The aim of this study was to investigate how well pre-service teachers are being prepared by the Computers in Education course to integrate computers into their teaching methods by the Faculty of Education at the Instituto Superior de Ciências de Educação (ISCED) in Lubango, Angola. The study used a constructivist learning event devised by the researcher to assess how well the selected sample of pre-service teachers were able to use computers and the Internet to fulfil a series of tasks contained in the constructivist learning event under carefully controlled research conditions. After they had completed these tasks under experimental conditions, the researcher and her two assistants used various means to assess the performance of the participating groups in these activities. A qualitative case study approach was used for this study. The case study took place at ISCED in Lubango because ISCED is the only institution of higher education in Angola that uses computers to prepare pre-service teachers to integrate computer technology with their teaching. The course in which this takes place is known as the Computers for Education course. Twenty-one pre-service teachers and the two Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teachers of the Computers for Education from ISCED participated voluntarily in the study. The data collection instruments used included questionnaires for the pre-service teachers and ICT teachers; observation checklists for the pre-service teachers; interviews of pre-service teachers and ICT teachers, and scoring rubrics for the pre-service teachers’ task assessment documents. The data analysis method used in this study was that of interpretive analysis. The theoretical framework used to scaffold this study was the theory of constructivism devised by Bruner (1966). Bruner states that constructivism is the “theory of learning, where learning is seen as an active process in which students construct new ideas or concepts based upon their current or past knowledge”. In constructivist learning events of this kind, students select and transform information, construct hypotheses and make their own decisions in reliance upon their own cognition and previous knowledge and experience. Cronjé’s Model of Four Quadrants (2000), which enables a researcher to plot objectivism as complementary to constructivism, was used by the researcher as the basis for an analysis of data. The Model of Four Quadrants describes how learning theories such as behaviourism and constructivism exist as opposites in the quadrant upon which the model is based. An objectivist or behaviourist approach to teaching and learning assumes that knowledge exists essentially and independently outside the minds of both learners and teachers, and behaviourist methods of teaching effect a transfer of objective knowledge from the mind of the teacher to the mind of the student. In contrast to this, the constructivist approach is based on the assumption that all meanings are subjectively constructed in the human mind, and that learners acquire knowledge (and therefore education) by creating their own meanings while engaging in the solution of authentic learning tasks devised by the teacher. Constructivism does not recognise the existence of any kind of objectively independent shared reality that can be transferred materially from one mind to another. Although these two approaches are radically different from one another, and although they exist conceptually as polar opposites in Cronjé’s Model, elements from both models can be utilised to achieve a desired learning outcome. What the researcher has suggested in her analysis, conclusions and recommendations is that elements from both learning theories described in the model can be successfully used to teach ISCED students how to integrate computer technology into their teaching. Current teaching and learning practices at ISCED are predominantly behaviourist in method and outcomes since the ICT teachers at ISCED use mainly the lecture method for teaching. For formative assessment, the present teachers use question and answer methods. For summative assessment, they use multiple-choice questions, schedules that require students to insert information into blank spaces, projects, and essay-type questions. In contrast to this, they use learner-centred constructivist forms of teaching such as projects, group work and verbal expression of appreciation to encourage learner performance. The teaching of the Computers in Education course at ISCED may therefore be said to combine both behaviourist and constructivist methods of teaching. / Dissertation (MEd (Computer Integrated Education))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Curriculum Studies / MEd / unrestricted

This research will compare why two such comparable countries like Slovenia and Croatia have taken different paths towards consolidating democracy. The two countries on the same day in 1991 declared independence from Yugoslavia but only Slovenia managed to successfully consolidate democracy during the 1990s. The purpose of this study is to analyze what differences and similarities Croatia and Slovenia have had which has made them take different paths towards consolidating democracy. The theoretical framework will apply Linz and Stepans theory on consolidating democracy from the countries independence in 1991 until Croatia in 2013, like Slovenia in 2004, became member of the European Union. The results demonstrate that Croatia during the 1990’s were governed by a party and president in a non-democratic way while Slovenia since its independence has implemented all the necessary tools for a successful consolidation of democracy. In 1999 Croatia’s president died and this was the start of a new era in Croatian politics. In 2000 the ruling party was defeated by a coalition which immediately begun to integrate Croatia with the European Union and in essence started to consolidate democracy.

Published Article / Birth stress is associated amongst other things with a small pelvic surface area in ewes. It is a factor which has far-reaching consequences for the producer. The use of pelvic area size as a selection criterion appears to be promising as pelvic area size is 50-60% heritable. The objective of this study was to develop an instrument that can measure the pelvic area of sheep and to be able to quantify the relationship between pelvic measurements and a number of easy-to-measure body measurements. A pelvis meter was developed and used to measure 322 Dorper ewes (± 12 months old, ± 48kg) and 272 Dorper rams rectally, and to take various body measurements on the same animals. No significant relationship was observed between pelvis measurements and linear body measurements in Dorper ewes or rams. The pelvis meter and measuring technique developed in the study are viewed as usable and accurate aid in measuring the pelvic area.

Purpose - The purpose of this thesis is to explore what performance indicators that exist within public procurement in defence sector context and how such performance indicators can be categorized.   Methodology - For the purpose of this thesis, an abductive approach was applied. This thesis is characterized as an exploratory multimethod qualitative research, which emphasize a single case study and a comprehensive research literature review. The empirical data was collected using semi-structured interviews, observations and documentary. The empirical data was analyzed using a data display and analysis, whereas a descriptive and content analysis was used for the research literature review.     Findings - Initially, a comparison between the conducted research literature review and the empirical study resulted in 117 performance indicators were abled to be identified. Furthermore, with support from the research literature review, the empirical study and the frame of reference, categorizations of performance indicators were possible. Through research literature review, the author were able to identify eight dimensions cost, quality, time, flexibility, sustainability, innovation, risk and compliance, all of which can be aligned to public procurement. Through the empirical study, seven elements were identified as categories. These elements include business strategy and development, operations management, category management, supplier management, customer management, procurement and expert and system support, all of which with aligned performance indicators.  Through the frame of reference, three decision-levels were used as categorization of performance indicators. The decision-levels could either be strategic, tactical or operational. Finally, a merger of decision-making levels and elements resulted in a conceptual model, visualizing how elements with aligning performance indicators within public procurement could be organized and structured.    Research limitations - At first, this thesis uses only one database for the research literature review, limiting the search result of publications concerning the research topic of this thesis. Secondly, single cases study within the defece sector, which limits the amount of information and may prevent transferability possibilities for other public procurement organizations.   Future research - From the result of this thesis, several potential research opportunities has been discovered. First, following-up and measure PIs in public procurement in order to justify the “real” compliance to rules and regulation. Another one is possible challenges with implementing PIs in public procurement organizations. Lastly, measuring process maturity in public organization would allow benchmarking possibilities among public organizations and defece sector procurement.

The aim of this thesis is to analyze the ideological similarities and differences between the two Swedish conservative parties Sweden Democrats and the Moderate Party by study how the two parties basic ideological positions relate to liberal and traditional conservative values. The four dimensions view of human nature (pessimistic - optimistic), theory of society (collectivist - individualistic), view on moral values (collectivist - individualistic) and view on economic ideals (collectivist - individualistic) are used as the analytical instrument to study the two parties ideological positions on each dimension, where the pessimistic/collectivist positions represents traditional conservative values and the optimistic/individualistic positions represents liberal values. My result show that the Moderate Party express a predominantly optimistic view of human nature, a individualistic theory of society, a individualistic view on moral values and a individualistic basic position in their view on economic ideals. The Sweden Democrats express a pessimistic view of human nature, a collectivist theory of society, a collectivist view on moral vaues and a collectivist basic position in their view on economic ideals. My result thus shows that fundamental ideological differences can be discerned between the Sweden Democrats and the Moderate Party.

The integration of services and products into solutions can open up new business opportunities for firms. This thesis concerns how firms can provide solutions that are perceived as high quality. Solutions are often provided over several years, which implies a changed customer relationship compared to product provisions. Since the solution aims to support the customer’s activities, firms face new challenges when introducing solutions. One challenge is to integrate all components and activities of the solution, and simultaneously support the customer’s activities. In addition, the firm must ensure that the solution and all of its parts are of high quality. Most of the existing research on quality is related to the management of a firm’s internal activities and the interaction during exchange. Within the research on quality, customer orientation means that a firm should manage the relevant product or service to meet customer requirements. When this is achieved, the product or service is of high quality. Since solutions are seen as services and products that are integrated as an outcome, as well as a customer relational process that aims to support the customer’s activities, firms have little to learn from previous research about the quality of solutions. The aim of this thesis is to increase knowledge about how to manage solution quality. The thesis combines insights from research on quality with research on solutions and servitization. Three research questions are answered. The first question concerns the content of solution quality; the second deals with how firms can, with support from interventions, meet the new challenges that arise from solution provision; and the third question concerns how customers can be involved to achieve solution quality. The research questions are answered through five papers based on literature studies and empirical data. The papers contribute to an increased knowledge of solution quality and how firms can work to achieve it. The results of the thesis suggest that solution quality is built on seven quality dimensions: reliability, communicability, internal consistency, empathy, approachability, tangibility, and adaptability. In addition, knowledge of processes and customer relationships are two prerequisites for the concept. These dimensions and prerequisites are supported by interventions that can provide a change. However, it has become evident that whatever intervention is used must be related to the dimensions that are supposed to be improved. Furthermore, customer involvement is argued to be an intervention to support the prerequisites for solution quality, especially during the solution  development. The results of this thesis extend the research on quality by increasing the knowledge of the solution quality concept and by changing the view of customers and their involvement during solution development. / Den här avhandlingen berör hur företag kan möjliggöra så att produkter och  tjänster, integrerade i så kallade helhetslösningar, kan levereras med hög kvalitet. Helhetslösningar levereras ofta över en längre tid vilket medför en förändrad kundrelation till skillnad mot när endast en produkt levereras. Helhetslösningar syftar till att stödja kunden i dess aktiviteter. Det medför att företagen möter nya utmaningar. En utmaning är att få den komplexa helhetslösningen, bestående av olika komponenter och aktiviteter, att passa ihop och samtidigt bidra till att stötta kundens aktiviteter. Dessutom behöver företagen säkerställa att helhetslösningen och alla dess delar har hög kvalitet. Tidigare forskning inom kvalitetsutveckling berör företags interna processer och aktiviteter. När man inom kvalitetsutveckling talar om kundorientering innebär det att företaget med interna medel ska arbeta för att möjliggöra så produkten eller tjänsten möter kundens specifikationer. När detta är uppnått har produkten eller tjänsten hög kvalitet. Företagen har här inga riktlinjer att följa när de ska leverera helhetslösningar som ska anpassas efter kundens aktiviteter och när en så tydlig kundrelation ska utvecklas. Det finns med andra ord ingen vägledning för vad som är kvalitet eller hur man möjliggör hög kvalitet på helhetslösningar. Den här avhandlingen visar vad som ingår i begreppet kvalitet när det gäller helhetslösningar (lösningskvalitet) samt hur företag kan möjliggöra det. Tre olika frågor har huvudsakligen behandlats. Den första frågan besvarar vad lösningskvalitet innehåller. Den andra berör hur företag med hjälp av åtgärder kan bidra till en förändring inom företaget för att möta de nya utmaningar som uppstår med att leverera helhetslösningar. Den tredje frågan berör på vilket sätt kunden kan involveras för att uppnå lösningskvalitet. För att besvara frågorna har ett antal studier baserade på empiriskt material genomförts, och fem artiklar har författats under forskningsprocessen. Artiklarna bidrar till att öka förståelsen för lösningskvalitet och hur företag kan arbeta för att uppnå det. Avhandlingens resultat visar att lösningskvalitet består av sju olika dimensioner: tillförlitlighet, kommunicerbarhet, intern överensstämmelse, empati, nåbarhet, påtaglighet, och anpassningsbarhet. Dessutom är kunskap om processer och kundrelationer två förutsättningar för att uppnå lösningskvalitet. Dimensionerna betraktas som riktmärken för lösningskvalitet som företag kan arbeta mot. Dimensionerna och förutsättningarna stöttas i sin tur av åtgärder som används för att bidra till den interna förändringen inom företaget. Resultaten visar dock att använda åtgärder inte alltid leder till en förändring. Endast noga utvalda åtgärder som relaterar till en specifik dimension möjliggör en förändring. Exempel på en möjlig åtgärd är kundinvolvering. Speciellt vid utveckling av helhetslösningar, betraktas kundinvolvering som en möjlig åtgärd för att stötta förutsättningarna till lösningskvalitet. Resultaten i den här avhandlingen bidrar huvudsakligen till en ökad kunskap om vad kvalitet är när det gäller helhetslösningar. Ytterligare ett bidrag är att föreslå kundens förändrade roll under utveckling och vid leverans av helhetslösningar för att uppnå lösningskvalitet.

The necessity to change the mechanism of the arm folding is to make a major difference in the field of Sun roofing systems and also to reduce the cost of the Awning system. The reduction of cost may help the market of the awning system to reach the Upper- Middle Class customers. In this project various technical solutions were investigated by simulation softwares and the data was taken into consideration. The best solution has been processed and investigated in depth with cost and material cost with high preference which cannot be exceeded when compared to today’s Awning arm folding solution. The best solution for replacing today’s mechanism is a torsion spring folding mechanism. The torsion spring has been designed and simulated using the SolidWorks simulation software. A virtual bench test of the Awning system has been created and designed using SolidWorks and the working mechanism has been tested virtually. The torsion spring’s data was calculated by using a spring dimension calculator. The spring data has been included in the bench test and the test simulation has been run by a virtual technique and then the result has been obtained by the virtual test bench. The torsion spring’s stress and strain analysis during maximum load on the Awning in an open condition has also been calculated for the study purpose of the spring stability and compared with the previous method of the awning system in order to calculate the factor of safety (FOS) equal or more stabilise for the environment as it has been used. The environmental condition is a main focus in this project. There are different types of weather conditions in Sweden. Customers may use the Awning during rainy weather. While it is raining the rain water are collected on top of the fabric. In order to withstand the weight of the water the arm of the awning should be strong. Hence the environmental condition is a main factor in this project with respective to speed of the wind. The economical manufacturing cost for the product and the replacement of the arm folding mechanism are mainly focused.

The Immigration issue was, during quite long period of time, a disputable concern within the European territory. European countries, as many others, require a certain degree of qualified immigration, due to developments of the labour market. Along with the issues of immigration and migration, the matter of immigrant’s integration is becoming the focus point of consideration for the European Union as a whole, its single Member States and various other international organizations. The matter of integration has been imbedded in immigration policies because of the discovery that migration of labour throughout Europe, which was considered to be an interim feature for EU’s Member States, has transformed to the permanent one. Another reason is the fear that badly integrated immigrants might become an extraordinary problem for the population’s majority.

Pourquoi reste-t-il de la matière dans l’univers ? Depuis la découverte de l’anti-matière, miroir de la matière dont nous sommes constitués et s’annihilant de prime abord parfaitement avec cette dernière, ce mystère stimule l’étude des propriétés communes et distinctes entre particules et anti-particules. Dans ce cadre, il a été établi au vu des interactions dites de jauge (en particulier les interactions électrofaibles) que la symétrie intrinsèque entre particules et anti-particules est la combinaison subtile du conjugué de charge (C) et de la parité d’espace (P) : la symétrie CP. Ainsi, un comportement distinct entre matière et anti-matière est caractérisé au niveau fondamental par une violation de CP. D’une part, une telle violation a été mise en évidence expérimentalement dans la désintégration de mesons K et B, où la production de particules dans certains canaux est favorisée. D’autre part, la violation de CP est l’une des conditions requises à la création d’un excès de matière durant l’évolution de l’univers. Dans la présente thèse, nous étudions deux aspects de cette asymétrie entre matière et anti-matière. Tout d’abord, un scénario de création d’un excès de matière dans l’évolution de l’univers basé sur la désintégration de neutrinos lourds est étudié. Les récents résultats expérimentaux sur l’existence d’une masse pour les neutrinos rendent très attractif ce scénario. Bien que le schéma général repose uniquement sur les interactions liées à la masse des particules (secteur scalaire), nous le prolongeons ici dans la perspective plus naturelle de l’unification des interactions de jauge, seule motivation complète à l’inclusion de neutrinos lourds dans le spectre des particules. L’inclusion d’interactions de jauge liées aux neutrinos lourds complète ainsi la description. Les résultats tirés sur les paramètres de masse des neutrinos, grandes inconnues de la physique des particules, s’en voient modifiés de manière importante. Ensuite, la question de l’origine de la violation de CP est posée. En effet, dans la description standard des interactions faibles, la violation de CP est explicite et résulte uniquement de la liberté pour les couplages de masse (couplages de Yukawa) d’être des nombres complexes. Ainsi, aucune compréhension fondamentale sur la différence de comportement entre particules et anti-particules n’est apportée. Nous proposons dans ce sens une source de violation de CP par la compactification d’une théorie de jauge dans un espace de dimensions étendues. A partir de couplages réels, une valeur classique de la composante supplémentaire des bosons de jauge fournit une masse effective complexe aux fermions. Les conditions de l’obtention d’une violation de CP physique sont alors étudiées. Nous identifions la structure minimale pour rendre compte des interactions électrofaibles tout en incluant une source de violation de CP dans ce contexte. L’unification avec les interactions fortes est alors établie dans une structure qui apporte une lumière différente sur les schémas d’unification usuels.

In a preamble, a quick summary of the line of thought from Noether's theorems to modern views on conserved charges in gauge theories is attempted. Most of the background material needed for the thesis is set out through a small survey of the literature. Emphasis is put on the concepts more than on the formalism, which is relegated to the appendices. The treatment of exact conservation laws in Lagrangian gauge theories constitutes the main axis of the first part of the thesis. The formalism is developed as a self-consistent theory but is inspired by earlier works, mainly by cohomological results, covariant phase space methods and by the Hamiltonian formalism. The thermodynamical properties of black holes, especially the first law, are studied in a general geometrical setting and are worked out for several black objects: black holes, strings and rings. Also, the geometrical and thermodynamical properties of a new family of black holes with closed timelike curves in three dimensions are described. The second part of the thesis is the natural generalization of the first part to asymptotic analyses. We start with a general construction of covariant phase spaces admitting asymptotically conserved charges. The representation of the asymptotic symmetry algebra by a covariant Poisson bracket among the conserved charges is then defined and is shown to admit generically central extensions. The asymptotic structures of three three-dimensional spacetimes are then studied in detail and the consequences for quantum gravity in three dimensions are discussed.