This dissertation is a descriptive study in which the changed meaning of nonalignment in international politics between the years 1961 - 1992, is analysed. The concept non-alignment as manifested in four chronological phases of the Non-Aligned Movement {1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990/92] is analysed, compared and evaluated. The comparison shows that the meaning of non- alignment underwent a change in each of these four phases. It's meaning changed from a literal meaning in phases 1-3 [in which the focus shifted from being political to economic], to a symboric or figurative meaning in phase 4. The changes to the meaning of non-alignment came about mainly as a result of interaction with the international context and, to a lesser extent, due to the role of influential states in NAM. These changes were of critical importance for non-alignment to remain relevant and for NAM to be able to make a potential impact on an ever-changing world. / Political Sciences / M.A. (International Politics)

No description available.

The most compelling evidence of the complex interaction between the geomagnetic field of the Earth and the magnetic field of the Sun is found in the polar ionosphere. Large scale F-region plasma density perturbations result from the coupling between the two fields. Plasma density enhancements known as ionization patches, and depletions can have lifetimes of several hours in the F region and are almost always present everywhere throughout the nighttime polar ionosphere. The perturbations can seed ionospheric irregularities that severely hamper communication and navigational networks, even during times of subdued geomagnetic activity. Up until recently, it has been difficult to study the perturbations due to the remoteness of their location. In the past decade an array of optical and radio instruments have been deployed to the Canadian sector of the Arctic, enabling a more thorough sampling of the polar ionosphere and the large scale perturbations therein. In this work, common volume measurements from the Rankin Inlet Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN), Resolute Bay Incoherent Scatter Radar - North (RISR-N) and Optical Mesosphere and Thermosphere Imagers (OMTI) system at Resolute Bay are employed to investigate the generation mechanisms, transport properties, and optical and radio signatures of the large scale perturbations. A model connecting the optical signatures of patches to their velocity profile through the ionosphere is introduced and applied to OMTI data. In addition, an algorithm is developed to detect the presence of patches using RISR-N. Using the algorithm, a survey of patches sampled over several days is conducted, providing a comprehensive account of the variable polar ionosphere in terms of its plasma state parameters. Furthermore, the algorithm is used to diagnose patches as a primary source of coherent backscatter for the Rankin Inlet SuperDARN radar. Lastly, the generation of a deep plasma density depletion is analyzed using the three aforementioned instruments. Using a model, it is shown that such perturbations can be forged by intense frictional heating events in the polar ionosphere on a time scale of 15 minutes, and can subsequently be transported through the region.

During the synthesis of well arrayed nano/micro structures through wet chemical methods, plenty of parameters are usually involved. Consequently, it is extremely time- and cost-consuming to find out the optimized synthesis conditions by using the conventional "changing one separate factor at a time" (COST) strategy. Instead, the "statistical experimental design" method has been proven in a few works to be an efficient method for experiments involving many parameters.  With this method, the responses could be optimized efficiently by using only a few experiments. Besides, several responses can be optimized simultaneously. Also, models could be built up and the changing tendency can be plotted to predict the required experimental settings for specific tasks. Two types of well arrayed structures including monolayer arrays of silica spheres and vertically aligned ZnO rod arrays were investigated in this work. Monolayer arrays of silica spheres were synthesized by using a dual-speed spin coating method. With assistance of statistical experimental design, the accelerating rate, the second rotation speed and time of the dual-speed spin coating system were found as non-significant parameters to the ordering degree of the obtained monolayer, and thus they can be fixed. This finding could remarkably increase the feasibility of optimizing the practical process. On the other hand, the relative humidity, the first rotation speed and the suspension concentration are identified as the significant parameters to the structures of the monolayer. Moreover, the optimal values for these three parameters were identified: 23% for the relative humidity, 1000 rpm for the first rotation speed and 30 wt.% for the suspension concentration. With these optimized parameters, the area of the obtained silica sphere monolayers reached over 1 cm2 and the defect-free domain size reached over 4000 μm2. These values are considerably higher compared to the previously reported values. Vertically aligned ZnO rod arrays were fabricated by chemical bath deposition. Parameters including precursor concentration, pH value, reaction temperature, reaction time and addition of capping agent were optimized by using statistical experimental design to improve and optimize the growth quality of ZnO rod arrays. Through several stages of optimization, the growth quality of the obtained structures was remarkably enhanced from sparse or clustered ZnO rods to upright and dense ZnO rods. The boundary conditions to achieve vertically aligned ZnO rods, such as a neutral solution and a precursor concentration over 0.02M, were determined. The changing tendency of the texture coefficient and aspect ratio with the factors was also plotted to predict the required experimental settings for specific requests. The points or regions to achieve the optimal properties were identified as well. For instance, the concentration should be as close as to 0.1 M, while the reaction temperature should be limited to 80-90 ◦C, to achieve the ideal preferential growth. With the optimized parameters, the texture coefficient reached almost the perfect value 1, and the aspect ratio was elevated to 21. Moreover, to obtain a dense ZnO thin film, tri-sodium citrate was added to the reaction system. The diameter was systematically controlled through varying the parameters. When both the diameter and the texture coefficient reached the optimal values, the rods were merged together to form a dense ZnO thin film. Furthermore, comments on the statistical experimental method are proposed, and both the advantages and disadvantages are presented according to the present thesis work. This might help the researchers to avoid the disadvantages and thus to employ this method more efficiently in the future. / <p>QC 20150903</p>

This  thesis  conducts  a  philosophical,  theoretical, and  practical  exploration  of digital technology design to examine how digital technologies can fulfill our two-facet of existentiality – identified in the thesis as belonginess and novelty. By belonginess, I identify human’s innate need for a feeling of connectedness and harmony with the self, others, and the natural world. The word novelty implies the human interest in exploration, invention, and desire for new experiences. This research suggests that contemporary  digital  technologies  are  largely  novelty  need-oriented,  while  our belonginess  need  is  either  ignored  or  its  growth  curtailed.  The  research  question presented in this thesis is how and why can design enable digital technologies to mediate aligned  existentiality?  With  this  broad  question,  I  will  argue  that  an  alignment between digital technologies and our two-facet of existentiality can be met through refocused design practices.  Strong arguments have been forwarded that novelty focused digital technologies can reduce our existential  needs of belonginess. Digital technologies are leading consumerist  commodities  associated  with  creating  unrelenting  demand  for  new experiences.  The  search  for  constant  stimulation  and  novelty  has  resulted  in  a fragmented and alienated state of being-human where the only way of feeling a sense of belonging comes from consuming more novel experiences. As contemporary everyday life is increasingly intertwined with digital technologies, their effect on our way of being-human becomes even more notable.  Against  this  background,  the  research  attempts  to  ‘bring  back’  our  needs  of belonginess to an equal footing with novelty in digital technologies. I have examined the  current  digital  technology  design’s  philosophical,  theoretical,  and  practical foundations  to  refocus  design,  from  its  too  strong focus  on  developing  novelty experiences  to  mediating  aligned  existentiality.  With  the  aim  of  refocusing  the design  role,  a  theoretical  framework  based  on  holism  has  emerged  that  could provide design a background to focus on mediating aligned existentiality. Primarily ivinformed by three thinkers – Marin Heidegger, Karl Marx, and John Dewey – the proposed holistic theoretical framework aims to provide design with a basis to (1) embed belonginess values in digital technologies (2) redirect digital technologies from  alienating  values  such  as  consumerism,  and  (3)  provide  a  mediating materiality for digital technologies to advance aligned existentiality while in use. The  thesis  further  illustrates  the  proposed  holistic  dimensions  –  philosophy, theory, and practice – using three empirical materials. I argue that the proposed holistic foundation for design is also aligned with how digital technologies are being used in the everyday lifeworld. Consequently, by freeing design from its traditional responsibility of making technically savvy and novel artifacts and refocusing its role to mediating aligned existentiality, design can itself be used to support our being-human in the world of digital artifacts. / <p>Vid tidpunkten för disputationen var följande delarbeten opublicerade: delarbete 8 accepterat, delarbete 9 under granskning.</p><p>At the time of the doctoral defence the following papers were unpublished: paper 8 accepted, paper 9 under review.</p>

More and more people are attempting to increase their human capital by increasing their qualifications. Post-graduate studies, according to many, is the way forward as it will enhance one‟s personal and professional prospects. This research project is intended to make a contribution to the field of education by looking at how a Masters degree affects the life values (the meaning and status attached to one‟s life) and prospects of individuals taking up post-graduate studies. It uses the tracer study methodology to create an impact in determining how the WITS Masters Programme has affected the post-graduate student in terms of life values. It specifically targets the Masters in Education degree at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) by tracing the lives of six graduates from the year 2002. The research is a qualitative tracer study that aims at establishing a relationship between what is studied and the effects this has on the lives of the graduates

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a highly prevalent chronic disease that affects 29 million people in the United States including over 2 million veterans who receive care through the Veterans Administration. Patient-aligned care teams (PACTs) are an interprofessional teamwork system designed to improve outcomes of chronic illness, but empirical explorations of the efficacy of the PACTs have been insufficient. Utilizing the chronic care model, the purpose of this retrospective study was to determine if PACTs have been efficient in the diabetic management of veterans receiving care through a Southeastern VA. Medical records for 114 veterans with type 2 DM were randomly selected. A 1-way ANOVA was used to analyze outcomes for 5 evidence-based standards (SBP, DBP, BGL, A1C, & LDL) among 6 outpatient clinics. A repeated measures ANOVA was used for the same 5 evidence-based standards for the clinics to assess if there were any changes from FY2014 to FY2016. Results revealed that blood pressure readings and LDL levels met evidence-based standards, while A1C and BGL levels did not. No significant differences over the 3-year period were noted nor were there significant differences in patterns of performance between the clinics. The findings provide an essential basis for initiating a discussion on the potential of PACTs for the delivery of quality healthcare to U.S. veterans with diabetes and other chronic diseases. Positive social change can result from improving the delivery of healthcare using the PACT model to decrease morbidity, improve clinical outcomes, and increase the quality of life of U.S. veterans with type 2 DM. Future research that examines perceptions of clinical team members, team stability, and the delivery of shared care is warranted.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have superior thermal conductivity than conventional materials. The applications for CNTs range from heat sinks, thin films to thermal interface materials. However, when CNTs are grouped together in macroscopic quantities and embedded in different media their thermal conductivity changes. Therefore, it is important to determine the thermal conductance changes when CNTs are embedded in different media. In my research, CNTs were embedded in thin films and as aligned structures (fins) in water. Analytical and experimental methods were used to determine the thermal conductances of these aligned structures and thin films. The primary goals of this research were to develop novel analytical methods to determine thermal conductivity and also experimental techniques to determine effectiveness of the embedded CNTs as carriers of heat by thermal conductance evaluation. It is observed that CNTs fins are effective carriers of heat and result in up to 57% decrease in thermal resistance. In the case of CNTs embedded in thin films, it is important to consider non Fourier effects and neglecting non Fourier effects would lead to an underestimation of the thermal conductivity. In addition to the thermal conductivity value, the analysis also provides a way to determine the thermal relaxation time of thin films.

In this thesis, a novel fully self-aligned bulk-Si device named dual-channel source/drain-tied (DC-SDT) MOSFET with extremely thin (ET) body is proposed. The process utilizes the multiple epitaxial growths of SiGe/Si layers, so the starting material is bulk-Si wafer instead of the SOI wafer. We have investigated the RF/analog performance, and the high temperature induced device stability degradation has also been also investigated. Moreover, we have compared this structure with the other similar transistors such as: body-tied MOSFET (DC-BT MOSFET) and conventional dual-channel MOSFET (DC-SOI MOSFET). Based on the simulation results, for the DC-BT MOSFET, our proposed DC-SDT MOSFET has improved the device performances such as: Ioff decreased 47.6%, switching speed increased 18.1%, S.S. improved 13%, and voltage gain increased 25%. Whereas for the DC-SOI MOSFET, our proposed DC-SDT MOSFET has also improved the device performances such as: Ion increased 11.3%, reduction of lattice temperature 35.7% and 35.5 in the top and bottom channels, voltage gain increased 15%. We not only compared with the above two similar transistors, but also compared to the other mainstream devices, such as: FinFET and Gate-all-around. After the comparisons, we confirm that the proposed DC-SDT MOSFET has better ON-state current and short-channel behaviors. For the scaling, DC-SDT MOSFET can truly become one of the strong candidates.