In the present study, using both implicit and explicit measures, we addressed the issue of whether strongly developed relationships towards brands could be modified through the use of evaluative conditioning. Using an online survey, individual participant brand lists were created, and formed the basis of this experiment. Participants were then exposed to conditioning during a longitudinal study. Throughout the experiment, a combination of explicit and implicit measures was used to assess changes in attitude. Specifically, participants were asked to rate the brand names on a Likert-type scale. Simultaneously, changes in the brains electrical activity in response to the brands were recorded via electroencephalography (EEG). Upon completion of this task, participants underwent two Implicit Association Tests (IAT; one for liked brands and one for disliked brands). There were two main findings of this study. Firstly, no significant changes in attitude were observed via the use of explicit measures, and those that were found relating to the IAT were regarded as questionable. Secondly, EEG presented consistent results which showed that conditioning elicited changes in cortical activity towards both liked and disliked brands, which suggest it may be a useful tool in measuring the impact of evaluative conditioning that is not reflected in verbal responses.

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The contribution of this thesis is on the temporal adjustment of the consensus weights, as applied to spacecraft formation control. Such an objective is attained by dynamically enforcing attitude synchronization via coupling terms included in each spacecraft controller. It is assumed that each spacecraft has identical dynamics but with unknown inertia parameters and external disturbances. By augmenting a standard adaptive controller that accounts for the unknown parameters, made feasible via an assumption on parameterization, with adaptation of the consensus weights, one opts to improve spacecraft synchronization. The coupling terms, responsible for enforcing synchronization amongst spacecraft, are weighted dynamically in proportion to the disagreement between the states of the spacecraft. The time adjustment of edge-dependent gains as well as the special cases of node-dependent and agent-independent constant gains are derived using Lyapunov redesign methods. The proposed adaptive control architectures which allow for adaptation of both parameter uncertainties and consensus penalty terms are demonstrated via extensive numerical studies of spacecraft networks with limited connectivity. By considering the sum of deviation-from-the-mean and rotational kinetic energy as appropriate metrics for synchronization and controller performance, the numerical studies also provide insights on the choice of optimal consensus gains.

This study presents the overall design of a 3U CubeSat equipped with commercial-off-the shelf hardware, Teflon-fueled micro-Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (µPPT) and an attitude determination and control system. The µPPT is sized by the impulse bit and pulse frequency required for continuous compensation of expected maximum disturbance torques at altitudes between 400 and 1000 km, and to perform stabilization of up to 20 deg/s and slew maneuvers of up to 180 degrees. The study involves realistic power constraints anticipated on the 3U CubeSat. Attitude estimation is implemented using the q-method for static attitude determination of the quaternion using pairs of the spacecraft-sun and magnetic field vectors. The quaternion estimate and the gyroscope measurements are used with an extended Kalman filter to obtain the attitude estimates. Proportional and derivative control algorithms use the static attitude estimation in order to calculate the angular momentum required to compensate for the disturbance torques and to achieve specified stabilization and slewing maneuvers or combinations. Two control methods are developed: paired firing method, and separate control algorithm and thruster allocation methods which determines the optimal utilization of the available thrusters and introduces redundancy. Simulations results are presented for a 3U CubeSat under stabilization, pointing, and pointing and spinning scenarios.

Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Masters of Science - Msc (Physiotherapy) / Rehabilitation services have been described as being necessary to maximize patient independence in order to enable them to participate fully in their communities. The Aim of the study was based on the problem statement and the research question, this study aims at exploring rehabilitation professionals' views on the experiences of patients with physical disabilities accessing CHCs in the Western. The objectives of the study were to explore the views of rehabilitation professionals regarding experiences by patients accessing rehabilitation services at the Community Health Centres (CHCs) in the Western Cape and to reach health experts consensus on how rehabilitation services should be provided at the CHCs based on the outcomes of objective 1. Methodology: This study used an exploratory design that used qualitative methods for data collection (workshops and focus group discussions (FGDs) and a Delphi study. The study was conducted at purposively selected CHCs in the Western Cape. The population in this study included all rehabilitation professionals who provide rehabilitation services in the CHCs, who were invited to participate in the study. Data collection: In the qualitative and the Delphi study, data was collected through workshops, focus group discussions and emails respectively. Data analysis: The workshops and the FGDs were audio recorded and then transcribed verbatim for content analysis.

Thesis (B.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 1981. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography: leaves 42-43. / by Rebecca Marta Henderson. / B.S.

This research was designed to examine the relationship between individuals' perceived value incongruence with out-group members and their attitude towards the target group, as well as the boundary conditions of this process. By using the "inter-subjective consensus approach", in study one we found that among Mainland Chinese college students, their value incongruence with Hong Kong Chinese was negatively related to their attitude towards Hong Kong Chinese. In study two, we found that among participants with high identification with both the Mainland Chinese subgroup and the Chinese super-ordinate group, the negative relation between individual value incongruence and their intergroup attitude was non-significant. In addition, among participants with high multiculturalism endorsement, the relation between value incongruence and intergroup attitude was significantly weaker than those with low level of multiculturalism. Implications of this research and future directions were discussed based on these findings. / Guan, Yanjun. / Adviser: Helene Fung. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-11, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-64). / 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. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Age, salary, family status, and health status are reported to be linked to high deductible health plan (HDHP) enrollment for pre-Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans. There has been little research on HDHP enrollment post-ACA. This study quantitatively examined the demographic variables and attitude toward risk that contribute to enrollment in a HDHP that conforms to the ACA minimum essential coverage standards. Risk taking was measured by the Domain Specific Risk Taking Scale. Other independent variables were participant age, annual salary, employee status, enrollment tier, and gender. There were 144 participants recruited from the Amazon Mechanical Turk platform who participated in the research survey. The results of binary logistic regression analysis indicated that age and the presence of children on coverage predict HDHP enrollment. Older employees and employees with at least 1 child on coverage are less likely to enroll in a HDHP. As almost 40% of adults in the United States are covered under a HDHP and this number is expected to increase, it is important to determine the factors related to HDHP enrollment. By identifying the factors related to HDHP enrollment, better educational materials may be developed for employees related to the complex and often confusing insurance decision-making process thus supporting positive social change in the health insurance industry.

Thesis (MPH)--University of Limpopo, 2010. / Introduction: Hepatitis B infection is a serious blood-borne disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) which attacks the liver, and is the leading cause of liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. HBV can be transmitted through exposure to infected blood and human secretions through needle stick / sharps injuries and splashes. Thus nurses are at high risk for HBV infection. The aim of the study: To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding the prevention of hepatitis B virus infections, in final year college student nurses in Gauteng province. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative survey on 350 final year nursing students was conducted in three Gauteng province nursing colleges, using an anonymous self administered questionnaire with questions on knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HBV. The data were analysed using SPSS (statistical package for social science studies). Results: Of 350 questionnaires distributed, 312 student nurses returned completed forms (response rate: 89.14% [312/350]). The majority were females (86.8% [270/331]) and were below 31 years of age (30.1% [93/309]). The majority (87.6% [271/310]) had good knowledge of the causes and prevention of HBV. The unvaccinated respondents had fairly low positive attitudes, with a mean, mode and median score of 1 (possible score from -4 to +4). The majority (79% [244/310]) practiced good compliance with universal precautions of, and the majority (64.9% [202/311]) were vaccinated. College A displayed significantly higher knowledge (p<0.001), positive attitudes (p=0.001) and safer practices (p<0.001) than college B and C.