Considering 91 countries with seaports, this study conducted an empirical inquiry into the broader economic contribution of seaborne trade, from a port infrastructure quality and logistics performance perspective. Investment in quality improvement of port infrastructure and its contribution to economy are often questioned by politicians, investors and general public. A structural equation model (SEM) is used to provide empirical evidence of significant economic impacts of port infrastructure quality and logistics performance. Furthermore, analysis of a multi-group SEM is performed by dividing countries into developed and developing economy groups. The results reveal that it is vital for developing countries to continuously improve the quality of port infrastructure as it contributes to better logistics performance, leading to higher seaborne trade, yielding higher economic growth. However, this association weakens as the developing countries become richer.

Development of the Jordan Performance Appraisal System (JPAS) was completed in 1996. This study examined the factor structure of the classroom observation instrument used in the JPAS. Using observed classroom instructional quality ratings of 1220 elementary teachers of Grades 1-6 in the Jordan School District, this study estimated the factor structure of the data and the rater effect on relevant structural parameters. This study also tested for measurement invariance at the within and between levels across teachers of two grade-level groups (a) lower grades: Grades 1-3 and (b) upper grades: Grades 4-6. Factor structure was estimated using complex exploratory factor analysis (EFA) conducted on a subset of the original data. The analysis provided evidence of a three-factor model for the combined groups. The results of multiple confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) conducted using a different subset of the data cross-validated EFA results. Results from multilevel confirmatory factor analysis (MCFA) indicated the three-factor model fit best at both the within and the between levels, and that the intraclass correlation (ICC) was high (.699), indicating significant rater-level variance. Results from a multilevel multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MLMG-CFA) indicated that the ICC was not significantly different between groups. Results also indicated configural, metric (weak factorial), and scalar (strong factorial) equivalence between groups. This study provided one of the first examples of how to estimate the impact of cluster-level variables such as rater on grouping variables nested at the within level. It provided an example of how to conduct a multilevel multigroup analysis on count data. It also disproved the assumption that counting classroom teaching behaviors was less subjective than using a categorical rating scale. These results will provide substantial information for future developments made to the classroom observation instrument used in the JPAS.

Epstein et al.'s Theory of Overlapping Spheres of Influence focuses on the interaction and communication, or partnerships, among families, schools, and the community to bring the three closer together. The theory works in conjunction with Epstein's typology of parental involvement, which focuses on six types of involvement that are instrumental to a child's development and his/her school and educational success. These serve as the framework for the study and support the construct of parent's involvement in children's schooling. The purpose of the current study was to conduct further validation analyses of an inventory designed to measure the construct of parent involvement in their children's schooling through the investigation of measurement invariance to determine if the measurement properties of the inventory varied by race/ethnicity. The study compared the responses of 126 Hispanic parents/guardians with 116 White/non-Hispanic parents/guardians to investigate if these two groups were interpreting the items on the inventory in the same manner. The inventory was administered to a sample of parents/guardians of children in grades 3 through 5 in a local school district. Findings indicated that the measurement model was misspecified for the White/non-Hispanic group and the Hispanic group and further measurement invariance testing was not conducted. Exploratory factor analyses were conducted in order to investigate which models would best fit the data for both groups. Feedback also was obtained from parents/guardians about the clarity of the inventory, which revealed their confusion with the response scale and the wording of particular items. In addition, they supplied issues or aspects of parent involvement that they found important but missing from the inventory. Results from the psychometric analyses and qualitative feedback indicated that the inventory requires modification and further psychometric investigation. In addition, caution should be exercised for anyone who may be considering utilizing the inventory. Results of the study were interpreted in terms of contributions to the parent involvement literature, as well as recommendations for the improvement of the inventory.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects and importance of different cross–section representations and energy group structures for steady state and transient analysis. More energy groups may be more accurate, but the calculation becomes much more expensive, hence a balance between accuracy and calculation effort must be find. This study is aimed at comparing a multi–group energy dynamics code, MGT (Multi–group TINTE) with TINTE (TIme Dependent Neutronics and TEmperatures). TINTE’s original version (version 204d) only distinguishes between two energy group structures, namely thermal and fast region with a polynomial reconstruction of cross–sections pre–calculated as a function of different conditions and temperatures. MGT is a TINTE derivative that has been developed, allowing a variable number of broad energy groups. The MGT code will be benchmarked against the OECD PBMR coupled neutronics/thermal hydraulics transient benchmark: the PBMR–400 core design. This comparative study reveals the variations in the results when using two different methods for cross–section generation and multi–group energy structure. Inputs and results received from PBMR (Pty) Ltd. were used to do the comparison. A comparison was done between two–group TINTE and the equivalent two energy groups in MGT as well as between 4, 6 and 8 energy groups in MGT with the different cross–section generation methods, namely inline spectrum– and tabulated cross–section method. The characteristics that are compared are reactor power, moderation– and maximum fuel temperatures and k–effective (only steady state case). This study revealed that a balance between accuracy and calculation effort can be met by using a 4–group energy group structure. A larger part of the available increase in accuracy can be obtained with 4–groups, at the cost of only a small increase in CPU time. The changing of the group structures in the steady state case from 2 to 8 groups has a greater influence on the variation in the results than the cross–section generation method that was used to obtain the results. In the case of a transient calculation, the cross–section generation method has a greater influence on the variation in the results than on the steady state case and has a similar effect to the number of energy groups. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Nuclear Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects and importance of different cross–section representations and energy group structures for steady state and transient analysis. More energy groups may be more accurate, but the calculation becomes much more expensive, hence a balance between accuracy and calculation effort must be find. This study is aimed at comparing a multi–group energy dynamics code, MGT (Multi–group TINTE) with TINTE (TIme Dependent Neutronics and TEmperatures). TINTE’s original version (version 204d) only distinguishes between two energy group structures, namely thermal and fast region with a polynomial reconstruction of cross–sections pre–calculated as a function of different conditions and temperatures. MGT is a TINTE derivative that has been developed, allowing a variable number of broad energy groups. The MGT code will be benchmarked against the OECD PBMR coupled neutronics/thermal hydraulics transient benchmark: the PBMR–400 core design. This comparative study reveals the variations in the results when using two different methods for cross–section generation and multi–group energy structure. Inputs and results received from PBMR (Pty) Ltd. were used to do the comparison. A comparison was done between two–group TINTE and the equivalent two energy groups in MGT as well as between 4, 6 and 8 energy groups in MGT with the different cross–section generation methods, namely inline spectrum– and tabulated cross–section method. The characteristics that are compared are reactor power, moderation– and maximum fuel temperatures and k–effective (only steady state case). This study revealed that a balance between accuracy and calculation effort can be met by using a 4–group energy group structure. A larger part of the available increase in accuracy can be obtained with 4–groups, at the cost of only a small increase in CPU time. The changing of the group structures in the steady state case from 2 to 8 groups has a greater influence on the variation in the results than the cross–section generation method that was used to obtain the results. In the case of a transient calculation, the cross–section generation method has a greater influence on the variation in the results than on the steady state case and has a similar effect to the number of energy groups. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Nuclear Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

abstract: Sexual violence is a problem on college campuses across that United States. In the past few years, federal and state legislation has been drafted in order to address campus sexual violence. A main feature of this legislation addresses an important communicative construct related to students’ sexual behavior: sexual consent. Colleges and universities are adopting an affirmative-standard of consent, which emphasizes that consent for sexual activity be communicated verbally or via unambiguous actions, mutual, voluntary, enthusiastic, and ongoing throughout the sexual encounter. Literature has explored how college students communicate and interpret sexual consent, but antecedents to sexual consent behaviors, particularly affirmative consent, are largely unknown. The current investigation seeks to longitudinally explore the antecedents to college students’ affirmative sexual consent behaviors (i.e., nonverbal, initiating, verbal). Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework, hypotheses predicted that at Time 1 (T1) attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control would positively and significantly predict students’ (T1) intentions to communicate affirmative consent to their partner. Then, it was predicted that at Time 2 (T2)—thirty days later—intentions to communicate consent from T1 would positively and significantly predict college students’ communication of affirmative consent to their partner during their most recent sexual encounter. The final matched (i.e., completed T1 and T2 surveys) sample included two hundred twenty-five (N = 225) college students who had engaged in sexual activity during the 30 days between survey distributions. Results from the path analyses support the theoretically driven hypotheses for all three affirmative consent behaviors, and demonstrate that subjective norms and perceived control are important and strong determinants of students’ communication of affirmative sexual consent. Furthermore, multi-group invariance tested the potential moderating effects of three individual, two dyadic, and two environmental/contextual variables on the strength of path coefficients between TPB constructs for all three sexual consent behaviors. Only individual and environmental/contextual variables significantly moderated relationships within the TPB for the three models. Results are discussed with regard to theoretical implications as well as practical implications for university health educators and other health professionals. Additionally, limitations and future directions are noted. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Communication 2016

Ce travail concerne les analyses visant à étudier les données où les individus sont structurés en différents groupes (données multi-groupes). La thèse aborde la question des données multi-groupes ayant une structure en un seul tableau, plusieurs tableaux, trois voies et deux blocs (régression). Cette thèse présente plusieurs méthodes d'analyse de données multi-groupes dans le cadre de l'analyse factorielle. Notre travail comporte trois parties. La première partie traite de l'analyse de données multi-groupes (un bloc de variables divisé en sous-groupes d'individus). Le but est soit descriptif (analyse intra-groupes) ou prédictif (analyse discriminante ou analyse inter-groupe). Nous commençons par une description exhaustive des méthodes multi-groupes. En outre, nous proposons deux méthodes : l'Analyse Procrustéenne duale et l'Analyse en Composantes Communes et Poids Spécifiques duale. Nous exposons également de nouvelles propriétés et algorithmes pour l'Analyse en Composantes Principales multi-groupes. La deuxième partie concerne l'analyse multi-blocs et multi-groupes et l'analyse trois voies et multi-groupes. Nous présentons les méthodes existantes. Par ailleurs, nous proposons deux méthodes, l'ACP multi-blocs et multi-groupes et l'ACP multi-blocs et multi-groupes pondérée, vues comme des extensions d'Analyse en Composantes Principales multi-groupes. L'analyse en deux blocs et multi-groupes est prise en compte dans la troisième partie. Tout d'abord, nous présentons des méthodes appropriées pour trouver la relation entre un ensemble de données explicatives et un ensemble de données à expliquer, les deux tableaux présentant une structure de groupe entre les individus. Par la suite, nous proposons quatre méthodes pouvant être vues comme des extensions de la régression PLS au cas multi-groupes, et parmi eux, nous en sélectionnons une et la développons dans une stratégie de régression. Les méthodes proposées sont illustrées sur la base de plusieurs jeux de données réels dans le domaine de la biologie. Toutes les stratégies d'analyse sont programmées sur le logiciel libre R. / This work deals with multi-group analysis, to study multi-group data where individuals are a priori structured into different groups. The thesis tackles the issue of multi-group data in a multivariate, multi-block, three-way and two-block (regression) setting. It presents several methods of multi-group data analysis in the framework of factorial analysis. It includes three sections. The first section concerns the case of multivariate multi-group data. The aim is either descriptive (within-group analysis) or predictive (discriminant analysis, between-group analysis). We start with a comprehensive review of multi-group methods. Furthermore, we propose two methods namely Dual Generalized Procrustes Analysis and Dual Common Component and Specific Weights Analysis. We also exhibit new properties and algorithms for multi-group Principal Component Analysis. The second section deals with multiblock multi-group and three-way multi-group data analysis. We give a general review of multiblock multi-group methods. In addition, we propose two methods, namely multiblock and multi-group PCA and Weighted-multiblock and multi-group PCA, as extensions of multi-group Principal Component Analysis. The two-block multi-group analysis is taken into account in the third section. Firstly, we give a presentation of appropriate methods to investigate the relationship between an explanatory dataset and a dependent dataset where there is a group structure among individuals. Thereafter, we propose four methods, namely multi-group PLS, in the PLS approach, and among them we select one and develop it into a regression strategy. The proposed methods are illustrated on the basis of several real datasets in the field of biology. All the strategies of analysis are implemented within the framework of R.

Dans le cadre des études de neutronique menées pour réacteurs de GEN-IV, les nouveaux outils de calcul des cœurs de réacteur sont implémentés dans l’ensemble du code APOLLO3® pour la partie déterministe. Ces méthodes de calculs s’appuient sur des données nucléaires discrétisée en énergie (appelées multi-groupes et généralement produites par des codes déterministes eux aussi) et doivent être validées et qualifiées par rapport à des calculs basés sur la méthode de référence Monte-Carlo. L’objectif de cette thèse est de mettre au point une technique alternative de production des propriétés nucléaires multi-groupes par un code de Monte-Carlo (TRIPOLI-4®). Dans un premier temps, après avoir réalisé des tests sur les fonctionnalités existantes de l’homogénéisation et de la condensation avec des précisions meilleures accessibles aujourd’hui, des incohérences sont mises en évidence. De nouveaux estimateurs de paramètres multi-groupes ont été développés et validés pour le code TRIPOLI-4®à l’aide de ce code lui-même, puisqu’il dispose de la possibilité d’utiliser ses propres productions de données multi-groupes dans un calcul de cœur. Ensuite, la prise en compte de l’anisotropie de la diffusion nécessaire pour un bon traitement de l’anisotropie introduite par des fuites des neutrons a été étudiée. Une technique de correction de la diagonale de la matrice de la section efficace de transfert par diffusion à l’ordre P1 (nommée technique IGSC et basée sur une évaluation du courant des neutrons par une technique introduite par Todorova) est développée. Une amélioration de la technique IGSC dans la situation où les propriétés matérielles du réacteur changent drastiquement en espace est apportée. La solution est basée sur l’utilisation d’un nouveau courant qui est projeté sur l’axe X et plus représentatif dans la nouvelle situation que celui utilisant les approximations de Todorova, mais valable seulement en géométrie 1D. A la fin, un modèle de fuite B1 homogène est implémenté dans le code TRIPOLI-4® afin de produire des sections efficaces multi-groupes avec un spectre critique calculé avec l’approximation du mode fondamental. Ce modèle de fuite est analysé et validé rigoureusement en comparant avec les autres codes : Serpent et ECCO ; ainsi qu’avec un cas analytique.L’ensemble de ces développements dans TRIPOLI-4® permet de produire des sections efficaces multi-groupes qui peuvent être utilisées dans le code de calcul de cœur SNATCH de la plateforme PARIS. Ce dernier utilise la théorie du transport qui est indispensable pour la nouvelle filière à neutrons rapides. Les principales conclusions sont : -Le code de réseau en Monte-Carlo est une voie intéressante (surtout pour éviter les difficultés de l’autoprotection, de l’anisotropie limitée à un certain ordre du développement en polynômes de Legendre, du traitement des géométries exactes 3D), pour valider les codes déterministes comme ECCO ou APOLLO3® ou pour produire des données pour les codes déterministes ou Monte-Carlo multi-groupes.-Les résultats obtenus pour le moment avec les données produites par TRIPOLI-4® sont comparables mais n’ont pas encore vraiment montré d’avantage par rapport à ceux obtenus avec des données issues de codes déterministes tel qu’ECCO. / In the framework of the Generation IV reactors neutronic research, new core calculation tools are implemented in the code system APOLLO3® for the deterministic part. These calculation methods are based on the discretization concept of nuclear energy data (named multi-group and are generally produced by deterministic codes) and should be validated and qualified with respect to some Monte-Carlo reference calculations. This thesis aims to develop an alternative technique of producing multi-group nuclear properties by a Monte-Carlo code (TRIPOLI-4®).At first, after having tested the existing homogenization and condensation functionalities with better precision obtained nowadays, some inconsistencies are revealed. Several new multi-group parameters estimators are developed and validated for TRIPOLI-4® code with the aid of itself, since it has the possibility to use the multi-group constants in a core calculation.Secondly, the scattering anisotropy effect which is necessary for handling neutron leakage case is studied. A correction technique concerning the diagonal line of the first order moment of the scattering matrix is proposed. This is named the IGSC technique and is based on the usage of an approximate current which is introduced by Todorova. An improvement of this IGSC technique is then presented for the geometries which hold an important heterogeneity property. This improvement uses a more accurate current quantity which is the projection on the abscissa X. The later current can represent the real situation better but is limited to 1D geometries.Finally, a B1 leakage model is implemented in the TRIPOLI-4® code for generating multi-group cross sections with a fundamental mode based critical spectrum. This leakage model is analyzed and validated rigorously by the comparison with other codes: Serpent and ECCO, as well as an analytical case.The whole development work introduced in TRIPLI-4® code allows producing multi-group constants which can then be used in the core calculation solver SNATCH in the PARIS code platform. The latter uses the transport theory which is indispensable for the new generation fast reactors analysis. The principal conclusions are as follows:-The Monte-Carlo assembly calculation code is an interesting way (in the sense of avoiding the difficulties in the self-shielding calculation, the limited order development of anisotropy parameters, the exact 3D geometries) to validate the deterministic codes like ECCO or APOLLO3® and to produce the multi-group constants for deterministic or Monte-Carlo multi-group calculation codes. -The results obtained for the moment with the multi-group constants calculated by TRIPOLI-4 code are comparable with those produced from ECCO, but did not show remarkable advantages.

The overall objective of this study was to determine the factorial invariance of a South African-developed Employee Engagement Instrument (EEI) across different race groups in financial institutions. A secondary objective of this study was to determine whether race groups differ significantly with regard to the six dimensions of the employee engagement instrument. A quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive research design was followed in this study, using a non-probability, convenience sampling (N = 1175). The EEI was electronically administered to 285 000 businesspeople from various demographic backgrounds, which form part of a research database. The focus was respondents from financial institutions. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was employed to achieve the empirical objectives of this study. Findings from the statistical analysis indicated that White and Black employees differed significantly with regards to how they are engaged by their immediate managers; however, the practical significance was small. Furthermore, the employee engagement instrument was found to be reliable and valid and the instrument was invariant across the four different race groups. By understanding how employees from different backgrounds are engaged it enables organisations to customise their engagement programmes to meet the needs of the various types of employees within the organisation, instead of applying a “one size fits all” approach to engagement programmes. The findings of this study provided valuable insights into the importance of employee engagement in a South African context, especially for financial institutions. Finally, the study adds to the vast body of knowledge that exists with regard to employee engagement and race, both locally and internationally. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Le sujet de ce travail de thèse est l’application de la méthode de caractéristiques longues (MOC) pour résoudre l’équation du transport des neutrons pour des géométries à trois dimensions extrudées. Les avantages du MOC sont sa précision et son adaptabilité, le point faible était la quantité de ressources de calcul requises. Ce problème est même plus important pour des géométries à trois dimensions ou le nombre d’inconnues du problème est de l’ordre de la centaine de millions pour des calculs d’assemblage.La première partie de la recherche a été dédiée au développement des techniques optimisées pour le traçage et la reconstruction à-la-volé des trajectoires. Ces méthodes profitent des régularités des géométries extrudées et ont permis une forte réduction de l’empreinte mémoire et une réduction des temps de calcul. La convergence du schéma itératif a été accélérée par un opérateur de transport dégradé (DPN) qui est utilisé pour initialiser les inconnues de l’algorithme itératif and pour la solution du problème synthétique au cours des itérations MOC. Les algorithmes pour la construction et la solution des opérateurs MOC et DPN ont été accélérés en utilisant des méthodes de parallélisation à mémoire partagée qui sont le plus adaptés pour des machines de bureau et pour des clusters de calcul. Une partie importante de cette recherche a été dédiée à l’implémentation des méthodes d’équilibrage la charge pour améliorer l’efficacité du parallélisme. La convergence des formules de quadrature pour des cas 3D extrudé a aussi été explorée. Certaines formules profitent de couts négligeables du traitement des directions azimutales et de la direction verticale pour accélérer l’algorithme. La validation de l’algorithme du MOC a été faite par des comparaisons avec une solution de référence calculée par un solveur Monte Carlo avec traitement continu de l’énergie. Pour cette comparaison on propose un couplage entre le MOC et la méthode des Sous-Groupes pour prendre en compte les effets des résonances des sections efficaces. Le calcul complet d’un assemblage de réacteur rapide avec interface fertile/fissile nécessite 2 heures d’exécution avec des erreurs de quelque pcm par rapport à la solution de référence.On propose aussi une approximation d’ordre supérieur du MOC basée sur une expansion axiale polynomiale du flux dans chaque maille. Cette méthode permet une réduction du nombre de mailles (et d’inconnues) tout en gardant la même précision.Toutes les méthodes développées dans ce travail de thèse ont été implémentées dans la version APOLLO3 du solveur de transport TDT. / The topic of our research is the application of the Method of Long Characteristics (MOC) to solve the Neutron Transport Equation in three-dimensional axial geometries. The strength of the MOC is in its precision and versatility. As a drawback, it requires a large amount of computational resources. This problem is even more severe in three-dimensional geometries, for which unknowns reach the order of tens of billions for assembly-level calculations.The first part of the research has dealt with the development of optimized tracking and reconstruction techniques which take advantage of the regularities of three-dimensional axial geometries. These methods have allowed a strong reduction of the memory requirements and a reduction of the execution time of the MOC calculation.The convergence of the iterative scheme has been accelerated with a lower-order transport operator (DPN) which is used for the initialization of the solution and for solving the synthetic problem during MOC iterations.The algorithms for the construction and solution of the MOC and DPN operators have been accelerated by using shared-memory parallel paradigms which are more suitable for standard desktop working stations. An important part of this research has been devoted to the implementation of scheduling techniques to improve the parallel efficiency.The convergence of the angular quadrature formula for three-dimensional cases is also studied. Some of these formulas take advantage of the reduced computational costs of the treatment of planar directions and the vertical direction to speed up the algorithm.The verification of the MOC solver has been done by comparing results with continuous-in-energy Monte Carlo calculations. For this purpose a coupling of the 3D MOC solver with the Subgroup method is proposed to take into account the effects of cross sections resonances. The full calculation of a FBR assembly requires about 2 hours of execution time with differences of few PCM with respect to the reference results.We also propose a higher order scheme of the MOC solver based on an axial polynomial expansion of the unknown within each mesh. This method allows the reduction of the meshes (and unknowns) by keeping the same precision.All the methods developed in this thesis have been implemented in the APOLLO3 version of the neutron transport solver TDT.