During the last decade, Mexico City's air quality has deteriorated dramatically. Air pollution management has become a major issue, and a number of policies and campaigns aimed at reducing the volume of harmful emissions released into the atmosphere by vehicles and large-scale industries, have been implemented. / Lighting, office equipment, cooking, refrigeration, space heating, space cooling, ventilation, and water heating are the ultimate commercial uses of energy. The goal of this study is to determine if there is a potential market for solar water heaters that could provide hot water for a number of activities in the city, reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned for this purpose, thus contributing to decrease the amount of air pollutants to the atmosphere. / The results of this research show how a number of industries, public services and commercial activities need to be provided with both water and energy in large quantities, and are therefore potential users of solar thermal technologies.

Purpose: To explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the Health Care Workers (HCWs) regarding the use of the child growth and development monitoring tool which is commonly known as the road to health card (RTHC)for the under- fives. Methodology: Based on the positivist paradigm, a descriptive approach was undertaken to explore the HCWs knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the use of the child growth and development monitoring tool also known as the road to health card (RTHC) for growth monitoring and promotion in EThekwini metropolitan area. Sampling was prepared in two stages; probability random sampling to obtain seventeen clinics and non-probability purposive sampling technique was followed to obtain the study‟s participants. Fifty-one self-developed, structured questionnaires were distributed of which forty were completed and returned. This was followed by conducting one hundred and seventy observations in the clinical areas, which means ten observations per clinic. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 18) software. Findings: The average score for the respondents‟ knowledge regarding the use of the RTHC for GMP was 62%, and that score was classified as unacceptable according to this study. The participants‟ responses regarding their attitudes about GMP tended to favour statements that indicated good practices for the use of the RTHC. However, when GMP practices/activities were observed in the clinical areas, it became apparent that the answers provided in the instrument to rate the HCWs attitudes, were not a true reflection. Some of the practices observed were good, but the average score for the observations was69%, which was also classified as unacceptable. Conclusions: HCWs knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the use of the RTHC for GMP activities were found to be unacceptable. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Aim To explore Mental Health Care Practitioners and a Mental Health Care Directors perceptions of mental health care nurses obtaining prescription authority in eThekwini District KwaZulu-Natal. Methodology A qualitative design was used to gather data through individual interviews and a focus group interview. Purposive sampling was used to select the study setting (five (5) Out Patient Departments, two (2) Community Health Centres, one (1) tertiary educational institution, and one district office), potential participants were not sampled. Participants included; twenty six mental health care nurses (n=26), one (1) psychiatrist (n=1), four (4) medical officers (n=4) and one (n=1) mental health care director. Thematic analysis using the steps outlined by Braun and Clark (2006) was used to analyse the data. Results The majority of participants were not aware of policies or legislation allowing nurses to prescribe medication. Participating mental health care nurses from an education setting were more knowledgeable than other participants about current legislation and policy. Study findings indicate that nurses’ obtaining prescriptive authority is not on the provincial department of health agenda. In addition, participating ppsychiatrists and medical officers expressed reservations about nurses obtaining prescriptive authority, specifically independent prescriptive authority. Participating mental health nurses displayed ambivalence related to the pursuit of prescriptive authority. Conclusion and Recommendations The challenge for mental health nurses is suggested to be the achievement of a collaborative working relationship within the discipline of nursing, and between the discipline of nursing and medicine / psychiatry. It is suggested mental health care directors, and the SANC, be proactive, look to the future in advising the health minister about access and barriers to mental health care treatment. In addition, the SANC champion the nurse, specifically the mental health care nurse in obtaining prescriptive authority for schedule 5-6 psychotropic medications. Further research is required to generate more in-depth data, specifically research that explores mental health care nurses’ reluctance to pursue prescriptive authority. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2014.

This research sought to examines how Integrated Development Planning has been used as an approach for improving infrastructure service delivery in historically disadvantaged communities. It examines the extent to which integrated development planning has been used to facilitate infrastructure provision in KwaNyuswa. It identifies key development challenges that are currently faced by the eThekwini Municipality in its attempts to accelerate infrastructure service delivery in KwaNyuswa. Both secondary and primary sources of data were used to source information. Key experts and community members were interviewed to supplement data from secondary sources. It was found that KwaNyuswa has a large proportion of Durban Metro Open Space, riverines and steep divided topography which constraint infrastructure provision in the area. Nevertheless, EThekwini Municipality has to a large extent managed to provide affordable services such as water and electricity in KwaNyuswa. Despite this success, roads and transportation networks have not been upgraded especially in sub-settlements called “Izigodi” and no Reconstruction and Development Programme Houses have been constructed since 1994. The study has identified a rural planning scheme, the affordable service delivery strategy, human capital development programme and nodal development strategies as solutions to enhance infrastructure provision in KwaNyuswa. Lessons learnt were identified jointly with recommendations to make Integrated Development Planning work in KwaNyuswa. / M.T.R.P. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

The area immediately surrounding a landfill was studied by DC resistivity methods, soil borings, and review of historical data bases to learn if the landfill had released leachate to the ground water and to define the geology and hydrogeology of the site. Property immediately adjacent to the landfill has been proposed as a new landfill site. The geology and hydrogeology of this site were investigated to provide supplemental data for use in planning and operating the new landfill.Although no contaminant plumes were located by resistivity methods, the range in measured resistivity values proved to be sufficiently large to possibly mask existing leachate migration from the landfill. Using the resistivity data base generated through this effort, future resistivity surveys at this site may identify changes indicating contaminant plume formation or migration.Zones of shallow sand and gravel were found (by resistivity methods) to be present at locations that appear to correlate with slightly higher topography and soil type MuB2. This information led to the location and confirmation of other shallow permeable zones in the glacial drift with the same common attributes (soil type MuB2, higher topography and 5 to 15 feet deep sand and gravel). These shallow permeable zones had been omitted from the ground-water monitoring systems for both the Metropolitan Landfill and the proposed Delaware County Landfill. The results of this study were used as the basis for recommendations presented to the local board of health and the state regarding the need for additional ground-water monitoring at the two sites and the suggested locations for such.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Metropolitan Achievement Test, Primary I Battery (MAT-PI) for its early predictive validity in the later identification of mildly mentally handicapped students as well as its predictive validity in Identifying children who will be referred for an individualized psycho-educational assessment In the course of their elementary school career. All selected subjects (N=225) were students In the Gary Community School Corporation in Gary, Indiana, who had taken the MAT-PI during April of first grade, between the years 1981-83. Seventy-five subjects were randomly chosen from three categories; students who were subsequently designated as mildly mentally handicapped (MIMH, N= 429), students who were subsequently referred and evaluated as part of psycho-educational evaluation and who were not classified as mildly mentally handicapped (Referral Group, 1Y 974) and students who were not subsequently referred or evaluated as part of a psycho-educational evaluation nor classified under any special education classification (Normal, & -6,336). An additional 27 students from each group (MIMH, Referral and Normal) were retained to perform a cross validation. Discriminant Analysis was used with the selected sample (N=225) to predict group membership (MIMH, Referral and Normal) using standard scores from four subtests (Word Knowledge, Word Analysis, Reading and Math) of the MAT-PI as independent variables. A step-wise discriminant procedure was utilized with a minimum significance level of A <.05 for the two possible discriminant functions. A series of one-way analyses of variance examined the mean differences between the three groups (MIMH, Referral and Normal). A post-hoc analysis of mean differences between groups was done using the Scheffe test of significance (R <.05).Findings1. The results of the analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA's) indicated significant (p. <.01) mean differences between the three groups (MIMH, Referral and Normal) on each of the four predictor variables (MAT-PI subtests: Word Knowledge, Word Analysis, Reading and Math).2. The results of the discriminant analysis for both a three-group (MIMH, Referral and Normal) and a two-group (Referred and NonReferred) classification system, produced statistically significant (p <_.01) discriminant functions.3. The Word Knowledge, Word Analysis and Math subtests of the MAT-PI were the best predictors of group membership in both the three-group and the two-group classification systems.Conclusions1. The null hypothesis that the MAT-PI will not significantly discriminate students who will be identified as in need of special education services for the mildly mentally handicapped was rejected. 2. The null hypothesis that the MAT-PI will not significantly discriminate students who will subsequently be referred for a psycho-educatioanl evaluation was rejected.3. A comparison of these results with related studies substantiates that the MAT-PI has comparable predictive ability for early identification of "high risk" children to individually administered preschool screening tests, the use of biographical data, parent questionnaires or teacher ratings.4. The major problem with the MAT-PI, as an economical screening instrument, is its tendency to over-predict (false positives).

In most instances people tend to think of the public sector as monopolistic entities facing captive demand, enjoying guaranteed source and levels of financing, and being relatively immune from voters, stakeholders, and political institutions such as legislatures and courts (Morris & Kuratko, 2003: 305). Entrepreneurship or intrapreneurial behaviour is commonly discussed in the context of private business. However, government departments and other organs of state have a pressing need to think entrepreneurially (Rwigema & Venter, 2005:10). Against the backdrop of legacy of apartheid in South Africa, municipalities are still faced with the challenge of extending the fundamental benefits of basic water supply and sanitation, electricity and housing to all people. It is therefore imperative in the light of these challenges for a municipality like Ekurhuleni to operate as business does, by adopting an innovative or intrapreneurial approach. The primary objective of this study was to assess intrapreneurial climate in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and to make recommendations to foster intrapreneurship within the organisation. The literature review was instrumental to gather secondary data on corporate entrepreneurship (intrapreneurship) and to understand its dynamics. In order to gain primary data, quantitative research was carried out. The study population comprised lower, middle and top management participants, who were requested to complete questionnaires. This was followed by statistical analysis. The empirical results indicate no practical significance in respondents' perception of their entrepreneurial characteristics in relation to their superiors. However, the results do indicate practical significant differences between the relationship between the groups of top/middle and lower management level and entrepreneurial climate. The respondents did not fully agree with the statements that the Ekurhuleni Municipality climate is conducive to foster entrepreneurial behaviour. However, it was revealed that practical significant differences were found on the relationship between management level variable and intrapreneurial climate constructs. The results of the study indicate that the respondents have divergent views of the intrapreneurial climate in the Ekurhuleni Municipality and that these views are based on the following constructs: management support, sponsor (champions), tolerance for risks, mistakes and failure, appropriate rewards, discretionary time and work, empowered teams and multi-disciplinary teams and diversity, resources availability and accessibility, and flat organisational structure with open communication and strong sense of belonging. It can thus be concluded that lower level managers are of the opinion that the climate is not conducive for a spirit of innovation to prosper. The purpose of this research was to assess the intrapreneurial climate in the Ekurhuleni Municipality. Empirical evidence shows that there is a pressing need for a shift from the current top down approach to a future of entrepreneurism and innovation among the workforce. In light of the above-mentioned empirical findings, a practical action plan was recommended to the Ekurhuleni Municipality management in order to foster an intrapreneurial climate (see Table 5.1). Subsequent to the findings, a practical action plan was proposed to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality's management to enhance a culture of innovation and entrepreneurial behaviour. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

In most instances people tend to think of the public sector as monopolistic entities facing captive demand, enjoying guaranteed source and levels of financing, and being relatively immune from voters, stakeholders, and political institutions such as legislatures and courts (Morris & Kuratko, 2003: 305). Entrepreneurship or intrapreneurial behaviour is commonly discussed in the context of private business. However, government departments and other organs of state have a pressing need to think entrepreneurially (Rwigema & Venter, 2005:10). Against the backdrop of legacy of apartheid in South Africa, municipalities are still faced with the challenge of extending the fundamental benefits of basic water supply and sanitation, electricity and housing to all people. It is therefore imperative in the light of these challenges for a municipality like Ekurhuleni to operate as business does, by adopting an innovative or intrapreneurial approach. The primary objective of this study was to assess intrapreneurial climate in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and to make recommendations to foster intrapreneurship within the organisation. The literature review was instrumental to gather secondary data on corporate entrepreneurship (intrapreneurship) and to understand its dynamics. In order to gain primary data, quantitative research was carried out. The study population comprised lower, middle and top management participants, who were requested to complete questionnaires. This was followed by statistical analysis. The empirical results indicate no practical significance in respondents' perception of their entrepreneurial characteristics in relation to their superiors. However, the results do indicate practical significant differences between the relationship between the groups of top/middle and lower management level and entrepreneurial climate. The respondents did not fully agree with the statements that the Ekurhuleni Municipality climate is conducive to foster entrepreneurial behaviour. However, it was revealed that practical significant differences were found on the relationship between management level variable and intrapreneurial climate constructs. The results of the study indicate that the respondents have divergent views of the intrapreneurial climate in the Ekurhuleni Municipality and that these views are based on the following constructs: management support, sponsor (champions), tolerance for risks, mistakes and failure, appropriate rewards, discretionary time and work, empowered teams and multi-disciplinary teams and diversity, resources availability and accessibility, and flat organisational structure with open communication and strong sense of belonging. It can thus be concluded that lower level managers are of the opinion that the climate is not conducive for a spirit of innovation to prosper. The purpose of this research was to assess the intrapreneurial climate in the Ekurhuleni Municipality. Empirical evidence shows that there is a pressing need for a shift from the current top down approach to a future of entrepreneurism and innovation among the workforce. In light of the above-mentioned empirical findings, a practical action plan was recommended to the Ekurhuleni Municipality management in order to foster an intrapreneurial climate (see Table 5.1). Subsequent to the findings, a practical action plan was proposed to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality's management to enhance a culture of innovation and entrepreneurial behaviour. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

This thesis presents evidence that income polarization is accompanied by increasing social-spatial disparities between areas of the city that were developed in different societal contexts, with different planning approaches, and that have different land use and transportation dynamics. An analysis of the social structure of the Toronto Metropolitan Area finds indications of widespread gentrification in the inner city, socioeconomic decline in the postwar suburbs, and sustained household affluence in the ever expanding outermost suburbs of the metropolitan area. It is argued that, as a political and social endeavor that is embedded in broader development regimes, urban planning influences social-spatial polarization to the extent that it influences urban form.

This study examines stress and distress experienced by working age individuals in the urban environment. The goals of this research are twofold: (1) to test for a social gradient in stress and distress; and (2) to test for environmental effects on the reporting of stress and distress, specifically focussing on variations in stress and distress across neighbourhoods in Montreal. Montreal was selected as the focus of this study because it is a large metropolitan region with some of the highest income disparities in Canada. Individual-level logistic regression models and multilevel analyses of the 2000/01 Canadian Community Health Survey were applied to identify the determinants of stress and distress and to determine the degree of variation in stress (n = 1944) and distress (n = 1836) captured at the neighbourhood level. Results showed that a social gradient exists with distress in Montreal, but not stress, and that neighbourhoods have an effect on distress above and beyond individual characteristics.