Background HIV has developed to a global pandemic and millions of people are living with HIV or AIDS today. People living with HIV still face stigmatization and discrimination in their lives. Aim The aim of this study was to describe people´s experiences of living with HIV. Method A method to contribute to evidence-based nursing based on analysis of qualitative research was used in this study to deepen understanding. Ten articles were analysed. Results Three themes were identified: ”Manage a new life situation”, ”An emotionally turbulent living” and ” Not be treated than others” with subthemes. People living with HIV used many different strategies to handle their new life situation, for example church, to tell or not tell about their HIV-status and isolate themselves from others. Their new life situation was turbulent due to many emotions including fear for the death, shame, guilt and loneliness. Lack of knowledge contributed to the fact that health care staff offended people living with HIV by distancing themselves from these persons, using excessive precautions, breach of confidentiality and categorized them with stereotypes linked to HIV. Conclusion People with HIV experience many types of discrimination and stigmatization like denied care and health care staff keeping away from them. This leads to unwillingness among people with HIV to seek care and seems to create double suffering for them. In order to overlook their prejudices and work for good nursing, nurses need to develop their knowledge about HIV and be aware about their prejudices and treat everybody the same regardless of diagnosis.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-29T15:33:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_4163_.pdf: 479699 bytes, checksum: 04f01a137084c0859b4494de6db8b3ac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-23 / Classificadores do tipo máquina de vetores de suporte (SVM) são atualmente considerados uma das técnicas mais poderosas para se resolver problemas de classificação com duas classes. Para aumentar o desempenho alcançado por classificadores SVM individuais, uma abordagem bem estabelecida é usar uma combinação de SVMs, a qual corresponde a um conjunto de classificadores SVMs que são, simultaneamente, individualmente precisos e coletivamente divergentes em suas decisões. Este trabalho propõe uma abordagem para se criar combinações de SVMs, baseada em um processo de três estágios. Inicialmente, são usadas execuções complementares de uma busca baseada em algoritmos genéticos (GEFS), com o objetivo de investigar globalmente o espaço de características para definir um conjunto de subconjuntos de características. Em seguida, para cada um desses subconjuntos de características definidos, uma SVM que usa parâmetros otimizados é construída. Por fim, é empregada uma busca local com o objetivo de selecionar um subconjunto otimizado dessas SVMs, e assim formar a combinação de SVMs que é finalmente produzida. Os experimentos foram realizados num contexto de detecção de defeitos em máquinas industriais. Foram usados 2000 exemplos de sinais de vibração de moto bombas instaladas em plataformas de petróleo. Os experimentos realizados mostram que o método proposto para se criar combinação de SVMs apresentou um desempenho superior em comparação a outras abordagens de classificação bem estabelecidas.

Home carers working chiefly with older adults were invited to participate in the study. Fifty nine consented and completed the questionnaires. Data was collected on external stressors, mediating factors, and strain indices experienced by home carers in their workplace. Well established measures were used, the General Health Questionnaire, the Occupational Stress Inventory, the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (short-form), the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale, as well as a demographic questionnaire designed for the study. The results indicated that the majority of home carers experienced various aspects of their jobs as stressful, namely role demands but do not necessarily report strain. A range of coping strategies used by this group were assessed. As expected wishful thinking as a coping strategy was positively correlated with the emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation dimensions of burnout, reduced job satisfaction and general emotional mental health. Social support and problem-solving were also used as strategies, the success of social support was highlighted by the negative correlations found with the emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation dimensions of burnout, and positive correlations found with job satisfaction. The differences between the home carers sample and the norm groups on the job satisfaction scale, the burnout scale, and GHQ-12 indicated significant lower levels of burnout, equal levels of job satisfaction, and a significantly lower proportion of clinical caseness. The stressful aspects of the home carer work were discussed. Although care work was viewed as rewarding by many nevertheless some indicators of stress were present. It was conjectured that the deleterious effects of reported stress was being effectively mediated through use of the various constructive strategies, namely social support from family and colleagues. Limitations of the study are discussed both in terms of method used, the nature of the sample and the issues around the measure of stress and relevant moderators.

This research on Reusable Launchers was motivated by the need to reduce substantially the cost of space transportation. The specific objective was to explore the perception that launcher reusability is the key to achieving these major cost reductions. The exploration was achieved by undertaking a comparative system study on potentially feasible reusable launcher concepts, using a consistent set of design tools, a standard analysis methodology and a standard reference mission. To set the background for the research, the results of an extensive literature review are presented on the vehicle studies and technology developments that are engaged across the world on reusable launchers. Comprehensive vehicle studies appear to be engaged without justification for the choice of selected concepts in the absence of results from comparative system studies of reusable launchers. Technology developments also appear to be engaged without clear links to needs derived from vehicle system studies. The challenge of reusability is then addressed. Firstly, to set the performance and cost targets of reusable launchers, the capabilities of current expendable launchers are derived. Secondly, to establish the operational requirements for reusable launchers, the probable space transportation needs for the early 21st century are derived. Thirdly, the concepts and characteristics of reusable launchers are derived, allowing the selection, on a rationale basis, of a short-list of 13 potentially feasible reusable launcher concepts for analysis in the research. The performance equations of reusable launchers are then derived, leading to the preparation of the comparative analysis tools. The major work of the research, which comprises the performance analysis, technical feasibility assessment and cost analysis of each candidate vehicle, are then presented and compared. A set of acceptance requirements for performance, technical feasibility and operational costs of reusable launchers is then derived. The results of the comparative analysis for each candidate launcher are then measured against these requirements. The results of the comparative analysis show that only 2 of the 13 candidate reusable launcher concepts are able to meet all the acceptance requirements. These two acceptable vehicles are both rocket-propelled. They are, in order of preference: a single-stage-to-orbit, rocket-propelled, vertical launch and vertical landing vehicle; a two-stage-to-orbit, rocket-propelled, vertical launch and horizontal landing vehicle. The operational costs per launch for these two vehicles, based on a utilisation plan of 3 vehicles operating for 20 years at a launch rate of 12 launches per year, was calculated to be about 20% of the current costs of the European Ariane 44L expendable launcher. This warrants their further evaluation in a thorough feasibility study. The more complex, air-breathing propelled, horizontal launch and landing vehicles were found to be unable to meet the performance, technical feasibility and cost requirements; Several vehicles were found to be unable to deliver a positive payload mass to orbit; Several vehicles were found to have technology requirements that were deemed to be infeasible to achieve; Several vehicles were found to have operational costs ranging from equal to double that of the European Ariane 44L expendable launcher, which was adopted as a comparative reference vehicle. The contributions of this research to the advancement of knowledge on reusable launchers are: a clear identification of the performance capability limits of 13 plausible reusable launcher concepts; an analysis methodology for determining the performance capability limits for any reusable launcher concept; a clear identification of the reasons for the poor practical performance of air-breathing propulsion systems for Earth-to-orbit launchers, which results from their installed operational characteristics.

No description available.

Aim: To examine the adoption of CCDS by paramedics, including the impact of CCDS on paramedic role and practice. Methods: Systematic review of CCDS in emergency care followed by a cluster-randomised controlled trial (C-RCT) of CCDS with a qualitative component involving 42 paramedics at two study sites. Results: 19/20 studies identified for inclusion in the systematic review were from the Emergency Department setting, with no studies from prehospital care. The focus of the studies was on process of care (19/20) rather than patient outcomes (5/20). Positive impacts were reported in 15/19 (79%) process of care studies. Only two patient outcome studies were able to report findings (one positive, one negative). Results relating to CCDS implementation were reported as an ad hoc response to problems encountered. In this C-RCT paramedics used CCDS with 12% of eligible patients (site one: 2%; site two: 24%). Intervention paramedics were twice as likely to refer patients to a falls service as those in the control group (usual care) (relative risk = 2.0; 95% Cl 1.1 to 3.7) although conveyance rates were unaltered (relative risk = 1.1; 95% Cl 0.8 to 1.5) and episode of care was unchanged (-5.7 minutes; 95% Cl -38.5 to 27.2). When CCDS was used patient referral to falls services was three times as likely (relative risk = 3.1; 95% Cl 1.4 to 6.9), and non-conveyance was twice as likely (risk = 2.1; 95% Cl 1.1 to 3.9) and overall episode of care fell by 114 minutes (95% Cl from 77.2 to 150.3). Reasons given for not using CCDS included technical problems, lack of integration, it was not sophisticated enough to influence decision making. Paramedics adapted when and how they used CCDS to suit context and patient condition. Conclusion: There is little existing evidence in relation to CCDS use in the emergency care setting, and the prehospital emergency care setting in particular. Studies of CCDS undertaken in emergency departments have shown benefit, particularly in relation to process of care. The C-RCT found that CCDS use by paramedics was low, particularly at site one, but use was associated with higher rates of patient referral and non-conveyance, and shorter episodes of care. There were encouraging signs that CCDS can support a new decision making role for paramedics. The study provides useful lessons for policy makers, practitioners and researchers about the potential benefits of CCDS and the challenges to adoption of new technology in emergency prehospital care.

Submitted by Bruna Rodrigues (bruna92rodrigues@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-09-27T11:47:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissMD.pdf: 3874080 bytes, checksum: f245af64331a5190649cede80208ac01 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-04T18:10:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissMD.pdf: 3874080 bytes, checksum: f245af64331a5190649cede80208ac01 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-04T18:10:41Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissMD.pdf: 3874080 bytes, checksum: f245af64331a5190649cede80208ac01 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-04T18:10:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissMD.pdf: 3874080 bytes, checksum: f245af64331a5190649cede80208ac01 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-30 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / This dissertation studies the application of rutile substrate as an alternative support for anatase films, specifically, on the growth and properties of anatase films. The films were utilized as catalysts for the photodegradation of water contaminants (Atrazine and Rhodamine B). Ti4+ precursor resin was prepared by the polymeric precursor method and deposited by spin coating onto polycrystalline rutile and rutile coated glass substrates. The films were calcined at different temperatures (350 °C to 500 °C) to form anatase TiO2 films. The influence of temperature on the properties of the films has been reported in this study. A comparative study of the films was also done using X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD and GIXRD results confirmed the formation of anatase on the (101) plane depending on the calcination temperature. Bandgap modification of the films with respect to calcination temperature was measured by UV visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The bandgaps were in the range of 2.74 to 2.85 eV. Photocatalytic activity of the films supported on rutile substrate was studied for the degradation of Atrazine (ATZ) and Rhodamine B (Rhod-B) under UV light. Further, the stability of the films was evaluated on four consecutive cycles where the films maintained their photocatalytic properties in all cases. The kinetics of Rhod-B and ATZ degradation followed a pseudo first order and first order exponential decay respectively. The films calcined at 450 °C and 500 °C showed superior photocatalytic activity for Rhod-B degradation than the films calcined at 350 °C and 400 °C. This is attributed to the adequate crystallinity of anatase. For ATZ degradation, the films were also efficient but no specific trend was observed. The results can contribute towards the development of TiO2 films on rutile phase substrates. / Esta dissertação estuda a aplicação de substratos de rutilo como suportes alternativos para filmes de anatase, especificamente, sobre o crescimento e propriedades de filmes de anatase sobre rutilo. Os filmes foram utilizados como catalisadores para a fotodegradação de contaminantes de água (Atrazina e Rodamina B). A resina de Ti4+ foi preparada pelo método de precursores poliméricos e depositada por spin coating sobre rutilo policristalino e em substratos de vidro revestido de rutilo. As amostras foram calcinadas a diferentes temperaturas (350 a 500 °C) para formar filmes de anatase TiO2. Um estudo comparativo dos filmes foi feito usando a técnica de difração de raios X (DRX), difração de raios X com ângulo rasante (DRXR), microscopia de força atômica (AFM) e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os resultados de DRX e DRXR confirmaram a formação de anatase nos filmes ao longo do plano (101) dependendo da temperatura de calcinação. Modificações do bandgap dos filmes de acordo com a temperatura de calcinação foram medidas por reflectância difusa de UV-visível onde os bandgaps variou de 2,74 para 2,85 eV. Atividade fotocatalítica dos filmes imobilizados sobre substrato de rutilo foi estudada para a degradação de Atrazina (ATZ) e Rodamina B (Rhod-B) sob luz UV. Além disso, a estabilidade dos filmes foi avaliada em quatro ciclos consecutivos onde os filmes mantiveram suas propriedades fotocatalíticas em todos os ciclos. As cinéticas de degradação de Rhod-B e de ATZ seguiram um ajuste de pseudo-primeira ordem e decaimento exponencial de primeira ordem, respectivamente. Os filmes que foram calcinados a 450 °C e 500 °C mostraram atividade fotocatalítica superior para a degradação de Rhod-B aos filmes calcinados a 350 °C e 400 °C. Isto foi atribuído à cristalinidade adequada da fase anatase. Para ATZ, os filmes foram eficientes mas nenhuma tendência especifica foi observada. Os resultados podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de filmes de TiO2 imobilizados sobre substratos de rutilo.

No description available.

No description available.

M.Com. (Business Management) / The ultimate objective of this research report was to develop a Decision Support System, (DSS), that can be used by property professionals to enable them to make better decisions regarding property development in South Africa. The DSS addresses the problem of numerous uncertain variables in property development investment decisions. The capability of the computer to do repetitive calculations with different combinations of variables, with probabilities linked to each variable, was used in a Monte Carlo analysis. The DSS was developed on a "Lotus 1-2-3™ Release 4 for Windows" spreadsheet which makes the program adaptable to suit specific applications if the need arises. The DSSwill, however, be able to address the majority of property developments without any adaptation. The DSS was appraised by property professionals and the comments received from the respondents indicate that the primary objective stated was achieved. The DSS is best suited for property investors who are also involved in the early development phases.