Comparative political economy studies of welfare states have focused on either general processes of modernization or the evolution of different welfare state 'regimes' - such as the social democratic, liberal and conservative types identified by Esping-Andersen. Variations in women's role in the workforce tend to be seen as closely allied with 'welfare regime' types or associated with welfare state modernization. But there are relatively few empirical studies in the political economy field of how, within the overall policy configuration of the state, welfare policies influence women's labour force participation. First, using a quantitative analysis of country-level data for 17 OECD countries from 1960 to 1987, this study identifies clusters of countries consistent with the Esping-Andersen classification, which share distinct patterns of women's role in the workforce and have different paths of development over time. However, the analysis shows that important anomalies exist and key questions remain unresolved. Second, case studies are used to analyse policy configurations and developments in women's employment over time. 'Core' examples are drawn from each main welfare regime - the USA (liberal), Sweden (social democratic) and Germany (conservative). The Netherlands is examined as a key anomalous case. Third, the lessons from the empirical analyses are used to reconsider aspects of the 'social democratic' and 'modernization' models of welfare state development. Across the period as a whole female labour force participation has grown in most countries. The most rapid growth of women's involvement has taken place in core countries with either liberal or social democratic welfare configurations (the USA and Sweden). There has been less change in 'conservative' countries (such as Germany) and in the Netherlands despite its 'social democratic' classification. Yet apparent linkages between labour market trends and welfare policies do not necessarily stand up to close over-time or comparative analysis. In the USA there are only weak connections between welfare policies and women's changing role in the labour market, whereas the two factors are closely and directly linked in Sweden. Particular policies contributed to expanding women's employment in Germany, but the overall policy configuration has bolstered broader patterns of social stratification inimical to women playing a larger role. In the Netherlands, welfare policies have clearly restrictive effects on women's participation in job markets, although some growth has occurred since the 'welfare explosion' of the 1960s. These findings show that welfare states' impacts on women's employment do not fit neatly into the 'modernization' or 'social democratic' models. 'One path fits all' models perform particularly poorly, but even differentiated analyses of 'welfare state regimes' pay insufficient attention to the location of social welfare within the state's overall policy configuration. A clearer distinction between the 'welfare state' construed as form of state and as a particular sector of state activity can help comparative analysis eliminate the residual influence of 'one-path' models, and provide more compelling analyses of variations in women's employment trajectories.

The Kelvin Probe Force Microscope is a type of scanning probe instrument that is used to discern the different work functions of a sample. A sharp probe at the end of a cantilever is lowered onto a substrate where electrostatic forces, caused by the difference in work function cause the cantilever to oscillate at the modulated frequency. Using this instrument, high resolution images can be obtained, mapping the surface electronic characteristics. However, developments of this instrument have generally been limited to obtaining higher resolution images as well as reducing noise in the output, limiting the widespread appeal of this expensive instrument. There exist many applications where extremely cheap, low footprint and easy-to-use Kelvin Probe Force Microscopes would be beneficial. In order to cheaply produce this microscope in batch, a post-processed CMOS-MEMS device is utilized. The polysilicon resistors act as a strain gauge such that a conventional optical system will not have to be employed. The ability to use integrated bimorph actuators on chip allow for movement of the cantilever without the employment of large piezoelectric stages with creep effects. Embedded electronics can be fabricated with the CMOS process alongside the MEMS device, allowing full integration of an on board amplifier and read out system. In general, a large table top system can be minimized onto the size of a <1 mm2 area, a microcontroller and a computer. In this work, a Kelvin Probe Force Microscope is designed, fabricated and validated. A MEMS device was designed following similar characteristics of a generic cantilever beam. The stiffness, length, resonant frequency, and other tip characteristics can be mimicked with careful design. The resultant designs were fabricated using a CMOS-MEMS process. In order to obtain a sharper tip with modified characteristics, various methods were employed; such as gallium-aluminum alloy tip formation as well as electroless plating onto the tip of the device. Finally, the resultant device is tested against a sample. It was seen that the MEMS device followed similar characteristics of the conventional microscope itself, validating the equations that define the method. Bimorph actuators were tested to show movement, allowing the integration of the cantilever with the XYZ-stage. Work function changes are observed while scanning different materials. It is shown throughout the course of this thesis, that a true Kelvin Probe Force Microscope can be designed, fabricated and validated using CMOS-MEMS technology.

This thesis describes the development of a new type of Magnetic Force Microscope (MFM) probe based on a unique electromagnetic design. In addition the design, construction and testing of a new MFM system, complete in both hardware and software, is also described. The MFM allowed initial tests on prototypes of the new probe, and is to provide a base for future new probe integration. The microscope uses standard MFM micro-cantilever probes in static modes of imaging. A new computer hosted DSP control system, software, and its various interfaces with the MFM have been integrated into the system. The system has been tested using standard probes with various specimens and satisfactory results have been produced. A novel probe has been designed to replace the standard MFM magnetic coated tip with a field generated about a sub-micron aperture in a conducting film. The field from the new probe is modelled and its imaging capability investigated, with iterative designs analysed in this way. The practical construction and potential problems therein, of the probe are also considered. Test apertures have been manufactured, and an image of the field produced when operating is provided as support to the theoretical designs. Future methods of using the new probe are also discussed, including the examination of the probe as a magnetic write mechanism. This probe, integrated into the MFM, can provide a new method of microscopic magnetic imaging, and in addition opens a new potential method of magnetic storage that will require further research.

The subject of this thesis is the role of religion in the history of the exiled Polish community, which made its way to Britain in the years 1939 to 1950. The role of religion in the life of man has been stressed by sociologists as well as by theologians and religious leaders. Religion 'is not a sort of luxury which a man could go along without, but a condition of his very existence. He could not be a man, if he had not acquired it.' (E. Durkheim - 'The social foundation of religion', Sociology of Religion, Harmondworth, 1984, p. 53). The thesis will give an account of the role and influence of the Roman Catholic faith in the life of the Polish Exiles and their Communities in the decade following the outbreak of the Second World War. It will trace their lives during the war and immediately after, in various European countries, though mainly in Britain, as also in the Soviet Union and the Middle East. All these countries were, for a certain time, places of short-term residence for the Poles, whose war ally and the last refuge after the war, became Great Britain. A substantial introduction has been added outlining the history of Poles in Britain before 1939, and the general question of their national identity. It would be useful to note that the Exiled Poles, wherever they were, saw themselves as the Polish nation abroad. The reason, perhaps, was that the Communities included persons of all ages, sexes, classes and professions who were thus able to form and develop their own-cultural, religious and political life. Religion helped the Poles to transcend their painful history and see clearly the meaning of human existence and their place in the universe and on earth.

No description available.

No description available.

Many of the undesirable side effects that occur during orthodontic treatment can be attributed directly to a lack of understanding of the physics involved in a given adjustment of an orthodontic appliance. A large number of variables in orthodontic treatment are not within our control, such as growth and tissue response to appliances. However, the force placed on the tooth should be a controllable variable (1), and careful study of the physics underlying our clinical application, can help in reducing those undesirable side effects. If researchers and clinicians can quantify the force systems applied to the teeth, they can better understand clinical and histologic responses. Orthodontic force systems used in everyday orthodontic mechanics are considered indeterminate force systems, in other words, there are too many unknowns to determine the different components of these force systems. Until recently, much of the literature was restricted to experimental two-dimensional analyses of the biomechanical aspects of orthodontic force systems, and computer modeling of three-dimensional analyses. Very little evidence exists in the literature regarding three dimensional experimental measurement and analysis of orthodontic force systems (2). Force system measurements were made on one or two tooth models, however in order for us to understand the orthodontic force systems we need to simultaneously, measure in 3D, the forces being applied on every tooth in the dental arch. With the very recent technological advances in force/torque sensors technology, data acquisition and data representation, it became possible to measure those forces and reveal the force systems we are applying to the dentition. The purpose of this PhD research study is the design and construction of an experimental device that is capable of revealing the details of the force systems used in modern day orthodontic mechano-therapy of continuous arch technique. / Orthodontics

Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2001.

Thesis (MEd)--University of South Australia

Thesis (MHSc--Health Science) -- AUT University, 2007. / Primary supervisor : Professor Peter McNair. Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print (xi, 147 leaves : col. ill. ; 30 cm.) in North Shore Campus Theses Collection (T 617.582 BRE)