Tai Chi Chuan, Tai Chi (TC) in short, is a popular form of Chinese martial arts which have been practised by millions of people and provides various health benefits, such as improving balance control, strengthening leg muscles, reducing fear of falling, enhancing flexibility and many more. The American Geriatrics Society and the British Geriatrics Society have recommended TC as a suitable exercise for preventing falls of older people. However, it is not clear which TC components are the most effective for balance improvement. In addition, it is also unknown what differences in biomechanics aspects are between non-TC participants and experienced TC practitioners. This thesis aims to provide new knowledge and understanding of the kinetics and kinematics characteristics of two most frequently presented TC foot movements: push-hand and Tai Chi gait (TCG), through a comparative experimental study on the ground reaction forces (GRFs) and plantar pressure distribution on both feet induced by TC and non-TC participants. Three hypotheses were proposed for facilitating this research. The characteristics of foot/leg movements in each of the simplified 24-form TC are investigated and each form is classified into one of four types. Two most frequently presented foot movements, push-hand and TCG foot movements, were identified, which are embedded in 18 of the 24 forms. This forms a basis for further biomechanics study. Ten male TC and ten male non-TC participants attended the experiments while performing push-hand, with and without an opponent, and TCG. The GRFs in the three perpendicular directions and plantar pressure distribution were measured simultaneously through using two force platforms and an insole system. A video recording system was also used to capture the movements of selected points on the subjects. The kinematics data were used to identify the critical positions that divide the leg stance phases of TCG.The characteristics of the foot forces during the two fundamental foot movements were examined and revealed. The differences and similarities on the GRFs and plantar pressure distribution generated by the two groups of participants were assessed and identified. The similarities show that the non-TC participants are able to achieve similar characteristics of foot forces as the TC participants do. The differences show that the TC participants have better control of their body movement, generating larger GRFs during push-hand and smaller GRFs during TCG in the two horizontal directions. These reflect the TC participants’ ability developed by practising TC for several years which cannot be achieved by the non-TC participants during the tests. It is also demonstrated that push-hand generates the lowest vertical foot forces among those generated by other possible human movements, such as TCG and walking.

This research was conducted to identify whether South African 3 star and above hotels are interested in forming alliances. The objective of this study was to group South African independent 3 star and above hotels on the alliance framework continuum, namely; cooperation, collaboration, coordination and coadunation; and to identify whether South African independent 3 star and above hotels are interested to progress from one simple form of alliance to the next complex, formal type of alliance. Hypotheses were proposed to determine the significance of the differences in preference of South African 3 star and above independent hotels. Thus, this study is descriptive in nature, to test the proposed hypotheses. An extensive investigation into the relevant literature was done. An empirical study was also conducted and the measuring instrument consisted of a selfadministered questionnaire. The population selected consisted of managers of these South African 3 star and above independent hotels. The major findings included: South African independent 3 star and above hotels seem to prefer niche personality and potential non-financial relationship, while they try to avoid economic and cultural integration with a partner firm and not interested in shared management control with the partner firm. Besides, four factors confirmed the alliance continuum developed by Bailey and Koney (2000), namely; cooperation, coordination, collaboration and coadunation. Friedman’s test indicated that there is significant difference among the different dimensions of alliance formation, namely; cooperation, collaboration, coordination and coadunation and that South African independent 3 star and above hotels are interested to form cooperation form of alliances mostly, followed by coordination form of alliances. South African independent 3 star and above hotels are neutral on whether to form collaboration type of alliances and they are not interested to involve in the coadunation form of alliances. Chi-square test indicated that there is no significant difference on the opinion of the respondents on whether the hotel they work for needs to progress from simpler form of alliances into more formal and complex format of alliances. However, those who preferred that their hotel has to progress from simpler form of alliance are higher in number than those who did not prefer. It was, inter alia, recommended that as South African 3 star and above hotels choose lower form of alliance, value chains seem the most applicable form of alliance. Hotels could share a name, reservation information and some basic IT facilities (point of sale IT reservation equipment and back office IT equipments). Finally, the study concludes by recommending that South African independent 3 star and above hotels should take alliances as an option for growth and justification of expenditures and decide the level of alliance continuum they want to engage in. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

No description available.

The purpose of the study was to test whether it was possible to prime the participants to think more about the environment and thereby pay more attention to the green advertising signs then the red ones. To fulfill the purpose, the framing of a question that was constructed was: “is there a difference between group “primed” and group “non-primed” in which color they pay more attention to in advertising signs?”.  In order to be able to test the question, a questionnaire study was carried out with an experimental design where half of the participants had to read a text about the environment and half had to answer questions about which advertising signs they noticed first directly. The participants were collected through Facebook groups. The random samples that were taken consisted of 100 people. The results obtained from the collected data were done using a Chi-square test. The result showed that there was a significant difference between the groups in how they answered, “don’t know”. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in how they answered that they noticed green and red in the advertising signs.  Further discussion was made on how the environmental text that half of the participants read seems to have made them more uncertain in their choices and do not seem to want to choose any of the advertising signs. Can the results given indicate that the participants associate environment with not only green but also that consumption and advertising are often associated with a bad environment.

No description available.

Using a variance-stabilizing transformation of the non-centralχ² distribution and Wald's sequential probability ratio test, procedures have been developed for sequential analysis of categorical data group-wise. These procedures' enables (i) a simple hypothesis to be used for the alternative hypothesis instead of the composite hypothesis commonly used in goodness-of-fit tests, contingency tables, and Mood's non-parametric generalization of the one-way analysis of variance, (ii) calculation or a power function, and (iii) calculation of the greatest expected ASR's and the non-centrality parameter requiring this sample size in addition to the ASN's when the null or alternative hypothesis is true. Application of these procedures to the three types of analysis given in (i) give the right decisions with sample sizes near the calculated ASN’s. The ASN's for when the expected number of groups equals one compare favorably with those obtained by Jackson (1959) using Bhate’s conjecture and those obtained empirically by Appleby (1960). In general, the sequential approach will require smaller sample sizes than fixed sampling if the non-centrality parameter is equal to or less than the group size and the group size is large enough to meet minimum expectation requirements. / M.S.

This thesis explores the effect that nationalism had on the spread of communism to Vietnam and Cuba during the first half of the twentieth century. Using a case studies approach to analyze the revolution of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam and Fidel Castro in Cuba, the thesis seeks to determine the extent to which nationalism directed these revolutions and their turn to communism once assuming power. The study examines the conditions that existed in each country that allowed for a nationalist revolution to be successful, and the beliefs and rhetoric of Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro, the primary figures of each revolution. The thesis seeks to add to the research conducted on the power that nationalism had in the Third World from the early 1900s to 1960, and it wishes to contribute to the factors that must be considered by foreign policy makers when pursuing military action or nation-building abroad. The research shows that nationalism played a significant role in bringing communism to Vietnam and Cuba, yet due to the difficulty in measuring a core human feeling like nationalism, other factors cannot be discounted. / Master of Arts

O processo de envelhecimento populacional é uma realidade premente nas diversas sociedades atuais, com grande concentração de idosos especificamente nos países em desenvolvimento. O envelhecer muitas vezes leva o ser humano à condição de sedentarismo e à falta de atividade física que pode acarretar prejuízos no equilíbrio e resultar em aumento do número de quedas. O Tai Chi Chuan, arte marcial oriental de origem chinesa vem se destacando como uma das atividades de intensidade moderado de grande popularidade entre a população idosa em todo o mundo e; especificamente no Brasil, ainda são escassos os estudos que procuram verificar os benefícios do Tai Chi Chuan entre os idosos. Avaliar o equilíbrio de idosos cadastrados no Programa de Saúde da Família, na faixa etária dos 60 aos 70 anos em três tempos (antes, durante e após) de um programa de seis meses de Tai Chi Chuan constituiu o objetivo deste estudo. Realizamos uma pesquisa quantitativa com 21 idosos (65,5 ± 2,7 anos de idade) sedentários, utilizando como instrumentos de avaliação: escala de equilíbrio de Berg e um questionário estruturado com características gerais e de saúde. Como recurso complementar utilizamos um roteiro de entrevista em grupo focal, técnica de abordagem qualitativa, para conhecer as percepções de idosos e da equipe de Saúde da Família em relação ao programa proposto. Quanto aos aspectos quantitativos obtivemos melhora significativa (p<0,01) entre os tempos da 1ª e 3ª avaliação de Berg. Na comparação entre os grupos em cada tempo e a escala de Berg, não foram observadas diferenças quanto ao gênero, idade, escolaridade, estado civil, aposentadoria, percepção subjetiva de saúde e audição, participação em casal ou não, comorbidades referidas e renda. Para as comparações entre os tempos em cada grupo e a escala de Berg foram observadas diferenças quanto ao gênero, idade, escolaridade, aposentadoria, percepção subjetiva de saúde e audição, participação em casal ou não, comorbidades referidas e renda (p<0,01). Quando comparadas as médias das quedas durante os tempos foram observadas diferenças significativas na redução do número de quedas, tanto no sexo feminino quanto no masculino, da 1ª para a 3ª avaliação. quanto aos aspectos qualitativos constatamos pelas percepções dos idosos que a intervenção contribuiu para a melhora da postura, da respiração, da flexibilidade, reduziu o consumo de antiinflamatórios e estabeleceu um espaço de socialização entre eles; apesar da precária infra-estrutura do local onde foi realizada a pesquisa. Nas percepções levantadas pela equipe de Saúde da Família percebemos que o foco da atenção primária ainda é focado na doença devido em parte pelas grandes demandas por atendimento na população. Este estudo permitiu concluir que o Tai Chi Chuan pode ser uma oportunidade acessível, de baixo custo e agradável para a manutenção de um estilo de vida saudável e a provisão de cuidado para populações em processo de envelhecimento e que pode ser implementado no âmbito da Estratégia de Saúde da Família. / The populational ageing process is a growing reality in many modern societies with a particularly high concentration of elderly people in developing countries. Ageing often takes the human being to a sedentary condition and to the lack of physical activity, which can impair balance and increase the number of fall accidents. Tai Chi Chuan, the Chinese martial art, has been highlighted as an activity of moderate intensity that got great popularity among the elderly population all over the world. However, in Brazil, studies on the benefits of Tai Chi Chuan to the senior population are still scarce. The aim of our study was to assess balance in elderly people, ranging from 60-70 years old of age, registered in the Health Family Program at three different moments (before, during, after) of a 6-month Tai Chi Chuan program. We carried out a quantitative research with 21 sedentary elders (65.5 ± 2,7 years old) using as analytical tools the Berg balance scale and a structured questionnaire with general and health questions. As an additional research instrument for qualitative assessment, we used a focal group interview form in order to collect perceptions of the subjects and Health Family professionals about the activity program. Regarding the quantitative aspects of our research, we got a significant improvement (p<0.01) when compared the Berg scale before and after the tai Chi Chuan program. When comparing the Berg scale at each moment of the program, we did not observe any difference associated to gender, age, educational background, marital status, retirement status, subjective perception of health and hearing, spouse involvement, mentioned comorbities and income. When comparing the Berg scale between different moments of the program, we observed differences related to gender, age, educational background, retirement status, subjective perception of health and hearing, spouse involvement, mentioned comorbities and income (p<0.01). The average number of falls significantly reduced, both in men and women, when we compared subjects before and after the activity program. As for the qualitative analysis, we noticed through the subjects perceptions that the intervention contributed to improvements in posture, breathing, flexibility, as well as reduced anti-inflammatory drug usage and created a social environment for them; even considering the poor infrastructure conditions of the place where the research was carried out. Based on the perceptions of the Health Family professionals, we noticed that the focus of the primary care is still directed towards the illness, which is partially due to a high demand of the health service. Therefore, Tai Chi Chuan can be a low cost, pleasant and accessible opportunity for the maintenance of a healthy life style and care provision for the ageing population, which can be implemented as a Health Family Strategy.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo descrever a metodologia do Yôga e do Tai Chi Chuan na composição da partitura cênica do ator, ao relatar a aplicação das duas técnicas orientais nos exercícios de improvisação. Desta forma, foi possível provar a qualidade cênica ao experimentar o método numa livre adaptação do texto Hamlet de Shakespeare. O método, resultado das improvisações com os ásanas do Yôga e os movimentos básicos do Tai Chi Chuan, levou à criação do espetáculo Agora já era...Hamlet!. / The aim of this work is to describe the methodology of Yoga and Tai Chi Chuan to build the actors theatrical piece while reporting the usage of these eastern techniques in exercises of improvisation. This way, it was possible to prove the theatrical quality when experimenting the method in a free adaptation of the text Hamlet by Shakespeare. This method resulted from improvisations with yoga positions (asanas) and basic Tai Chi Chuan movements, which led to the creation of the play Agora já era...Hamlet!.

O processo de envelhecimento populacional é uma realidade premente nas diversas sociedades atuais, com grande concentração de idosos especificamente nos países em desenvolvimento. O envelhecer muitas vezes leva o ser humano à condição de sedentarismo e à falta de atividade física que pode acarretar prejuízos no equilíbrio e resultar em aumento do número de quedas. O Tai Chi Chuan, arte marcial oriental de origem chinesa vem se destacando como uma das atividades de intensidade moderado de grande popularidade entre a população idosa em todo o mundo e; especificamente no Brasil, ainda são escassos os estudos que procuram verificar os benefícios do Tai Chi Chuan entre os idosos. Avaliar o equilíbrio de idosos cadastrados no Programa de Saúde da Família, na faixa etária dos 60 aos 70 anos em três tempos (antes, durante e após) de um programa de seis meses de Tai Chi Chuan constituiu o objetivo deste estudo. Realizamos uma pesquisa quantitativa com 21 idosos (65,5 ± 2,7 anos de idade) sedentários, utilizando como instrumentos de avaliação: escala de equilíbrio de Berg e um questionário estruturado com características gerais e de saúde. Como recurso complementar utilizamos um roteiro de entrevista em grupo focal, técnica de abordagem qualitativa, para conhecer as percepções de idosos e da equipe de Saúde da Família em relação ao programa proposto. Quanto aos aspectos quantitativos obtivemos melhora significativa (p<0,01) entre os tempos da 1ª e 3ª avaliação de Berg. Na comparação entre os grupos em cada tempo e a escala de Berg, não foram observadas diferenças quanto ao gênero, idade, escolaridade, estado civil, aposentadoria, percepção subjetiva de saúde e audição, participação em casal ou não, comorbidades referidas e renda. Para as comparações entre os tempos em cada grupo e a escala de Berg foram observadas diferenças quanto ao gênero, idade, escolaridade, aposentadoria, percepção subjetiva de saúde e audição, participação em casal ou não, comorbidades referidas e renda (p<0,01). Quando comparadas as médias das quedas durante os tempos foram observadas diferenças significativas na redução do número de quedas, tanto no sexo feminino quanto no masculino, da 1ª para a 3ª avaliação. quanto aos aspectos qualitativos constatamos pelas percepções dos idosos que a intervenção contribuiu para a melhora da postura, da respiração, da flexibilidade, reduziu o consumo de antiinflamatórios e estabeleceu um espaço de socialização entre eles; apesar da precária infra-estrutura do local onde foi realizada a pesquisa. Nas percepções levantadas pela equipe de Saúde da Família percebemos que o foco da atenção primária ainda é focado na doença devido em parte pelas grandes demandas por atendimento na população. Este estudo permitiu concluir que o Tai Chi Chuan pode ser uma oportunidade acessível, de baixo custo e agradável para a manutenção de um estilo de vida saudável e a provisão de cuidado para populações em processo de envelhecimento e que pode ser implementado no âmbito da Estratégia de Saúde da Família. / The populational ageing process is a growing reality in many modern societies with a particularly high concentration of elderly people in developing countries. Ageing often takes the human being to a sedentary condition and to the lack of physical activity, which can impair balance and increase the number of fall accidents. Tai Chi Chuan, the Chinese martial art, has been highlighted as an activity of moderate intensity that got great popularity among the elderly population all over the world. However, in Brazil, studies on the benefits of Tai Chi Chuan to the senior population are still scarce. The aim of our study was to assess balance in elderly people, ranging from 60-70 years old of age, registered in the Health Family Program at three different moments (before, during, after) of a 6-month Tai Chi Chuan program. We carried out a quantitative research with 21 sedentary elders (65.5 ± 2,7 years old) using as analytical tools the Berg balance scale and a structured questionnaire with general and health questions. As an additional research instrument for qualitative assessment, we used a focal group interview form in order to collect perceptions of the subjects and Health Family professionals about the activity program. Regarding the quantitative aspects of our research, we got a significant improvement (p<0.01) when compared the Berg scale before and after the tai Chi Chuan program. When comparing the Berg scale at each moment of the program, we did not observe any difference associated to gender, age, educational background, marital status, retirement status, subjective perception of health and hearing, spouse involvement, mentioned comorbities and income. When comparing the Berg scale between different moments of the program, we observed differences related to gender, age, educational background, retirement status, subjective perception of health and hearing, spouse involvement, mentioned comorbities and income (p<0.01). The average number of falls significantly reduced, both in men and women, when we compared subjects before and after the activity program. As for the qualitative analysis, we noticed through the subjects perceptions that the intervention contributed to improvements in posture, breathing, flexibility, as well as reduced anti-inflammatory drug usage and created a social environment for them; even considering the poor infrastructure conditions of the place where the research was carried out. Based on the perceptions of the Health Family professionals, we noticed that the focus of the primary care is still directed towards the illness, which is partially due to a high demand of the health service. Therefore, Tai Chi Chuan can be a low cost, pleasant and accessible opportunity for the maintenance of a healthy life style and care provision for the ageing population, which can be implemented as a Health Family Strategy.