Partitioning of finite strains in different domains within the limb and hinge regions of a fold can be used to understand the deformation processes operative during fold formation. Samples taken from the limb and hinge regions of a gently plunging, asymmetric, tight, mesoscale fold in the Erwin formation of the Blue Ridge in North Carolina were analyzed to determine the deformation mechanisms and strains associated with the folding event. Rf/phi grain shape fabric analysis was conducted for each sample and used to calculate the orientation and magnitude of the final grain shape fabric ellipsoids. Flexural folding and passive-shear folding models predict that the highest finite strains will be recorded in the hinge of a fold. The highest grain shape magnitudes recorded in the North Carolina fold, however, lie along the overturned fold limb. The final geometry of many folds indicates that hinge plane migration processes are active during compressive deformation events. Numeric, conceptual, and analogue based studies have demonstrated the migration of fold hinges during deformation. However, documentation of these processes in field based studies is rare and limited to techniques that are frequently site specific. Methods proven successful in natural studies include the analysis of superposed folding; the migration of earlier hinge-related features such as fractures, cleavage planes, and boudinaged bedding planes; and the kinematic analysis of syntectonic pressure shadows. The magnitude and orientation of the grain shape ellipsoids calculated for the North Carolina fold indicate that rocks in the overturned limb were once located in the hinge of the fold. Subsequent noncoaxial deformation processes operative during folding resulted in the migration of the hinge to its present orientation and position. This relationship indicates that it is possible to use strain/shape fabric analysis as a test for hinge migration in folds, and that this technique may be more generally applicable in natural settings than previously proposed tests. / Master of Science

This thesis examines several recent transformations in the United States health care system and their effects on the role of physicians. Technology, specialization, ancillary health care workers, for-profit hospitals and managed care corporations have all expanded throughout the health care industry. These changes have resulted in an increase in bureaucratic, capitalist and corporate influences over the system. As a result of the increasing costs of medical practice, the corporatization of health care is occurring in which physicians must not only rely on corporations for access to the capital that they need, but also relinquish some of their power to the corporations. McKinlay and Arches (1985) assert that these changes have led to the proletarianization of the physician. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and other forms of managed care companies continue to grow throughout the United States. Therefore, physicians, who have historically dominated the health care system, no longer have the autonomy that they once had. To measure physicians' attitudes toward these changes, The Managed Care in the New River Valley survey was conducted. The findings show that although managed care is not as strong as it is in other parts of the country, physicians still believe that their control of health care is declining. The importance of managed care companies and other third party influences will continue to increase in the future, as they further extend to areas such as the New River Valley. / Master of Science

The general aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between organisational culture and organisational commitment in a consulting firm in South Africa. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was used on a non-probability sample (n=68) from an identified consulting firm in South Africa, utilising the Organisational Culture Questionnaire (Harrison & Stokes, 1992) and Organisational Commitment Scale (Meyer & Allen, 1997). The results were analysed using Pearson’s correlation analysis and indicated that there is no relationship between organisational culture and organisational commitment in the consulting firm / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Thesis (MSc (Botany and Zoology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Thermal ecology is a central theme in reptilian biology because of the thermodynamic rate dependence of virtually all biological processes in these ectothermic animals. Thermoregulation includes active processes (with associated energetic costs related to altered behaviour and physiology) functioning to maintain body temperatures within a preferred temperature range, so that the majority of physiological functions occurs optimally, despite natural variation in the animal’s thermal habitat. The recent development of quantitative thermal indices now allows researchers to describe the thermal habitat and thermoregulatory functioning of an ectotherm within its environment from a cost-benefit perspective. The use of such quantitative biophysical approaches to reptile thermal ecology studies is however limited in the African context. Cordylus cataphractus is one of the best studied cordylids, and exhibits various characteristics atypical for the family, such as permanent group-living, seasonally lowered surface activity, a low resting metabolic rate and large fat bodies. These characteristics are generally thought to be associated with groupliving in a semi-arid habitat, yet, the possible links to thermal ecology remains unexplored. The objectives of the current study was: firstly, to characterize the preferred temperature range (Tp) of C. cataphractus through the use of ecologically realistic laboratory thermal gradients; secondly, to explore seasonal and geographical variation in thermal preference, by comparing Tp among individuals captured from a coastal and inland population and during different seasons (autumn and spring); thirdly, to describe the thermal habitat of a C. cataphractus population during summer, autumn, winter and spring and to then relate these findings to the seasonal activity patterns reported in literature for the species; fourthly, to describe the seasonal patterns of thermoregulation (during summer, autumn, winter and spring) in a C. cataphractus population through quantitative thermoregulatory indices; fifthly, to assess geographic variation in the thermal habitat and IV associated patterns of thermoregulation in C. cataphractus among a coastal population (western range limit) and an inland population (eastern range limit). The thermal habitat of C. cataphractus was described by measuring operative environmental temperatures (Te) with hollow copper lizard models placed around rocks according to the natural surface movement patterns of the species. Variation in thermal habitat quality was subsequently calculated (de = |Te – Tp|) and averaged. Field body temperatures (Tb) of lizards were measured with dorsally attached miniature temperature loggers. Thermoregulatory indices were calculated from Te, Tb and Tp, describing: thermoregulatory accuracy, the effectiveness of thermoregulation and thermal exploitation for each population (coastal and inland) for the respective sampling periods. The preferred body temperature range of C. cataphractus is the lowest recorded among cordylids to date (mean Tp = 29.8oC) and was conserved among different populations and within these populations among seasons, despite the fact that environmental temperatures are known to vary geographically and seasonally. Thermal habitat quality varied significantly at micro spatial scale around rocks in the coastal population. Since C. cataphractus males are territorial, competition for thermal habitat quality around rocks may therefore occur. Such effects will be a function of the time of year since the variability in thermal habitat quality among rock aspects (around rocks) varied seasonally. Thermal habitat quality of crevices varied among seasons and was typically higher in the open, outside rock crevices, during the cooler winter and spring periods, whereas in summer and autumn the crevice environments were more favourable. Thermal habitat quality was high in crevices during autumn, suggesting that the observed repressed surface activity of C. cataphractus described for the time is not necessarily, as previously thought, only due to food constraints. Moreover, in contrast to earlier reports, the current results (Tb versus Te) indicate that individuals emerged from crevices in summer. The geographical assessment indicated that lizards from the coastal population, with generally larger groups, thermoregulated more successfully than those from the inland population. The higher thermoregulatory success in the coastal population occurred in spite of the fact that thermal habitat quality was significantly lower at the coastal locality. The higher thermoregulatory success in the coastal population was likely due to reduced predation risk associated with increased group-size. The seasonal trends in thermoregulation at the coastal and inland population corresponded to the patterns predicted by the cost-benefit model of thermoregulation, accuracy of thermoregulation and the effectiveness of thermal exploitation being higher during the thermally more favourable autumn. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Uittreksel Termiese ekologie is ‘n sentrale tema in reptiel-biologie as gevolg van die termodinamies tempo-afhanklikheid van feitlik alle biologiese prosesse in hierdie ektotermiese diere. Termoregulering sluit aktiewe prosesse (wat lei tot energie-koste in terme van gedrag en fisiologie) in om liggaamstemperature binne ‘n vasgestelde voorkeurtemperatuur-reeks te handhaaf sodat fisiologiese prosesse optimaal kan geskied te midde van natuurlike variasie in die dier se termiese omgewing. Die onlangse ontwikkeling van kwantitatiewe funksionele termiese indekse stel navorsers nou in staat om die werklike termiese omgewing en die funksionering van die ektoterm binne sy omgewing te beskryf en uit ‘n koste (energie)- voordeel oogpunt te verstaan. Die gebruik van hierdie biofisiese koste-voordeel benadering in reptiel termoreguleringstudies is egter beperk in die Afrika-konteks. Cordylus cataphractus is een van die bes bestudeerde lede van familie Cordylidae, en vertoon verskeie eienskappe ongewoon vir hierdie groep akkedisse, soos groeplewendheid, beperkte seisoenale aktiwiteit buite hul skeure, ‘n relatiewe lae rustende metaboliese tempo en relatiewe groot vetliggame. Hierdie unieke eienskappe is al deur navorsers gekoppel aan die groeplewe lewensstrategie. Die potensiële koppeling van die termiese ekologie en die spesifieke lewensstrategie van C. cataphractus benodig verdere studie. Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was eerstens: om die voorkeurtemperatuur-reeks (Tp) van C. cataphractus te bepaal deur van ekologies-realistiese termiese gradiënte in die laboratorium gebruik te maak; tweedens: om geografiese en seisoenale variasie in Tp te ondersoek deur individue te gebruik wat uit binnelandse en kus-populasies, tydens verskillende seisoene, herfs en lente versamel is; derdens: om die termiese omgewing, meer spesifiek die variasie in termiese kwaliteit, binne die habitat van C. cataphractus populasie in verskillende seisoene, somer, herfs, winter en lente, te moduleer en met die gedokumenteerde aktiwiteitspatrone in verband te bring; vierdens: om die seisoenale temoreguleringspatrone (tydens somer, herfs, winter en lente) van C. cataphractus populasie te beskryf; vyfdens: om geografiese variasie in die termiese habitat en geassosieerde termoreguleringspatrone tussen kus-populasie (westelike VII verspreidingsgrens) en binneland-populasie (oostelike verspreidingsgrens) te bestudeer. Die kwaliteit van die termiese habitat van C. cataphractus is bepaal deur hol koper-modelle van akkedisse (operatiewe temperatuur modelle (Te)) te plaas rondom rotse in ooreenstemming met die natuurlike bewegingspatrone van die akkedisse. Die termiese kwaliteit is gevolglik afgelei (de = |Te – Tp|) en gemiddeldes bereken. Die liggaamstemperature (Tb) van vrylopende akkedisse in die veld is met dorsaal-gemonteerde miniatuur temperatuur “data-loggers” gemeet. Termiese indekse (deur Te, Tb en Tp te gebruik) is bereken om die akkuraatheid en effektiwiteit van termoregulering, sowel as termiese benutting van die omgewing vir beide populasies (kus en binneland) tydens verskillende seisoene te beraam. Die voorkeurtemperatuur-reeks van C. cataphractus is die laagste gedokumenteerde temperature vir enige lid van die familie Cordylidae tot op hede bestudeer (gemiddeld van Tp = 29.8oC), en het ten spyte van die feit dat omgewingstemperature wissel op geografiese en seisoenale vlakke, min gevarieer tussen die twee populasies asook tydens verskillende seisoene binne die populasies. Die termiese kwaliteit het beduidend gevarieer tussen seisoene en binne die mikroruimtelike omgewing rondom rotse in die kus-populasie. Aangesien C. cataphractus mannetjies territoriaal is, word die aanname gemaak dat kompetisie vir ‘n ruimtelike posisie ook ‘n termiese koste mag hê aangesien daar beduidende variasie in de om die rotse was. Variasie in termiese kwaliteit rondom rotse was verder ook funksie van die tyd van die jaar (seisoene). Die termiese kwaliteit van skeure het gevarieer tussen seisoene, en termiese kondisies/toestande was oor die algemeen meer gunstig buite die rots-skeure tydens die koeler winter en lente tydperke, terwyl skeure termies meer gunstig was in die somer en herfs maande. Termiese habitat kwaliteit van skeure was besonders hoog gedurende die herfs, en die voorspelling is dus dat die verlaagde oppervlak-aktiwiteit wat gedurende hierdie tyd van die jaar vir C. cataphractus gedokumenteer is nie noodwendig funksie van beperkte voedselbeskikbaarheid is nie. Teenstrydig met gepubliseerde aktiwiteitsrekords dui die resultate (Tb teenoor Te) verder daarop dat individue wel uit skeure kom tydens die warm somer seisoen. Die geografiese ondersoek het gewys dat akkedisse van die kus-populasie (wat gewoonlik uit groter groepe bestaan), meer akkuraat getermoreguleer het as akkedisse van die binneland-populasie. Die hoër akkuraatheid van termoregulering in die kus-populasie is bewerkstellig ten spyte van die feit dat die termiese kwaliteit beduidend laer was as die van die binneland-populasie. Die hoër termoreguleringsakkuraatheid in die kus-populasie kan waarskynlik toegeskryf word aan laer predasie-risiko geassosieer met groter groepe. Die seisoenale variasie-patroon van termoregulering kan verklaar word deur die koste-voordeel model van termoregulering, waarvolgens die akkuraatheid van termoregulering sowel as termiese benutting hoër is tydens periodes van hoë termiese kwaliteit (i.e. herfs).

This study provides information about convertible preferreds generally and, in particular, those used in financing mergers during the period 1968-1984. Specifically, the following topics are examined: (1) traditional corporate motives for the use of convertible preferreds as a financing means in mergers and acquisitions, (2) annual data about convertible preferreds' issuance by volume and purpose for the period 1968-1984, (3) average annual returns of merger-related convertible preferreds and average annual returns of common stock of the same companies for the period 1968-1980, (4) performance of convertible preferreds in relation to the market in general, and (5) the future of convertible preferreds as a financing instrument in merger activity.

O objetivo deste trabalho é determinar e modelar a Arquitetura do Plano Preferencial Integrado de Recursos para o Setor Elétrico, no contexto do planejamento energético atual. O Plano Preferencial Integrado é uma coletânea sistêmica de recursos energéticos obtidos por meio de um processo integrado de planejamento, ao longo do tempo e da geografia, denominado Planejamento Integrado de Recursos Energéticos (PIR). Utilizam-se metodologias do Inventário Energoambiental, da Listagem e do Peneiramento de Recursos Energéticos, do Cômputo e Valoração de Recursos Energéticos, da Análise de Custos Completos, englobando custos internos e externos, da Previsão da Demanda e da Integração de Recursos, ponto em que efetivamente se inicia a construção do Plano. A validação do modelo é realizada no estudo de caso aplicado na Região Administrativa de Araçatuba, no oeste do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Por fim, apresentam-se considerações sobre esse plano preferencial e estabelece-se a proposta de uma metodologia alternativa de planejamento energético para o setor elétrico, visando o desenvolvimento sustentável por meio de uma imbricação entre energia, meio ambiente e sociedade, com seu balanço equilibrado de importâncias. / The objective of the study is to define and model the Architecture of Integrated Energy Resources Preferential Plan for the Power Sector, in the context of current energy planning. The Integrated Energy Resources Preferential Plan is a systemic compilation of energy resources obtained through an integrated energy planning over the time and geography, called Integrated Resource Planning (IRP). The plan is developed using the methodology of Environmental and Energy Inventory; Listing and Drafting of Energy Resources; Calculation and Valuation of Energy Resources Full Potentials, Full Cost Analysis, Demand Forecasting and Resources Integration, after which the construction of plan effectively starts. The model validation is performed in the case study applied in Araçatuba Administrative Region, in the western state of São Paulo, Brazil. Finally, the IRP Preferred Plan is reviewed and a proposal for an alternative methodology for energy planning for the power sector is presented aiming at sustainable development through a complete overview among energy, environment and society, with its balanced importance.

Prior to the development of programing and outreach materials it is important for Extension outreach and education professionals to assess the educational needs and preference of the communities they serve. Survey data was gathered from residents of Cedar City, UT, in an effort to gain an understanding of current lawn management practices and the resources homeowners utilize when making management decisions. In addition, soil samples were collected from a subset of participants to compare nutrient levels to management practices. Survey results found that homeowners accessed multiple sources, with preferences leaning towards the use of friends and family members, the internet, and the point of purchase. Few homeowners are aware of and utilize educational resources and services provided by Extension. This is especially true for those under the age of 50, which poses a challenge to Extension professionals to find effective ways to reach younger generations. It was difficult to form associations between nutrient levels and management practices Although, there was a strong association between those with excessive phosphorus concentration and the application of biosolids. More research needs to be done to examine the distribution and end use of biosolids.

Författare: Narina Bengtsson och Victor Friis-Liby Handledare: Eva BerggrenTitel: Fastighetsbolagens finansiering – En studie om fastighetsbolagens nyafinansieringsalternativ Bakgrund och problem: Kapitaltunga bolag som fastighetsbolag är ständigt i behov avkapital. Bankkredit som alltid varit det vanligaste och mest använda finanseringsalternativethar i större utsträckning ersatts med företagsobligationer och preferensaktier. Marknaden försvenska företagsobligationer har växt de senaste åren och fastighetsbolagen står idag för tvåtredjedelar av de totala preferensaktierna på Stockholmsbörsen. Efter den senaste finanskrisensvarade myndigheterna med att ta fram Basel III – regelverket, som ställer striktarekapitaltäckningskrav för bankerna. Med anledning av hur marknaden har utvecklats med nyafinansieringsalternativ och införandet av Basel III - regelverket vill vi undersöka hurfastighetsbolagen resonerar kring finansiering i nuläget. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka om de svenska börsnoterade fastighetsbolagens valav finansiering har förändrats efter finanskrisen 2008.Avgränsning: Studien bortser från fastighetsbolag som inte är börsnoterade och verksamheterutanför Sverige. Studien bortser också från de delar av kapitalmarknaden som inte berörfastighetsbolag och därför inte är aktuella för studien. Studien går igenom Basel III -regelverket som en följd av finanskrisen men vi kommer inte gå in djupare på orsaken tillfinanskrisen. Metod: Vi har gjort en kvalitativ studie på tre svenska börsnoterade fastighetsbolag. Slutsats: Basel III har enligt vår studie inte påverkat fastighetsbolagens tillgång till kapital pådet sättet som tidigare studier pekat på. Förändringen på marknaden beror på flera faktorer isamverkan som alla påverkat fastighetsbolagens val av finansiering. Vi kommer fram till attPecking order teorin inte är aktuell längre eftersom olika finansieringsalternativ idagkombineras för att diversifiera finansieringsrisken. Marknaden har förändrats sedan Peckingorder teorin utvecklades och det är därför inte längre möjligt att göra analyser på samma sättsom tidigare. Idag påverkas marknaden av flera faktorer samtidigt, vilket innebär attfastighetsbolagens finansieringsbeteende bara är en del av informationen att ta hänsyn till. Anledningen tros bland annat vara att vi idag är mer globalt integrerade än tidigare vilketinnebär att tillgången till information är större. Dessutom påverkas marknaden av flerstörningar nu än tidigare. Räntederivat, certifikatprogram och preferensaktier är alla nyafinansieringsalternativ som används av fastighetsbolagen och som inte tas upp i Pecking order teorin.

There is some evidence about the efficacy of preferred music on agitation in elders with dementia; however, little is known about its effectiveness on agitation when implemented by nursing staff in long-term care facilities. Even less is known about use of preferred music for managing anxiety in those with dementia. This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the implementation of a preferred music intervention delivered by nursing staff on agitation and anxiety of institutionalised elders with dementia. The sample comprised of 57 elders with dementia residing in two building complexes which provided similar care routines and staffing in a large Taiwanese residential care facility. These two building complexes were randomly assigned as the experimental and control group. Nursing staff in the experimental group received a facilitation program to prepare them for implementing the preferred music intervention; whereas nursing staff in the control group received no facilitation program. The music intervention based on each resident's music preferences was then provided by the trained nursing staff for 32 experimental residents twice a week for six weeks. Meanwhile, 25 residents in the control group only received the usual standard care without music. All residents were assessed by Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) for overall and three subtypes of agitated behaviours and by Rating of Anxiety in Dementia for anxiety at baseline and week 6. Additionally, the modified CMAI measured the 30-minute occurrence of agitation at baseline, session 4, and session 12. The results indicate that institutionalised elders with dementia who received six weeks of preferred music intervention implemented by trained nursing staff had significant reductions on overall, three subtypes of agitated behaviours, anxiety, and 30-minute occurrence of agitation over time compared to those who received the usual standard care without music. Preferred music shows promise as a strategy for reducing agitation and anxiety in those with dementia when implemented by trained nursing staff. Such intervention can be incorporated into routine activities to improve the quality of care provided by nursing staff and the quality of life of those with dementia in long-term care settings. Our study results provide clinically relevant evidence which contribute to closing the gap between research and practice.

The general aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between organisational culture and organisational commitment in a consulting firm in South Africa. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was used on a non-probability sample (n=68) from an identified consulting firm in South Africa, utilising the Organisational Culture Questionnaire (Harrison & Stokes, 1992) and Organisational Commitment Scale (Meyer & Allen, 1997). The results were analysed using Pearson’s correlation analysis and indicated that there is no relationship between organisational culture and organisational commitment in the consulting firm / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)