In this thesis we are interested in the propagation of low-frequency linear elastic waves through composite materials. We use a variety of dynamic homogenization techniques to find the effective elastic properties of some composites. We consider composites with isotropic phases for ease of exposition but the theory could easily be extended to anisotropic inclusions or host.We use a Representative Volume Element approach with the Method of Asymptotic Homogenization to model a random fibre-reinforced composite. The fibres are all aligned in the same direction and are taken to be of infinite extent, so the composite is essentially two-dimensional. For a random composite we have considered the anti-plane case for SH wave propagation and the in-plane case for P and SV elastic wave propagation, extending the previous published work of Parnell and Abrahams (2006), (2008a), in which a periodic fibre-reinforced composite was studied. We also show, for a simple example, that it is possible to extend the Representative Volume Element method to a three-dimensional particulate composite.In this thesis an Integral Equation Method for homogenization is also studied, with application to periodic fibre-reinforced composites. We have extended the work of Parnell and Abrahams (2008b), which considered SH wave propagation only, to the case of P and SV wave propagation.

Title: Technical maturity of a kickbox representative Objectives: The main goal of this thesis is to determine the level of technical maturity of each adult kickbox representative, whether it is dedicated to semi-contact or full-contact disciplines. Another objective is to compare three views on the technical maturity of each representative, according to the representative himself and two state coaches. Then to compare representatives of semi-contact disciplines with representatives of full-contact disciplines in selected techniques of strikes and kicks. In conclusion, it will be ascertained how men and women see their technical maturity. Methods: In my thesis I used a method of analysis and the comparison method. I applied the analysis method in analyzing and describing the individual technical preparation of each representative. Information about the technical maturity was obtained on the basis of a questionnaire. I used the comparison method in the comparison of the representative himself and the opinions of the two state coaches. Then I used it in comparison of representatives of semi-contact disciplines and representatives of full-contact disciplines in techniques of strikes and kicks. Finally, by the same method, it will be found how men and women see their technical maturity. Results: - In...

A dissertation submitted to the FACULTY OF EDUCATION at the UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF EDUCATION in the Department of Educational Planning and Administration, 2004. / The study investigated the role of RCLs in the promotion of the culture of teaching and learning in secondary schools. In this study the researcher employed a survey to achieve the aims of the study, and a questionnaire to obtain facts and opinions about the role of the RCL members. From the empirical study conducted in Pinetown District, the researcher found that the majority of the members of the RCLs in schools studied does contribute to the promotion of the culture of teaching and learning. However there was remarkably high percentage (65%) of respondents who were uncertain about the RCLs' role in facilitating the promotion of the culture of teaching and learning in secondary schools. Briefly data indicates that the uncertainty about the role functions of RCLs is due to the lack of training. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher made recommendations directed to the principals and the department of education and culture. The key recommendations are: > Principals need to develop appropriate and effective capacity building programmes for RCL members. > RCL members should be given a platform to communicate with the general learner population to facilitate and foster discipline among learners in schools. > Members of the RCL should be granted their legitimate rights to participate in decisions that affect them.

Resources available for agricultural production were ascertained and trends in their use were studied for seven counties of southwestern Utah. Special consideration was given to cropland, irrigation water, and operating capital as resource restrictions for a linear programming model. Budget data were obtained for crop and livestock enterprises by interviewing farmers and ranchers in the area. Budgets for four representative farm types representing climatic and irrigation differences were made to study crop possibilities. Acreage minimums or maximums for selected crops were established as conservation measures. Budgets were prepared for farm livestock enterprises to use with crop budgets for each representative farm. Results provided profit maximizing enterprise combinations for each representative farm.

No / We use the method of policy capturing to address three open-ended questions regarding how people judge the fairness of events. First, do people differ in how they judge whether a situation is fair or unfair; second, are fairness judgments stable within-person; and, third, how much insight do people have into how they make fairness judgments? To investigate these questions, we used the method of policy capturing and a representative design that samples situations as well as participants. Forty-nine employees rated the global fairness of 56 performance appraisals sampled from their own organization (N = 2,744 situations), and regression methods were used to infer their judgment policy from their choices. We found that people differed greatly in how they judged fairness but used quite consistent policies across similar situations. Participants also provided self-reports of their judgment policies, and comparisons of these self-reports with actual policies revealed limited levels of self-insight.

This dissertation proposes a normative theory of political representation grounded in popular sovereignty and positive law, rather than in democracy and efficient labour allocation. The first three chapters assess the contributions to the idea of representation of three early modern thinkers. Hobbes proposes a formal model of authorised action at a distance, but, contrary to a long-standing consensus in political thought, not an actual theory of representation. Rousseau, a well-known opponent of representation, proposes ideas about government, sovereignty, and positive law, which, despite his contrary intentions, form a foundation for a normative theory of representation. Sieyes refines concepts from both to create a more mature practical statement on representation which he attempts to implement in three revolutionary constitutions in France in the 1790's. The next three chapters make an argument connecting representation to law creation. First the concept of a decision is defined, and then abstracted through various levels of political authority and action. Law creation is distinguished from all other classes of authorised political decision making by four unique properties which tie in with problems initially raised by the early modern philosophers regarding popular sovereignty. Various numbers of authorised actors are considered as constituting political bodies credentialed to carry out the relevant decisions identified as meeting the minimal conditions of law, and ultimately only assembly — a body numbering in the hundreds, with a reserved place for making recognised decisions, and a formal connection to expressed popular preferences — meets the conceptual requirements of the class of decisions mooted. The thesis ends with an argument connecting law to representation as the solution to the problem of plurality.

Using the theory on Representative Bureaucracy, this study considers the minority representative role, which suggests that administrators who are minorities are more inclined to represent minority interests. This study examined whether officers perceive themselves as advocates based on shared demographics and whether they develop attitudes toward reducing youth violence. Considerably more researchers conduct studies in adult prisons than juvenile correctional facilities, which focus on rehabilitation for youth. Therefore, this study further examines youth correctional staff attitudes toward inmates. The way correctional officers' treat minors may impact the amount of violence in juvenile detention facilities. The purposes of the study are to determine whether bureaucratic representation can have an impact on preventing violence, and to understand what factors lead officers in perceiving they have different roles. The two types of bureaucratic representation are passive and active. Passive representation, such as race, ethnicity, and gender, may shape role perceptions because attitudes are constructed by demographic characteristics. Active representation consists of decision-making behavior reflected in measurable policy outputs that are responsive to minority interests. This dissertation seeks to determine whether minority officers perceive themselves in passive or active terms, and how that representation relates to their particular strategies for dealing with youth violence. To determine how officers perceive themselves, this study incorporated mixed methods of both qualitative and quantitative research to examine how officers implement decisions in their positions. This study uses survey research from the Performance Based Standards from the U.S. Department of Justice and interviews with individuals who worked with inmates in California juvenile detention facilities to determine the relationship between minority officers and attitudes toward youth violence. Regression models, including year, were conducted for each hypothesis as a predictor in the model. Multiple regression analysis was used to demonstrate the relationship between independent variables and a single dependent variable. The data have information on facilities as well as staff and inmates within those facilities. Due to the nested nature of the data, multilevel regression models were also conducted when examining outcomes measured at the staff and inmate level.

Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio University, June, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Bayreuth, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [411]-432) and index.

Direct democracy in the 21st century: challenges and pitfalls Abstract The thesis deals with the position of direct democracy in the 21st century, what are its advantages and disadvantages and problem areas. Before that, it briefly presents why such strong voices calling for direct democracy have been heard in recent years. The first part of the thesis describes the emergence of representative democracy and how this process was influenced by opinions on direct democracy. Furthermore, the reasons for the existence of representative democracy are outlined and the theory behind it is briefly introduced. In its second part, the thesis discusses, in greater detail, the present of representative democracy, what are its advantages and disadvantages and what problems it faces, which quite possibly threaten its very existence. In this part the thesis is based, among other things, on sociological findings, especially in Czech society. These problems largely explain frequent considerations about the implementation of direct democracy. The third part turns its attention to direct democracy exclusively and describes its history, more precisely, important passages from it. It also describes the theoretical foundations of direct democracy, in which the defense of direct democracy by its promoters is hidden to some extent....