The development of ligands derived from natural amino acids for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of prochiral ketones is described herein. In the first part, reductions performed in alcoholic media are examined, where it is found that amino acid-derived hydroxamic acids and thioamides, respectively, are simple and versatile ligands that in combination with [RhCp*Cl2]2 efficiently catalyze this particular transformation. Selectivities up to 97% ee of the corresponding secondary alcohols are obtained, and it is furthermore observed that the two different ligand classes, albeit based on the same amino acid scaffold, give rise to products of opposite configuration. The highly interesting enantioswitchable nature of the two abovementioned catalysts is studied in detail by mechanistic investigations. A structure/activity correlation analysis is performed, which reveals that the diverse behavior of the catalysts arise from different interactions between the ligands and the metal. Kinetic studies furthermore stress the catalyst divergence, since a difference in the rate determining step is established from initial rate measurements. In addition, rate constants are determined for each step of the overall reduction process. In the last part, catalyst development for ATH executed in water is discussed. The applicability of hydroxamic acid ligands is further extended, and catalysts based on these compounds are found to be efficient and compatible with aqueous conditions. The structurally even simpler amino acid amide is also evaluated as a ligand, and selectivities up to 90% ee are obtained in the reduction of a number of aryl alkyl ketones. The very challenging reduction of dialkyl ketones is moreover examined in the Rh-catalyzed aqueous ATH, where a modified surfactant-resembling sulfonylated diamine is used as ligand, and the reaction is carried out in the presence of SDS-micelles. A positive effect is to some extent found on the catalyst performance upon addition of phase-transfer components, especially regarding the catalytic activity in the reduction of more hydrophobic substrates. / At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: In press.

This two-year longitudinal study sought to describe and evaluate a newly developed information and communication technology (ICT) environment and the associated schoolbased ICT professional development (PD) project within a State Government primary school. The overall aim of the research study was to investigate the most effective requirements to support teachers to be skilled, knowledgeable and confident in the use of ICT in their teaching roles. The teachers were the focus of the Research Study and not the students. The ICT environment and the professional development project's effectiveness was evaluated using data collected from participating teachers and the literature regarding components of effective ICT professional development. The Research Study used qualitative and interpretive methods to illuminate and expand on what it means to provide effective ICT PD within the primary school context. The components of the ICT-enhanced environment were studied in detail to provide feedback and findings that may also be useful in other educational settings with modification. The study provided evidence that, apart from providing and developing individual ICT PD components, a collection of inter-related components was necessary at the same time for successful ICT PD to be achieved. The components of the PD project have been discussed individually and collectively in terms of their effect on the research subjects, the teachers themselves. Four global factors were identified for effective ICT PD and they were used as a framework for the study. These were teacher characteristics, authenticity, support and the ICT-enhanced environment.

Technology innovations have occurred in schools all over the world to accommodate Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). In 2004, a national reform was initiated by the Ministry of Education in China which aimed to improve the teaching of College English curriculum by adopting modern technologies. Since then, Chinese College English teachers have been adapting to CALL. This research project presents a case study of one Chinese university, Huazhong Normal University (HZNU). It investigates how CALL is currently used by the College English teachers and the problems teachers are having in using CALL. This study focuses on teachers’ use of, and perspectives on, CALL. Data were collected by two means: a questionnaire involving 31 respondents, and five in-depth interviews concerning several aspects of the College English teachers’ use of CALL in HZNU. Results showed that even with a broad introduction of modern technologies in College English teaching, most of the teachers in HZNU were using computers in a limited way. Most of them lacked a clear understanding of what CALL is and what CALL can do. As well, the results indicated that the professional development in CALL for College English teachers has been insufficient both in terms of techniques and pedagogies in technology. The study indicates further obstacles to College English teachers’ use of CALL, such as insufficient technical support, heavy workloads and the difficulties adapting to the new teaching mode. The researcher recommends that these identified problems warrant immediate attention and she presents a model to guide the improvement of the use of CALL by College English teachers.

This research examines the content and process involved in developing criminal profiles. To assess the material typically included in profiles and the way that the conclusions are developed, a qualitative analysis of the content of profiles was undertaken. This included, among other things, the characteristics offered, their prevalence, and the most common characteristics by profiling method. A further quantitative study was undertaken employing Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) which revealed three general themes in the advice given. These included Crime Scene, Internal Offender and Offender Characteristic facets, each of which was comprised of features suggestive of that facet. For example, the Crime Scene facet typically described offender actions and their interpretation at the physical location of the criminal event, such as staging and methods of control.The study employed a sample of 49 profilers reflective of the four main schools of thought; Criminal Investigative Analysis (CIA), Investigative Psychology (IP), Diagnostic Evaluations (DE) and Behavioural Evidence Analysis (BEA). CIA profiles were greatest in number with a sample size of 19. There were 14 BEA profiles and 8 each of DE and IP profiles. Together, there were in excess of 3000 individual variables ranging from age, sex and race to employment, geography, mental illness and risk.Results indicate that the vast majority of profilers employ either research or personal belief in forming their opinions, and that physical evidence is used the least in justifying a profiler’s opinion. However, when considering the individual methods, BEA placed the greatest reliance on physical evidence and its interpretation according with the forensic science philosophy of the method. CIA, the method used by the FBI, produced the most characteristics of the sample at 312 across 19 profiles, followed by BEA at 166 characteristics across 14 profiles. IP and DE profiles, with a sample size of eight each, had 90 and 61 characteristics respectively.Beyond these findings, the implication of the research will be discussed and some future direction for this research and the field in general will be provided. These areas include education, training, the scientific method and professionalisation. This thesis will also canvass the issue of whether profiling is an art or a science with particular reference to the research results and the existing literature that has bothered to address this issue.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Texas, Aug., 2007. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S. in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy)--Joint Forces Staff College, Joint Advanced Warfighting School, 2006. / Vita. "May 26, 2006." "National Defense Univ Norfolk VA"--DTIC cover. Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-72)

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Salzburg, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 230-238).

Thesis (M A(Social Work and Criminology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M. Laws) -- Flinders University, Faculty of Education, Humanities, Law and Theology. / Typescript (bound). Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-248). Also available online.

Thesis (M.A.) - Carleton University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 82-85). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.