Beginning university can be conceptualized as a stressful life event as both positive aspects and several new challenges are associated with the transition (Hudd, Dumlao, Erdmann-Sager, Murry, Phan et al., 2000; Kerr, Johnson, Gans, Krumrine, 2004; Lamothe, Currie, Alisat, Sullivan, Pratt et al., 1995). Sometimes a poor transition may result in a students inability to complete their degree. It is important to develop a more thorough understanding of the transition to university in order to improve student retention. The present investigation considered a range of demographic, psychosocial, and health behaviours that may be related to a students ability to adapt to university. These variables were investigated using a short-term longitudinal design over the first year of university. Participants (Time 1 N = 229, Time 2 N = 73) consisted of first year University of Saskatchewan students (age, M = 18.46, SD =1). Results suggested that approximately 1/3 of the students found the transition to university to be difficult and that in general women had a more difficult time than men in terms of social and personal/emotional adjustment. There was no significant difference in academic adjustment or achievement between men and women. Psychosocial variables and health behaviours were related to one another such that greater physical activity levels went hand in hand with more adaptive coping and higher levels of social support and self-esteem. During the first semester, easier transitions and better adjustment were largely predicted by more adaptive coping, good social support, better grades and fewer daily hassles. For women, second semester transition experiences and adjustment measures were strongly predicted by the same measures as observed in the first semester.

The dynamics of thin polymer films display many differences from the bulk dynamics. Different modes of motions in polymers are affected by confinement in different ways. The enhancement in the dynamics of some modes of motion can cause anomalies in the glass transition temperature (Tg) of thin films, while other modes of motion such as diffusion can be substantially slowed down due to the confinement effects. In this thesis, different modes of dynamics are probed using different techniques. The interface healing of two identical polymer surfaces is used as a probe of segmental motion in the direction normal to the plane of the films and it is shown that this mode of motion is slowed down at temperatures above bulk glass transition, while the glass transition itself is decreased indicating that the type of motion responsible for the glass transition is enhanced. The glass transition measurements at different cooling rates indicate that this enhancement only happens at temperatures close to or below bulk glass transition temperature and it is not expected to be detected at higher temperatures where the system is in the melt state. It is shown that the sample preparation technique is not a factor in observing this enhanced dynamics, while the existence of the free surface can be important in observed reductions in the glass transition temperature. The dynamics near the free surface is further studied using a novel nano-deformation technique, and it is shown that the dynamics near the free surface is in fact enhanced compared to the bulk dynamics and this enhancement is increased as the temperature is decreased further below Tg. It is also shown that this mode of relaxation is much different from the bulk modes of relaxations, and a direct relationship between this enhanced motion and Tg reduction in thin films can be established. The results presented in this thesis can lead to a possib le universal picture that can resolve the behavior of different modes of motions in thin polymer films.

The dynamics of thin polymer films display many differences from the bulk dynamics. Different modes of motions in polymers are affected by confinement in different ways. The enhancement in the dynamics of some modes of motion can cause anomalies in the glass transition temperature (Tg) of thin films, while other modes of motion such as diffusion can be substantially slowed down due to the confinement effects. In this thesis, different modes of dynamics are probed using different techniques. The interface healing of two identical polymer surfaces is used as a probe of segmental motion in the direction normal to the plane of the films and it is shown that this mode of motion is slowed down at temperatures above bulk glass transition, while the glass transition itself is decreased indicating that the type of motion responsible for the glass transition is enhanced. The glass transition measurements at different cooling rates indicate that this enhancement only happens at temperatures close to or below bulk glass transition temperature and it is not expected to be detected at higher temperatures where the system is in the melt state. It is shown that the sample preparation technique is not a factor in observing this enhanced dynamics, while the existence of the free surface can be important in observed reductions in the glass transition temperature. The dynamics near the free surface is further studied using a novel nano-deformation technique, and it is shown that the dynamics near the free surface is in fact enhanced compared to the bulk dynamics and this enhancement is increased as the temperature is decreased further below Tg. It is also shown that this mode of relaxation is much different from the bulk modes of relaxations, and a direct relationship between this enhanced motion and Tg reduction in thin films can be established. The results presented in this thesis can lead to a possib le universal picture that can resolve the behavior of different modes of motions in thin polymer films.

Various sizes of BaTiO3 and Cr3+-doped BaTiO3 nanocrystals were synthesized through hydrothermal and solvothermal methods. The applied solvents water, ethanol and benzyl alcohol lead to nanoparticles with average sizes of 200, 10 and 5 nm, respectively. The nanocrystals were treated with trioctylphosphine oxide to remove surface-bound dopant ions, and colloidal free-standing nanocrystals smaller than 10 nm were obtained by using oleic acid as a dispersant surfactant. The tetragonal-to-cubic phase transition at room temperature of undoped nanocrystalline BaTiO3 has been investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The size effect of nanoscale BaTiO3 is observed that the tetragonal phase becomes unstable with decreasing particle size. However, we found that ferroelectric tetragonal structure persists to some extent even for particles at 5 nm. The successful substitution of Ti4+ with Cr3+ in the host BaTiO3 lattice for all three sizes was achieved at different Cr3+/Ti4+ molar ratios. The dopant is found to significantly promote the phase transition, even dominate over the size effect. Ligand-field electronic absorption spectroscopy suggests a subtle change of the octahedral coordinated Cr3+ environments between particles at 5 and 10 nm, confirming the structural differences. Preliminary magnetic measurement indicates Cr3+ as isolated paramagnetic ions without any chromium clusters or oxides. The ability to rationally manipulate the ferroelectric properties of BaTiO3 by size and dopants, in combination with possible ferromagnetism induced by incorporating paramagnetic transition metal ions, opens up new opportunities for modern multiferroic materials in information storage technology.

Various sizes of BaTiO3 and Cr3+-doped BaTiO3 nanocrystals were synthesized through hydrothermal and solvothermal methods. The applied solvents water, ethanol and benzyl alcohol lead to nanoparticles with average sizes of 200, 10 and 5 nm, respectively. The nanocrystals were treated with trioctylphosphine oxide to remove surface-bound dopant ions, and colloidal free-standing nanocrystals smaller than 10 nm were obtained by using oleic acid as a dispersant surfactant. The tetragonal-to-cubic phase transition at room temperature of undoped nanocrystalline BaTiO3 has been investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The size effect of nanoscale BaTiO3 is observed that the tetragonal phase becomes unstable with decreasing particle size. However, we found that ferroelectric tetragonal structure persists to some extent even for particles at 5 nm. The successful substitution of Ti4+ with Cr3+ in the host BaTiO3 lattice for all three sizes was achieved at different Cr3+/Ti4+ molar ratios. The dopant is found to significantly promote the phase transition, even dominate over the size effect. Ligand-field electronic absorption spectroscopy suggests a subtle change of the octahedral coordinated Cr3+ environments between particles at 5 and 10 nm, confirming the structural differences. Preliminary magnetic measurement indicates Cr3+ as isolated paramagnetic ions without any chromium clusters or oxides. The ability to rationally manipulate the ferroelectric properties of BaTiO3 by size and dopants, in combination with possible ferromagnetism induced by incorporating paramagnetic transition metal ions, opens up new opportunities for modern multiferroic materials in information storage technology.

Beginning university can be conceptualized as a stressful life event as both positive aspects and several new challenges are associated with the transition (Hudd, Dumlao, Erdmann-Sager, Murry, Phan et al., 2000; Kerr, Johnson, Gans, Krumrine, 2004; Lamothe, Currie, Alisat, Sullivan, Pratt et al., 1995). Sometimes a poor transition may result in a students inability to complete their degree. It is important to develop a more thorough understanding of the transition to university in order to improve student retention. The present investigation considered a range of demographic, psychosocial, and health behaviours that may be related to a students ability to adapt to university. These variables were investigated using a short-term longitudinal design over the first year of university. Participants (Time 1 N = 229, Time 2 N = 73) consisted of first year University of Saskatchewan students (age, M = 18.46, SD =1). Results suggested that approximately 1/3 of the students found the transition to university to be difficult and that in general women had a more difficult time than men in terms of social and personal/emotional adjustment. There was no significant difference in academic adjustment or achievement between men and women. Psychosocial variables and health behaviours were related to one another such that greater physical activity levels went hand in hand with more adaptive coping and higher levels of social support and self-esteem. During the first semester, easier transitions and better adjustment were largely predicted by more adaptive coping, good social support, better grades and fewer daily hassles. For women, second semester transition experiences and adjustment measures were strongly predicted by the same measures as observed in the first semester.

Background: The concept of transition means a change in a person's life where he or she is forced to adapt. There are different phases in life that results in different adaptations. In this essay, transition is described as the physical and mental journey between the home and an elder care facility. The Aim was to describe elderly people's experiences of transition when moving from their previous home into an elder care facility. The Method used was a literature review. Ten scientific articles were used for the analysis. The concept of transition has been used as a theoretical frame of reference. Results: Reasons for moving were a decrease in health, loneliness and a need to lose the burdening responsibilities that were connected to their home. Many elderly experienced a loss of feeling secure when living at home. Therefore it was important to arrive in a place that could give them a sense of security. The elderly people experienced a difficulty in adapting to their new home. After some time at their new home, they experienced well-being since the help and relations they received from staff and other residents led to experiences of security. Conclusion: Elderly people described negative as well as positive experiences of the transition, which was also altered over a period of time. Most of the elderly got used to their new form of living and their previous negative attitudes changed into positive attitudes towards the elder care facility.

Att flytta hemifrån innebär både möjligheter och ansvar för sig själv och sitt boende. För unga vuxna med funktionsnedsättning kan detta bli en stor utmaning som, enligt olika studier, kräver stöd från olika håll. Övergången till vuxenlivet utmanar även individens förmåga att klara sig själv. Självständighet kan ses utifrån olika aspekter och påverkas av olika omständigheter. Kvalitativa intervjuer med fem unga vuxna genomfördes och analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Syftet var att belysa upplevelser av transitionen till vuxenlivet för unga vuxna med rörelsehinder. Resultatet visar att intervjupersonernas transition till vuxenlivet innebar en omvälvande process, men att de ändå upplevde sig självständiga trots krånglig byråkrati och en mycket tidskrävande process. Upplevelsen av självständighet kan även kopplas till omgivningens attityder. Resultatet och tidigare forskning stämmer överrens i många avseenden, men visar samtidigt på avsaknad av svensk forskning inom området.

This study examines the preparation during high school and post-secondary outcomes of students with disabilities. High school preparation consists of activities in which students participated during high school. Post-secondary outcomes relate to the current status of students following high school graduation in relation to the four major outcomes areas: (a) post-secondary education, (b) employment, (c) independent living, and (d) recreation and leisure. The target population included all students graduating from one school district in a mid-sized city in Texas. A stratified random sample of 228 students both with and without disabilities was selected. Post-secondary follow-up surveys, consisting of one survey administered prior to graduation and one survey administered six-months following graduation, were given to the participants. The response rate for the initial exit survey was 82.9% while the response rate for a post-school survey was 61.4%. Differences between groups were analyzed using loglinear analyses based upon educational setting, disability category, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. In addition, a sub-study was completed to determine the level of agreement among students and teachers on a post-secondary readiness skill inventory. The findings indicated that differences among groups did exist in terms of both high school preparation and post-secondary outcomes. In terms of high school preparation, the participation among various groups produced few results that were significantly different. Statistically significant results occurred only with respect to extracurricular activity participation by educational setting and socio-economic status. Post-secondary outcome results produced more statistically significant findings than high school preparation. The variable of educational setting produced statistically significant post-secondary outcomes in the three areas of employment, post-secondary education, and recreation and leisure. Ethnicity was the next largest determinant to influence post-secondary outcomes, and statistically significant results were found for both post-secondary education and independent living. Socio-economic status produced statistically significant results for employment outcomes. The variable of gender produced no results that reached statistical significance. The last findings provided an analysis of the agreement between students and teachers in terms of a post-secondary readiness skill inventory. Overall students and teachers demonstrated a high level of congruency in which similar responses were indicated within 95% of the items.

ABSTRACT The phase transition of the antiferromagnetic-torsional XY model is studied with molecular dynamics. In the process of releasing energy, we find a minimally stable state. The minimally stable state indicates the process of disordered state to ordered state when the 2nd phase transition was derived. The temperature of phase transition for the iferromagnetic-torsional XY model is lower than that for the antiferromagnetic XY model. A increase of the coefficient J2 will delay the temperature of phase transition for the antiferromagnetic-torsional XY model .