This study has examined how the attainment of theoretical frameworks may create the conditions for and support subsequent learning of related material. In this regard, it has investigated a particular conception of Vygotsky‟s proposal that learning only occurs in the zone of proximal development, which he defined as the gap between what can be performed independently and what can be achieved with assistance. Specifically, it used a multi-pronged, mixed method research approach to probe the relationship between the actual level of development, as reflected by an ability to do proportional reasoning, and potential development, which was measured as the ability to perform certain strategic procedural operations in the molecular biosciences which were underpinned by proportionality. This four phase study which was carried out on a class of 106 second year students registered for Basic Molecular Biosciences II in the School of Molecular and Cell Biology, at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, initially measured proportional reasoning ability by posing a generative question requiring proportional reasoning to the class during a lecture and established that only 49% of the students who participated were able to answer the question. It could be shown statistically that these students were more adept at answering a contextual question based on proportion than those who had answered the generative question incorrectly, which suggested that actual development created the conditions for future learning. A paper and pencil test developed from Fleener (1993) which claimed to measure the hierarchical development of proportional reasoning ability was administered to the class and was used to select two groups for comparative purposes. The first group (group one) was comprised of the 23 students who scored 50 % or less, and the control group (group two) consisted of the 15 students who scored 100 %. Using these two groups, it was shown that the control group performed better than group one on specific questions underpinned by proportion which had been included in pre-laboratory tests and in summative assessments. Moreover, the control group‟s general performance in the course, as assessed by their marks in the examination at the end of the first semester, was substantially better than that of group one (67 % as opposed to a 51% average mark). These results were supported by findings where conceptual development of proportion had been judged from student‟s informal written accounts of the concept. Drawing on biological evidence, it was concluded that the actual level produces the structures necessary for further development. The second phase of the study utilized two focus groups constituted from students who iv had been randomly selected from the two groups compared in phase one of the research. Facilitated guided informal discussions probed which of factors like play and leisure activities, early childhood enrichment, schooling, mathematical ability and practices, instruction in proportional reasoning, and parental involvement, might have augmented the development of proportional reasoning ability. In phase three, the factors which emerged from the discussions were interrogated in a specially designed questionnaire which was administered to a sub-set of students who were concurrently registered for Basic Molecular Biosciences II and Biochemistry and Cell Biology II. Statistical analysis of the questionnaire which occurred in phase four of the research led to the conclusion that enrichment in early childhood, and having learnt proportion at school were the two factors that contributed most to attainment of the actual level of development which would enable subsequent learning of more elaborate procedural knowledge constructs based on the concept of proportion. These results supported the view that mediation results in internalisation of the embedded knowledge which can be drawn on for further learning in that domain. Therefore, in the final analysis of the research, it was concluded that actual levels of development create conditions for potential development as conceived by Vygotsky‟s zone of proximal development.

The discussion of the dissertation converses on the potential development practices of companies; especially in relation with customers, products and processes. It summarizes the current known relevant theoretical approaches of this concern such as: CRM, value analysis, functional analysis and performance measurement. The dissertation describes the methodology used to obtain the central information for potential development of customers. It presents the measurement methodologies for potential development practices. It also assesses the impact of products' standardization to potential development. It studies an example of product lines' functional analysis from a customer perspective. The selected research strategy is quantitative survey. The instructions to determine quantifiable indicators for potential development of customers and products are the contribution of this dissertation. It also contributes with a description of the historical context and the current interaction of the potential development of customers, products and processes. This work opens the discussion on the possibility of using potential development indexes as an alternative or complement to the standard economic indicators; especially for strategic business decisions or product portfolio strategy.

The aim of this graduation thesis was to carry out the description and analysis of the recreational potential of the microregion Netolicko, which contains 10 villages. One purpose of this analysis is to identify presently and future exploited assumptions of the urban areas on the basis of this analysis so that the recreational potential could be developed and reveal the unused possibilities of the recreational development of the monitored area. The other aim was to build a recommendation for development of the monitored area and the introduction of possible pumping of support of the Europian Union´s fonds on the strenght of SWOT analysis.

Structure-property relationships of two crystal structures were investigated using computational methodologies in two different length scales:electronic and atomistic length scales. Electronic structure calculations were performed using density functional theory (DFT) with generalized gradient approximation (GGA), GGA+U (U is “on-site” electronelectron repulsion) and hybrid functional forms. Atomistic calculations were performed utilizing the semi-empirical interatomic formulation, Modified Embedded Atom Method (MEAM). Classical molecular dynamics simulations were performed on the atomistic length scale in order to investigate thermal properties. In the first study, structural, elastic and thermal properties of cementite (Fe3C) were investigated using a Modified Embedded Atom Method (MEAM) potential for iron-carbon (Fe-C) alloys. Previously developed Fe and C single element potentials were used to develop a Fe-C alloy MEAM potential, using a statistically-based optimization scheme to reproduce structural and elastic properties of cementite, the interstitial energies of C in bcc Fe as well as heat of formation of Fe-C alloys in L12 and B1 structures. The stability of cementite at high temperatures was investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. The nine single crystal elastic constants for cementite were obtained by computing total energies for strained cells. Polycrystalline elastic moduli for cementite were calculated from the single crystal elastic constants of cementite. The formation energies of (001), (010), and (100) surfaces of cementite were also calculated. The melting temperature and the variation of both the specific heat and volume with respect to temperature were investigated by performing a two-phase (solid/liquid) molecular dynamics simulation of cementite. The predictions of the potential are in good agreement with first-principles calculations and experiments. In the second study the site occupancy and magnetic properties of Zn-Sn substituted M-type Sr-hexaferrite (SrFe12-x(Zn0.5Sn0.5)xO19 with x = 1) were investigated using firstprinciples total-energy calculations. We find that in the ground-state configuration Zn-Sn ions preferentially occupy 4f1 and 4f2 sites unlike the model previously suggested by Ghasemi et al. where Zn-Sn ions occupy 2b and 4f2 sites. Our model predicts a rapid increase in saturation magnetic moment (Ms) as well as decrease in magnetic anisotropy compared to the pure M-type Sr-hexaferrite, which is consistent with experimental observations.

The beginning of the work describes problems of the border regions in general. It outlines the opportunities for development of these areas and mentions possibilities that are offered by European Union within the framework of economic and social cohesion. It also briefly mentions the Financial Mechanism of EEA and Norway. Although, the list is not exhaustive, it gives a picture of what options the regions have. Another part of the work is solely dedicated to cross-border cooperation in the Czech-Saxon border area in light of European subsidies. It compares the previous and the current period in terms of objectives, implementation structures and last year also in terms of drawdown. It refers to what potential the Czech-Saxon border area has and -- based on questionnaire survey - tries to determine how the representatives of municipalities in Czech-Saxon border area perceive the cooperation and where they see the major problems.

In den letzten sieben Jahren sammelte das Autorenteam in über 150 Entwicklungsprojekten umfangreiche praktische Erfahrungen über das Management der frühen Phase von Produktentwicklungen in Unternehmen. Der vorliegende Artikel basiert auf diesen empirischen Eindrücken und zieht Schlüsse daraus. Er erhebt weniger den Anspruch auf wissenschaftliche Methoden und Vorgehensweisen, sondern er kommt dem einfachen Bedürfnis der Unternehmen nach, praktische Methoden und Werkzeuge zu entwickeln und anzuwenden, die zu einer Verbesserung der Qualität der Konzeptphase führen. Das Management, sollte sich in diesem Zusammenhang der Bedeutung seiner Aufgaben und Aktivitäten besonders bewusst werden. [... aus der Einleitung]

We performed atomistic modeling to study magnetic, mechanical, and thermal properties of materials. We executed molecular statics and dynamics simulations for this study, using density functional theory (DFT) and semi-empirical methods, such as embedded atom method (EAM) and modified embedded atom method (MEAM) potentials. In our first study, we showed that when Al atoms are substituted in barium hexaferrite, the total magnetization monotonically decreases due to the fact that Al atoms preferentially occupy the majorly contributing magnetic sites. The second study was to explore the diffusion mechanism of Ba atoms in hematite in order to study new techniques to build spherical nano-magnetic-particles. In the third study, we showed tungsten carbide growth is inhibited in the presence of vanadium carbide. In the fourth study, we showed how the mechanical and thermal properties of iron changes with vanadium doping with a newly developed MEAM interatomic potential. The physical properties of calcium were calculated in the next study, by the development of a MEAM potential which can be used for multiscale modeling. In the sixth study, the melting temperature of nanoparticles was analyzed and shown to decrease with a decrease of its size, confirming that the bulk properties of the material significantly change in its nano counterpart. Finally a portion of this research was dedicated for the simulation of sintering mechanisms of tungsten nanoparticles at different temperatures and pressures. While the first three studies were based on DFT, the last four studies focused on understanding physical phenomena using EAM/MEAMpotentials.

This master thesis focuses on actual topic of talent management. The thesis is divided into two parts, theoretic and practical one. The first one covers basic terms of talent management, evaluation, development and motivation, career management and retention of talented employees within company. In order to obtain necessary information secondary data were used. In second part there is an analysis of current state of human resources management in the company. The analysis is based on empiric research which consists of interviews with concerned people in company management and investigation of internal methodical materials. As a next step there is an analysis of employee's satisfaction which was realised through questionnaires. Thank to those data I suggested possible corrective measures to improve level of particular activities of human resources management in order to set up talent management, which is the main goal of my thesis. Based on previous findings and recommendations I also suggested complex solution of talent management's set-up in the company. Final part sums up results and recommendations for the company.

This thesis contains theoretical definitions of a knowledge-based company, human capital development and education. The second part analyzes the data obtained from the monitored period 2008-2012 and includes standardized and non-standardized interviews, overt participant observation and a questionnaire survey.