1 online resource (vii, 138 leaves : ill.) / Following an awareness of an increased turn over of staff in the eating disorder unit as compared with other specialised units, in a psychiatric hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tara Hospital, the researcher was motivated to investigate the issue. An exploratory, descriptive based research was chosen to explore and gain information about the topic and its implications. A qualitative research approach was used to gain insight into the perceptions and needs of the team working on the unit. The case study method was used. A pilot study was undertaken to test the validity of the interview schedules. The sampling category was a non- probability one. Individuals were selected from the population of staff working on the unit. Participants were selected from two groups, those who were presently working on the unit and those who had previously worked on the unit and now working in other units. Interview procedure involved personal semi-structured interviews conducted by the researcher and analysed qualitatively and a structured interview questionnaire analysed quantitatively. The researchers assumption that many staff members move from working in an eating disorders unit was confirmed and is due to the following: Staff turnover is due to constant exposure to occupational stress and burnout. Feelings of helplessness, a sense of being unappreciated and excessive exposure to conflict from the patients. In addition, staff experience minimum rewards leading to lowered job satisfaction due to the patients slow recovery rates and a poor prognosis of the illness. Staff also experience a change in their eating patterns and an increased awareness around food and food issues. Recommendations to the staff include: * Psycho-education on eating disorders. * Implementation of strategies to provide supportive care for all staff members. * Education on stress management and strategies to prevent staff burnout and lowered job satisfaction. * A multidisciplinary teamwork approach by the staff, when working in the unit. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Science in Mental Health)

Airlines have endured a prolonged period of intense competition with the advent of deregulation in 1978. Market innovations and price-cutting dramatically expanded the number of travelers utilizing the national air transportation network. Bankruptcies and mergers reduced the number of contestants in the industry and eventually produced four national carriers controlling 80-85 percent of the passengers and routes. This new market power of the dominant airlines is resulting in industry changes designed to reduce operational uncertainty but is also having detrimental effects on many airports, particularly the smallest airports. This study employs qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the viability of the nation’s smallest primary commercial service airports. Three journal articles are fused in examining different aspects of the viability question. In Article 1, a longitudinal comparative analysis presents historic growth patterns for various sized airports during deregulation and reveals a distinctly lower growth rate for nonhub airports than their larger rivals. Even with a burgeoning market for travelers, growth for nonhub airports was anemic and the industry experienced massive passenger migration to the 60 largest airports. Article 2 addresses the topic of consumer switching, expands on extant literature with qualitative analyses, and proposes a theoretic, conceptual framework of four primary types of traveler purchasers. Each traveler type has its own distinct switching rationale and creates leakage patterns contoured to the features of their preferred airport. Building on the migration and switching findings of the first two articles, Article 3 explores converging market conditions and factors that are threatening future airline service for dozens of the smallest airports. By extracting findings from contemporary research, a comparative analysis of airports identifies 33 airports that face the highest risk of losing air service. The explanatory model places the airports in rank order by weighting various threat criteria. Qualitative interviews of air service professionals offer insider observations generally not known to the public, confirm observations found in existing research and verify that market forces are acting to reduce the number of airports in the network. The key contribution of the three articles of the thesis is its description of how key actors (firms, customers, agencies) interact and respond to policy decisions that have unintended consequences to small airports and their regional economies. There are predictable patterns in the relational linkages of these actors that contribute to our understanding of how a particular industry evolves under various pressures and how it interacts with factors outside the industry. The preponderance of the evidence from this study reveals that current market trends are generally caustic to the continued operation of small airports. Industry experts are reticent in acknowledging that the next phase of deregulation is underway with the consolidation of the nation’s nonhub airports.

[pt] Este trabalho tem como finalidade estudar o problema da detecção de usuários no canal reverso de sistemas MIMO de larga escala, que são caracterizados pelo elevado número de elementos de transmissão e recepção, com foco na complexidade computacional e no desempenho em termos de taxa de erro destes sistemas. Inicialmente, os algoritmos de detecção da família Likelihood Ascent Search (LAS) são investigados e é desenvolvido um novo algoritmo de detecção, denominado de Random-List Based LAS (RLBLAS), capaz de atingir melhores taxas de erros com menor complexidade computacional do que os demais detectores considerados. Posteriormente, técnicas de detecção e decodificação iterativas (Iterative Detection and Decoding - IDD) em sistemas MIMO foram analisadas de forma a propor uma estratégia IDD de complexidade computacional reduzida a fim de viabilizar a sua aplicação em cenários massivos. Finalmente, o problema da contaminação por pilotos em sistemas MIMO multicelulares de larga escala, um dos principais limitadores do desempenho desse tipo de sistema, é estudado e estratégias de detecção com cooperação parcial entre as estações base componentes do sistema que visam mitigar os efeitos da contaminação por pilotos são propostas. As análises e afirmações realizadas durante a presente tese são sustentadas por resultados de simulações de Monte Carlo dos sistemas de comunicações em diversos cenários distintos, incluindo os casos em que são considerados os efeitos de correlação entre as antenas de transmissão/recepção, os efeitos de sombreamento e os erros de estimação dos estados dos canais de comunicações envolvidos. / [en] This work focuses on the multi-user multi-cellular large-scale MIMO reverse channel detection problem, where the number of transmitting and receiving antenna elements grows to the order of hundreds. In these scenarios, one major issue is the computational complexity of such systems. Therefore, this thesis aims to propose low-complexity techniques with good BER performance for the reverse channel detection of MIMO systems. Initially, the detection algorithms of the Likelihood Ascent Search (LAS) family are investigated and a new LAS based detector is proposed. This new detector, named Random-List Based LAS (RLB-LAS), is capable of achieving better BER with lower complexity then the other considered detectors. Next, iterative detection and decoding (IDD) techniques are analyzed in order to propose an IDD strategy applied to the detection and decoding of the reverse MIMO channel with reduced complexity to make possible its application to massive scenarios. Finally, the pilot contamination problem in multi-cellular large-scale MIMO systems, one of the major bounds on BER performance of these systems, are studied and some cooperative strategies are proposed in order to reduce the effects of this type of impairments. The analysis and statements of this thesis are supported by Monte Carlo simulation results of the considered systems in different scenarios, including the cases where the effects of transmitting and receiving antenna correlation, log-normal shadowing, and the estimation errors on the channel state information acquisition are considered.

This dissertation aims at the analysis of online interactions that influence the effectiveness of collaborative learning among participants of the forums on the environment and indexed-ProInfo Pilot Course Management Courses at the Open University of Brazil in Maceió-Alagoas. The methodology adopted to conduct the research was a qualitative type, in a case study approach and research techniques with systematic observation in the forums of course, the use of interviews and questionnaires to the working of the samples, and bibliographical studies based on Dillenbourg (1996), Mercado (2006, Silva (2006), Vygotsky (1979/1996), Yin (2005) among others. The type of sampling of the research was by events in the forums of the course, ie, the selection board was held in the presence of online collaborative interactions among students from four disciplines offered in the initial semesters of the course. For data analysis we selected four major samples, ie the selection of four forums with the presence of potential online collaborative interactions among students. Through analysis of the interview with the academic advisor of the four first semesters of the course was possible to rescue some clippings structuring the course, as functions of the major players in the forums of course, that is, the teacher and tutor students. For the analysis of questionnaires sent via conventional email and webmail e-Proinfo environment for teachers and students from selected samples of 11 teachers 0% returned the questionnaires, while 14% of the 85 students returned the survey instrument. For the analysis of selected forums, there are minimum collaborative online interactions between students, minimum collaborative online interactions of teachers to students and the presence of potential collaborative online interactions of students to teachers. Given the focus of the interactive process as a mechanism conducive to participation and the formalization of collaborative learning in data analysis was possible to identify possible indicators for the construction of collaborative learning in the forums of course investigated and possibly a contribution in courses offered in Education Online / A presente dissertação objetiva a análise de interações online que influenciam na efetivação da aprendizagem colaborativa entre os participantes dos fóruns indexados no ambiente e-ProInfo do Curso Piloto de Administração a Distância do Sistema Universidade Aberta do Brasil em Maceió-Alagoas. A metodologia adotada para execução da pesquisa foi do tipo qualitativa, numa abordagem de estudo de caso e tendo como técnicas de pesquisa a observação sistemática nos fóruns do curso, a aplicação de entrevista e de questionários aos atuantes das amostras, e estudos bibliográficos fundamentados em Dillenbourg (1996), Mercado (2006, Silva (2006), Vygotsky (1979/1996), Yin (2005) dentre outros. O tipo de amostragem da pesquisa foi por eventos nos fóruns do curso, ou seja, a seleção dos fóruns foi realizada na presença de interações online colaborativas entre os discentes das disciplinas ofertadas nos quatro semestres iniciais do curso. Para análise de dados foram selecionadas quatro amostras principais, ou seja, a seleção de quatro fóruns com presença potenciais de interações online colaborativas entre os discentes. Por meio da análise da entrevista com o coordenador pedagógico dos quatro semestres iniciais do curso foi possível resgatar alguns recortes estruturantes do curso, como funções dos principais atuantes nos fóruns do curso, isto é, do docente tutor e do discente. Em relação às análises dos questionários enviados via e-mail convencional e webmail do ambiente e-Proinfo aos docentes e discentes das amostras selecionadas, dos 11 docentes 0% retornaram os questionários enviados, enquanto dos 85 discentes 14% retornaram o instrumento de pesquisa. Em relação às análises dos fóruns selecionados, verificam-se mínimas interações online colaborativas entre discente, mínimas interações online colaborativas do docente aos discentes e a presença de interações online colaborativas potenciais dos discentes ao docente. Tendo em vista, a focalização do processo interativo como mecanismo propício à participação e a formalização da aprendizagem colaborativa nas análises de dados foi possível identificar possíveis indicadores para construção da aprendizagem colaborativa nos fóruns do curso investigado e possivelmente numa contribuição em cursos ofertados na Educação Online

Legal and scientific imperatives necessitate the validation of a psychometric battery before using it for the purposes of personnel selection and decision- making. The aim of this investigation is to validate a selection battery, i.e. the Ability, Processing of Information and Learning (APIL) Battery and Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices (APM), used in selecting university bridging - course students. The empirical study is informed by a literature review focussing on the legal and scientific parameters of psychometrics within selection, the conceptualisation of intelligence and its relationship to academic performance. Hypotheses are posed regarding the predictive power of the selection battery and the effect of biographical factors on academic performance. Results indicate that the APU. Battery apd Raven's APM are both valid predictors of academic performance, ·although the former appears more effective. This investigation emphasises the influence of moderating factors, i.e. factors other than cognitive ability, on academic performance. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Adm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

This research was geared towards the investigation of management strategies (factors) that affect the performance ofMSMEs in Kenya. Many developed countries record a time in history when entrepreneurial activities led to revival of economical growth after decline. This implies MSMEs is a very vital sector especially for a developing country like Kenya. MSMEs stagnate and their performance is uncertain according to writers such as Namusonge, Management inadequacies have been suggested in several studies. The objectives of this research was to, 1. To identifY the critical management factors affecting the performance of MSMEs in Kenya; ii. To establish the process through which managerial factors affect the performance of a MSMEs in Kenya ; m. To determine the integrative effect of various management factors in the MSMES in Kenya; IV. To establish the effect of demographics and management factors on performance, v. To establish effects of external environment on internal management factors A conceptual model was formulated from the literature review showing relationships of the management strategies and the environment they operate in. These relationships became the basis for the hypotheses which were later tested. In chapter 4, a mini research (pilot study) was conducted in May 2007,whose main aim was to test the reliability and validity of the research instruments. The 36 questionnaires returned were analysed through descriptive method. Results obtained indicated the instruments were reliable and the results valid. A few corrections suggested were made. The major correction was addition of question 35 to collect financial information. The data collection was done between mid August and mid October 2007.In chapter 5, the researcher analysesd the results of the survey after receiving 180 questionnaires. Time was a constraint. In chapter 6, the hypotheses and conceptual model were analysed and the results obtained suggested that, most strategies did not affect the profitability separately but severally. The integrated effect of the management strategies and the associated factors had a higher impact on performance of the MSMES than any individual strategies. In chapter 7, the conclusions, summaries and Recommendations are given. / Business Management / D. Com. (Business Management and Policy)

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Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:51:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:08:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Antalet haverier som är orsakade av den mänskliga faktorn minskar inte. En del av den mänskliga faktorn ligger i kommunikation mellan olika parter inom sjöfarten, både sjö- och landbaserade. Denna studie är en litteraturstudie vars syfte är att undersöka hur den verbala kommunikationen har praktiserats och vilken betydelse den haft vid kollisioner och grundstötningar. Studien är baserad på haverirapporter från Statens Haveri-kommission som har analyserats med hjälp av ett verktyg specifikt framtaget för denna studie. Resultatet visar på en kommunikationsbrist i en betydande majoritet av de analyserade haverierna. Ofta brister det i kommunikationen mellan VTS och fartyg samt mellan lots och befälhavare. Vanligt förekommande är även språkförbistring där inte alla parter förstått det språket som använts vid kommunikationen.  Med hjälp av ett mer utbrett utövande av redan kända kommunikationstekniker skulle antalet olyckor och tillbud kunna minskas. / The number of marine accidents caused by the human error does not decrease. A part of the human error is in the communication between different agents within the maritime cluster, at sea and also in the landbased sector. This study is a literature study whose purpose is to investigate how the verbal communication has been practiced and what significance it has had in collisions and groundings. The study is based on reports from the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority with a tool specifically developed for this particular study. The result shows a communication gap in a decisive majority of the analyzed accidents. There is often a lack of communication between VTS and vessels as well as between pilots and commanders. Common prevalence is also language problem where not all parties understand the language used in the communication. With the help of a more widespread practice of already known communication technologies, the number of accidents could be reduced.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:51:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:08:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / O Brasil tem uma longa tradição na tecnologia do tório, desde a abertura do principal mineral, a monazita, até compostos de pureza grau nuclear, com reservas minerais estimados em 1.200.000 ton – ThO2. Como conseqüência desta produção, foi acumulado um resíduo produzido na unidade piloto de purificação de nitrato de tório, do Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares- CNEN/SP, mais de 25 toneladas ao longo das últimas três décadas, proveniente dos rafinados e soluções de lavagem do processo de extração por solventes, conhecido como RETOTER. Sua composição, um hidróxido, contendo tório, terras raras e impurezas menores, incluindo o chumbo-208 do decaimento do 232 Th, com abundância isotópica em 88,34 %, enriquecido naturalmente ao longo das eras geológicas. Neste trabalho são discutidos os estudos dos principais parâmetros do processo de recuperação deste chumbo, 0,42 % em massa no RETOTER seco, utilizando-se a técnica de troca iônica com resinas aniônicas em meio clorídrico. A abundância isotópica do chumbo foi analisada por espectrometria de massa termoiônica (TIMS) e de alta resolução (ICPMS), e com os dados calculou-se a secção de choque de captura para nêutrons térmicos. O valor resultante foi de s? o = 14,6 +/- 0,7 mb diferentemente do chumbo natural de s? o = 174,2 +/- 7,0 mb. Estudos preliminares de recuperação do tório e terras raras neste resíduo também foram apresentados. / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP