A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Business Executive Coaching Johannesburg, 2017 / A flow experience is described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the founding thought leader of the experience, as “the holistic sensation present when we act with total involvement” (1975, p.43). Flow experiences have been linked to positive outcomes for individuals and organisations (Csikszentmihalyi & LeFevre, 1989; Engeser & Rheinberg, 2008; Privette, 1983; Salanova, Bakker, & Llorens, 2006) suggesting that this is a desirable experience to facilitate in the workplace. Csikszentmihalyi states that there is much that can be done to introduce more flow to the day-to-day experiences of life, including at work (1999), yet, despite the documented role of organisational leaders as “climate engineers” (Linley, Woolston, & Biswas-Diener, 2009, p. 37) there has been no specific consideration of the flow experiences of executives as leaders. The possible relationship between coaching and flow experiences has to date received attention in mainstream literary circles, and superficial attention in academic literature (Britton, 2008; Wesson & Boniwell, 2007). Coaching executives to achieve flow has not been considered in existing literature in the Executive Coaching domain, but since Executive Coaching is still viewed as emerging (Hamlin, Ellinger, & Beattie, 2008), a confirmation that Executive Coaching can be applied to foster flow experiences in the workplace would add to the credibility of this field. The purpose of this study has been to identify how the emerging discipline of Executive Coaching can facilitate the creation of flow experiences in executive workplaces. The answer to this question has been sought through building an understanding of how flow is experienced by executives in the workplace, and then investigating how flow experiences can be facilitated in executive workplaces. The research study adopted a qualitative approach due to the known suitability of this method to consider the life experiences of participants. Face- to-face, semi-structured interviews were used as the core data collection method addressing a sample size of 16 respondents, made up of 13 executives and three executive coaches. This approach has previously been applied to collect rich narrative data on flow experiences. The study found that whilst executive flow experiences show some commonalities with the existing literature on flow and flow experiences at work, several distinct antecedents for and characteristics of executive flow were identifiable. These precursors and features of executive flow were attributed at three levels: a) at the level of the organisation; b) through the type of work, and c) at the individual level. Executive experiences of anti-flow, the opposite of flow, were also identified. These were typically characterised and initiated by opposite factors to those linked to flow experiences. The study outcomes identified the ability of executives to proactively pursue flow experiences, and further showed that self-awareness and an awareness and use of one’s strengths increase the likelihood of flow experiences. The study thus found that there clear focus areas exist which can be manipulated through interventions to increase likelihood of executive flow experiences. The study outcome that the three areas that impact executive flow experiences correlate to Executive Coaching focus areas introduces the possibility that coaching may be a suitable intervention to increase the likelihood of executive flow experiences. This developing hypothesis is subsequently supported by the final research theme that Executive Coaching may be able to support the executive in cultivating the respective individual, organisational and work conditions to increase the likelihood of flow experiences at work. / MT2017

Orientador: João Francisco Escobedo / Banca: Alexandre Dal Pai / Banca: José Alfredo Covolan Ulson / Banca: Renato Correia de Barros / Banca: Rodrigo Henrique Cunha Palacios / Resumo: Neste trabalho são desenvolvidos modelos de estimativa para fração difusa da radiação global (Kd) nas partições horárias e diária: o Modelo Estatístico (ME) clássico e com Técnicas de Aprendizado de Máquina (TAM). Estas técnicas são do tipo Redes Neurais Artificiais (RNA), Sistema Adaptativo de Inferência Neuro Fuzzy (ANFIS) e Máquina de Vetores de Suporte (SVM). O modelo ME utiliza como referência somente a transmissividade atmosférica (KT) e as TAM um conjunto de combinações de oito variáveis astronômicas, geográficas e meteorológicas. Na elaboração dos modelos ME e TAM foram utilizadas uma base de dados de sete anos (2000-2006) de medidas obtidas na Estação Meteorológica e de Radiometria Solar de Botucatu/SP. Para validação dos modelos ME e TAM foram elaboradas, a partir das medidas obtidas, duas bases anuais denominadas de Ano Típico (AT) e Ano Atípico (AAT). No Capítulo 1 foram desenvolvidos os modelos na partição horária com ME, com as RNA do tipo: Percepton Multicamadas (MLP), Função de Base Radial (RBF) e Regressão Generalizada (GRNN), e a ANFIS. No Capítulo 2 foram desenvolvidos os modelos na partição diária com o ME, a rede MLP, que apresentou os melhores resultados do Capítulo 1 e a SVM. Os indicadores estatísticos mostram que entre as TAM, o melhor desempenho nas partições horária e diária foi obtido com a técnica MLP, com desempenho (RMSE) superior ao modelo ME em aproximadamente 56% na partição horária e 20% na partição diária, nas duas bases de validação na est... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In this work, we develop models for the estimation of the fraction of diffuse solar irradiance (Kd) in the hourly and daily partitions: the Statistical Model (SM) and Machine Learning Techniques (MLT) of the type Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Adaptive Inference System Neuro Fuzzy (ANFIS) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The statistical model (MS) uses as reference only the transmitted fraction of global irradiation (KT) and (MLT) a set of combinations of eight astronomical and meteorological variables. The models use a base of seven years (2000-2006) of measurements obtained at the Solar Radiometry Station of Botucatu/SP, being part to elaborate the (SM) and training of the (MLT) and another to validate the models reorganized in two bases known as the Typical Year (TY) and the Atypical Year (AY). In Chapter 1 the models are developed in the hourly partition with (MS), the (ANN) with Multilayer Percepton (MLT), Radial Base Function (RBF) and Generalized Regression (GRNN) and (ANFIS) models. Chapter 2 models are developed in the daily partition with the (SM) and (ANN/MLP) and the technique (SVM). The statistical indicators show that the performance of the (MLT) in both hourly and daily partitions was obtained with the performance (RMSE) in relation to the model (SM) of approximately 56% in the hourly partition and 20% in the daily partition in the validation (TY) and (AY) in the estimation of (Kd). These results indicate that when entering astronomical and meteorological variables in model, the precision between the estimated and measured values, ensure a better performance compared to the statistical model (SM), which makes the techniques an alternative for estimating the fraction of diffuse solar irradiance (Kd) with the conditions used. / Doutor

Orientador: Laura Leticia Ramos Rifo / Dissertação (mestrado profissional) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Matemática Estatística e Computação Científica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T10:19:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Coura_AndredaSilva_M.pdf: 8253159 bytes, checksum: 4cf2d4abd8227260acd62a6dd9dc2b98 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: A dissertação apresenta uma abordagem prática para o ensino da matemática nos níveis fundamental e médio. De forma mais específica, apresenta conceitos de estatística básica como tratamento de informações e estudo de probabilidades. Estes conceitos são de grande importância no âmbito científico (parte experimental, por exemplo) e social (compreensão de características populacionais), além de estarem inseridos na vida cotidiana dos alunos. Sendo assim, foi entendido que é primordial desenvolver as competências e habilidades para organizar e compreender informações. Foram realizados experimentos para a aplicação dos conceitos apresentados em sala de aula. Também uma pesquisa propondo questões para analisar aspectos sobre alimentação e prática de exercícios físicos. Estes experimentos, além da aplicação dos conceitos, pretendem desenvolver no público-alvo, raciocínio lógico e olhar crítico, para assuntos relacionados à disciplina de matemática, utilizando situações cotidianas. Para análise organizamos e interpretamos as informações por meio de tabelas e gráficos. A pesquisa teve como objetivo principal mostrar como é usada a teoria estatística para a tomada de decisão e, nesse caso, para melhorar a própria qualidade de vida. Desse modo, pretendemos que a metodologia apresentada neste trabalho possa contribuir para a disseminação do conhecimento destas ferramentas matemáticas para os níveis fundamental e médio do ensino escolar / Abstract: This dissertation presents a practical approach for teaching mathematics in the elementary and secondary levels. More specifically, presents concepts of Basic Statistics as information processing and the study of probabilities. These concepts are of great importance in scientific (experimental way, for example) and social (understanding of population characteristics), besides being inserted into the daily student's lives. Therefore, it was understood that is necessary to develop the skills and abilities to organize and understand information. Experiments were carried out for the application of the concepts presented in classroom. Also a search posing questions to analyze aspects of food and physical exercise. The realization of these experiments purpose, besides the application of classroom learnt concepts, develop in students, logic reasoning and critical look at issues related to the discipline of mathematics and daily situations by organizing and interpreting information with charts and graphs. The research aimed to show how it is used statistical theory for decision making and, if so , to improve their quality of life. Thus, we intend that presented methodology in this study may contribute to the dissemination of these mathematical knowledge tools for elementary and high school levels / Mestrado / Matemática em Rede Nacional / Mestre em Matemática em Rede Nacional

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Miami University, Dept. of Psychology, 2007. / Title from second page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-160).

The design of the proposed study was to administer R-FB to 72-day old Min/+ mice for up to 42 days. In order to capture the process of tumor reduction, animals were necropsied at various time points. At each time point animals were evaluated for tumor loads and presence of apoptotic cells along the small intestine. Studies have shown that when R-flurbiprofen (R-FB) is administered in the Min/+ mouse model it can cause the prevention and regression on intestinal tumors.

Thesis (MEd (Education))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie verhandeling het ontstaan uit die behoefte om navorsingsgeleenthede binne die kreatiewe dissipline van skryfkuns te ondersoek. Dit bied aan die hand van outo-etnografiese en narratiewe skrywes die ervaringe en gevolgtrekkinge van twee spesifieke navorsingsgeleenthede. Die geleenthede bied insig in die voorgestelde wyses waarop kreatiewe skryf onderrig kan word, deur die stimulering van verbeelding en die integrasie van ervaringsgerigte aktiwiteite in die pre-skryffase. Die eerste geleentheid doen verslag oor „n skryfwerkswinkel in die Paarl op uitnodiging van die Taalmuseum en -monument, terwyl die tweede geleentheid in samewerking met LAPA Uitgewers „n boekproses vir Graad 7-leerders tot gevolg het. Die verhandeling bestaan uit vier interafhanklike afdelings in stede van hoofstukke. Dit behels „n metodologiese afdeling (A), wat die studie akademies verwoord en daarstel; twee praktiese afdelings (B en C) met „n vervlegde literatuurstudie in afdeling B; en „n samevattende afdeling (D) wat die gevolgtrekkinge en implikasies bespreek. Verder meer bied die studie „n oorsig van vier belangrike fases in die lewe van die navorser met betrekking tot „n persoonlike kreatiewe skryfreis. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study originated out of the need to explore and study research opportunities from within die creative discipline of the writing art. Through autoethnographic and narrative writing, it explores the experience and conclusions of two very specific research opportunities. These opportunities provide insight with regards to the suggested ways in which creative writing can be taught, through the stimulation of imagination and the integration of experience based activities in the pre-writing phase. The first opportunity reports on a creative writing workshop in Paarl on invite of the Taalmuseum and monument, while the second opportunity in cooperation with LAPA Publishers entails a book process for Grade 7 learners. The study consists out of four interdependent divisions rather than chapters. It entails a methodological division (A) that gives academic structure and support to the study, two practice based divisions (B and C) with weaved literature in division B and a summary division (D) with conclusions and implications. Further more, the study integratively provides an oversight of four important phases in the life of the researcher with regards to a personal creative writing journey.

Dentre as práticas da Programação Extrema, ou eXtreme Programming (XP), destaca-se a Programação em Par, ou Pair Programming (PP). Nesta prática duas pessoas trabalham de forma colaborativa na mesma tarefa – projeto, algoritmo, código ou teste – e em um único computador. O objetivo geral deste trabalho é investigar a eficácia da Programação em Par versus Programação individual perante tarefas de modelagem e construção de software orientado a objetos. A eficácia da prática é avaliada por meio de atributos relacionados à qualidade de software, são eles: (i) tamanho dos métodos, (ii) complexidade estrutural dos métodos, (iii) acoplamento/dependência entre pacotes e, por fim, (iv) falta de coesão dos métodos por classe. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa experimental envolvendo atividades práticas e aplicação de questionários junto a alunos voluntários de três instituições de ensino superior da cidade de Curitiba. A partir dessa pesquisa, conclui-se que Programação em Par mostrou-se mais eficaz perante tarefas de modelagem e construção de software que a programação individual, isso considerando tamanho e complexidade dos métodos. E mais, os alunos perceberam mais benefícios do que desafios (ou desvantagens) quando se adota a PP para realizar tais tarefas. / Among eXtreme Programming (XP) practices, Pair Programming(PP) stands out from the rest. It consists of two individuals cooperating, working in the same task - design, algorithm, code or test - in the same computer. The general objective of this study is to scrutinize the efficacy of Pair Programming versus individual programming relating to modeling tasks and object oriented software development. The efficacy of the process is evaluated through the following software quality related attributes: (i) method size, (ii) structural complexity of the methods, (iii) linkage/dependency among packages and finally (iv) lack of cohesion of the methods by class. Therefore, an experimental research was performed, involving practical activities and surveys answered by volunteer students from three different higher education institutions in Curitiba. This research showed that pair programming is more efficient when working with modeling tasks and software development than individual programming, taking into account size and complexity of methods. Furthermore, more pros than cons were found by students when pair programming was chosen to accomplish such tasks.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Using Heideggerian interpretive phenomenology, this study illuminates the lived experience of an adapted dance program for individuals with Down syndrome and their family members. The overall pattern from both dancers and family members was adapted dance: connecting mind, body and soul. The primary theme from dancer interpretations was expressing a mosaic of positive experiences, and the primary theme from family member interpretations was experiencing pride in their loved ones. The dance program provided dancers an opportunity to express their authentic self while experiencing moments of full embodiment in the connection of their mind, body and soul. While dancers experienced the connection of mind-body-soul, family members recognized the importance of this connection in their loved one. This research is instrumental in advocating for opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome to experience dance as a social, physical and intellectual activity that results in learning and increasing social interactions. The research findings from this study can support future initiatives for dance programs that may influence a population that has limited access to physical activity and dance. The study’s teaching strategies, dance activities, class procedures and sequences, and feedback techniques can be used by other professionals who teach individuals with intellectual disabilities.

We conducted the study to explore and define the role of the social worker in Primary Health Care. The medical care model on its own is viewed as inappropriate for developing countries. We see Primary Health Care as holding the key to improving the health status of the many disadvantaged communities in South Africa. The Primary Health Care approach demands those health care providers, including social workers work collaboratively to provide the best possible services to the communities. Social Work is a profession concerned with the disadvantaged. However, social workers are assigned a very limited role in Primary Health Care. Since participants are concerned about subjective and experiential realities, participatory research was the appropriate research method. The major findings and conclusions were that, social workers have a role in Primary Health Care. They have to be assertive and tell others what is it that they do to find a place in Primary Health Care / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science (Mental Health))

We conducted the study to explore and define the role of the social worker in Primary Health Care. The medical care model on its own is viewed as inappropriate for developing countries. We see Primary Health Care as holding the key to improving the health status of the many disadvantaged communities in South Africa. The Primary Health Care approach demands those health care providers, including social workers work collaboratively to provide the best possible services to the communities. Social Work is a profession concerned with the disadvantaged. However, social workers are assigned a very limited role in Primary Health Care. Since participants are concerned about subjective and experiential realities, participatory research was the appropriate research method. The major findings and conclusions were that, social workers have a role in Primary Health Care. They have to be assertive and tell others what is it that they do to find a place in Primary Health Care / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science (Mental Health))