This examine illustrates the section heads' and caregiving staffs' perceptions of the influence of New Public Management (NPM) in public retirement homes in Malmö. A central theme is to investigate if the main features of New Public Management are noticeable and if that's the case, are the consequences an advantage or disadvantage? The main features of New Public Management in this examine are: decentralization, competition, internal market, cost- conscious, management by objectives with a focus on results and costumer focus.To reach answers to the questions above, a quantitative and a qualitative approach has been chosen. The study is based on 41 questionnaires with enrolled nurses/nurse's assistants and four semi-structured interviews with section heads of retirement homes. Four different retirement homes have been participated in this study. To understand the material, two different theories have been chosen; the new- institutional theory and the organization- political theory. These theories are clearly influenced by each other in that term that they are illustrating different perspectives of the phenomena Management bureaucracy. Further, this phenomenon can also be related to New Public Management.The material shows the section heads' of the retirement homes and the caregiving staffs' experience if the main features of New Public Management are implemented in the organization and secondly, which advantages and disadvantages those have occurred. The professionals have different opinions regarding if NPM are noticeable and if the consequences are an advantage or disadvantage. The reached conclusion in this examine is however that New Public Management is visible in the retirement homes of the public sector in Malmö and this is mainly seen as an advantage.

The objective of this research is to determine the three-dimensional stiffness matrix of a rectangular cross-section helical coil compression spring. The stiffnesses of the spring are derived using strain energy methods and Castigliano's second theorem. A theoretical model is developed and presented in order to describe the various steps undertaken to calculate the spring's stiffnesses. The resulting stiffnesses take into account the bending moments, the twisting moments, and the transverse shear forces. In addition, the spring's geometric form which includes the effects of pitch, curvature of wire and distortion due to normal and transverse forces are taken into consideration. Similar methods utilizing Castigliano's second theorem and strain energy expressions were also used to derive equations for a circular cross-section spring. Their results are compared to the existing solutions and used to validate the equations derived for the rectangular cross-section helical coil compression spring. A finite element model was generated using IDEAS (Integrated Design Engineering Analysis Software) and the stiffness matrix evaluated by applying a unit load along the spring's axis, then calculating the corresponding changes in deformation. The linear stiffness matrix is then obtained by solving the linear system of equations in changes of load and deformation. This stiffness matrix is a six by six matrix relating the load (three forces and three moments) to the deformations (three translations and three rotations). The natural frequencies and mode shapes of a mechanical system consisting of an Additional mass and the spring are also determined. Finally, a comparison of the stiffnesses derived using the analytical methods and those obtained from the finite element analysis was made and the results presented. / Master of Science

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires schools to make reasonable accommodations to allow students with disabilities equal access to the educational process without providing any funding to implement the statute and establishing no compliance mechanism. A survey of 47 elementary school site administrators was conducted to determine their attitudes and perceptions regarding implementation of Section 504. The responses received reflected a generally positive attitude about Section 504 with stated concerns about the lack of funding for implementing it. A discrepancy was noted between larger and smaller school districts regarding whether Section 504 was a burden to implement, with the larger districts indicating that Section 504 was less burdensome than the smaller districts. Administrators generally indicated they believe their knowledge of Section 504 to be superior to that of teachers. It was concluded that recommendations for administrators include enhancing the role of teachers and parents in identifying students that would benefit from Section 504 Plans and in creating said plans. It was also suggested that combining Section 504 training for administrators and teachers with training for the inclusion of students with disabilities in regular educational settings would be a means for reducing the costs of special education services and at the same time improving the educational process for students with disabilities.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires local education agencies to include parents as equal team members in the cultivation of their child’s individual education plan (IEP). Despite law, studies have shown that parents experience barriers to being included in the process. Barriers such as a lack of information, lack of understanding of the law, and feelings of unequal status or power as compared to school district team members have been noted. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions, feelings, and understanding of the initial IEP process as experienced by parents new to the world of special education. This study took the form of two research articles, each with a set of three research questions. Through the utilization of narrative inquiry, I was able to listen to the stories of parents as they tried to navigate their way through the initial IEP experiences, hear who supported their understanding along the way, learn how parents perceived their role during their journey, feel the emotions that parents shared feeling during their experiences, and find out if parents knew their procedural safeguard rights. The most impactful barriers for parents new to special education was the lack of adherence to legal timelines. Parent requests for special education assessment took up to two years for some parents. Lack of information and understanding of the IEP process and law was another major hurdle for participants. Without adequate information and understanding parents felt a power imbalance and feeling of being taken advantage of. Parents described a disconnect regarding how they viewed their parent role and how the school district viewed their role. A copious amount of praise was given to family resource centers for their support and trainings offered to parents.

In this study, we analyse the $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ hyperon channel in proton-proton scattering, $pp \mapsto \Lambda\Lambda + K^+K^+, \,\,\Lambda\mapsto p+\pi^-$, with a proton beam energy of $4.5$ GeV using the High Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES) at GSI.The purpose of the study presented here is to measure the production cross-section for the $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ channel. %at the above beam Kinetic energy. The following measurement will be the first at this energy scale (CoM: $\sqrt{s}=3.46$ GeV).We develop a multi-stage analysis strategy to first determine the acceptance-reconstruction efficiency for the $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ channel from simulations produced according to phase space.The analysis of data is perforned for three different event selections: inclusive ($ pp \mapsto \Lambda\Lambda + X$), semi-exclusive ($ pp \mapsto \Lambda\Lambda + K^+ +X$) and the fully exclusive.For each selection, the data is represented by a two-dimensional histogram, where the axes correspond to the $p+\pi^-$ invariant mass of the respective $\Lambda$ candidate. %The same strategy was employed on the experimental data to build a $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ 2D correlation matrix. The \sloppy{$\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ signal} is determined using a Statistical sideband analysis (SSB) and a Linear least squares (LLS) fit.The inclusive selection provides the most significant $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ signal.Cross-section values corresponding to the two analyses  are calculated as weighted average of the result of the three selections.The production cross-section for $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=3.46$ GeV is measured \sloppy{to be $59\pm27$ nb} (one standard deviation uncertainity).

Yes / The flexural performance of geopolymer concrete (GPC) T-beams reinforced longitudinally with GFRP bars under a four-point static bending test was investigated. Six full-scale simply supported T-beams were cast and tested; one control specimen was made with ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPCC), while the other five beams were made of geopolymer concrete. The G-GPC2 was designed to attain the same theoretical moment capacity as the G-OPCC6 control beam. The main parameters investigated were the reinforcement ratio of ρ_f/ρ_b= 0.75, 1.05, 1.12, 1.34 and 1.34 for G-GPC1, G-GPC2, G-GPC3, G-GPC4, and G-GPC5, respectively, and compressive strength of geopolymer concrete. Based on the results of the experiments, the ultimate strain of GPC did not show the same behaviour as that of OPCC, which affects the mode of failure. The beam capacity and deflection were, respectively, overestimated and underestimated using the ACI 440 2R-17 predictive equations.

Yes / Elliptical Hollow Sections (EHSs) have been utilized in construction recently because of their visual appearance as well as the potential structural efficiency owing to the presence of the two principle axes. However, little information currently exists for the design of beam to elliptical column connections, which is an essential part of a building structure. Thus, to ensure the safe and economic application of EHSs, a new research project has been initiated. Rotation behaviour of simply bolted beam to concrete-filled elliptical steel column connections was investigated experimentally. Various joint types were considered and the benefits of adopting core concrete and stiffeners were highlighted. This paper covers the experimental studies and simulation of the connections using the ABAQUS standard solver. Comparisons of failure modes and moment vs. rotation relationships of the connections between numerical and experimental results were given. Good agreement has been obtained and the developed finite element model was therefore adopted to conduct a preliminary parametric study to explore the effect of critical parameters on the structural behaviour of beam to concrete-filled elliptical column connections.

Yes / This paper investigated the rotation behaviour of simply bolted I-beam to concrete-filled elliptical steel tubular (CFEST) column connections experimentally. Ten different joint assemblies were tested to failure, with a constant axial compressive load applied to the column and upwards concentrated loads at the beam ends. All of the steel tubes were hot-finished and had a cross-sectional aspect ratio of 2. The orientation of the column and the arrangement of the stiffening plates were taken into consideration. Moment versus rotation relationships and failure modes were compared for each joint, highlighting the benefits of using core concrete and stiffeners in these connections.

Concrete-filled tubular (CFT) columns have been widely adopted in building structures owing to their superior structural performance, such as enhanced load bearing capacity, compared to hollow tubes. Circular, square and rectangular hollow sections are most commonly used in the past few decades. Elliptical hollow section (EHS) available recently is regarded as a new cross-section for the CFT columns due to its attractive appearance, optional orientation either on major axis or minor axis and improved structural efficiency. The state of the research in terms of elliptical columns, tubular joints between EHSs and connections with CFT columns, etc., are reviewed in this thesis, showing a lack of investigations on EHSs, especially on beam to elliptical column connections which are essential in framed structures. The structural behaviour of elliptical column to I-beam connections under bending is studied in this thesis to fill the research gap. Overall ten specimens with various joint assemblies were tested to failure to highlight the benefits of adopting concrete infill and stiffeners in the columns. A three-dimensional finite element model developed by using ABAQUS software is presented and verified against obtained experimental results, which shows acceptable accuracy and reliability in predicting failure modes of the connections and their moment capacities. Parametric studies were performed to access the main parameters that affecting the bending behaviour of the connections. A simple hand calculation method in terms of ultimate moment capacity is proposed according to experiments conducted for connections with concrete-filled columns.

<p> An experimental study of turbulent flow of air around a 90º bend is reported in this thesis. Four 90º bends of aspect ratio 1, 3, 5 & 10 and radius ratio 1.0 have been tested in the Reynolds number range of 1 × 10⁵ to 5 × 10⁵. The loss in total pressure across the bend (or elbow) is reported for two discharge conditions (1) and the elbow discharging to a plenum chamber through a constant area duct of a length equal to 4 hydraulic diameters; (2) the elbow discharging to the plenum chamber directly. A comparison of the experimental results is made with the curves given in NACA report L4F26 which have been reproduced in the recently published SAE Aero-Space Manual. </p> <p> Various other flow parameters, such as velocity profiles, turbulence levels and pressure distributions are also given in this thesis. </p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (ME)