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This master´s thesis deals with calibration and determination of uncertainties of measurement for focus variation microscope Alicona Infinite Focus G4. Together with calibration, a measurement of chosen parameters with calculation of measurement uncertainties of a component was realised. The thesis also describes the whole calibration process and terminology used in calibration, as well as the calibrated instrument, it´s parameters and usage in practice. The measurements were realized on premises of Intemac Solutions s.r.o. Obtained data were than processed using MS Excel, Gwyddion and TalyMap software. At the end of the thesis, practical recommendations are formulated.

This Masterâs thesis deals with evaluation of quality of Brno Combo combination rifle shotgun rifled barrelâs firing mechanism. It contains a proposal of criteria for evaluation of quality of firearm firing mechanisms. It further focuses on using measurement of primer deformation as a means of assessing the quality of a firing mechanism. Based on measurements made using a Focus Variation microscope, various geometrical parameters of fired and failed primers were analysed. The measurement results were processed using ANOVA and regression analysis. Based on output of these analyses, practical recommendations and further research proposals were formulated.

Skyrmion is a topologically protected nanometer-sized spin configuration, which makes it a promising candidate for future memory devices. All skyrmion applications are based on the formation and manipulation of spin textures in nanostructured elements. Therefore, fabrication of geometrically confined skyrmion-based nanodevices is an essential step in the investigation of skyrmion properties. In this study, my research mainly focuses on the fabrication of high-quality Fe3Sn2 nanostripes with different geometric parameters for Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM) by a focused ion beam (FIB) system. The observation of the skyrmions using LTEM was mainly performed by Dr. Qiang Zhang, although I have deeply involved the discussion on new samples to be fabricated based on the results obtained from LTEM and also performed some LTEM experiments. To investigate the formation process and thermal stability of skyrmions in a geometrically confined environment, I have fabricated more than fifty high-quality nanostripes with a width of 265-4,000 nm. Studying with LTEM, a distinct evolutionary path of stripe-skyrmion transformation is observed after gradually increasing the magnetic field (out-of-plane direction) and the critical magnetic field of skyrmion is found to decrease with an increasing strength of confinements. Moreover, a series of racetrack devices with controlled thicknesses (125-404 nm) is fabricated to study the effect of thickness in skyrmion formation. Overall, in order to obtain less damaged, flat skyrmion-based devices by FIB system, experimental parameters are optimized and fabrication skills are improved. This method develops the possible application of centrosymmetric frustrated magnet Fe3Sn2 in skyrmion-based racetrack devices.

A parent's death it is one of the most stressful and traumatic events in a child's life (Guldin et al., 2015; Worden, 1996, 2008). In particular, when bereavement is linked to a parent's suicide, children face unique challenges and are more vulnerable to potentially negative outcomes (Brent, Melhem, Donohoe, & Walker, 2009; Haine, Ayers, Sandler, & Wolchik, 2008; Pitman, Osborn, King, & Erlangsen, 2014; Young et al., 2012). Although many factors influence children's recovery following a parent's suicide, the surviving parent's emotional stability and emotional availability to support their children are of critical importance. Additionally, negative outcomes are often linked to unhealthy patterns of grief, such as avoidance and blame (Ratnarajah & Schofield, 2008), social isolation, closed communication (not talking about the suicide), and secrets kept within the family (Cerel, Jordan, & Duberstein, 2008). Furthermore, society's stigmatization of suicide impedes survivors' emotional healing (Mitchell et al., 2006). In recent years, researchers have consistently shown the success of bibliotherapy in helping increase children's and parents' understanding and communication about death. However, this efficacy has not been demonstrated specifically with grief related to suicide. No bibliotherapy-related research specifically addresses children's grief associated with a parent's suicide. Addressing this lack of research, a focus group study was conducted to obtain paraprofessional counselors' opinions about which type of story would be most effective in supporting this unique population of child survivors. We sought participants' (n=5) perceptions regarding which specific criteria should be considered when selecting child-appropriate reading materials (picture books) for bibliotherapy. We focused on the purpose of opening communication with young children (ages 4—8-years old) following their parent's suicide. The following summary and recommendations are based on participants' input. Following a parent's suicide, participants emphasized the critical need to individualize treatment to fit the unique needs of the child. Participants repeatedly stressed the need to know the child-the circumstances surrounding the suicide and the child's specific situation. They also recommended that counselors should strive to find books that fit the child's individual needs; books need to be forthright and honest in their portrayal of suicide; and stories need to show a way forward, provide hope, and assure the child that that they are not alone. Participants endorsed suicide-specific books, indicating that these books tended to be best for helping the child talk about the suicide and their grief. As a foundation for conversation with the child, participants noted the importance of children's books that helped identify and address specific emotions. Additionally, participants cautioned adults to avoid sharing stories that included ambiguous and unresolved issues, as children needed stories that offered closure and directly taught effective coping strategies. Future research is recommended to further explore the efficacy of children's picture books that were endorsed by this study's focus group. It is important to assess child survivors' and surviving parents' perceptions of these stories and the effectiveness of stories in opening communication about the deceased parent's suicide. Additionally, future research needs to investigate licensed counseling professionals' perceptions of children's picture books, specifically their perception of the story's capacity to open communication and provide adaptive grief support to child survivors. Additionally, longitudinal research should focus on the long term effectiveness of sharing carefully selected stories to facilitate healthy grieving patterns in child survivors.

This research addresses the following issue: Traditional strategic planning philosophies and methodologies were not created or developed to reflect or support organizational participation in missio Dei (God’s mission). The following questions provided the focus for the research— Can the concept of a journey: • provide a more biblically and missiologically-aligned, helpful, and effective basis for creating new ways of leading and participating in organizational thinking and planning in and among mission and church organizations?” • address organizations’ desires to flourish in and respond to the complex local and global environments of today and tomorrow? • be effective in multicultural and global contexts? The questions above were addressed through three key areas of research: Metaphor and strategy, multi-cultural impressions of journey, and journey and Scripture. A process of qualitative inquiry drew from literature review, survey and case studies. The literature review included contributions from theology, missiology, business, history, and literary classics. The research was also enriched by the wisdom, cultures, contexts, and experiences of survey and case study participants, organizational leaders from more than forty nations. The findings come together to make a unique contribution to the study of strategy as relates to organizations that seek to be a part of God’s mission. The research primarily, but not exclusively, addresses the needs of Christian organizations, including churches. The study of strategy metaphors and the journey concept could be of benefit to any organization’s leaders. The research is informed by the work and journey of the Wycliffe Global Alliance, but the application potential and implications of the research are broader and deeper than any one group or type of organizations. Exploring the concept of journey led to findings concerning the importance of metaphor, the near-universality of journey as a metaphor, and the many rich facets of this concept when voices from many nations are heard. The case studies and research associated with the literature review also provided insights into how the journey concept can be practically applied across cultures and in ever-changing, and often complex, global and local contexts. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Biblical and Religious Studies / PhD / Unrestricted

Objectives Previous studies have illustrated pediatric knowledge deficits among Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers. The purpose of this study was to identify perspectives of a diverse group of EMS providers regarding pediatric prehospital care educational deficits and proposed methods of training improvements. Methods Purposive sampling was used to recruit EMS providers in diverse settings for study participation. Two separate focus groups of EMS providers (administrative and non-administrative personnel) were held in three locations (urban, suburban, and rural). A professional moderator facilitated focus group discussion using a guide developed by the study team. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze data. Results Forty-two participants provided data. Four major themes were identified: (1) suboptimal previous pediatric training and training gaps in continuing pediatric education; (2) opportunities for improved interactions with emergency department (ED) staff, including case-based feedback on patient care; (3) barriers to optimal pediatric prehospital care; and (4) proposed pediatric training improvements. Conclusion Focus groups identified four themes surrounding preparation of EMS personnel for providing care to pediatric patients. These themes can guide future educational interventions for EMS to improve pediatric prehospital care.

The diploma thesis analysis consumer behavior in the rental market within one year. Using the so-called Focus group, questionnaire survey and hypothesis, factors influen-cing consumer behavior in the rental market within one year were identified. The work focused on the target group of students and the analysis of individual factors influencing their behavior in the rental market. The results of these analyzes were the basis for proposing general marketing recommendations.

Nurses as health care workers are at risk of biological agents such as bacteria, viruses and others. At health care settings exposure to bloodborne pathogens can cause infections through needlestick injuries. The objectives of this research were to determine factors surrounding recapping needles in hospital nurses and to implement an educational strategy to reduce the recapping practices. It was a descriptive and exploratory approach where the PRECEDE component of the PRECEDE/PROCEDE Model was used as the framework to systematize and analyze the information obtained from the focus group sessions. A total of 120 nurses participated from four different departments. The study was conducted in three phases: diagnosis, implementation and evaluation of the educational strategy. The results obtained from the focus group sessions revealed that predisposing, reinforcing, enabling and environment factors were related to the practice of recapping and needlestick injuries. Most of this information represented the essential basis for the implementation of the educational strategy. During the diagnostic phase, the percentage of needles without recapping was 24% contrasting with 40% found after the educational strategy. The percentage difference (16%) was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The odds ratios calculation in the departments studied showed that the educational strategy was a protective factor to avoid the recapping of used needles. An important conclusion is that the educational strategy, which focused on the practice and habit of what should be done (e.g., NOT recapping used needles), contributed to the decrease in recapping practice. However, nurses perceived did it not provide a safe working environment. The implications are focused on: nurses and hospital management have to engage in an active role to promote a safety work environment where nurses and other health care workers can be protected. The incorporation of educational strategies, continuous and updated training, as well as the evaluation and monitoring process can play a determinant role in the control of hazard exposures. It is imperative that a safe and healthy workplace for the personnel be provided; not less important is the acquisition of equipment and devices for sharp handling and disposal, to complement the prevention of accidents related to needlestick injuries.

Using a sequential mixed-method methodology, this dissertation study set out to understand the emic and etic perspectives of the knowledge encompassed in the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) framework and to develop fixed answer questions based on that knowledge. While there have been many studies examining ways to measure TPACK in in-service and pre-service teachers, very few have addressed measuring TPACK using fixed-answer questions. Through the use of the mixed-methods, a snapshot of the emic (inside) and etic (outside) perspectives on the TPACK framework was obtained. This study used a focus group with in-service teachers (emic perspective) and interviews with teacher educators (etic perspective) to understand the kind of knowledge attributed to the TPACK framework. Six themes were derived from the focus group and interviews, from which fixed-answer questions were developed. Those six themes included such issues as access to technology, the use of technology for solid teaching and learning purposes, and passive versus active learning when using technology. Following best practices, the eleven questions included a scenario that gave context to the questions asked and the answers provided. In-service teachers reviewed the items to assure that the language and context were appropriate to classroom practice. Four experts on the TPACK framework reviewed the items for face validity. Across the experts six of the eleven items were rated as valid. Although only the experts saw a small number of items as valid, this study indicates that this kind of measurement for the TPACK framework may be possible.