Empirical studies focusing on the subjective experience of health among patients in contact with the mental health services are rare and most questionnaires are based on a medical model that emphasizes objectively observed disease-oriented health indicators. In studies I and II perceptions of the concept of health among patients and nurses in mental health services were explored and described using a phenomenographic approach. The perceptions and description categories that emerged from these studies were transformed into a number of items forming a questionnaire intended to measure subjectively experienced health among patients in mental health services. In study III, a randomly selected sample was used to test the psychometric properties of the new Health Questionnaire. A factor analysis revealed three factors labelled Autonomy, Social Involvement and Comprehensibility. The purpose of study IV was to examine the construct validity of the Health Questionnaire. The hypothesis was that subjectively experienced health would be positively associated to self-esteem, empowerment and quality of life, and negatively associated to psychiatric symptoms, perceived stigmatization experiences and perceived attitudes of devaluation and discrimination. This hypothesis was mainly confirmed insofar that overall health was positively correlated to self-esteem, empowerment and quality of life and negatively correlated to symptoms, attitudes of devaluation and discrimination and rejection experiences. The results of this thesis show that health is more than just an absence of disease and support a focus on health promotion interventions in mental health care. / <p>Medicine doktorsexamen</p>

AIM: Nutrient profiling can be defined as ‘the science of categorising foods according to their nutritional composition’ and can be used as a valuable tool in food labelling legislation. Validation is an absolute essential step in the implementation of a nutrient profiling model (NPM), it is important to verify whether or not the NPM has a good solid scientific basis and if it is at all suitable for South Africa. This mini-dissertation investigated the construct validity of a NPM for South Africa. OBJECTIVES: 1) To test construct validity for the nutrient profiling model by examining the relationship between the way the NPM categorises foods and the healthiness of diets in South Africa. 2) To assess if the quality of a diet will improve if ‘unhealthy’ foods are replaced by ‘healthy’ foods as defined by the NPM. STUDY DESIGN: Nested in the South African leg of the international PURE (Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology) study at baseline. METHOD: The PURE (Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology) baseline study conducted in the North-West province in 2005, was identified as a suitable dataset of food intake. For the first objective the proportion of respondent’s diets consisting of healthy or unhealthy food, as classified by the NPM, was calculated. The respondents were divided into four groups based on their dietary quality as characterised by the Diet Quality Index (DQI), the lower the DQI-score the better the diet quality. The proportion of healthy or unhealthy foods were compared to the DQI-scores using one-way ANOVA’s, p-values were calculated using the Tukey post-hoc test. For the second objective the diet quality of four different diets consisting of either YES foods (according to NPM), NO foods, a combination of YES and NO were calculated and compared. RESULTS: The model displayed good construct validity by showing a statistically significant positive relationship between the proportion of ‘healthy’ (p<0.0001) and ‘unhealthy’ (p<0.0001) foods, as classified by the NPM, and participants’ DQI-scores. The second objective was also confirmed and a diet consisting of ‘healthy’ foods or a diet where ‘unhealthy’ foods were substituted by ‘healthy’ foods, had a better DQI than diets consisting only of ‘unhealthy’ foods CONCLUSION: Construct validity was confirmed by proving that the better the diet quality of the respondents the bigger their proportion of foods categorised as ‘healthy’ by the NPM and vice versa. / MSc (Dietetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Commercial airlines need to employ well qualified pilots to run their core business. The current supply from privately and military qualified pilots is proving to be inadequate. A further challenge facing the airline is having to attempt to reflect the diversity of the country in its workforce. The present study investigated the predictive validity of a psychological test battery for cadet pilots. The predictors that were included in the research are: biographical data, ABET levels in terms of English and Matric results, as well as results from psychological tests, namely: English literacy skills assessment (ELSA), Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RMP), Blox test, subtests of the Intermediate Battery (B/77) viz: Arithmetic 1 and 2, and Reading Comprehension, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). The objective of the research was to determine the predictive validity of the selection battery utilizing the final flying school results as the criteria. The results of the research were inconclusive. Only some of the tests showed positive correlations with the modules of the flying school results. The Ravens Progressive Matrices, Blox, Matriculation English symbol, ABET levels and Reading Comprehension, were found to have predictive power with some of the modules of the flying school results based on the regression analysis. It is recommended that a revised profile for a commercial airline pilot should be developed, as well as that the critical skills and competencies should be identified to enable the airlines to utilize appropriate and relevant assessment tools to select prospective candidates, particularly among the previously disadvantaged communities. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The dissertation provides a consideration of the significance of choosing an appropriate post-graduate research methodology and application in higher education institutions. Research education has become a matter of concern as there are low completion rates of masters' students in South African universities. This study addresses the issue with the application of appropriate IS research methodologies of IT/IS masters' and MBA dissertations/theses at the NWU to determine whether the research approaches used in both disciplines were relevant to their studies. The choice of an appropriate research methodology is an arduous task with which many researchers are confronted during the research process. The problem is that IT/IS masters' and MBA students use particular research methodologies inappropriately but consider these to be the most appropriate methodologies for IS research for purposes of writing their dissertations. The primary research objective was to explore IT/IS and MBA students' ideological approach towards comprehending information and understanding dissertation requirements by preparing them to undertake sound research projects that culminate in masters' dissertations and improve research completion rates. Secondarily, it attempts to investigate the associated roles between students and supervisors, and to identify challenges encountered, specifically with IT MBA students that will force them to use particular research methods in their research dissertations. A quantitative research approach was adopted and a structured framework was used as an instrument for data-gathering. This structured framework was used randomly on all IT/IS masters' and MBA dissertations in the NWU library. The majority of IT/IS masters' dissertations were sourced through the Nexus Database to ensure a better return rate. The finding gathered from the use of a structured framework for purposes of investigating IT/IS masters' and MBA dissertations indicated that both disciplines, most especially the MBA dissertations, lack a conceptual matrix for research alignment, supervision guidance, and badly-structured research dissertations. There is a need for a graduate school and IT/IS department to introduce and encourage the use of an appropriate conceptual matrix underlying various research activities. / Thesis (M.Computer Sc & Information Systems) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2014

Walking and bicycling to work, active commuting, can contribute to sustainable mobility and provide regular health-enhancing physical activity for individuals. Our knowledge of active commuting behaviours in general and in different mode and gender groups in particular is limited. Moreover, the validity and reproducibility of the methods to measure the key variables of the behaviours are uncertain. The aims of this thesis is to explore gender and mode choice differences in commuting behaviours in terms of distance, duration, velocity and trip frequency, of a group of adult commuters in Greater Stockholm, Sweden, and furthermore to develop a criterion method for distance measurements and to assess the validity of four other distance measurement methods. We used one sample of active commuters recruited by advertisements, n = 1872, and one street-recruited sample, n = 140. Participants received a questionnaire and a map to draw their commuting route on. The main findings of the thesis were, firstly, that the map-based method could function as a criterion method for active commuting distance measurements and, secondly, that four assessed distance measurement methods – straight-line distance, GIS, GPS and self-report – differed significantly from the criterion method. Therefore, we recommend the use of correction factors to compensate for the systematic over- and underestimations. We also found three distinctly different modality groups in both men and women with different behaviours in commuting distance, duration and trip frequency. These groups were commuters who exclusively walk or bicycle the whole way to work, and dual mode commuters who switch between walking and cycling. These mode groups accrued different amounts of activity time for commuting. Through active commuting per se, the median pedestrian and dual mode commuters met or were close to the recommended physical activity level of 150 minutes per week during most months of the year, whereas the single mode cyclists did so only during the summer half of the year. / FAAP

Background: The Active Commuting Route Environment Scale (ACRES) was developed to study active commuters’ perceptions of their route environments. The overall aims were to assess the measuring properties of the ACRES and study active bicycle commuters’ perceptions of their commuting route environments. Methods: Advertisement- and street-recruited bicycle commuters from Greater Stockholm, Sweden, responded to the ACRES. Expected differences between inner urban and suburban route environments were used to assess criterion-related validity, together with ratings from an assembled expert panel as well as existing objective measures. Reliability was assessed as test-retest reproducibility. Comparisons of ratings between advertisement- and street-recruited participants were used for assessments of representativity. Ratings of inner urban and suburban route environments were used to evaluate commuting route environment profiles. Simultaneous multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the relation between the outcome variable: whether the route environment hinders or stimulates bicycle-commuting and environmental predictors, such as levels of exhaust fumes, speeds of traffic and greenery, in inner urban areas. Results: The ACRES was characterized by considerable criterion-related validity and reasonable test-retest reproducibility. There was a good correspondence between the advertisement- and street-recruited participants’ ratings. Distinct differences in commuting route environment profiles between the inner urban and suburban areas were noted. Suburban route environments were rated as safer and more stimulating for bicycle-commuting. Beautiful, green and safe route environments seem to be, independently of each other, stimulating factors for bicycle-commuting in inner urban areas. On the other hand, high levels of exhaust fumes and traffic congestion, as well as low ‘directness’ of the route, seem to be hindering factors. Conclusions: The ACRES is useful for assessing bicyclists’ perceptions of their route environments. A number of environmental factors related to the route appear to be stimulating or hindering for bicycle commuting. The overall results demonstrate a complex research area at the beginning of exploration. / BAKGRUND: Färdvägsmiljöer kan tänkas påverka människors fysiskt aktiva arbetspendling och därmed bidra till bättre folkhälsa. Studier av färdvägsmiljöer är därför önskvärda för att öka förståelsen kring möjliga samband mellan fysiskt aktiv arbetspendling och färdvägsmiljöer. En enkät, ”The Active Commuting Route Environment Scale” (ACRES), har därför skapats i syfte att studera fysiskt aktiva arbetspendlares upplevelser av sina färdvägsmiljöer. Huvudsyftet med denna avhandling var dels att studera enkätens psykometriska egenskaper i form av validitet och reliabilitet, dels att studera arbetspendlande cyklisters upplevelser av sina färdvägsmiljöer. METODER: Arbetspendlande cyklister från Stor-Stockholm rekryterades via tidningsannonsering och via direkt kontakt i anslutning till färdvägen. Deltagarna besvarade enkäten ACRES. Tillsammans med skattningar från en grupp av experter och redan existerande objektiva mått användes förväntade skillnader mellan färdvägsmiljöer i inner- och ytterstaden för att studera kriterierelaterad validitet. Reliabiliteten studerades som reproducerbarhet via upprepade mätningar (test-retest). Jämförelser mellan skattningar av deltagare rekryterade via annonsering och via direkt kontakt i färdvägsmiljöer användes för att studera representativitet. Skattningar av färdvägsmiljöer i inner- och ytterstaden användes vidare för att studera färdvägsmiljöprofiler. Multipel linjär regressionsanalys användes även för att studera sambandet mellan utfallsvariabeln huruvida färdvägsmiljön motverkar eller stimulerar arbetspendling med cykel och miljöprediktorer, såsom avgasnivåer, trafikens hastighet och grönska, i innerstadsmiljöer. RESULTAT: Enkäten ACRES visade god kriterierelaterad validitet och rimlig reproducerbarhet. Det var en god överrensstämmelse mellan skattningar av deltagare rekryterade via annonsering och via direkt kontakt. Färdvägsmiljöprofilerna visade tydliga skillnader mellan inner- och ytterstadsmiljöer. Ytterstadens färdvägsmiljöer skattades som tryggare och mer stimulerande för arbetspendling med cykel än innerstadens färdvägsmiljöer. Vidare verkar vackra, gröna och trygga färdvägsmiljöer, oberoende av varandra, vara stimulerade faktorer för arbetspendling med cykel i innerstadsmiljöer. Däremot verkar höga avgasnivåer, höga trängselnivåer och färdvägar som kräver många riktningsändringar vara motverkande faktorer. SLUTSATSER: Enkäten ACRES är ett användbart instrument vid mätningar av cyklisters upplevelser av sina färdvägsmiljöer. Ett antal faktorer relaterade till färdvägsmiljön verkar vara stimulerande respektive motverkande för arbetspendling med cykel. Generellt sett på visar resultaten ett relativt outforskat och komplext forskningsområde. / <p>Örebro universitet, Hälsoakademin</p> / FAAP

Coaches are constantly seeking more ecologically valid and reliable data to improve professional sporting performance. Using unobtrusive, valid and reliable mobile physiological monitoring devices may assist in achieving this aim. For example, there is limited information regarding professional fast bowlers in cricket and understanding this role during competitive in-match scenarios rather than in simulated bowling events could enhance coaching and physical conditioning practices. The BioharnessTM is a mobile monitoring device and assesses 5 variables (Heart rate [HR], Breathing frequency [BF], Accelerometry [ACC], Skin temperature [ST] and Posture [P]) simultaneously. Therefore, the aims of this research were to assess the effectiveness of the BioharnessTM mobile monitoring device during professional sporting performance using fast bowlers in cricket and this was to be achieved in five research studies. Study 1 presented the physiological profile of professional cricketers reporting fitness data with other comparable professional athletes, with a specific interest in fast bowlers who were to be the focus of this work. The 2nd and 3rd study assessed the reliability and validity of the BioharnessTM through controlled laboratory based assessment. For validity, strong relationships (r = .89 to .99, P < .01) were reported for HR, BF, ACC and P. Limits of Agreement reported HR (-3 ± 32 beat.min-1), BF (-3.5 ± 43.7 br.min-1) and P (0.2 ± 2.6o). ST established moderate relationships (-0.61 ± 1.98 oC; r =.76, P <.01). Reliability between subject data reported low Coefficient of Variation (CV) and strong correlations for ACC and P (CV < 7.6%; r = .99, P <.01). HR and BF (CV ~ 19.4%; r ~.70, P <.01) and ST (CV 3.7%; r = .61, P < .01), present more variable data. Intra and inter device data presented strong relationships (r > .89, P < .01, CV < 10.1%) for HR, ACC, P and ST. BF produced weaker data (r < .72, CV < 17.4%). Study 4 assessed reliability and validity of the BioharnessTM in a field based environment using an intermittent protocol. Precision of measurement reported good relationships (r = .61 to .67, P < .01) and large Limits of Agreement for HR (> 79.2 beat.min-1) and BF (> 54.7 br.min-1). ACC presented excellent precision (r = .94, P < .01). Results for HR (r = ~ .91, P < .01: CV <7.6%) and ACC (r > .97, P < .01; CV < 14.7%) suggested these variables are reliable in the field environment. BF presented more variable data (r = .46 - .61, P < .01; CV < 23.7%). In all studies, as velocity of movement increased (> 10 km.h-1) variables became more erroneous. HR and ACC were deemed as valid and reliable to be assessed during in-match sporting performance in study 5. This final study sought to utilise and assess the BioharnessTM device within professional cricket, assessing physiological responses of fast-medium bowlers within a competitive sporting environment, collected over three summer seasons. The BioharnessTM presented different physiological profiles for One Day (OD) and Multi Day (MD) cricket with higher mean HR (142 vs 137 beats.min-1, P < .05) and ACC (Peak acceleration (PkA) 227.6 vs 214.9 ct.episode-1, P < .01) values in the shorter match format. Differences in data for the varying match states of bowling (HR, 142 vs 137 beats.min-1, PkA 234.1 vs 226.6 ct.episode-1), between over (HR, 129 vs 120beats.min-1, PkA 136.4 vs 126.5 ct.episode-1) and fielding (115 vs 106 beats.min-1, PkA 1349.9 vs 356.1 ct.episode-1) were reported across OD and MD cricket. Therefore, this information suggests to the coach that the training regimes for fast bowlers should be specific for the different demands specific to the format of the game employed. Relationships between in-match BioharnessTM data and bowling performance were not clearly established due to the complexities of uncontrollable variables within competitive cricket. In conclusion, the BioharnessTM has demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability in the laboratory and the field setting for all variables (Heart rate, Breathing frequency, Accelerometry, Skin temperature and Posture) but with limitations for heart rate and breathing frequency at the more extreme levels of performance. Furthermore, taking these limitations into account it has successfully been utilised to assess performance and provide further insight into the physiological demands in the professional sport setting. Therefore, this work suggests that coaches and exercise scientists working together should seek to utilise new mobile monitoring technology to access unique insights in to sporting performance which may be unobtainable in the laboratory or a simulated field based event.

The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a Swedish questionnaire assessing conditions of actual work flexibility and its determinants. Data was collected by qualitative Think aloud- interviews with three persons, and through discussions with a reference group. The results from the interviews and discussions showed that corrections were needed for some of the concepts, questions, design and number of items. Next, a cross-sectional study was performed by sending the adjusted questionnaire to three companies in Sweden (N = 266), which was answered by 92 employees. The results supported the adjustments and the questionnaires’ content validity and face validity (&gt; 95 % of the employees agreed). Three Principal component analyses showed comprehensible factors for the three main areas of questions: determinants of actual flexibility, technology use, and work-non-work balance, indicating structural validity of the questionnaire. Furthermore, hypothesis testing showed as expected that the most index variables of actual work flexibility could significantly separate the groups with varying extents of regulated work, indicating construct validity. To conclude, this Master thesis has revealed several question domains valid for inclusion in future surveys regarding actual work flexibility and associations with health and wellbeing at work. / Dagens teknik möjliggör för anställda att arbeta mer flexibelt i tid och rum, men forskningen ger ännu en oklar bild över om det har en positiv eller negativ inverkan på de anställdas hälsa och välbefinnande. Den här oklarheten kan ha att göra med att det inom forskningen funnits en brist på tillförlitliga enkätbaserade mätinstrument som kan fånga upp hur flexibelt arbete läggs upp och tillämpas i olika företag. Syftet med den här uppsatsen var att utveckla och validitetstesta ett svenskt frågeformulär som kan fånga upp determinanter för- och förekomsten av faktisk flexibilitet hos tjänstemän med olika grad av reglerat arbete. En enkät utvecklades och dess innehålls- och ytvaliditet prövades genom kvalitativa intervjuer med tre personer, samt i diskussioner med referenspersoner. Enkäten skickades därefter ut till 266 tjänstemän inom tre företag med olika grad av flexibelt arbete och besvarades av totalt 92 anställda. En enkel kvalitativ innehållsanalys av intervjuerna och diskussionerna visade att enkäten behövde korrigeras utifrån de fyra temaområdena, begrepp, frågor, struktur/enkätupplägg och omfattning. Efter korrigeringarna indikerade svaren från de anställda på företagen att frågor och begrepp nu hade god innehållsvaliditet och ytvaliditet (&gt; 95 %), men att frågornas struktur/enkätupplägg kunde tydliggöras (16,3 %). Tre Principalkomponentanalyser på enkätdata visade även att tydliga faktorer kunde dras ut för determinanterna, samt för de två delområdena inom faktisk flexibilitet (teknik och uppkoppling; balans mellan arbete- och privatliv), vilket stödjer strukturell validitet. Vidare visade hypotesprövningen att merparten av frågorna om faktisk flexibilitet gav signifikanta skillnader mellan grupper som har olika grad av reglerat arbete, vilket stödjer begreppsvaliditet. Resultaten bör betraktas som ett första steg i utvecklingen av ett svenskt frågeformulär om flexibelt arbete. Den här uppsatsen har genererat flera valida frågeområden som kan inkluderas vid framtida kartläggningar av flexibilitetens samband med hälsa och välbefinnande i arbetet.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 22-25, 2001 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / The Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s (JPL) Advanced Multi-Mission Operations System (AMMOS) system processes data received from deep-space spacecraft, where error rates are high, bit rates are low, and every bit is precious. Frame synchronization and data extraction as performed by AMMOS enhance data acquisition and reliability for maximum data return and validity. Unique aspects of data phase determination, sync acquisition and sync loss and other bit-level topics are covered.

The overall aim of this thesis was to develop knowledge about how to promote health in children treated for cancer and how health promotion interventions based on such knowledge can be evaluated. In this thesis, a descriptive and explorative design has been used, comprising both qualitative (Papers I-III) and quantitative (Papers I and IV) methods. A nationwide cohort of 144 childhood cancer survivors (24-42 years) answered a questionnaire about the support they had received from health care services (Paper I). Fifteen children (8-12years), with experience of cancer treatment, participated in five focus groups with two sessions per group (Paper II and III). The focus group methodology was combined with participatory and art-based techniques, such as draw and tell and photography. The children discussed what promotes health and what friendship is about. A methodological design was used to psychometrically test the Swedish version of the Minneapolis-Manchester Quality of Life instrument (MMQL) (Paper IV). The study included 950 pupils in grade 6 and 9 from seven primary schools. In addition to this, a comparison of the MMQL instrument with the health-promoting factors described by children in the focus groups was performed. The findings showed that there is a need for health-promoting factors, such as knowledge and psychosocial support, from health care services for childhood cancer survivors. Their family and friends may contribute with support and then serve as health-promoting factors. Health-promoting factors, according to children 8-12 years of age and with experience of cancer treatment, are meaningful relationships, recreational activities and a trustful environment. The children expressed a holistic view of what promotes their health. Friendship, from the perspective of the children, is a process of equal and mutual commitment that develops over time and with interactions occurring face-to-face and digitally. The MMQL instrument may be valid and reliable in a sample of healthy children. However, less than one-third of the items in the MMQL instrument could be linked to the health-promoting factors that the children participating in the focus groups highlighted. In conclusion, the findings in this thesis contribute knowledge from a participant perspective regarding the needs and the experiences of health-promoting factors for those who have received treatment for cancer. This knowledge could form a basis for development of health promotion interventions aimed at children who have received treatment for cancer. It is suggested that if the MMQL instrument is used to evaluate health promotion among children who have received treatment for cancer, the MMQL should be complemented with items that capture aspects of health that are important to the children.