We study the effects of vibrations in the Pd₃ system using first-principles pseudopotential calculations. We find that upon disordering from the DO₂₂ phase, the decreases by 0.07kB. We explain our results in terms of atomic relaxations and size effects. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

Thesis (Ph.D. (Business Management))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

The study deals with the concept of competing in the market with a dual branding strategy against mono-brands. The research, more specifically, examines the market awareness of the brand regarding the company versus the product. Monsanto SA, as a company, deals in the market as DEKALB. The study is based on the principles of the Burrows model of corporate identity. A tailor-made questionnaire was used as the measuring instrument. A total of 281 respondents completed the questionnaires. Data analysis was done by means of descriptive statistics and a Varimax rotated factor analysis. The reliability of the data was verified by determining the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. In this investigation, for the brand DEKALB, only one factor contributes to the brand image identified as dynamism. For Monsanto SA, two factors contribute to the organisation image. These factors are identified as dynamism and visual identity. The research concludes that although brand identities are similar to a large extent, the market views Monsanto SA more defined. A second factor is identified in addition to the common factor in both identities. The final and most important conclusion is that dual branding in the marketing strategy influences corporate identity and image, and vice versa. Monsanto SA should, therefore, take care not to confuse the market. Currently, agreement exists between the two identities, but it could easily result in confusion. Marketing strategies of Monsanto SA and DEKALB should purposefully dovetail to ensure that market confusion does not set in. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

Podpiera (2006) found that compliance with Basel Core Principles (BCP) in banking provisions has a direct positive effect on bank performance. Using Non-performing Loans (NPL) ratio and Net-Interest Margin (NIM) as indicators of bank performance, his panel data from 1998 to 2002 with 65 different countries proved that higher compliance results in better bank performance and soundness. This paper is a reexamination of this relationship in a more recent time period from 2006 to 2010 when another global financial crisis took place. I found evidence that the positive relationship between BCP compliance and bank performance continues to be true.

This thesis is an articulation of how the principles of socially-engaged Buddhism, a spiritual practice rooted in the teachings of the historical Buddha that integrates Buddhist practice and social activism, can enrich and enhance contemporary educational practice. It discusses Buddhist epistemology, metaphysics, ontology, psychology, ethics, and practice and relates these things to holistic education, critical pedagogy, SEL, and global education. On the basis of the theoretical understanding represented by that discussion, it articulates several theoretical principles that can be practically applied to the practice of teaching and learning to make it resonate with the theory and approach of sociallyengaged Buddhism. In integrating the implications of Buddhist teachings and practices with teaching and learning practice, it draws from bell hooks’ notion of “engaged pedagogy” in order to articulate a transformational, liberatory, and progressive approach to teaching called “socially-engaged pedagogy.” Socially-engaged pedagogy represents the notion that teaching and learning can be a practical site for progressive social action designed to address the real problem of suffering, both in the present and in the future, as it manifests in the world, exemplified by stress, illness, violence, war, discrimination, oppression, exploitation, poverty, marginalization, and ecological degradation.

The physician -patient relationship is fundamental to medical and healthcare practice. It is value laden. The practice of medicine and healthcare in the traditional sense accentuates a fecund doctor-patient communication. This is considered a necessary step for a proper diagnosis towards an attendant fruitful prognosis. Such a practise eventuates in the recognition of core values within the ambience of a standard medical practise. The values in question refer to issues of commitment and trust, obligations to standard care giving and reception, confidentiality, autonomy, beneficence, non maleficence, justice as well as responsibility. However, the practise of medicine today is criss-crossed by an amazing cast of transformations with the advent of the internet in the medical arena. Medical encounters take place online between doctors and patients even in the absence of pre-existing medical relationships in the hospitals. There is today treatments and medical care mediated by the internet, a case of diagnosis and prognosis across distance, and indeed super highway medicine. This instance of hospitals without consulting rooms is morally problematic. By the characterization of physician-patient relationship ( especially in the absence of pre-existing relationship) on the internet as virtual, unique, new and problematic, this work assesses the risks associated with such encounters in the light of ethical principles and their implications for moral responsibility.

The objective of this research is to review the degree of United States Army compliance in the implementation of evidence-based design practices within the Military Health System construction cycle. This research looks at the impact of the 2007 Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs memorandum directing the use of evidence-based design within the Military Healthcare System construction process. The memorandum impacted the military medical construction process that includes over 6.2 billion dollars in government programmed military medical construction covering 9.2 million beneficiaries. An analysis of federal construction documents, interviews, and an online survey was conducted with 85 government and civilian healthcare facility planners to measure general evidence-based design knowledge, direct knowledge of medical construction policy requirements, and the level to which the Military Health System Evidence-based Design Principles matrix has been implemented within four selected military medical construction projects. Results of the review of construction publications show minimal evidence of evidence-based design incorporation with key federal regulatory documents. The results of an online survey conducted during the research had a 65.8% response rate (39 government personnel, 17 civilian personnel). The survey showed that basic knowledge of evidence-based design was present, but revealed severe deficiencies in specific knowledge and application of construction policies. Review of selected medical facilities demonstrated non-standardized incorporation of evidence-based design features. This research concludes that evidence-based design has achieved minimal integration into the Military Health System general knowledge base and project execution. Achieving compliance with the 2007 directive memorandum requires that significant efforts be made in personnel training and reconciliation with federal military medical construction documents.

Engineering design methods focus on developing products that are innovative, robust, and multi-functional. In this context, the term robust refers to a product's ability to accomplish successfully its predetermined functions. Owing to the abundance of optimized and robust biological systems, engineering designers are now looking to nature for inspiration. Researchers believe that biomimetic or bio-inspired engineering systems can leverage the principles, mechanisms, processes, strategies, and/or morphologies of nature's successful designs. Unfortunately, two important problems associated with biomimetic design are a designer's limited knowledge of biology and the difference in biological and engineering terminologies. This research developed a new design tool that addresses these problems and proposes to help engineering designers develop candidate bio-inspired products or solutions. A methodology that helps users infer or extract biomimetic design principles from a given natural system or biomimetic product pair is described in this thesis. The method incorporates and integrates five existing design tools and theories to comprehensively investigate a given natural system or biomimetic product. Subsequently, this method is used to extract biomimetic design principles from 23 biomimetic products and natural systems. It is proposed that these principles have the potential to inspire ideas for candidate biomimetic products that are novel, innovative, and robust. The principle extraction methodology and the identified principles are validated using two separate case studies and a detailed analysis using the validation square framework. In the first case study, two students and the author use the principle extraction methodology to extract characteristics from a natural system and a biomimetic product pair. Results from this case study showed that the methodology effectively and repeatedly identifies system characteristics that exemplify inherent biomimetic design principles. In the second case study, the developed biomimetic design principles are used to inspire a solution for an engineering design problem. The resulting solution and its evaluation show that the design's achieved usefulness is linked to applying the biomimetic design principles. Similar to the TRIZ principles, the biomimetic design principles can inspire ideas for solutions to a given problem. The key difference is that designers using TRIZ leverage the solution strategies of engineering patents, while designers using the biomimetic design principles leverage nature’s solution strategies. The biomimetic design principles are compared to TRIZ and the BioTRIZ matrix.

On Mothodological Approach to Philosophical System of Sunology Abstract A Study on the Methodology of the Philosophical System of Sunology The focus of this doctoral dissertation is primarily predicated upon my attempt to explore the philosophical system of Sunology or Dr. Sun Yat-sen¡¦s works and the related mode and value of the methodology. As a consequence of this effort, this author suggests a common foundation of research and dialogue as a model for human epistemology. With this foundation in mind, the main dimensions of Sunology has been explored: (1) Regarding the philosophical system, the method of content analysis in social sciences has been applied, yielding its peculiar characteristics and mode; (2) Regarding its logical structure, the axiomatic method has been employed so as to testify that Dr. Sun¡¦s logical structure is well integrated; (3) Regarding Dr. Sun¡¦s operational dimension, the mode of interdisciplinary integration has been used, so as to clarify his operational conversion; and (4) Regarding Sunology¡¦s consistency in its logic, an attempt has been made to explore its methodology, so as to find out its form and value and, at the same time, the kind of method and approach to materialize an ideal. From the study, one should realize that mankind ought to seriously weigh the value of any given theoretical and philosophical systems in the past and fully appreciate its latent significance and validity. As a next step, one should try to put it into practice. Subsequently, an attainable framework should be constructed, so as to fulfill the projected undertaking. However, we should understand that the approach and method should not be just limited to this. At the same time, it should be noted that our framework argues that knowledge has a holistic structure which can be mutually continuous. Philosophical systems are interrelated. When analyzing any change in the relationship and its development, it is necessary to clarify the structure and operation aspects of the two. Only having done that, can we enhance the clarification and systematization of thinking. And only then, can we handle humankind and nature¡¦s mutual movement. Unless this is done, it is not possible for us to have an original look at human thinking and knowledge construction. In this connection, it should be noted that each discipline has its background and knowledge. Based on this, can we develop pervasive and automatic mode of knowledge. After that, can we have the ability to be creative. As a result, human knowledge and culture can continue its integrative process and be progressive.

ABSTRACT Title: A Study on the Principles for the Operation and Management of the Dolphin and Whale Watching Industry along the Eastern Coast of Taiwan Author: Yen-Ruey Kuo The dolphin and whale watching industry has become one of the most thriving tourism industries in Taiwan in recent years, and as such, a comprehensive system of operation and management is required to help secure its sustainable development. This thesis focuses on the eastern coast of Taiwan where dolphin and whale watching first developed earliest in Taiwan and where the largest portion of operators in the business is located. Based on personal interviews following carefully-designed questionnaires with local experienced operators, skippers and narrators, this thesis studies and analyzes the present conditions of local operations and management within four aspects of the development of the industry, namely marketing strategies, environmental and ecological protection, social justice and general institutional issues. It also presents suggestions concerning sustainable development in the dolphin and whale watching industry along the eastern coast of Taiwan. Finally, according to the suggestions provided by operators and managers, domestic and foreign references and/or personal observation, the thesis proposes fifteen principles for the sustainable development for the dolphin and whale watching industry. The first ever for Taiwan, these principles are believed to be invaluable in further developing the required indicators and/or guidelines for the sustainable development of the dolphin and whale watching industry in Taiwan.