This thesis focuses on developing support materials for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) catalysts. The approach involves using graphene based materials including reduced graphene oxide (rGO), reduced graphene oxide-activated carbon (rGO-AC) hybrid and reduced graphene oxide-silicon carbide (rGO-SiC) hybrid as a support for Pt and Pt-Ru nanoparticles. Pt/rGO and Pt-Ru/rGO catalysts were synthesized by three chemical reduction methods: (1) modified polyol, (2) ethylene glycol (EG) reduction and (3) mixed reducing agents (EG + NaBH4) methods. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by physical and electrochemical techniques. The results demonstrated that Pt/rGO-3 and Pt-Ru/rGO-3 catalyst synthesized with Method-3 exhibit higher electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) than the other rGO supported and Vulcan supported commercial electrocatalysts. In addition, Pt/rGO-3 and Pt-Ru/rGO-3 catalysts showed better oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) activities, respectively. The DMFC tests under different cell temperature (30, 50 and 70°C) and methanol concentration (1, 2 and 4 M) conditions further demonstrated the higher catalytic activity of the catalysts. The peak power density obtained with Pt/rGO-3 cathode and Pt-Ru/rGO-3 anode catalysts at 70°C with 1 M methanol was 63.3 mW/cm2 which is about 59 % higher than that of commercial Pt/C and Pt-Ru/C catalysts. The enhanced performance was attributed to the highly accessible and uniformly dispersed nanoparticles on rGO support with large surface area and high conductivity. Pt/rGO-AC (reduced graphene oxide-activated carbon) and Pt-Ru/rGO-AC catalysts were synthesized with various rGO:AC support ratios by using biomass derived AC. The results showed that the catalysts with content of 20 wt. % AC support (Pt/rGO-AC20 and Pt-Ru/rGO-AC20) exhibited higher ECSA, better catalytic activity and stability among all the tested catalysts. With 1 M methanol and 70°C cell temperature, the MEA with Pt/rGO-AC20 cathode and Pt-Ru/rGO-AC anode catalysts gave 19.3 % higher peak power density (75.5 mW/cm2), than that of Pt/rGO-3 and Pt-Ru/rGO-3 catalysts. The better DMFC performance was due to the incorporation of AC particles into rGO structure which builds electron-conductive paths between rGO sheets, facilitates the transport of reactant and products and provides higher specific surface area for the uniform distribution of nanoparticles. Pt/rGO-SiC catalysts were synthesized with variable silicon carbide (SiC) content in the hybrid support. Pt/rGO-SiC10 (10 wt. % of SiC support) catalyst showed higher ECSA and better catalytic activity compared to the Pt/SiC, Pt/rGO-3 and Pt/rGO-SiC20 catalysts. In addition, the Pt/rGO-SiC10 gave 14.2 % higher DMFC performance than the Pt/rGO-3 catalyst in terms of power density. The high performance can be attributed to the insertion of the SiC nanoparticles into rGO structure that improves the conductivity and stability of the catalyst by playing a spacer role between rGO layers. In summary, the overall results showed that the catalytic performance of the catalysts followed the trend in terms of support material: rGO-AC20 > rGO-SiC10 > rGO > Vulcan. The study demonstrated that the novel rGO-AC and rGO-SiC hybrids are promising catalyst supports for direct methanol fuel cell applications.

Decision Support Tools (DSTs) are commonly utilised within the Asset Management (AM) operations of infrastructure organisations. These manual or computerised tools are used to support decisions about what assets to acquire and how to operate them. Their performance can therefore have significant financial and non-financial implications for a business. Despite their importance, managing the performance of DSTs after implementation has received only limited attention within the literature. The output of this research is a conceptual approach for managing the performance of decision support tools used within an Asset Management context. It encompasses a risk-based DST Performance Management Process and DST Performance Assessment Techniques (the methods for applying the process in an industry setting).The novelty of the approach: (1) Alignment with the fundamental principles of the International Standard for Asset Management, ISO 5500x:2014. Thus, consistency of the management of DSTs with other assets types. (2) A generic process that is tailored to the context of the specific organisation. (3) Consistency with the risk management process (ISO 31000:2009) and meeting the requirements for a quality process defined within the Quality Management Standard (ISO 9000: 2015). (4) A cyclical process design ensuring that the approach, and how the approach is applied within an industry setting, will evolve to reflect the changing environment. A case study and the input of subject matter experts from within National Grid Electricity Transmission was used to both inform and evaluate the conceptual approach design. A semi-structured interview, with a water sector subject matter expert, assesses the transferability of the approach to a wider Asset Management population. The results of the evaluation demonstrate the conceptual approach to be both logical and useable in each context. The future research pathway looks to progress the conceptual approach through to industry adoption.

Diplomová práce je postavena na třech hlavních kapitolách, z nich první dvě se staly východiskem pro vytvoření třetí kapitoly a to projektu. První část práce je zaměřena na teoretické poznatky, které jsou spojené s tématem diplomové práce. Druhá část práce je věnována analýze jednotlivých faktorů, jež ovlivňují rozhodování zahraničních investorů při vstupu do České republiky. Analýza je zaměřena na faktor lidských zdrojů, infrastruktury, surovin a připravenosti území, státní regulace, finančních a výrobních trhů. Východiskem této analýzy je SWOT analýza, stanovení silných a slabých stránek a také příležitostí a hrozeb, týkajících se České republiky. V této části práce je zhodnocena i práce agentury CzechInvest a systém investičních pobídek. Analytická část se stala východiskem pro třetí část práce, kde je navržena soustava opatření vedoucí ke zvýšení atraktivity České republiky pro vstup zahraničních investorů. Projektová část práce vychází jak z teoretických tak i z analytických poznatků, které vedly ke stanovení navržených opatření.

The thesis investigates the development of family support within one local authority in Scotland and shows that it has emerged from a complex interplay of governmental, philosophical, policy and practice change.

Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) is the process by which military assets can be requested by civilian authorities, often by state or regional offices of emergency management. This request is in response to critical incidents, including natural and human caused disasters. However, little is understood about collaboration and cooperation between civil authorities and their military counterparts in terms of planning and training, especially in the unique circumstance of National Capital Region (NCR) where there are local, state, and federal civil authorities and military organizations. This is problematic, as a lack of training and preparation may result in delayed response to emergency incidents in the region, which may cause a disruption of government nationwide. Using Sabatier and Jenkins-Smith's advocacy coalition framework, the purpose of this case study of DSCA in the NCR was to gain insight on whether collaborative planning and training between civil and military partners has resulted in effective public policy that will guide decision making in the event of a natural or human caused disaster. Data were collected from a total of 15 participants who represented military and civil emergency managers. These data were deductively coded consistent with the elements of the policy advocacy framework, and then subjected to thematic analysis. Findings indicated that military members have a more thorough understanding of DSCA procedures, where civilian emergency managers had knowledge deficits regarding procedures and policies guiding DSCA support. The positive social change implications stemming from this study include recommendations to civil authorities to collaborate with the Department of Defense related to mobilization procedures and DSCA policies to promote seamless cooperation in the event of a major disaster.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among African Americans. Despite advances in treatment modalities, based on better understanding of the disease's pathology and access to health care, African Americans continue to die from heart disease at rates significantly higher than other races. The available literature on cardiovascular disease among African Americans does not adequately explore how social support affects heart health in this group. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of social support on cardiac recurrence among African American adults. Cohen's ISEL support system variables: tangible, appraisal, belonging, and self-esteem; and five demographic variables: age, marital status, educational level, household income, and gender provided the conceptual/methodological base for data collection and analysis. The sample consisted of 83 African American men and women ages 22 to 84 that had experienced at least one cardiac event. Chi-square analysis showed a positive correlation between marital status and cardiac recurrence. Results suggest that living alone may increase an individual's chances of having a second cardiac event. Social change implications include (a) identification of essential social support elements and tailored treatment plans for heart patient and caregiver in order to promote better heart health outcomes for African Americans living with someone or alone; and (b) policy change that fosters effective prevention and treatment.

archives@tulane.edu / Multicultural psychologists have discussed the growing concern over ecological validity in understanding children’s mental health: insufficient participatory efforts to incorporate marginalized perspectives have led to a subsequent lack of inclusive, culturally sensitive definitions of support and support systems. The phenomenology around experiences, beliefs and perceptions is an integral component in describing support and support systems, where the composition and content of support systems depend on context and culture. Using archival qualitative research data from focus groups and ecomaps conducted with elementary school-aged children across 9 of the 14 international sites in the Promoting Psychological Well¬-Being Globally (PPWBG) project (Nastasi & Borja, 2016), the present research used children’s voices in identifying contextually-relevant sources of support, as well as patterns across 9 of the 14 sites. The present research was a part of a multi-method study, serving as a secondary analysis to triangulate (across two methods) previously analyzed data elicited from the focus groups (Borja et al., 2016) and ecomap tool (Borja et al., 2017). The goal of triangulation was to examine for consistent themes related to support and enhance the credibility of the combined tools’ ability to elicit data around support. The triangulation yielded 33 codes related to systems of support for psychological well-being¬. A thematic analysis condensed the codes into 5 broad themes: Financial/Material Support, Emotional Support, Social Support, Recreational Activities and Academic Support. These themes were salient across the nine sites. Ultimately, the five themes were either identified as being possibly global or context-specific, which may be useful in future research to inform practice and instrument development. / 1 / Sydney A. Wing

Homelessness is a multifaceted social problem that affects thousands of people every single day throughout the United States. In recent years, research has begun to look at the impact of social support on the lives of those that are homeless. To further explore this topic, this study examines the impact of social support on the length of time someone is homeless, in search of notable correlations. This study was completed using a quantitative research approach and a sample of 54 homeless individuals. Participants were recruited from two leading homeless service agencies in the City of Riverside and asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire composed of a demographic section, questions on their unique homeless situation, length of time homeless and current social support. Results of this study found that there is no significant difference between formal and informal forms of social support and the presence of any can be associated with experiencing fewer episodes of homelessness. Future research should continue to explore the intricacy of this social problem and conduct larger scale comprehensive studies that can provide a better insight into the impact of social support. Existing research and this study show that the availability of social support in the lives of those that are homeless can have positive outcomes in the improvement of their situation.

The purpose of this project was to create a research‑based sibling support group for 7 to 12 year‑old children who have a sibling with autism. Typically‑developing children (N = 3) and their parents attended a four‑week, once‑weekly sibling support group. The program focused on topics found to be the key issues of typically‑developing siblings who have a sibling with autism: discovering that others share similar family circumstances, learning about their sibling with autism’s special needs, discussing issues and problems children with siblings who have ASD typically face (and developing effective coping strategies to deal with these issues), and having an opportunity to express who they are as individuals. Pre‑and post‑ assessments showed that the group only slightly increased their knowledge about autism. Feedback from the children suggested that they especially enjoyed the opportunity to speak openly about their sibling with autism and having the opportunity to share activities and items that were important to them. The children reported that they did not enjoy having to complete worksheets related to information about autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, they did not understand the information that was presented about the programs and interventions that some children with ASD may use. Overall, the sibling support group provided an opportunity for children with a sibling with autism to share feelings and experiences about their sibling, including problems they face.

Patients receiving dialysis treatment experience immense changes in their health and well-being, therefore receiving adequate social support services is an integral aspect of their care plan. Thus, the purpose of this study was to gain an understanding about social support services offered by social workers to patients receiving dialysis care. Furthermore, this study sought to develop awareness about additional services need to assist social workers in providing social, emotional, and physical support to patients. This qualitative study used data from a non-probability snowball sample of 10 social workers that work with patients receiving dialysis care. Findings of this study are significant to social work practice as the analysis provided insight that may enhance current practices in dialysis centers. Furthermore, the qualitative analyses gathered through the one-on-one interviews led to the emergence of seven central themes. Themes anticipated by the researchers included the perception about the ability to provide social, emotional, and physical support, as well as to highlight the role of social workers in this healthcare setting. Additional themes identified during this study focused on reasons for patients lacking social support, the scarcity of resources, and recommendations corroborated with first-hand experiences in the field to better serve patients. Recommendations included increased focus on providing therapeutic services within dialysis, additional transportation options for patients, and greater availability of resources to meet the various needs of patients.