Renormalization Group (RG) method is a general method whose aim is to globally approximate solutions to differential equations involving a small parameter. In this thesis, we will give an algorithm for the RG method to generate the RG equation needed in the process of finding an approximate solution for ODEs. In chapter 1, we have some introduction to perturbation theory and introducing some traditional methods in perturbation theory. In chapter 2 we compare the results of RG and other conventional methods using numerical or explicit methods. Thereafter, in chapter 3, we rigorously compare the approximate solution obtained using the RG method and the true solution using two classes of system of ordinary differential equations. In chapter 4, we present a simplified RG method and apply it to the second order RG. In chapter 5 we briefly explain the first order Normal Form (NF) theory and then its relation to the RG method. Also a similar geometric interpretation for the RG equation and NF's outcome has been provided. In the Appendix, we have added definitions and proofs used in this thesis. The RG method is much more straightforward than other traditional methods and does not require prior information about the solutions. One begins with a naive perturbative expansion which already contains all the necessary information that we need to construct a solution. Using RG, there is no need to asymptotically match the solutions in the overlapping regions, which is a key point in some other methods. In addition, the RG method is applicable to most of perturbed differential equations and will produce a closed form solution which is, most of the times, as accurate as or even more accurate than the solutions obtained by other conventional methods.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / This study sought to investigate if there are common cultural elements for preventing and transforming violent conflict in selected patrilineal and matrilineal tribes in Malawi, as well as selected societies from other parts of Africa. The researcher argues that in both patrilineal and matrilineal tribes in Malawi, violent conflict prevention and transformation methods are inherently rooted in elaborate socio-political governance structures. This also applies to other societies in Africa, such as the pre-colonial traditional societies of Rwanda, the Pokot pastoral community in the North Rift of Kenya, the ubuntu societies in South Africa and the Acholi of Northern Uganda. The basic framework for these structures comprise the individuals (men, women and older children), as the primary building blocks, the family component comprising of the nucleus and extended families as secondary building block and traditional leadership component. Within these socio-political governance structures, individuals coexist and are inextricably bound in multi-layered social relationships and networks with others. In these governance structures, a certain level of conflict between individuals or groups is considered normal and desirable, as it brings about vital progressive changes as well as creates the necessary diversity, which makes the community interesting. However, violent conflicts are regarded as undesirable and require intervention. Consequently, the multi-layered social networks have several intrinsic features, which enable the communities to prevent the occurrence of violent conflicts or transform them when they occur, in order to maintain social harmony. The first findings show that each level of the social networks has appropriate mechanisms for dissipating violent conflicts, which go beyond tolerable levels. Secondly, individuals have an obligation to intervene in violent conflicts as part of social and moral roles, duties and commitments, which they have to fulfil. Thirdly, the networks have forums in which selected competent elders from the society facilitate open discussions of violent conflicts and decisions are made by consensus involving as many men and women as possible. In these forums, each individual is valued and dignified. Fourthly, there are deliberate efforts to advance transparency and accountability in the forums where violent conflicts are discussed. However, in general terms, women occupy a subordinate status in both leadership and decision-making processes, though they actively participate in violent conflict interventions and some of them hold leadership positions. In addition, the findings show that the tribes researched have an elaborate process for transforming violent conflicts. This process includes the creation of an environment conducive for discussing violent conflicts, listening to each of the disputants, establishing the truth, exhausting all issues, reconciling the disputants and in case one disputant is not satisfied with the outcomes of the discussions, referring the violent conflict for discussion to another forum. Furthermore, individuals in both patrilineal and matrilineal tribes are governed by moral values including respect, relations, relationships, interdependence, unity, kindness, friendliness, sharing, love, transparency, tolerance, self-restraint, humility, trustworthiness and obedience. These moral values enhance self-restraint, prevent aggressive behaviour, as well as promote and enhance good relationships between individuals in the family and the society as a whole. The researcher argues that the positive cultural factors for prevention and transformation of violent conflict, outlined above, which are inherent in the traditional African socio-political governance system should be deliberately promoted for incorporation into the modern state socio-political governance systems through peace-building and development initiatives as well as democratisation processes. This could be one of the interventions for dealing with violent conflict devastating Africa today.

Play is acknowledged as a fundamental need and right of the human experience. However, across the human lifespan is not always valued. Research on play has traditionally been on children, and while some attention is now being paid to older adults, there is little scholarship regarding play in adulthood. This exploratory study examined how early adulthood (25-40 years old) play, the influence playing has on creativity and career performance, and implications for future research on play. The study was completed utilizing traditional and non-traditional research methods with the intent to incorporate the participants' voice and perspectives into a human-centered research design. The end results of this study, demonstrated that early adults engage in a number of play experiences that shape their development and learning as well as influence their creativity and work performance. The use of human-centered research provided participants with the opportunity to individualize data collection, analyze results, and have a voice in the final product.

Chemical analyses, biological assays, and animal experiments provide important fundamental information of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In modern biomedical research, they should also be necessary prerequisites for clinical trials. A Chinese herbal formula, no matter how effective and safe in the pre-clinical studies, cannot be assumed clinically valid. No marketing approval should be granted without clinical studies. Thus, clinical trial plays a decisive role in the research and development of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Currently the highest level of efficacy evidence is obtained from randomized controlled clinical trial. Thousands of years of traditional use can provide us with valuable guidelines to the selection, preparation and application of herbal formulations. To be accepted as viable alternatives to western medicine, the rigorous methods of scientific and clinical validations must be applied. / In conclusion, the methodology of Chinese medicine research needs to improve. One practical way is to apply the efficacy-driven approach through the following steps: i) getting a simple herbal formula to try solving a difficult clinical problem and start an evidence-based clinical trial using methodology acceptable to current standard clinical trials i.e. randomized, placebo-controlled; ii) parallel laboratory experiments to understand the mode of action should be done; and; iii) making sure that the quality of herbs and their extracts are of the best standard. A promising item shown in the clinical trial and laboratory experiments would deserve more pharmacological investigations before considering marketing. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / The distinctiveness of Chinese medicine is manifested in the diversity and the complexity of its components, the instability of its quantity, the fuzziness of its action mechanism, and the uncontrollability of its producing process. Traditional Chinese herbal formulae are usually formed by more than one plants, animal or mineral items. The composition is extremely complex. The efficacy thus can hardly be guaranteed. The methods of harvesting, drying, storage, transportation, and processing of plant material influence the efficacy and safety. The consistent efficacy, therefore, can hardly be guaranteed. For thousands of years, it has been observed by clinical practice that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a rich scientific connotation and has developed a unique healthcare system. However, variable sources of raw materials, unknown active ingredients, difficulties in quality control, lack of safety evaluation, unclear mechanism of action, etc., all these factors constitute major challenges in modernization of TCM. / The effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may be characterized by its chemical compounds, which are also the active ingredients. The reproducibility and the stability of the active ingredients are the foundation to ensure the efficacy of TCM. The safety and efficacy of TCM is evaluated through its pharmacological effects and in clinical studies. Many Chinese herbal medicines have a long history of traditional use. However, most of them are of unproven efficacy by today's standard. Well-designed randomized controlled trials and comprehensive pre-clinical studies are not known. Although the lack of qualified evidence does not mean that Chinese herbal medicines lack efficacy or are unsafe, properly designed experimental and clinical investigations should still be done today. There is a need to scientifically prove and clinically validate its safety and efficacy through chemical standardization, biological assays, and clinical trials. / The general perception that herbal drugs are very safe and free from side effects is not true. Little do they know in the modern conditions, that the current herbs used for preparation of traditional Chinese medicine have been very different as compared with the ancient herbs in planting, extracting, producing, storage, application, dose level and the duration of clinical use. The active ingredients of herbal formula are higher after extracting with modern scientific methods; and the toxicity may also be correspondingly higher. The potential side effects after long-term use should not be overlooked. / The purpose of the research is to develop a practical methodology to obtain convincing evidences in quality, safety and efficacy of Chinese Medicine. When we use evidence-based research methodology to prove the quality, safety and efficacy, we are facing many challenges. / The quality control of Chinese herbal medicine is a systematic procedure. The initial critical step is to standardize the starting raw herbs, for knowing the exact species and subspecies, the ideal growing location, environmental conditions, harvesting methods, and storage conditions etc., i.e., following Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) to ensure the quality of the raw materials. The second step is to standardize the processing methods of the raw herbs. The third step is to standardize the preparation procedure of the final products according to the requirements of Good Manufacture Practice (GMP) guideline. The fourth step is to qualitatively and/or quantitatively evaluate the quality of the TCM medication based on one or more selected chemical markers. / by Cheng, King Fai. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Text in English with some Chinese characters; abstract and appendixes 3-5 also in Chinese.

The aim of the thesis is to compare the efficiency of innovative and traditional teaching methods. In the theoretical part the particular traditional and innovative methods and procedures are described which can be applied in the educational process. In the practical part the goal was to find out which teaching methods are used by the primary school teachers and which of them are most effective. Further, to compare the efficiency of teaching applying innovatice and traditional methods in natural history lessons in grade four. A questionnare was used to establish the most effective and mostly used teaching methods. It follows from the results that teachers most often use the methods of explanation, texts, pictures, educational games, group and co-operative forms of work and discussion. Most teachers respond that for pupils´ learning the innovative methods are more effective. An experiment was carried out during which both traditional methods (narration, explanation, work with a text) and innovative methods (group work and brainstorming) were applied. The results showed that for pupils´ learning the traditional methods were more effective. This result was caused by the fact that the innovative methods were more time-consuming.

differential scanning calorimetric profile and the generation of much less intense and broader peaks in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern compared to beta-CD. FTIR analysis revealed significant physical interactions between CX oil and beta-CD in the granules, possibly due to complexation. Results from phase solubility measurements and proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1H-NMR) analysis of pure 3-butylidenephthalide (3-BDPH), a representative CX component, lend some support for the formation of a 1:1 stoichiometric inclusion complex between 3-BDPH and beta-CD. / Rhizoma chuanxiong (CX), the dried rhizome of Ligusticum Chuangxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae), has been extensively used in mainland China as a traditional herbal medicine for treating cardio-/cerebrovascular diseases and gynecological disorders. However, the active components in CX, which are predominantly essential oils, generally exhibit poor stability (mostly photo-oxidation), high volatility, low aqueous solubility, and extensive gut/hepatic metabolism, all of which can significantly reduce their oral bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. The present project has investigated the feasibility of utilizing three formulation approaches to circumvent the aforementioned problems associated with the peroral delivery of CX (as crude oil mixture or individual components). / The first approach involved inclusion of CX oil in beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) as solid granules using a coprecipitation method optimized with the aid of an orthogonal study design. The resulting CX oil granules were colorless and odorless with a median particle size of 11.38mum; were stable to heat, light and moisture, and readily soluble in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. The granules were largely amorphous, as evidenced by an absence of the melting endotherm for beta-CD in the formulation could be largely explicated by the complexation behavior and hydration properties of the two polymers blended in different weight percentages, as substantiated by turbidity measurement, viscosity determination and FTIR analysis of the pure polymer mixtures as well as swelling measurement of the formulated tablets. The sustained release behavior of 3-BDPH from the tablet was dependent on the relative proportion of the two polymers present, and could be similarly explained by the changes in hydration and complexation behavior of the polymers during the penetration of aqueous fluid into the tablet matrix. / The second approach involved incorporation of CX oil into surfactant micelles and liquid crystals as a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS). An optimal formulation was developed through a judicial choice of excipients (lipids and surfactants/cosurfactant) and their proper combination in the correct proportions, as determined by the spontaneity of the emulsification process and the change in emulsion droplet size. The formulation was readily dispersible in water upon mild agitation, free from unpleasant odor, and stable in soft gelatin capsules for a storage period of at least 12 months under ambient condition. The optimal utilization of the lipid and surfactant blends in defined proportions in the formulation was further substantiated by interfacial tension determination and equilibrium phase analysis. / The third approach involved formulation of 3-BDPH (or crude CX oil) into a sustained-release buccoadhesive tablet, based on a systematic evaluation of the adhesive properties of two polymers (Carbopol 974P and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K4M) used in the formulation. The adhesive properties of the formulation could be largely explicated by the complexation behavior and hydration properties of the two polymers blended in different weight percentages, as substantiated by turbidity measurement, viscosity determination and FTIR analysis of the pure polymer mixtures as well as swelling measurement of the formulated tablets. The sustained release behavior of 3-BDPH from the tablet was dependent on the relative proportion of the two polymers present, and could be similarly explained by the changes in hydration and complexation behavior of the polymers during the penetration of aqueous fluid into the tablet matrix. / Gao Yuan. / "April 2005." / Adviser: Albert H. L. Chow. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1585. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-223). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Bakgrund och problem: Vindkraftens tillförlitliga fastställelse av lönsamhet påverkas av olika osäkerheter, främst vindförhållanden men även ekonomiska faktorer. Vanligtvis används de traditionella metoderna så som nuvärdesmetoden, pay-back metoden och IRR för att värdera en investerings lönsamhet. Dessa metoder är dock otillräckliga vid värdering av riskfyllda projekt. Reala optioner tar hänsyn till flexibilitetens värde och är en komplettering till de traditionella metoderna vid värdering av riskfylla investeringar. Reala optioner möjliggör att fatta beslut efter iakttagelser av hur utvecklingen utvecklas. Genom flexibilitet kan osäkerhet minskas. Syfte: Syftet är att beskriva och analysera hur reala optioner tar sig uttryck i vindkraftsprojekt i Sverige. Detta för att skapa förståelse för om reala optioner används för att hantera den osäkerhet som föreligger i vindkraftsprojekt. Metod: Studien kännetecknas av en metod som är av hermeneutik, induktiv och kvalitativ karaktär. Studien blir därmed av tolkande art och vi utgår från empiri i studien. Semistrukturerade intervjuer har genomförts med tre bolag i vindkraftsbranschen. Slutsats: Utifrån vår forskningsfråga: ”Hur tar sig reala optioner uttryck i vindkraftsprojekt?” kunde vi finna tre av fem reala optioner i de studerade bolagen. Dessa är: optionen att skjuta upp investeringar, optionen att göra stegvisa investeringar och optionen att expandera. Trots att begreppet reala optioner inte används i de studerade bolagen kan slutsatser ändå dras att reala optioner existerar i vindkraftsprojekt. Uppsatsens bidrag: Vår förhoppning med uppsatsen är bland annat att den ska bidra med ökad förståelse för användningen av reala optioner i vindkraftsprojekt. Förslag till framtida forskning: Vår studie behandlar fem reala optioner. Trigeorgis (2005) redogör åtta reala optioner i artikeln: Making use of real options simple: an overview and applications in flexible/modular decision making. En studie som inkluderar alla åtta reala optioner i vindkraftsprojekt hade varit intressant. Detta för att undersöka om det finns fler reala optioner än de tre denna studie identifierat i vindkraftsprojekt. / Background and problem: The reliable determination of the wind power profitability is affected by various uncertainties, mainly wind conditions but also economic factors. Generally the traditional methods are used, such as net present value method, the pay-back method and the IRR when it comes to evaluate an investment's profitability. These methods are insufficient to valuing risky projects. Real options considering the value of flexibility and is a complement to the traditional methods when it comes to valuation of risky investments. Real options allow making decisions based on observations of how the evolution develops. Through flexibility, the uncertainty can be reduced. Purpose: The purpose is to describe and analyze how the real options are reflected in windpower projects in Sweden. This is to create an understanding if the real options are used to manage the uncertainty that exists in wind power projects. Method: The study is characterized by a method of hermeneutic, inductive and qualitative character. The study is therefore interpretive and the starting point of the study is empirical data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three companies in the wind power industry. Conclusion: Based on our research question: "How do the real options find their expression in wind power projects?" are we able to find three of the five real options in the studied companies. These are: the option to defer investment, the option to stage investment and the option to expand. Although the concept of real options is not used in the studied companies, conclusions can still be drawn that real options exists in wind power projects. The grants in the essay: Our hope, among other things, is that the essay will contribute to increased understanding for the use of real options in wind power projects. Proposals for future research: Our study deals with five real options. Trigeorgis (2005) describes eight real options in the article: Making Use of Real Options Simple: an overviewand applications into flexible/modular decision making. A study that includes all eight real options in wind power projects would be interesting. This is to investigate whether there are more real options than the three this study identifies in wind power projects.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MCom (Personnel Management))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

With nineteen years of democracy behind us, South Africa has experienced uncountable changes within its borders and on various playing fields. One of the most memorable changes, in my opinion, was in education. This motivated me to embark on a study about the responses of Heads of Departments (HoDs) to curriculum changes. I especially wanted to focus on the management of those changes. The focus on HoDs arose from the devolution of responsibility from the principal to the HoD with regard to curriculum change. This uninterrupted cycle of curriculum change that South Africa is experiencing occupies the HoDs to a large extent. They have to ensure that the changes take place as smoothly as possible with as little resistance as possible. In order to accomplish this, one would think that the HoD would be trained in managing a department and curriculum changes. This is unfortunately not the case, and they are following their own guidelines that they have constructed through trial and error. This study was conducted through a narrative design within a qualitative framework, allowing me to give a voice to those who have none. It required me to have focus group interviews, which laid the foundation for my semi-structured interview. The use of documents assisted with the crystallisation of the data. This research was conducted in the Lady Frere district of the Eastern Cape. There were two sets of HoDs from different schools, and one participant willing to participate in a semi-structured interview. The purpose of this study was to find out what guidelines HoDs had constructed by looking at HoDs’ responses to, and management of curriculum changes since 2005. It became very clear that there is some confusion about what is expected of the HoD during the change process and the HoDs in this study felt it better to follow traditional methods of teaching, as this was all they knew. However, the focus on producing quality education was very important to them. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted

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