Interest in teacher effectiveness and merit pay has continued to be a high priority for major stakeholders in the field of education as well as the public. The focus of this research was to test the hypothesis that the implementation of a classroom bonus plan would improve the observable attributes and behaviors of teaching that have been determined to be effective in improving student learning. Specifically, the study was conducted to measure intentional teacher-student interactions, classroom quality, environment and organization as well as emotional and instructional support in Pre-K classrooms as measured by Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). During a summer Voluntary PreK program, six eligible classroom teams (teacher and teacher assistant) were randomly divided into either a bonus or non-bonus group. A pre- and post-CLASS was completed on each classroom team of participants to evaluate the quality of their instruction. The CLASS score assesses team versus individual participation, resulting in a compiled score based on the performance of all classroom staff members, i.e., teacher and teacher assistant. There was no statistical significance of the CLASS post-assessment score between the bonus and non-bonus group. However, two of the four bonus group participant teams achieved the targeted scores needed to receive a bonus. None of the non-bonus group achieved the targeted score. Additionally, pre- and post-assessment data for the entire student population of the Agency Summer VPK program was examined. There was no significance in student post-assessment scores between the three groups (bonus, non-bonus, and nonparticipants)

A presente dissertação teve como objetivo realizar um diagnóstico ambiental com base nas percepções ambientais de estudantes do Ensino Médio do Colégio Estadual do Campo de Cachoeira, localizado no município de Candói, no Estado do Paraná. Neste estudo buscou-se a aproximação entre a percepção ambiental e a Educação Ambiental, ao considerar a necessidade de diagnósticos participativos e em sintonia com a realidade vivenciada pelos participantes da pesquisa. A pesquisa possibilitou incorporar as potencialidades ambientais do distrito de Cachoeira neste diagnóstico e vislumbrar outras dimensões relacionadas às percepções ambientais dos estudantes, tais como a estética, a apreciação da natureza, o respeito e também o envolvimento diante das problemáticas socioambientais, em especial da água no contexto local. Para entender a lógica das relações que os participantes da pesquisa estabelecem com o seu espaço de vida foi realizado um levantamento da história do município de Candói. Também foram investigados dados sobre a população e sobre a geografia do município, essas informações foram importantes para embasar o diagnóstico realizado. A coleta de dados foi efetuada em duas etapas. Primeiramente utilizou-se a aplicação de questionário semiestruturado, que abordou questões voltadas à percepção do meio ambiente e sobre a qualidade, uso e gerenciamento da água. Na segunda etapa da coleta de dados foi utilizada a técnica de grupos focais, que permite a compreensão dos processos de construção da realidade vivenciada por um grupo social, suas práticas cotidianas, atitudes e comportamentos relevantes para o estudo. Dessa forma, a análise dos dados possibilitou conhecer as relações que os envolvidos neste estudo estabelecem com o seu espaço de vida, reveladas por meio de percepções, significações e experiências. Os resultados evidenciaram que os participantes da pesquisa possuem um elo afetivo com a natureza local, contudo, demonstram preocupações relevantes com a situação do meio ambiente, sobretudo das águas do lugar onde vivem, ao perceberem as relações entre os fenômenos sociais e a problemática vinculada à água. Dessa forma, revelaram possuir compreensão sobre a importância e conservação da água, adotando práticas sociais responsáveis e em consonância com a Educação Ambiental. Dentre os problemas socioambientais levantados, destaca-se a poluição do solo e dos corpos d´água pela intensa utilização de agroquímicos, o destino incorreto de efluentes de esgotos, a falta de mata ciliar nos rios e a falta de proteção das nascentes. Os resultados também apontam para a possibilidade da realização de futuros estudos que podem ser direcionados às questões educacionais, ambientais, gestão dos recursos hídricos, planejamento e desenvolvimento regionais. Infere-se assim, que a Educação Ambiental, apoiada pela percepção ambiental e pelo diagnóstico ambiental, pode configurar um importante subsídio para o enfrentamento da crise socioambiental contemporânea. / The present dissertation aimed to carry out an environmental diagnosis based on environmental perceptions of secondary students of the rural college state of Cachoeira, located in the municipality of Candói, in Paraná State, Brazil. In this study we aimed to the rapprochement between the environmental perception and Environmental Education, to consider the needs of participatory diagnosis and in tune with the reality experienced by study participants. The survey allowed incorporate the potential environmental impact of the province of waterfall and a glimpse of other dimensions related to the perceptions of students, such as the aesthetics, the appreciation of nature, respect and also the involvement in the face of environmental issues, in particular the water in the local context. To understand the logic of relations that the research participants establish with your living space was conducted a survey of the history of the municipality of Candói. Were also investigated data on the population and the geography of the city. This information was important to support the diagnosis made. The data collection was done in two steps. First, we used the implementation of structured questionnaire, which dealt with issues related to perception of the environment and on the quality, use and management of water. n the second stage of data collection was used the technique of focus groups, which allows the understanding of the processes of construction of the reality experienced by a social group, their daily practices, attitudes and behaviors that are relevant to the study. Thus, the data analysis allowed to know the relations that those involved in this study establish with your life, revealed by means of perceptions, meanings and experiences. The results showed that the research participants have a link with affective local nature, however, demonstrate significant concerns with the state of the environment, particularly in the waters of the place where they live, to understand the relationships between social phenomena and the problems linked to water. In this way, proved to have an understanding of the importance and conservation of water, adopting social practices are responsible and in line with environmental education. Among the environmental problems raised, what stands out is the pollution of soil and water bodies by the intense use of agrochemicals, the fate of sewage effluents, the lack of riparian vegetation in rivers and the lack of protection of springs. The results also point to the possibility of further studies that may be directed to educational issues, environmental, management of water resources, planning and regional development. It is inferred that the Environmental Education, supported by the environmental perception and environmental diagnostics, you can set up an important support for coping of socioenvironmental crisis today.

Recent organisational changes have refocused attention on the productivity and performance of sales representatives and consequently brought about a re-evaluation of the QWL these employees experience, as well as their trust in the organisation to support them. Responses to an internet-based survey methodology were analysed using quantitative techniques and structural equation modelling. Results confirm a positive relationship between Managerial Practices and Organisational Trust, and a lower relationship between the dimensions of Personality and Organisational Trust. A positive relationship was noted between QWL and Managerial Practices, and a lower relationship between QWL and the Personality constructs. This study accentuates the importance of management to be aware of the trust employees have in the organisation as well as their experience of QWL, as it seems as though the Personality traits and Managerial Practices of managers influences both the trust relationship and QWL experienced by employees. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

This diploma thesis is tasked to evaluate the company Kordárna Inc. with the view of its sale within the frame of reorganization as a nonliquidating solution to its insolvency. The evaluation of the company Kordárna Inc. is performed to the date of January 1st, 2009. By then the company, due to many unfavorable conditions, falls into existential problems that have to be immediately solved. The reorganization plan is allowed and processed within the framework of higher creditors' satisfaction. An integral part of this plan is also the desirable evaluation of the company Kordárna Inc. with the view of its sale to a new investor. Within these issues, both the detailed external and internal analysis of the company and the financial analysis of the 5 preceding fiscal periods are processed (years 2004-2008). Consequently, based on many assumptions, the financial plan for the 4 following fiscal periods (2009-2012) is conducted, and the evaluation of the company Kordárna using 4 evaluation methods -- FCFF, FCFE, EVA and Liquidation value methods -- is processed.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the "beautification of schools" programme as an environmental management tool with a view to facilitating the improvement thereof wherever necessary. An in-depth literature review on theoretical perspectives in environmental management indicated that these partially addressed the problem of the study, namely, to comply with some principles of environmental management system, but not to implement them fully. The theory developed from the literature review facilitated the development of an empirical research. Qualitative research was conducted to evaluate the "beautification of schools" programme as an environmental management tool with a view to facilitating the improvement thereof wherever necessary. It emerged from the findings of the research, that some schools do not have environmental policies. Those schools with environmental policies lack environmental policy objectives. They do not have time frames according to which environmental programmes of action need to be reviewed. Although some schools have used the environmental management strategies in the "beautification of schools" campaign as a management tool, they have never taken proactive measures to better manage the environment of their schools. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Baigiamajame magistro darbe nagrinėjama statybos sektoriaus ekonominės makroaplinkos vertinimo svarba investiciniam sprendimui priimti. Tiek investicinis sprendimas, tiek aplinka, kurioje bus investuojama analizuojama remiantis investicijų projektų ideologija. Apžvelgiama projektų ir investicijų projektų samprata, nustatoma aplinkos ir aplinkos įvertinimo svarba investiciniam sprendimui priimti, išanalizuojami projektų statybos sektoriuje ypatumai ir pateikiama investicinės aplinkos tyrimo schema. Baigiamajame darbe atliktas statybos sektoriaus ekonominės makroaplinkos tyrimas, nustatyti statybos sektoriui reikšmingiausi ekonominės makroaplinkos veiksniai. Išanalizuoti statybos įmonių galutinį rezultatą atspindintys finansiniai duomenys ir santykiniai rodikliai. Įvertinta statybos sektoriaus makroaplinkos įtaka statybos įmonių veiklos rezultatams. Remiantis atliktais tyrimais ir gautais rezultatais, pateikiamos baigiamojo darbo išvados ir siūlymai. / The aim of final thesis is to analyze the importance of economic environment assessment for investment decision making. Both the investment decisions and the investment environment are analyzing the basic ideology of investment projects. Here are reviewing the concept of the projects and the investment projects and are determining the importance of the environment and its assessment for investment decision making. Here are analyzing the importance of project in the construction sector and the scheme of environment‘s investigation is submited. At the end of the master work there is an investigation of construction sector‘s economic macro environment and the most important economic macro environment‘s factors have determined. The finance data and comparative financial indexes of construction companies have shifted. The economic macro environment influence to final result of construction companies has been evaluated. On the basis of investigation and it‘s results, the final work conclusions and suggestions are presented.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the "beautification of schools" programme as an environmental management tool with a view to facilitating the improvement thereof wherever necessary. An in-depth literature review on theoretical perspectives in environmental management indicated that these partially addressed the problem of the study, namely, to comply with some principles of environmental management system, but not to implement them fully. The theory developed from the literature review facilitated the development of an empirical research. Qualitative research was conducted to evaluate the "beautification of schools" programme as an environmental management tool with a view to facilitating the improvement thereof wherever necessary. It emerged from the findings of the research, that some schools do not have environmental policies. Those schools with environmental policies lack environmental policy objectives. They do not have time frames according to which environmental programmes of action need to be reviewed. Although some schools have used the environmental management strategies in the "beautification of schools" campaign as a management tool, they have never taken proactive measures to better manage the environment of their schools. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Le développement d'un environnement collaboratif est un processus complexe. La complexité réside dans le fait que ce développement implique beaucoup de prise de décisions. De multiples compromis doivent être faits pour répondre aux exigences actuelles et futures d'utilisateurs aux profils variés. La prise en compte de cette complexité pose des problèmes aux chercheurs, développeurs et utilisateurs. Les informations et données requises pour prendre des décisions adéquates de conception et évaluer rigoureusement ces décisions sont nombreuses, parfois indéterminées et en constante évolution. Dans la partie-I de cette thèse, nous formulons les connaissances générales sur le travail collaboratif synchrone qui constituent l'état de l'art du domaine du problème. Nous pratiquons de même pour les environnements collaboratifs synchrones (domaine de la solution technique) et leur cette formulation s'appuie sur une étude de la littérature et conduit à la proposition de Schéma Conceptuel (Concept Maps). Nous en déduisons trois modèles: SyCoW (travail collaboratif synchrone), SyCoE (environnement collaboratif synchrone) et SyCoEE (évaluation environnement collaboratif synchrone). Dans la partie II de cette thèse, nous proposons un processus pour la sélection / développement d'un environnement collaboratif, où nous démontrons comment les modèles SyCoW, SyCoE et SyCoEE structurent ce processus. Grâce à la mise en œuvre de la démarche proposée, nous présentons le développement d'un nouvel environnement collaboratif synchrone pour une réunion de revue de conception nommé MT-DT. MT-DT a été conçu, développé et évalué par l'auteur dans sa thèse de doctorat. MT-DT est une application logicielle 3D spécifique à une table multi-touche qui assiste les activités de revue de conception collaborative. Les résultats de l'évaluation ont confirmé la convivialité de MT-DT et fournissent des éléments de validation des choix que nous avons faits au cours du développement de MT-DT. / Development of collaborative environment is a complex process. The complexity lies in the fact that collaborative environment development involves a lot of decision making. Several tradeoffs need to be made to satisfy current and future requirements from a potentially various set of user profiles. The handling of these complexities poses challenges for researcher, developers and companies. The knowledge required to make suitable design decisions and to rigorously evaluate those design decisions is usually broad, complex, and evolving. In Part-I of this thesis we investigate to formulate the general knowledge about: synchronous collaborative work which conceptualize the problem domain, synchronous collaborative environment which conceptualize the solution domain and synchronous collaborative environment evaluation which conceptualize the evaluation of whole or part of the proposed solution for the specified problem. This formulation has been done through literature study and leaded to the Concept Maps. The results generate three models: SyCoW (synchronous collaborative work), SyCoE (synchronous collaborative environment) and SyCoEE (synchronous collaborative environment evaluation). In Part-II of this thesis we proposed a process for selection/development of collaborative environment, where we demonstrate how SyCoW, SyCoE and SyCoEE support this process in different ways. Through the proposed process we present the development of new synchronous collaborative environment for design review meeting, named, MT-DT. MT-DT has been designed, developed and evaluated by the author in her PhD. MT-DT consist of a multi-touch table with specific 3D software application which support collaborative design review activities. The results of evaluation confirmed the usability of MT-DT and provide arguments for our choices which we made during development of MT-DT.

Capes / A eutrofização atinge diversos reservatórios de abastecimento de água, causando problemas principalmente da ordem operacional e comprometimento da qualidade da água para a população. Algumas tecnologias de tratamento de água passam por um processo de aperfeiçoamento e outras surgem para melhorar a eficiência do tratamento. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a remoção de cianobactérias e cianotoxinas por meio de coagulação com Moringa oleifera, seguida de microfiltração e nanofiltração. Sendo assim a primeira etapa do trabalho foi o cultivo em laboratório da cianobactéria Microcystis aeruginosa e a determinação de curvas de crescimento deste microrganismo. Na seqüência foram realizados ensaios para verificar a as melhores condições de coagulação/floculação/sedimentação com a solução coagulante de M. oleifera (1%), como respostas foram utilizadas a remoção de células da M. aeruginosa e a redução da turbidez. Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis: tempo de coagulação; velocidade rápida, tempo de floculação, velocidade lenta, tempo de sedimentação, turbidez inicial, quantidade de solução coagulante. Em seguida o processo de coagulação/floculação/sedimentação foi associado à microfiltração, nesta etapa foi realizada com água do cultivo e água da Represa do Passaúna –PR contaminada com o cultivo da M. aeruginosa. Por fim, devido à M. aeruginosa cultivada ser tóxica e produtora de microcistina avaliou-se a coagulação/floculação/sedimentação associada à nanofiltração. Os resultados indicam que as melhores condições de coagulação e floculação foram com 2 minutos de coagulação a 80 rpm, e 18 minutos para floculação a 13 rpm tendo uma remoção de células de 95,6 % e uma redução da turbidez de 97,5%. Verificou-se que 60 minutos de sedimentação já foi suficiente para remoções acima de 90% da cianobactéria, e 95% de redução da turbidez. Com relação à quantidade de solução coagulante observou-se um aumento na eficiência dos processos com o aumento da quantidade da solução coagulante, porém em 70 mg essa remoção já não tem grandes variações. A associação da coagulação/floculação/sedimentação com a microfiltração foi positiva, pois após 60 minutos a turbidez chegou a 0 uT e a ausência de células de M. aeruginosa. A retenção da microcistina com a nanofiltração apresentou uma retenção de 87,3% no início, porém com o decorrer do tempo este valor apresentou uma queda para 58,0%. Em resumo, pode-se considerar a associação da o uso da M. oleifera como coagulante com a microfiltração como uma boa alternativa para redução de turbidez e remoção de cianobactérias, assim como o uso da nanofiltração para remoção de microcistina. / The eutrophication affects many reservoirs of water, causing problems, specially the commitment of operational and water quality for the population. Some water treatment technologies go through a process of improvement and others appear to improve treatment efficiency. This work aimed to evaluate the removal of cyanobacterial and cyanotoxins through coagulation with Moringa oleifera, followed by microfiltration and nanofiltration. Thus the first stage of work was growing in the laboratory of the cyanobacterial Microcystis aeruginosa and determination of growth curves of this microorganism. Following tests were conducted to verify the optimal conditions for coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation with coagulant solution of M. oleifera (1%) were used in response to removal of cells from M. aeruginosa and reduced turbidity. The following variables were evaluated: coagulation time, fast speed, time of flocculation, slow speed, time of sedimentation, turbidity initial amount of the coagulant solution. Then the process of coagulation/flocculation/ sedimentation was associated with microfiltration this step was carried out with water end crop water of Passaúna –PR contaminated with the cultivation of M. aeruginosa. Finally, due to M. aeruginosa grown to be toxic microcystin producing and evaluate produce the coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation associated with nanofiltration. The results indicate that optimum conditions for coagulation and flocculation were clotting with 2 minutes at 80 rpm, and 18 minutes for flocculation at 13 rpm with a removal of cells and a 95,6% reduction in turbidity of 97,5%. It was found that 60 minutes was enough sediment removal for over 90% of the cyanobacterial, and 95% reduction in turbidity. With respect to the amount of coagulant solution was observed an increase in process efficiency by increasing the amount of coagulant solution, but at 70 mg such removal no longer has large variations. The association of coagulation /flocculation/sedimentation with microfiltration was positive, because after 60 minutes reached the turbidity 0 uT and the absence of cells of M. aeruginosa. The retention of microcystin with nanofiltration showed a retention of 87,3% at the beginning, but with the passage of time this value showed a decrease to 58,0%. In summary, one can consider adding the use of M. oleifera as a coagulant with microfiltration as a good alternative to reduce turbidity and removal of cyanobacterial, as well as the use of nanofiltration removal of microcystin.

Capes / A eutrofização atinge diversos reservatórios de abastecimento de água, causando problemas principalmente da ordem operacional e comprometimento da qualidade da água para a população. Algumas tecnologias de tratamento de água passam por um processo de aperfeiçoamento e outras surgem para melhorar a eficiência do tratamento. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a remoção de cianobactérias e cianotoxinas por meio de coagulação com Moringa oleifera, seguida de microfiltração e nanofiltração. Sendo assim a primeira etapa do trabalho foi o cultivo em laboratório da cianobactéria Microcystis aeruginosa e a determinação de curvas de crescimento deste microrganismo. Na seqüência foram realizados ensaios para verificar a as melhores condições de coagulação/floculação/sedimentação com a solução coagulante de M. oleifera (1%), como respostas foram utilizadas a remoção de células da M. aeruginosa e a redução da turbidez. Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis: tempo de coagulação; velocidade rápida, tempo de floculação, velocidade lenta, tempo de sedimentação, turbidez inicial, quantidade de solução coagulante. Em seguida o processo de coagulação/floculação/sedimentação foi associado à microfiltração, nesta etapa foi realizada com água do cultivo e água da Represa do Passaúna –PR contaminada com o cultivo da M. aeruginosa. Por fim, devido à M. aeruginosa cultivada ser tóxica e produtora de microcistina avaliou-se a coagulação/floculação/sedimentação associada à nanofiltração. Os resultados indicam que as melhores condições de coagulação e floculação foram com 2 minutos de coagulação a 80 rpm, e 18 minutos para floculação a 13 rpm tendo uma remoção de células de 95,6 % e uma redução da turbidez de 97,5%. Verificou-se que 60 minutos de sedimentação já foi suficiente para remoções acima de 90% da cianobactéria, e 95% de redução da turbidez. Com relação à quantidade de solução coagulante observou-se um aumento na eficiência dos processos com o aumento da quantidade da solução coagulante, porém em 70 mg essa remoção já não tem grandes variações. A associação da coagulação/floculação/sedimentação com a microfiltração foi positiva, pois após 60 minutos a turbidez chegou a 0 uT e a ausência de células de M. aeruginosa. A retenção da microcistina com a nanofiltração apresentou uma retenção de 87,3% no início, porém com o decorrer do tempo este valor apresentou uma queda para 58,0%. Em resumo, pode-se considerar a associação da o uso da M. oleifera como coagulante com a microfiltração como uma boa alternativa para redução de turbidez e remoção de cianobactérias, assim como o uso da nanofiltração para remoção de microcistina. / The eutrophication affects many reservoirs of water, causing problems, specially the commitment of operational and water quality for the population. Some water treatment technologies go through a process of improvement and others appear to improve treatment efficiency. This work aimed to evaluate the removal of cyanobacterial and cyanotoxins through coagulation with Moringa oleifera, followed by microfiltration and nanofiltration. Thus the first stage of work was growing in the laboratory of the cyanobacterial Microcystis aeruginosa and determination of growth curves of this microorganism. Following tests were conducted to verify the optimal conditions for coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation with coagulant solution of M. oleifera (1%) were used in response to removal of cells from M. aeruginosa and reduced turbidity. The following variables were evaluated: coagulation time, fast speed, time of flocculation, slow speed, time of sedimentation, turbidity initial amount of the coagulant solution. Then the process of coagulation/flocculation/ sedimentation was associated with microfiltration this step was carried out with water end crop water of Passaúna –PR contaminated with the cultivation of M. aeruginosa. Finally, due to M. aeruginosa grown to be toxic microcystin producing and evaluate produce the coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation associated with nanofiltration. The results indicate that optimum conditions for coagulation and flocculation were clotting with 2 minutes at 80 rpm, and 18 minutes for flocculation at 13 rpm with a removal of cells and a 95,6% reduction in turbidity of 97,5%. It was found that 60 minutes was enough sediment removal for over 90% of the cyanobacterial, and 95% reduction in turbidity. With respect to the amount of coagulant solution was observed an increase in process efficiency by increasing the amount of coagulant solution, but at 70 mg such removal no longer has large variations. The association of coagulation /flocculation/sedimentation with microfiltration was positive, because after 60 minutes reached the turbidity 0 uT and the absence of cells of M. aeruginosa. The retention of microcystin with nanofiltration showed a retention of 87,3% at the beginning, but with the passage of time this value showed a decrease to 58,0%. In summary, one can consider adding the use of M. oleifera as a coagulant with microfiltration as a good alternative to reduce turbidity and removal of cyanobacterial, as well as the use of nanofiltration removal of microcystin.