Organisations are increasingly finding themselves operating in environments that are characterised by higher levels of ambiguity, uncertainty and complexity, as well as environmental and internal changes that are beyond their control (Reeves, 2015). This context is affecting the way in which projects are executed, as project managers are expected to conceive, manage and successfully implement projects within such an environment. An important question to ask is: Are intrinsically unpredictable environments becoming more dominant leading to increase in the complexity of projects? We are now living in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world; project management as a field has to overcome significant barriers to change and develop the capacity for more subjective, interactive, and interpretive innovations that appear to be more effective in these settings. The primary question addressed in this study is how the design of exploration projects may be carried out to bring clarity to project objectives and enablers. Design thinking, which is said to embody practices, mind-sets and processes that empower teams to co-create innovative solutions to wicked problems (Rittel and Webber, 1973) has been adopted in this study. Its design principles together with the creative problem-solving principles are combined to create a framework that facilitates design of exploration projects. This study uses design-based research (DBR) to apply the emerging framework to educational sandpit projects. These projects inherit the characteristics of exploration projects which are highly ambiguous toward more innovative, context-relevant, targeted solutions developed by diverse project teams. The study adopted a qualitative, interpretivist approach in order to enhance the design principles emerging from this study through authentic interventions in educational sandpits using DBR as a methodology. The outcome of the study, namely, a project artistry framework, emerged from the iterative process which was undertaken. The framework's value proposition is that it (the framework) had been proven to enable diverse teams to shift the participants' orientation from significant ambiguity and uncertainty to the ability to plan action by co-creating project visions with clear objectives and goals. The project artistry framework reflects the construction of a house and a more holistic framework, which consists of a roof (design process), the pillars required to hold up the roof (design pillars) and the foundational bricks. The design pillars include reflection, creative language, applied imagination, diverging and converging while the foundational bricks include empathy, empowerment, engagement, emergence, experimentation, environment, exploration and exploitation. In addition, an ambiguity acceptance journey is proposed to encourage a tolerance of ambiguity that leads to questioning and inquiry in projects that cultivates fresh insights and innovation in projects. New approaches to project leadership and design are essential to transform the world we live in. Although no panacea, project artistry provides project leaders with a new dimension to understanding the changing conditions that surround their project and envisioning better, innovative solutions to some of the most troublesome challenges facing our projects. It brings together the power of analysis and intuition to synthesize real solutions that not only work but meet the needs of the people. This fresh approach also brings enlightenment and transformation to those engaged in such projects and cultivates creative confidence and fosters collaboration.

Typically, in the semiconductor industry pn heterojunctions have been used as either light-emitting diodes (LED) or photodiodes by applying forward current bias or reverse voltage bias, respectively. However, since both devices use the same structure, the light emitting and detecting properties could be combine in one single device, namely LED-based photodetector. Therefore, by integrating LED-based photodetectors as either transmitter or receiver, optical wireless communication could be easily implemented for bidirectional visible light communication networks at low-cost. Therefore, this dissertation focus on the investigation of the photodetection characteristics of InGaN LED-based photodetectors for visible light communication in the blue region. In this regard, we obtain external quantum efficiency of 10 % and photoresponse rise time of 71 μs at 405-nm illumination, revealing high-performance photodetection characteristics. Furthermore, we use orthogonal frequency division multiplexing quadrature amplitude modulation codification scheme to enlarge the operational bandwidth. Consequently, the transmission rate of the communication is efficiently enhanced up to 420 Mbit/s in visible light communication.

archives@tulane.edu / Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is one of the most common childhood behavior disorders and a frequent reason for children’s and parent’s use of mental health services. Parenting plays a key role in the prevention and treatment of ODD. However, most research on parenting has been conducted with White, middle class families and may not apply universally to urban, racial-ethnic minority populations. Given that specific parenting practices related to the development of behavior problems may vary by population, the current study aims to assess how parenting practices as defined by community members in an ethnic minority, urban, and economically disadvantaged community relate to children’s behavior problems. Participants include 109 youth ages 9-15 and their 109 caregivers from an urban, racial-ethnic minority population. Caregivers completed ratings of their children’s behavior problems. Youth reported on a measure, “Showing Kids Love,” which included three subscales indicating if youth felt love from caregivers, if love was demonstrated to them, and if their father or a father figure was involved in their life. Regression analyses were conducted to determine how these three community-derived indicators of healthy parenting relate to children’s behavior problems. Decreases in youth feeling love were associated with significant increases in ODD symptoms. Increases in love being demonstrated to youth were associated with significant decreases in ODD symptoms. Increases in father or other father figure involvement were associated with decreases in ODD symptoms, though this relationship only approached statistical significance. Findings support the importance of youth receiving warmth and affection from caregivers and highlight the importance of community-based research. Future research should continue to use community-based research to evaluate how parenting practices influence children’s behavior problems. / 1 / Casi Rupp

Master of Science in Engineering - Engineering / This project examines the use of TINA concepts to provide the required service architecture layer for the Next Generation Network. In particular, it details how the current Internet-based e-commerce environment could be integrated as a service within the TINA NGN solution. A prototype service in the form of a virtual shopping mall provides the context for this development. The presented model allows for seamless integration with existing Internet e-commerce solutions whilst providing a number of additional value-added services.

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Work in the Department of Social Work at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2012. / The study aimed at critically examining the causes of gender-based violence in Kwa- Nongoma. This study defines gender-based violence (GBV) as violence that is directed to a person on the basis of gender or sex. It includes acts that inflict physically, mentally, sexual harm or suffering; threats such as cohesion; and other deprivation of liberty. It also includes sexual violence, sex trafficking, forced prostitution, spousal abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, infanticide of female children, and discriminatory practice based on gender. For data collection purposes, the study used qualitative research method which allows researcher to interview targeted respondents. The targeted population were all people from the age of fifteen (15) to one hundred years (100). Among other things, the study revealed that the majority of respondents are aware of gender-based violence in the community. This violence includes a wide range of violations of women’s human rights, including trafficking in women and girls, rape, wife abuse, sexual abuse of children, and harmful cultural practices and traditions that irreparably damage girls and women’s reproductive and sexual health. Additionally, the results proved that the majority of GBVcase are directed towards women and girls but a few boys and men are also victims. Among other things highlighted, the respondents indicated that GBV encompasses the following forms of GBV:  Physical, sexual, and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse of children in the household, dowryrelated violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence, and violence related to exploitation;  Physical, sexual, and psychological violence occurring within general community, including rape; sexual abuse; sexual harassment and robbery. In order to eradicate gender-based violence, respondents revealed that there is an urgent need for government to create job opportunities in the area. For instance the respondents suggested that there is a need for a garden projects which would help minimise poverty in the area. The respondents also revealed that through the garden project, they would be in a position to grow vegetables, maize, spinach, carrots etc. which they would sell to the tourists and other people. Additionally, the respondents indicated that shortage of job opportunities in the area is seen as a threat that perpetrates gender violence in the area. The respondents suggested that there is a need for a poultry project which would help eradicate poverty in the area. The respondents also revealed in the aforementioned study, they would be in the position to rear chickens both broilers and layers. They also indicated that the poultry project would be used as a place where white meat is produced for the community as a whole.

Current gaps in nursing practice can decrease by the translation, implementation, and dissemination of evidence-based practice (EBP). The purpose of this project was to provide staff nurses with EBP education and mentoring in identifying and addressing nursing practice issues using EBP to manage patient care. The Advancing Research & Clinical Practice through Close Collaboration (ARCC) and the social cognitive theory were used as a framework to guide this project development, which addressed if medical surgical nurses receiving education in EBP practice led to improved use, implementation, and improved best practice outcomes. Seven randomly selected medical surgical nurses from a local community 200-bed hospital were recruited to participate in this project. The participants were placed in a quiet room and asked to complete a pre ARCC EBP Beliefs Scale survey, review newly developed EBP education tool, and complete a post ARCC EBP Beliefs Scale survey. The EBP Beliefs Scale (EBPB) survey was used pre and post EBP educational tool review and consisted of 16 statements addressing nurses' beliefs about EBP knowledge. This survey also addressed the implementation of EBP into nursing practice. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyze the surveys. The results of the survey show a positive correlation between receiving education and mentoring with utilizing EBP in nursing practice. The results of this quality improvement project's social impact will improve collaboration in healthcare organizations and nursing staff to improve the use, translation, and dissemination of EBP projects for patient care improvements and overall improved patient care outcomes.

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The purpose of the study was to determine the technical adequacy of the Core Skills Algebra curriculum-based measure for students enrolled in algebra I courses at the high school level. Due to the dearth of curriculum-based measures available to educators at the secondary school level, the Core Skills Algebra curriculum-based measure was developed to provide educators with a tool for monitoring student progress in algebra I courses. This study focused on the technical adequacy of the Core Skills Algebra curriculum-based measure examining reliability, validity and its sensitivity to student growth. Scores were collected from four forms of the Core Skills Algebra curriculum-based measure for a sample of 353 freshmen from two high schools enrolled in algebra I courses during the fall and spring semesters. Alternate-form and test-retest reliability were examined and strong correlations were found. To assess concurrent validity, data were collected from four criterion measures including scores from the EXPLORE achievement test, algebra course grades and overall grade point average (GPA). Concurrent validity was moderate for EXPLORE composite and math subtest scores and weak to moderate for algebra course grades and overall GPA. The extent to which the Core Skills Algebra measure reflects student growth was also examined. The results suggest that the measure is able to distinguish between student scores by classroom type (i.e., accelerated algebra, algebra I, low achieving, and special education). Weekly growth rates for each high school were lower than the desired .5 indicating a growth of one problem every two weeks. High School 1 had a weekly growth rate of .25 and High School 2 had a weekly growth rate of .19.

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