of the key findings show that online rapport does not guarantee offline chemistry; that there are gender differences in attitudes towards appearance, age, and receiving sexually explicit material online; and that sexual experimentation and infidelity are being facilitated through online dating. The issue of 'difference' as it relates to online dating has been largely neglected by overseas researchers, and for this reason was extensively included in this research. Key findings relating to 'difference' show that there is a clear split between those interviewees whose 'difference' impacted positively on their online dating experience (those with sexual 'difference' falling into this category), and those whose 'difference' impacted negatively (those with physical or mental 'difference'). In addition, those interviewees with a sexual 'difference' have been able to connect with other like-minded people through online dating, contributing to the 'normalization' of previously considered deviant behaviours. Based on the research presented in this thesis, it appears that New Zealand online dating activities are consistent with overseas trends, although there are indications that some behaviour may be more specific to New Zealand society, such as gender differences in relation to bisexuality, and covert same-sex encounters involving men who are either married or who state in their profiles that they are 'straight' or heterosexual.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> The purpose of the study is to investigate firstly, the motivations of Swedish and Thai entrepreneurs toward internationalization business by exporting and secondly, the similarity motivation in going internationalization among Swedish and Thai entrepreneurs.</p><p><strong>Method:</strong> The multiple cases design is used in this report by conducting semi-structured interview in order to “generate understanding of the study” (Stenbacka, 2001). Two Swedish companies and three Thai companies have been interviewed. Empirical data was collected by face to face and telephone interview for Swedish companies and e-mail for Thai companies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Both Swedish and Thai entrepreneurs are motivated by both internal and external factors in term of going internationalization. However, there are dissimilarities in each motivation factors.</p>

<p>Kvinnor har visats vara mer empatiska än män vid självskattning samt att vita och svarta barn känner mer empati för en målperson med samma hudfärg. Denna studies syfte var att undersöka om män och kvinnor kände olika mycket empati beroende på målpersonens etni-citet, om det fanns några könsskillnader i empati samt om något av könen väckte mer empati. Deltagarna var 208 män och kvinnor med svensk och invandrarbakgrund, majoriteten studerade på Mälardalens högskola. Resultatet visade en signifikant disordinal interaktion där svenska deltagare visade högre empati för en svensk målperson än vad de gjorde för en invandrad och invandrardeltagare visade högre empati för en invandrad målperson än vad de gjorde för en svensk. Ingen huvudeffekt för empati och deltagarnas etnicitet fanns. Män uppvisade signifikant lägre empati än kvinnor. Inget av könen väckte signifikant mer empati. Vikten av upplevd likhet mellan målperson och empatisör diskuterades och vidare forskning med äldre deltagare föreslogs.</p>

<p><em>Determining bumpiness and inclination of surfaces is very important in many different areas, such as airports and at constructions sites. In this study, a surveying trolley and a remote controlled (RC) car were used to determine the bumpiness of two different surfaces. The aim with this study was to test the accuracy of a surveying trolley and an RC car to see how the accuracy can be increased with different observation methods. Total station, GPS and laser scanner surveying equipments were used, and all observations obtained by them were analysed. The laser scanner data was found to have the best precision. For that reason, it was accepted as the “true” data and it was used for comparing and evaluating other methods. It was found that the trolley and the RC car provided good height information with total stations and they were corresponding to the laser scanner data. When they were used with GPS, the accuracy was much lower. It was concluded that using two total stations is not increasing the accuracy, the RC car and the trolley are good measuring methods but not capable to inspect 1,2 mm tolerance for the floors, and finally, 2-3 cm positioning accuracy is obtainable when using GPS.</em></p>

<p>I denna uppsats studeras hur förändrade incitament i form av hårdare aktiveringskrav för arbetslösa socialbidragstagare i Sveriges kommuner inverkar på andelen socialbidragstagare och socialbidragskostnaderna i kommunerna. Studien möjliggörs av att de svenska kommunerna i varierande utsträckning har infört hårdare aktiveringskrav för arbetslösa socialbidragstagare, varför en difference in differences-analys som renodlar effekten av hårdare krav kan genomföras. Kommunerna klassificeras utifrån graden av aktivitet vad gäller att få socialbidragstagare i aktivering. Väldigt aktiva kommuner jämförs med icke alls aktiva, och en betydande uppsättning kontrollvariabler som kontrollerar för andra skillnader mellan kommungrupperna inkluderas. Resultaten visar att ett införande av hårda aktiveringskrav för arbetslösa socialbidragstagare ger tydliga negativa effekter på andelen socialbidragstagare i kommunerna, i synnerhet för unga socialbidragstagare, men mer begränsade effekter på kommunernas socialbidragskostnader.</p>

Graduation date: 1996

No description available.