Development of nanostructures as MR contrast agent will significantly improve the field of disease diagnostics. Contrast agents such as iron oxide nanoparticles are less toxic compared to more commonly used gadolinium based agents. A subclass of iron based nano particles are super paramagnetic iron oxide nano particles, (SPIOs) which are widely studied MR contrast agents useful in both imaging and drug delivery applications. In this work, SPIOs were synthesized and characterized and used for cellular tracking and multi modal labeling. A new solvent exchange method was utilized to coat different core size iron oxide nano particles. SPIOs were characterized for in-vivo imaging using MR and they had a very uniform size distribution which was determine using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, blood circulation half-life of 16nm SPIOs were determined through tail vein injection. SPIOs have many applications among which is the in vivo tracking of stem cells which is critical for determination of stem cells fate after injection. Magnetic Resonance (MR) as a non-invasive method can provide significant information about the fate of the cells as well as determination of the success rate of therapeutic cellular deliveries. Mesenchymal stem cells can be loaded with super paramagnetic iron oxide nano particles (SPIOs) and have their movements followed once planted in vivo. We present our findings on the effect of SPIO concentration and stem cell density on the MR signal and transverse relaxation time. Our preliminary results indicated that SPIOs do not cause mesenchymal stem cell cytotoxicity and do not affect proliferation ability up to 200 μg/ml concentration. The release of the nanoparticles was investigated 24 hours post internalization and the result showed that SPIOs will stay inside the cell. We also found that the contrast increases in a concentration dependent manner. Our results suggest that using MR with low concentration of SPIOs is a novel and promising method for tracking of mesenchymal stem cells. In this work SPIOs were also labeled with 64Cu to investigate their potential for multi modal positron emission tomography (PET) MR imaging. Dual modality PET MR SPIO contrast agent can be synthesized to image diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis. The advantage is the non-invasive and early detection of disease at molecular lever before it has spread to late stages or in case of the atherosclerosis before the plaque has blocked the vessel. To develop a multi modal contrast agent, a positron emitter, 64Cu (half-life of 12.701 ± 0.002 hours), was used in labeling and synthesis was performed all in one step with the addition of 64Cu chelator, 14-PE DTPA followed by radiolabeling for both 6.5nm SPIO and 17nm SPIO. After labeling and purification with the desalting column, the amount of dissociated 64Cu in the solution was determined using radio thin layer chromotagraphy (TLC) and the particle was shown to have minimum amount of fee 64Cu. Serum stability of labeled SPIO was determined in vitro by incubating 64Cu-labeled SPIOs in mouse serum at 37 °C for 24 hr with constant shaking. Radio TLC result then revealed that 64Cu stays bounded to the SPIO after 24 hours in mouse serum. This means that 64Cu labeled SPIO has a great potential as a dual modality contrast agents and further in-vivo studies are required to verify the findings.

Leader self-development, as an approach to leader development, is defined as autonomous, self-regulated behaviors focused on developing one’s leadership capacities. Leader development, as a function, is purposeful engagement in the development of human capital, often in the form of formal training programs or on-the-job assignments. It has been theorized that leaders can only learn from such structured investments if they are motivated to self-develop as leaders. For this reason, self-development is a foundational element of leadership development in general. Previous research has found that certain leader characteristics such as feedback seeking, achievement seeking and mastery orientation predict an individual’s motivation for self-development. The current study examines whether matched perceived group-norms interact with leader characteristics to impact motivation to self-develop. 134 male and 33 female leaders who manage people within structured organizations completed an online self-report survey to assess participants’ leader characteristics, perceived group norms and motivation to self-develop. Results replicated previous research using a new sample, thus establishing the importance of leader characteristics of feedback seeking, achievement seeking, and mastery orientation in predicting motivation to self-development. Although results failed to support the predicted interactions between leader characteristics and matched group level norms, for the first time, group level norms of goal-setting and learning were found to have a direct effect on motivation to self-develop. Implications of increased leader self-development under specific, advantageous group norms are discussed.

The purpose of my study is to examine how four teachers reflect on free play and controlled play in preschool. What are their reflects concerning free play, controlled play and children’s development and education. The main focus of this research is the experiences of the teachers and I compare their perspectives against each other regarding free and controlled play. To be able to realize this study, I propose the following questions: What kind of vision does the teacher have concerning free play and controlled play? According to the teacher, how does playing affect the children? Which development areas are affected by participating in the play? This is a qualitative study, based on interviews with four teachers from two different preschools. My theoretical approach to this is Vygotskij theories which are used to analyze the collected data. The result obtained is according to two teachers. They thought that the result of controlled play was positive. Meanwhile, two other teachers meant that the combination of free and controlled play should be used as a complement to children’s development and learning. The four teachers have different experience regarding what they think is good for the Childers development and education.

Made available in DSpace on 2009-11-18T19:01:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ACF2B4.pdf: 12026340 bytes, checksum: 16437a994c076bdb093c1deb25b9725f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Eco-villages are considered models of intentional communities or sustainable communities and have been incorporated by the United Nations in the Sustainable Communities Development Programme (SCDP) as a human scale settlement. They are characterized by human activities being integrated in a non-damaging way into the natural world in such a way as to give support to healthy human development so as to be able to continue indefinitely into the future. This text assesses the extent to which a project to create the Eco-village for Simple Living in Itamonte - Minas Gerais' is successful, based on the concepts of sustainability and local development succeeds, by examining the indicators and attributes that are able to be measured in the planning phase, describing the stages and discussions of the project, as well as assessing the members 'perception of 'the concepts of the Eco-village', 'sustainability' and 'local development'. Subsequent analysis of the degree of sustainability (ecological, social, economic, spacial and cultural / spiritual) and local development, based on the social economy, demonstrated the presence of a number of aspects used to support, guide, discuss, plan and implement actions in the creation of the Eco-village being studied. This work could be used as a guide to Eco-villages during the planning phase, indicating the importance of the concepts studied, especially for some communities which are self-proclaimed 'Eco-villages' but which in fact do not show even the slightest structural aspects which would describe them as such, like solidarity in the relations between participants, or construction oriented with a view to the precepts of environmental preservation. ' / As ecovilas são consideradas modelos de comunidades intencionais ou comunidades sustentáveis e foram incorporadas pelas Nações Unidas no Programa de Desenvolvimento de Comunidades Sustentáveis (SCDP), como um assentamento de escala humana completamente caracterizado onde as atividades estão integradas ao mundo natural de maneira não danosa e de tal forma que dêem apoio ao desenvolvimento humano saudável e que se possa continuar indefinidamente ao futuro. O texto avalia até que ponto um projeto fundamenta-se nos constructos de sustentabilidade e desenvolvimento local para formação da Ecovila Viver Simples em Itamonte - Minas Gerais, analisando os indicadores e atributos que são possíveis mensurar na fase de planejamento, descrevendo as fases e debates do projeto, além de avaliar a percepção dos membros sobre os conceitos de ecovila, sustentabilidade e desenvolvimento local. Constatou-se após análise das dimensões da sustentabilidade (ecológica, social, econômica, espacial e cultural/espiritual) e do desenvolvimento local, fundamentado em economia solidária, a presença de inúmeros aspectos utilizados para fundamentar, orientar, discutir, planejar e executar ações na formação da Ecovila estudada. Acredita-se que esse trabalho possa orientar ecovilas na fase de projeto, apontando a importância dos constructos estudados, sobretudo para algumas comunidades, que se autointitulam ¿ecovilas¿, mas que na verdade não desenvolvem sequer aspectos minimamente estruturados que as caracterizem como tal, como relações solidárias entre seus participantes, ou construção orientada atendendo aos preceitos de preservação ambiental.

This Master´s thesis deals with the analysis of current situation in a company Eurookna František Sedláček. It considers all important influences from external and internal surrounding. The results are summarized through the SWOT method and on the basis of analysis findings, the work include the ways of future develop this company, which occurring sphere of wood-manufacturing.

During the last two decades the shore protection law [strandskyddslagen] in Sweden has undergone changes to make it easier for municipalities to infringe on protected areas. This paper offers a contribution to the understanding of the interplay between common environmental theory perspectives and the environmentality discourse, something that has been missing from the academic field. Earlier research has been dedicated to show how certain types of environmentality tend subjects to internalize certain norms that legitimizes a neoliberal order. This order fosters a development norm that stands in conflict with an ecocentric perspective.  Using a modified version of Bacchi and Evelines WPR-method, we found that the discourse among Swedish municipalities, Stockholm being an exception, interpret the part of the shore protection law which purpose is to protect animals and vegetation as a hindrance to development. This highlights the problematic relationship between environmental protection and economic growth.  By applying an ideal-type analysis on overview plans and consultation responses of ten Swedish municipalities we were able to identify a shallow, neoliberal perspective on nature which enables a neoliberal environmentality. The interplay between shallow perspectives on nature and neoliberal environmentality creates a hegemonic structure in which critical voices tend to be marginalized, resulting in a post-politization of beach protection discourse.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Nursing Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The purpose of this study was to develop a training programme to facilitate the implementation of the 6 Ministerial Priorities by Professional Nurses in the Health Care facilities in Limpopo Province. The purpose of the training programme was to capacitate the Professional Nurses to enable them to facilitate the implementation of the 6 Ministerial Priorities in the Health Care facilities of Limpopo to improve the provision of quality service. The study was conducted in three phases, namely, qualitative, quantitative and development of a training programme. Phenomenological semi structured one-to-one interviews were conducted to explore the perceptions of Professional Nurses on the implementation of the 6 Ministerial Priorities in the public hospitals in Limpopo Province. Interviews were conducted until saturation was reached. Themes and sub-themes were coded manually. The results of the qualitative phase were used to develop a questionnaire for the quantitative phase. Self-administered quantitative questionnaires were given to Professional Nurses to describe their experiences, knowledge and perceptions on the implementation of the 6 Ministerial Priorities in the Health Care facilities of Limpopo. The results that emerged from the integration of qualitative and quantitative results revealed that 6 Ministerial Priorities were not implemented effectively in the Health Care facilities due to challenges such as shortage of Professional Nurses and cleaners, shortage of cleaning material, linen and patients clothing. Shortage of medication, lack of in-service training on the 6 Ministerial Priorities and lack of orientation programme for the newly appointed Professional Nurses. These challenges affected the implementation of 6 Ministerial Priorities negatively thus compromising the provision of quality patient care. The training programme was developed for Professional Nurses to capacitate them on the facilitation of the implementation of the 6 Ministerial Priorities to improve quality care.

Ledarens förmåga att leda, styra och involvera alla medarbetare är ett komplicerat uppdrag och ledarna använder sig av olika verktyg och metoder för att uppfylla kundernas behov. Syftet med detta arbete var att undersöka och beskriva olika arbetssätt som framgångsrika ledare använder sig av för att fortsätta utveckla sin organisation. Syftet var också att hitta gemensamma faktorer i de framgångsrika ledarnas arbetssätt. Metoden som användes i denna studie var semistrukturerade intervjuer. För att uppnå studiens syfte valde författarna att intervjua sex framgångsrika ledare som har flera års erfarenhet av ledarskap. Resultat i studien visar att de arbetssätten som de framgångsrika ledarna använder för att utveckla sin organisation är bland annat att delegera och följa upp, skapa förutsättningarna för medarbetarna, våga fatta beslut, sätta mål och följa upp, agera förebild samt att använda PDSA-cykeln. Resultat i studien visar också ett antal gemensamma arbetssätt som de framgångsrika ledare använder för att utveckla sin organisation, en av dem är ledarnas vilja att utveckla sina medarbetare och se medarbetarna växa i organisationen. / The leader's ability to lead, control and involve all employees is a complicated task and leaders use different tools and methods to meet customer needs. The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe different working methods that successful leaders use to continue to develop their organization. The aim was also to find common factors in the working methods of various successful leaders. To achieve the purpose of the study, the authors chose to interview six successful leaders who have several years of experience in leadership. The result of the study shows that the working methods that the successful leaders use to develop their organization include delegating and following up, good working conditions, decision making, set goals and follow up, leading by example and using the PDSA cycle. The results of the study also show a number of common working methods that the successful leaders use to develop their organization, one of them is the leaders' desire to develop their employees and see the employees grow in the organization. / <p>2022-06-05</p>

The research study was determined by the fact that child development is important and that teachers/caregivers must acknowledge every child's level of development, age, individuality, social and cultural background when planning a program. Children are complex beings and therefore the literature study focused on pre-schooler, three to five years, child development during this stage and domains and principles of development. Semi-structured interviews were based on literature study and used to guide the interviews. After analyzing the data themes and sub-themes was identified and verified with literature. The teachers/caregivers were able to share knowledge, experiences, needs and concerns. To conclude recommendations were made to help teacher/caregivers to plan how to include child development in their daily program. / Social Work / M.Diac (Play Therapy)

我國電腦軟體工業尚處於起步階段，開發電腦軟體的成本不高，其會計處理對企業財 務狀況之表達，影響不大，企業因此也不重視其會計處理的適切性。然時勢所趨，隨 著軟體成本佔企業總支出比重之日益上升，其會計處理的適當與否，對企業財務報表 之表達，其影響就益發顯得重大了！ 根據現行的財務會計準則，應將研究發展（R＆D）成本列為當期費用。因此，開發軟 體過程中所發生的成本，究有多少成本應屬R＆D費用的性質，即影響了軟體開發成本 之會計處理應予費用化或予資本化的合理性。 本論文研究之目的，就在探討電腦軟體成本之性質及適當的會計處理方法。以提供我 國於將來制定有關會計原則的參考，俾供軟體業者有所遵循。 本論文將從軟體會計之意義談起，從各種研究文獻及美國FASB所發佈有關之會計準則 公報的整理分析，討論各種會計處理方法的適用性。並以直接寄發問卷的方式，調查 國內軟體會計之現況。另外則函請會計師界站在實務的觀點，表示其對軟體會計的意 見，以期自理論與實務雙方面的考慮，對我國會計原則之制定，提出具體之建議。