Nicaragua faces tremendous problems in relation to environmental and social conditions as well as continuing conflicts over access to natural and economic resources. The loss of forests and other essential eco-systems, the extinction of unique species, the degradation of soils and farmland, poverty, ill heath, exploitation and great inequalities of wealth and power remain on-going processes and essential characteristics of Nicaragua. These conditions represent an environmental crisis that threatens the country's ecological and social well-being. The thesis considers the historical causes of the environmental crisis looking at the impact of the introduction of particular political and economic structures, the development of the dictatorship of Somocisnio in Nicaragua and the impact of US hegemony in the region. It further considers why the strategies adopted by successive administrations and international organisations have failed to adequately address Nicaragua's environmental problems. The need for radical political and economic change as a means to address the underlying structural causes of environmental degradation is investigated in relation to Nicaragua. However, the examination of the effects of the Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua is also used to reveal important insights into the impact of structural change on the environment and the necessity to include other, reformist components in any solution. Post-Revolutionary strategies and the current emphasis on NGO and community based sustainable agricultural programmes are examined in detail to evaluate the importance of this approach for environmental protection. In addition to an examination of the effectiveness of the strategies of the post-revolutionary state, a case study analysis of Programa Campesino-a-Campesfno, the most prominent and successful example of the new, community-based initiatives, is used to illustrate the generic problems and opportunities present in the new 'paradigm' of localism and sustainable agriculture. While these new initiatives may provide key components to a solution, the study considers whether by themselves, they have the capacity to address the underlying causes of degradation. The study concludes that the environmental crisis is primarily a result of the particular development model that has arisen in the region since the colonial conquest, and which has facilitated the development of a system based on the highly unequal distribution of resources and power. Consequently, the causes of the crisis are essentially structural in nature, requiring that radical changes be made to the political and economic structures of society. However, the lesson of Nicaragua's Sandinista Revolution, during which environmental degradation continued despite a series of structural and socio-political changes, indicates that structural changes do not of themselves, guarantee environmental sustainability. Equally, the limitations of programmes such as Campesino-a-Campesino reveal that a reliance on agroecological and community-based methodologies is also flawed. Therefore, progress towards social and environmental justice in Nicaragua requires a combination of radical changes to political and economic structures, alongside the use of ecologicalbased agricultural and land management practices. This means that inequalities in land and natural resource ownership are addressed in order to provide sustainable economic and ecological systems within which Nicaraguans can attempt the longterm management and protection of their environment. The introduction of these new practices must include the participation and skills of local populations in any process of change. Redistribution of wealth and resources must be accompanied by a redistribution of power so that the control and development of these changes and initiatives, develop from, and reside in, the hands of ordinary Nicaraguans.

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs)/E-Learning has been adopted extensively by Higher Education (HE) in the UK and in the case study Coventry University (CU). Frameworks predicated upon pedagogic considerations evaluate VLEs/E-Learning but the evaluation of the management of VLEs/E-Learning through Knowledge Management (KM) Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) and Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) has not been considered. Furthermore there are no frameworks that seek to reconcile the intent of VLEs/E-Learning with the resultant instantiation. Therefore, a conceptual framework to evaluate the management of VLEs/E-Learning has been derived. Action Research has been used by exposing every stage of the development of the conceptual framework to critique by stakeholders. The drivers for the uptake of VLEs/E-Learning have been identified and classified according to two schema, one schema is into people, processes and technology and the other into strategic/tactical or operational types. Existing evaluative frameworks have, on review, been classified according to a schema incorporating a purpose, theory, context, evaluative criteria, evaluative processes and management activities. VLEs/E-Learning can be considered to be a specialized computer system and therefore the fields of Knowledge management (KM), Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) and Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) have been investigated, salient concepts extracted. From KM, knowledge appositions (know why; know-what; know who; know-when; know-where and know-how) are mapped onto tacit and explicit knowledge; people, processes and technology. From SSM, CATWOE (customer, actor, transformation, weltanschauung, owner, environment); and from CSH the concept of ‘is’ and ‘ought’ has also been mapped across the knowledge appositions. The resultant framework can be used by HE organisations as a tool for self development and also by external auditing agencies which wish to evaluate the management of VLEs/E-Learning.

No abstract available / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Architecture / unrestricted

The transition towards family-centered practice in early childhood intervention has shifted the focus from looking at the child in isolation towards understanding the child in context. The primary context for the child’s development is the family setting which is inextricably linked to the family’s culture, beliefs and values. The cultural context is transmitted through activity settings which make up the everyday experiences and events that involve the child’s interactions with various people and the environment. Activity settings are a part of daily life and include activities like eating dinner, bath time, listening to stories and getting ready for school. Furthermore, activity settings represent how families can and do structure their time, based on tradition, the orientations provided by culture and the socio-economic system within which they live. Intervention goals that fit easily into these settings are more likely to be adopted and practised, as they are less likely to disrupt the daily functioning and coherence of the family. While there is a clear emphasis in the literature on developing intervention approaches that are applicable to families from diverse cultural contexts, little is known about the beliefs and practices of low-income urban families in South Africa. Children in Africa have frequently been judged against Euro-American norms and standards, where the aim has been to change instead of understand the context in which children live. This study therefore aims to identify everyday activities that provide children with varied opportunities for learning and development within the natural environment of the family context. A descriptive design using structured interviews was utilised to obtain information about the activity settings that children aged 3-5 years engaged in. Face-to-face interviews with 90 caregivers were conducted, utilising a self-constructed interview schedule consisting of a written list of closed and open-ended questions. This approach was chosen as it holds no bias against respondents who have varied literacy levels. The interview schedule was developed through a process of consultation with parents/caregivers from the Soweto community, using focus group discussions. The results provide information on the types of activities that children participate in, the frequency of participation, the partners involved, as well as the purpose of the activities. Caregiver perceptions on the importance of activities were also obtained through closed and open-ended questions. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / Unrestricted

This thesis examines the implementation of air pollution control at the local level within the UK. Focusing upon the local air pollution control regime (LAPC) that is regulated by local authorities under the provisions of Part One of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the research assesses whether this system has been effective in controlling localised emissions from industrial processes. To place the research in context, it essentially evaluates the implementation of LAPC with reference to its main objectives: to reduce industrial emissions and improve local air quality, to provide greater clarity and certainty for business and to allow the public greater access to local environmental information. The methodology adopted to undertake the research was based upon grounded theory and naturalistic inquiry. As such, the research programme was structured in phases where initially, essential baseline data was collected on the LAPC system. This quantitative data provided the foundations from which more detailed qualitative work was undertaken in the field in subsequent phases of the research. This allowed the research to build towards theory utilising an emergent, yet structured research design. As the research progressed, a range of complementary methods were used to collect data about the LAPC system. Initially, the research critically evaluated the major Reports that had been written on LAPC in order to establish benchmarks from which implementation of the LAPC system could be assessed. To keep the research within defined limits, a case study approach was adopted, using Lancashire as the case study area. Under the first phase of the research a questionnaire was used to survey the process operators within the region in order to collect baseline information about their processes and to obtain their views and perceptions of the LAPC system. Under the second phase qualitative research was carried out in the field. This involved detailed, semi-structured, faceto-face interviews with the process operators and the DETR and examination of documentary evidence within the Public Registers held by Lancashire's local authorities. The phased approach allowed the research to explore progressively deeper into the key areas associated with the implementation of the LAPC system. In particular, the research examined local authority enforcement and administration of the LAPC system to assess their regulatory performance and to determine the strategies they adopt to achieve compliance. The research also focused upon the process operators to assess their capacity to comply with the duties and responsibilities placed upon them under LAPC. The work offers a new perspective as it focuses upon both regulators and operators alike and examines their performance from the outset of LAPC to its closing stages. The research findings allow conclusions to be drawn on the relationship that exists between these "stakeholders" and the regulatory conditions that exist within the system. The research findings suggest that local authorities and process operators have had difficulty in discharging their duties under the LAPC system. For various reasons, the capacity of the regulators and the operators to achieve compliance has been compromised. The difficulties that the stakeholders have faced in striving to come to terms with the LAPC system have influenced their compliance strategies and affected the relationship that exists between them. This research identifies and examines these difficulties and assesses their performance under such conditions.

Earthworms are considered very important soil organisms, greatly influencing soil function through their feeding, burrowing and casting activities, e.g. comminution and incorporation of litter into soil, building and maintenance of soil structural porosity and aggregation, promoting changes in microbial communities and activities and influencing plant growth. Although research on earthworms is increasing rapidly, there is still inadequate knowledge of the basic biology and ecology of even common species, such as Lumbricus terrestris. This study aimed to examine aspects of adult, immature and hatchling L. terrestris dispersal, distribution and intraspecific interactions through a number of laboratory and field experiments. Results demonstrated that population density can significantly affect dispersal in L. terrestris. Intraspecific competition for food resources and space in combination with the need to secure mating opportunities interact to produce regular patterns in the horizontal distribution of individuals, observed at the scale of I m 2. Burrow reuse by offspring and other conspecifics was observed, in addition to permanence in distribution of L. terrestris over short periods (1 year). Intraspecific competition between adults (parents or not) and hatchlings/juveniles intensified as the latter grew in size. However, observations of cocoon deposition by adults in distinct locations within side burrows, could represent a form of "parental investment". Results from this study could assist in identifying some of the factors that influence L. terrestris population dynamics, however further research is required to fully understand how their combined effect may influence the behaviour of this species in natural environments.

This thesis considers the methodologies and organisational impacts of Environmental Reviews and Environmental Management Systems in Local Authorities, Universities and Conservation organisations. It assesses the practical impacts of these tools, identifies elements of good practice and discusses the organisational and political factors which affect the success of environmental management activity in these organisations. Chapter 1 describes the growth of global, European and national policy initiatives aimed at minimising environmental degradation and delivering sustainable development and the subsequent development of environmental strategies and environmental management tools in organisations. Chapter 2 discusses environmental management activity in Local Government in the context of Local Agenda 21, using the results of a survey of environmental management techniques in local authorities and a case study of Lancashire County Council. These findings are discussed in the context of changes to local government organisation in the UK and in relation to local government management theory. Chapter 3 considers environmental management activity in Universities in the context of institutional performance using the results of a survey of approaches to environmental management in Universities and a case study of environmental management in the University of Central Lancashire. These findings are then considered in relation to changes in the orgamsation of the Higher Education Sector in the UK and in the context of university management theory. Chapter 4 considers the use of environmental management techniques in the Conservation sector in the context of Local Agenda 21, using a survey of conservation organisations and a case study of The National Trust's environmental management strategy. These findings are then discussed with regard to changes occurring in the management and funding of NGOs and quangos in the UK. Based upon the research findings, a number of recommendations are made for successful organisational environmental management strategies and the long term application of these techniques within each of these sectors. These findings are then drawn together in Chapter 5 to identify common methodological, organisational and political factors which affect the success of organisational environmental management strategies and to discuss their potential contribution to sustainable development. An alternative approach to TQM based environmental management is offered for organisations, based upon the elements of good practice identified in the non-profit sector, which include conscensus building, wide participation, and democratic decision making. Within the organisation, this approach closely resembles the Local Agenda 21 process used by local government to consult and empower local communities in sustainable development.

Master of Public Health - MPH / Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are some of the leading causes of death worldwide. Obesity results from the interactions between biology, behaviour, and environment. The current obesity epidemic is largely driven by environmental rather than biological factors, through its influence on social norms regarding food choices and lifestyle behaviours. The number of people dying from diabetes and hypertension keeps increasing because of the current obesity trend.

Spacecraft are subject to different environments while on orbit around the Earth and beyond. One of the most critical of these environments that must be counteracted is the thermal environment. Each spacecraft has an operating temperature that is specified in the mission requirements. The requirement stems from internal component operating temperatures that are critical to mission success. Prior to placing the spacecraft in orbit, engineers must be sure that the spacecraft will survive or risk losing the mission entirely. The primary way to mitigate this risk is to use a thermal vacuum chamber (TVAC). The chamber is designed to resemble a space environment by reducing the pressure within the chamber to 1e-6 Torr. The differentiating factor between a vacuum chamber and a thermal vacuum chamber is the ability for the TVAC to complete a process known as thermal cycling using a temperature controller. Thermal cycling begins at a set temperature and increases within the chamber to a designated hot temperature expected to be seen on orbit. After the maximum temperature is reached, it remains there for a specified amount of time in what is called a soak. The controller then reduces the temperature to a specified cold temperature where a second soak takes place. Finally, the temperature is returned to the initial temperature and the process is repeated for a number of cycles until testing is complete. For the purpose of this thesis, only the initial temperature increase and the first soak are being investigated. The chamber being used to run these experiments was graciously donated by MDA US Systems, however, no additional documentation was provided with the chamber. The Two identical black coated aluminum and brass cylinders have been chosen to be run with three different temperature profiles. The profiles are manually designed in the temperature controller on the chamber and vary by final soak temperature. To supplement the testing, simulations have been created for each test case in order to verify the computer model of the chamber. The simulations utilize AutoCad and Thermal Desktop to provide the results for comparison. Each of the tests were completed successfully and produced good results that corresponded well to the simulation. The largest difference between the simulation cylinder temperature and the experimental cylinder temperature was 1.9 $^{\circ}$C. The effectiveness and efficiency of the blue chamber was compared to the other thermal vacuum chamber in the Space Environments lab. Overall, the Blue Chamber proved to be more robust and much easier to operate than the HVEC thermal vacuum chamber.

For many years, physicians and the greater population saw Autism Spectrum Disorder as a behavioral syndrome. But what physicians have proved in recent decades is that autism is a wide spectrum disorder foremost affecting the senses. Autistic individuals have difficulty distinguishing relevant from irrelevant stimuli due to the fact that their brain is unable to organize sensation into meaning and concept. They cannot "break" the whole picture into relevant parts. It is a known fact that not much investigation and research has gone into the support of adults with autism. Government funding goes into the education and therapy of children with autism, but after the age of 18, adults with autism often end up in isolation, in the care of their families, or in mental institutions. Furthermore, physicians tend to disagree with the current lifestyles residential communities put forth for those living in them. The goal of this thesis is to design and develop a "kit of parts" or installation-like spaces that will be ad ted into a residential living community for the increase in quality of life for autistic individuals. With sensory spaces fixed into the architecture of the residential living community, hopefully the residents' lives will improve and they will gain independence. / 0 / SPK / specialcollections@tulane.edu