Natural fibers, such as hemp and flax, are emerging as cheaper reinforcing fibers for polymer composites. Renew-ability, comparable specific properties, and biodegradability make natural fibers more attractive than glass fibers. Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) is widely used to manufacture medium-to-large sized composites. The non-woven mats used in VARTM must meet manufacturing (permeability) and structural (volume fraction (Vf), thickness, fiber orientation, properties) requirements. Unlike glass mats, natural fiber mats are not available commercially. Design and development of natural fiber mats require knowledge on the relationship among manufacturing, structure and properties of these mats and their composites. Developing this knowledge is the objective of this thesis. Effect of needle punch density on hemp fiber mat structure (areal density, Vf, fiber orientation distribution (FOD), thickness, permeability) was systematically studied. The FOD was characterized non-destructively using X-ray tomography. The Effect of consolidation pressure during composite manufacturing on its structure (Vf, thickness, FOD) was studied. The modulus and strength of needle-punched hemp mat – thermoset polyester composites, manufactured using VARTM and compression molding, were measured. A predictive model for these properties and a modeling approach for the evolution of FOD and thickness during mat manufacturing were developed and validated. The results of these studies were used to understand the relationship. The modulus and the strength of the composites were significantly influenced by the Vf and the FOD, the evolution of which during composite manufacturing depended on the consolidation pressure and the mat structure. The latter depended on mat manufacturing parameters, namely the punch density used to bind the fibers together and the areal density of the web of fibers formed during air laying, and the FOD in the web. The permeability of the mat decreased with increasing the punch density and was found to be a function of both the Vf and the FOD. Despite this, the manufacturing of composite was not adversely affected, and the tensile modulus increased with punch density. The mat composite was modeled as an equivalent laminate, whose lay-up was determined using its FOD. The properties of equivalent laminate that was predicted using lamination theory compared well with the experimental results.

Motivation inom skolan är avgörande för elevers lärande. I self- determination theory (SDT) betonas vikten av inre motivation genom autonomi, kompetens och samhörighet. Stöd, höga förväntningar och målsättningar har visats sig ha positiv inverkan på motivation. Syftet med denna undersökning var att studera vad som främjar ungdomars motivation, med utgångspunkt i SDT samt ungdomars och vuxnas perspektiv, utifrån skilda tillvägagångssätt i motivationsarbete. Intervjuer genomfördes med 8 deltagare från en friskola och 8 från en ungdomsverksamhet. Analysen genomfördes i tre steg: gemensamma komponenter, skillnader mellan verksamheterna och i relation till SDT. Resultatet visade på viktiga gemensamma nämnare som individanpassning, lärarstöd samt mål- och utvecklingsfokus. En skillnad som framträdde verksamheterna emellan är huruvida det går att arbeta med höga förväntningar eller om ungdomen bör styra sin process själv. Ett öppet klimat, med stor individanpassning och tillitsfulla relationer, har framkommit vara grundförutsättningar för den inre motivationen.

This creative project is to create a DVD as an interactive tool for Muncie Public Library librarians, introducing the library's environment and promoting programs to local residents. The DVD provides a friendly interface and utilizes the latest technology, such as Quick Time movies, 360° Virtual pictures and animations in introducing the library's facilities and guiding Muncie residents visually around the library. Additionally, the DVD provides a new method instead of a traditional flyer for residents to access the library's services and programs. / Department of Telecommunications

There is no abstract available for this thesis.

This study examines many of the common and unique barriers and obstacles that foster care youth encounter when transitioning into postsecondary education. It also considers how these obstacles affect the degree of commitment and persistence toward education aspirations and results. The subjects for the study were Indiana former foster care youth who received educational support funding through Educational Training Vouchers to enroll and attend postsecondary education for the academic years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006.The data set used in this study constitutes the first and only comprehensive data on postsecondary enrolled former foster care youth in Indiana. Also of note, this study will begin to shine a light on the unique challenges faced by resource steams targeted to assist this population. By analyzing this available data using quantitative statistical research methods including logistic regression, those variables, which can be shown to be significant factors to educational continuation, will be discussed. And equally important, using these statistical methodologies, factors which do not hold significance to persistence are pointed out and discussed.By using quantifiable, structured, statistical methodology, relationships were explored between many variables including gender, ethnicity, degree type, grade point average and county of wardship. Implications for future research are included. / Department of Educational Studies

The purpose of the study was to identify the student’s perspective of the difficulties of transitioning from eighth grade to high school. The intent of gathering this information was to provide primary source data for additional study and development of effective transition experiences for students entering the ninth grade. The study identified five primary areas of concern gleaned from previous research and used a survey to quantify student responses to discover which areas were of most concern to students. The research included demographic information to compare male responses to female responses; the responses of students who had an older sibling attend high school to the responses of students who were the first in their family to go through this transition; and the responses of students from a low performing, high poverty, highly ethnically diverse school setting with students from a high performing, low poverty, and less ethnically diverse school setting. The population for the study included 285 eighth grade students from two different middle level schools. The study revealed both new and significant findings as well as insightful information from students in regard to their perceptions of the challenges associated with the transition from eighth grade to high school. / Department of Educational Leadership

The current study examined the effect of client sexual orientation and gender role on psychologists’ clinical judgment. A secondary purpose was to examine the extent that psychologist heterosexual identity development status affects the level of heterosexist judgment error displayed when working with lesbian and gay male clients. It was hypothesized that psychologists’ clinical decisions will differ as a result of client sex, client sexual orientation, and client gender role when therapist heterosexual identity development status is controlled for, with psychologists providing significantly different clinical judgments (as measured by diagnostic impression ratings, global and relational functioning ratings, and therapist reported client attractiveness) for lesbian and gay male clients and those displaying cross gendered gender roles than heterosexual female and male clients and those displaying gender-congruent gender roles. It was also hypothesized that psychologist heterosexual identity development status and client sexual orientation together are better predictors of the variation observed in psychologist clinical decisions than client sexual orientation alone. Eight hundred randomly selected members of the American Psychological Association, were presented with a clinical vignette describing fictions client seeking psychological services. The vignettes were identical except for client sex (female or male), sexual orientation (heterosexual or lesbian/gay), and gender role (feminine or masculine), which were manipulated to produce eight different vignettes. After reviewing the vignette, participants provided their diagnostic impressions of the client, rated the overall attractiveness of the client, and completed a measure designed to assess their level of heterosexual identity development. One hundred and thirty-five participants completed the study's materials and were included in the main analyses. Results of the randomized 2 (Client Sex) x 2 (Client Sexual Orientation) x 2 (Client Gender Role) multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), controlling for psychologist heterosexual identity development status, found that psychologists significantly differed in their assessment of lesbian and gay male clients and heterosexual female and male clients on a variety of clinical factors. Results of a series of multiple linear regressions found that psychologist heterosexual identity development status and client sexual orientation together were better predictors of the variation observed in psychologist clinical decisions than client sexual orientation alone. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Entrepreneurial behaviour is examined in this study, with specific reference to fou industrial divisions in NWK Limited, situated in the North-West province of South Africa. The primary objective of this study is to investigate entrepreneurial orientation and perceived success in the Industrial division of NWK Limited and to make practical recommendations to enhance entrepreneurial behaviour in the specific division, the organisation and other corporate organisations. A literature study was conducted to define entrepreneurship in general. The literature study investigated the characteristics of entrepreneurs. The five variables of entrepreneurial orientation and two variables measuring perceived success were investigated. Lastly the establishment of entrepreneurship together with a framework and strategy to establish entrepreneurship in an organisation will be discussed. The study was conducted on the Industrial division of NWK, which consisted of four divisions namely: Epko, Noordfed, Opti Chicks and Opti Feeds. Questionnaires were sent to the target group of 609 employees and a total of 79 usable questionnaires were received on which statistical analysis were conducted. The reliability of the data was tested by calculating Cronbach alpha coefficients for the different variables of entrepreneurial orientation and perceived success of the organisation. The data was further analysed by calculating the mean, standard deviation and range of the individual responses and the different variables. Additional to the analysis the relationship between selected demographic information and the different variables was tested to determine whether there were significant differences in the means. Conclusions are drawn from all the demographic information as well as the different variables of entrepreneurial orientation and perceived success. Based on the data analysis recommendations is made based on all the relevant topics that have been identified in the study. The data analysis, conclusions and recommendations supports the suggested action plan that can be used to improve the entrepreneurial orientation and ultimately the perceived business success of the agri-business. The study is concluded with measurements of the achievements and objectives of the study. Finally suggestions are made for further research that can be conducted. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

There is consensus among entrepreneurship scholars regarding the importance of entrepreneurship toward the economies of countries. There is sufficient evidence to support the view that entrepreneurs are characterised by unique characteristics. Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial orientation have been widely studied and entrepreneurial orientation is considered instrumental for motivating individuals to engage in entrepreneurial activities. Previous research has also identified a correlation between entrepreneurial orientation and the performance of a firm. Many studies on the subject of entrepreneurial orientation have revealed that entrepreneurial orientation is multi-dimensional, for example, previous studies have identified autonomy, innovation, risk taking, competitive aggressiveness and pro-activeness as some of the factors that may influence entrepreneurial orientation. Given the importance of entrepreneurship with regard to job creation, the study attempted to identify the entrepreneurial orientation of Generation Y students. South Africa is experiencing high unemployment levels among the youth and the need to identify the entrepreneurial perceptions of the youth is significant as future entrepreneurs will come from this cohort. The findings of this research study may assist different stakeholders such as government, businesses and higher education institutions among others to take appropriate actions to address the problem of unemployment and create a favourable environment where persons may engage in entrepreneurial activities. The purpose of this research study was to determine the entrepreneurial orientation of Generation Y students in the Vaal Triangle area. Autonomy, innovation and risk taking were identified as factors that may possibly influence the entrepreneurial orientation of Generation Y students in this area. The findings in this research study indicate that students regard themselves as being autonomous, innovative and risk takers. No significant differences were found with regard to the entrepreneurial orientation of males and females. In comparing different designated groups in terms of the three constructs, significant differences were noted among certain items, for example, Coloureds and Indians tend to perceive themselves as more innovative compared to other groups. However, further research is needed because there is no sufficient evidence to suggest that one group is more entrepreneurial than the other. The findings in this research study revealed that Generation Y students perceive themselves as being autonomous, innovative and risk takers. This is encouraging because entrepreneurial activities, to a large extent, are known to be influenced by entrepreneurial orientation. It is evident that the youth can be encouraged to be job creators instead of job seekers. / Thesis (MCom (Entrepreneurship))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012.

This study focuses on the need for an induction programme by which especially newly appointed circuit managers and circuit managers with little experience can benefit. This study is not concerned with the training programme for newly appointed circuit managers, but the emphasis is on the professional induction and continued development of educational leaders such as circuit managers. In order to get to the heart of the matter, a literature study was first undertaken to investigate the nature of professional development of which induction is one component. Also, problems that might be experienced by circuit managers and expertise they might need for functioning effectively have been lifted from the literature study. A few induction programmes in developed and developing countries have been analysed and compared to practices in the RSA. Secondly, an empirical study has been undertaken on the perceptions of circuit managers on problems they are experiencing and on expertise they need in order to function optimally in their new work environment. Findings in the literature study reveal that circuit managers experience distinctive problems, and that these problems manifest themselves within the circuit managers themselves, in their work environment, on managerial level, within society and within their careers as educators. Another distinction is that the managerial skills a circuit manager should have can be divided into four categories, viz. technical, personal, social and conceptual skills. The literature study also shows that formal induction in developed countries is run in a programme-driven manner, while in the RSA there is a lack of formal induction programmes as well as a formal mentor system for newly appointed circuit managers. Findings in the empirical study have shown that respondents experience serious problems in especially the work environment, on managerial level and in their teaching careers Less serious problems are experienced in the circuit manager's personal life and within the community. A further indication was that respondents considered all the skills as very important in order to function effectively in their new work environment. The above needs give rise to the formulation of directives for the development and implementation of an induction programme for newly appointed circuit managers. This instruction programme comprises four phases, and the themes of the respective phases have been selected in such a manner that the activities in the total induction process are purposeful and orderly, and aimed at a specific outcome. Recommendations of this study emphasize the importance of a formal induction programme as well as a formal monitoring system for newly appointed circuit managers in die RSA Also, there is an urgent necessity for a formal and structured job description. ongoing skills development and the establishment/formulation of a national policy, determining the nature and level of management training. Without doubt the most important influence on the quality of circuit managers in the RSA is their own expertise, and the induction of newly appointed circuit managers is the sine qua non for the development of competent education managers. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002