Safe drinking water is a basic human right. This study mainly focused on the physicochemical and microbiological drinking water quality of selected rural, peri-urban and urban communities and schools in the North West Province, South Africa. Parameters measured to determine the physico-chemical quality of drinking water were temperature, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electric conductivity, carbonate hardness, total hardness, NO2 -, NO3 - and chlorine. These parameters indicated hard water in the informal settlement (Sonderwater) as well as in the rural area (Ganyesa). Nitrate content were troubling for both areas, and total dissolved solids were higher than the standard in the water from Ganyesa. For microbiological quality of the water, heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria, total coliforms, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, and staphylococci were enumerated on appropriate selective media using standard procedures. In the water from Sonderwater, faecal indicator bacteria were isolated, but none were found in the water from Ganyesa. Heterotrophic plate count bacteria and total coliforms were detected at levels above the standard in water samples from both areas. Staphylococci and faecal streptococci were present in low numbers in the water from both sites. Faecal coliforms isolated from Sonderwater showed multiple antibiotic resistances to beta-lactams. Identification of faecal coliforms from Sonderwater by API 20E strips and sequencing showed that they were Aeromonas spp. and Enterobacter spp.. Bacteria in the water from Sonderwater were tested for the potential to form biofilms. Scanning electron microscopy revealed multi-species biofilms developing in the water container after 5 days of storage. Water was sampled from four areas outside of Potchefstroom to determine a settlement gradient in water quality. Areas ranged from a formal area, through an established informal area and a newly established informal area to the newest established informal area. The water from these areas was classified as hard according to physico-chemical parameters measured, and TDS for the water from all areas were above the standard for domestic use. The established informal area had high numbers of total coliforms present in the water. Staphylococci and HPC bacteria were detected in levels higher than the standard for domestic use in all water samples. No faecal coliforms were found in the water from any of the areas. There was no visible gradient in the water quality between the areas. The water samples collected from rural, peri-urban and urban schools were also analysed in terms of physico-chemical and microbiological parameters. Water from all schools was classified as hard water. Only one school (peri-urban) had a pH above the standard. One rural school and one peri-urban school had TDS and electrical conductivity levels above the standard for domestic use. All rural and peri-urban schools had alarmingly high levels of nitrates present in the water. These schools receive groundwater as drinking water. Total coliform bacteria were present at high levels in all water samples from the schools. Rural and peri-urban schools presented levels of staphylococci and HPC bacteria higher than the standard for domestic use. Streptococci were present in water from some of the rural and peri-urban schools and one urban school. Faecal coliform/faecal streptococci ratios for rural schools indicated faecal pollution potentially of human origin, and in other schools faecal pollution from both human and animal origin. Before the vacation, faecal coliform bacteria were detected in water from all rural schools, two peri-urban schools and one urban school. After the vacation, faecal coliforms were only detected in water from two rural schools and one peri-urban school. Faecal coliforms identified and characterized showed multiple antibiotic resistances to beta-lactams, oxy-tetracycline and trimethoprim. Identification by API 20E strips and sequencing confirmed that faecal coliforms from schools were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. It was concluded that water from Sonderwater were of poor quality and water from Ganyesa were acceptable with only the nitrates a troubling factor. There was no settlement gradient observed in terms of water quality between areas. Water from rural schools were generally of unacceptable quality in terms of both physico-chemical and microbiological parameters. The water quality of these schools was also very poor when compared to urban schools. Periurban schools had water quality better than rural schools, but poorer than urban schools. Surveys of water quality are recommended for all areas sampled, and education on the sanitary quality of water and related health implications is advisable for residents of informal and rural areas. / Thesis: B.Sc. Microbiology and Biochemistry School of Environmental Science and Development Faculty of Natural Sciences North-West University: Potchefstroom campus 2006.

Minuartia verna (L.) Hiern and Thiaspi alpestre L. are recognized as relict elements of a preglacial montane flora in the British Isles and, as such, display a markedly disjunct distribution pattern. Their present-day distribution shows a close association with metalliferous mine workings, particularly in the Pennines, where both species have become prominent components of the flora of calcareous lead mine wastes. By comparison with M. verna, T. alpestre is more restricted in its distribution and is a rarer species. The work reported in this thesis attempted to provide an explanation for this pattern of distribution in the southern Pennines on the basis of comparative studies of the autecology and genecology of the species, their population biology and dynamics in the field and their responses to competition from other species. Both field and laboratory studies confirmed that the two species were highly tolerant of the heavy metals lead, zinc and cadmium. Short- and long-term solution culture experiments on tolerance and uptake of these heavy metals by a range of populations of both species are reported. Tolerance to other toxic metals was also investigated. T. alpestre showed superior tolerance to M. verna in these experiments, and emerged as a metal-accumulating species. M. verna by contrast, operated some degree of metal exclusion, but metal uptake and distribution differed for the various metals in both species and seasonally. Differences in metal tolerance and uptake characteristics alone could not explain the different local distribution patterns in the field, as sites of similar metal status are colonized by both the two species together and by M. verna alone. A study of inter-population variation in morphological characters showed considerable genetically-based variation in both species. M. verna was however more variable. Some of the variation detected was interpreted as being ecotypic in origin. The contrasting breeding of the two species and their seed biology are considered to be major factors in explaining the present-day distributions of the two species. The tendency for inbreeding in T. alpestre has severely limited its genetic variability within populations and potential for spread. Seedling mortality of both species in their natural habitats is very high, and survival can be related to early shelter effects of neighbouring plants. Both species, however, emerge as weak competitors as predicted from their preference for open habitats with much more bare ground. The relevance of these studies to the interpretation of the present-day global distribution of the two species and their evolutionary biology is discussed.

The project describes the development and standardization of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator into the Greek language. Statistical properties of the Greek version were comparable to those of the original American version providing evidence of its adequacy as a psychometric tool. The comparison of the distribution of types of Greek university students (N = 946) with that of French Canadians, and Americans showed a preference for "thinking" and "perceiving". Further, gender associated preferences for thinking and feeling evident in the American and French Canadian norms were also present in the Greek data.

Thesis (M.A.)--Royal Roads University (Canada), 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1990. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-155). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Illinois State University, 1981. / Title from title page screen, viewed March 29, 2005. Dissertation Committee: Max R. Rennels (chair), Fred Mills, Marilyn Newby, Jack Hobbs, John McCarthy. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-79) and abstract. Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, (1993). / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-65). Also available via the Internet.

Project report (D. Min.)--George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, 2008. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 203-208).

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This explorative study set out to investigate the effectiveness of different personalities in negotiation. The research problem originated as result of the search through literature aimed at developing a negotiation skills program for the South African Army. Many authors were found to refer to the importance of personality on the process and outcome of negotiation, but that existing research focus mainly on single personality traits and often indicated inconclusive results. These findings stirred curiosity to explore the possibility that certain personality types, according to a more comprehensive theory of personality, may prove to be more effective than others. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Form G self-scoring and two separate role-plays were used to gather data for this research. The role-plays placed similar boundaries on the participants in terms of the type of agreement that could be reached as well as the financial terms involved. The MBTI results were used as continuous scores and the eight subscales as separate groups and also according to a number of combinations of the subscales. The possible influence of a number of variables were taken into account namely, age, gender, military rank, level of formal education and ethnicity. Though the majority of these variables were found to be possible covariates of personality they appear not to have influenced the outcome of the research. This was because no significant correlations appeared to exist between the outcome of the negotiation role-plays and the various scales and subscales of the MBTI. According to these results, and within the confinement of this research it would appear that the various personality types do not differ in terms of the effectiveness in negotiation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het ten doel gehad om die doeltreffendheid van verskillende persoonlikhede in onderhandeling te ondersoek. Die navorsingprobleem het voortgespruit uit 'n literatuursoektog wat daarop gemik was om 'n kursus in onderhandelingsvaardigheid vir die Suid Afrikaanse Leër te ontwikkel. Tydens hierdie soektog is bevind dat verskeie skrywers na die belangrikheid van persoonlikheid verwys, synde 'n invloed op die proses en uitkoms van die onderhandeling te hê. Daar is ook bevind dat bestaande navorsing hoofsaaklik gebruik maak van enkele persoonlikheidstrekke en dat hierdie benadering dikwels nie afdoende bevindinge tot gevolg gehad het. Die gedagte het gevolglik ontstaan om ondersoek in te stel na die moontlikheid dat sekere persoonlikhede, gebaseer op 'n meer omvattende teorie, dalk groter sukses in onderhandeling mag behaal as ander. Ten einde die navorsingsprobleem op te los is besluit om die "Myers-Briggs Type Indicator" vorm G en twee afsonderlike rolspele te gebruik om data in te samel. Die rolspele is spesifiek vir die navorsing ontwerp om ooreenstemmende beperkinge op die deelnemers te plaas in terme van die soort ooreenkoms wat bereik moet word, asook die finsiële terme betrokke. Die resultate van die MBTI is gebruik in die vorm van kontinuë data, as aparte stelle subskale en ook volgens 'n verskeidenheid kombinasies van die subskale. Die moontlike invloed van 'n verskeidenheid veranderlikes is in berekening gebring, naamlik ouderdom, geslag, militêre rang, vlak van formele opvoeding en etniese groep. Alhoewel daar bevind is dat die meerderheid van die veranderlikes moontlike kovariate mag wees wil dit voorkom asof dit nie die bevindinge van die navorsing beïnvloed het nie. Die rede daarvoor was dat geen beduidende korrelasie gevind is tussen die resultate van die rolspele en die verskillende skale en subskale van die MBTI nie. Volgens hierdie bevindinge en binne die beperkings van hierdie navorsing wil dit voorkom dat persoonlikheidstipes nie verskil in terme van die sukses in onderhandeling nie.

Submitted by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-12-16T18:31:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Diss. Bruno Gil.pdf: 488823 bytes, checksum: 297726d358b691a8645ee6b13da22577 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-12-16T18:31:52Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Diss. Bruno Gil.pdf: 488823 bytes, checksum: 297726d358b691a8645ee6b13da22577 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-12-16T18:31:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Diss. Bruno Gil.pdf: 488823 bytes, checksum: 297726d358b691a8645ee6b13da22577 (MD5) / A assistência pré-natal no Brasil mantém cobertura variável nas diversas regiões, mas sua mensuração depende de metodologias dispendiosas ou técnicas dificilmente aplicáveis para fim de acompanhamento de forma generalizada nos municípios. Propõe-se um indicador de utilização de assistência pré-natal elaborado a partir de dados provenientes dos Sistemas de Informações Ambulatoriais (SIA) e Hospitalares (SIH), representado pela relação entre produção de consultas pré-natais e movimento de autorizações de internação hospitalar obstétricas. Para validar o indicador proposto, esta razão foi calculada para as capitais brasileiras e descrita sua evolução temporal de 1996 a 2000, sendo verificada a existência de correlação entre esta e as proporções de gestantes segundo consultas pré-natais registradas em cada uma e no conjunto das capitais. Observaram-se evoluções temporais ascendentes e descendentes da utilização de assistência pré-natal entre os municípios estudados, concomitantemente com o aumento da produção ambulatorial no conjunto, sobretudo em 1998. A razão consultas / internamentos apresentou correlação positiva com a proporção de gestantes com mais de seis consultas e negativa com a proporção de pacientes não assistidas. Discutem-se as limitações e as vantagens do índice proposto frente às alternativas. Conclui-se pela sua recomendação para acompanhamento da utilização da assistência pré-natal.