The research contained in this thesis can be divided into two related, but distinct parts. The rst chapter deals with block Toeplitz operators de ned by rational matrix function symbols on discrete sequence spaces. Here we study sequences of operators that converge to the inverses of these Toeplitz operators via an invertibility result involving a special representation of the symbol of these block Toeplitz operators. The second part focuses on a special class of matrices generated by banded Toeplitz matrices, i.e., Toeplitz matrices with a nite amount of non-zero diagonals. The spectral theory of banded Toeplitz matrices is well developed, and applied to solve questions regarding the behaviour of the singular values of Toeplitz-generated matrices. In particular, we use the behaviour of the singular values to deduce bounds for the growth of the norm of the inverse of Toeplitz-generated matrices. In chapter 2, we use a special state-space representation of a rational matrix function on the unit circle to de ne a block Toeplitz operator on a discrete sequence space. A discrete Riccati equation can be associated with this representation which can be used to prove an invertibility theorem for these Toeplitz operators. Explicit formulas for the inverse of the Toeplitz operators are also derived that we use to de ne a sequence of operators that converge in norm to the inverse of the Toeplitz operator. The rate of this convergence, as well as that of a related Riccati di erence equation is also studied. We conclude with an algorithm for the inversion of the nite sections of block Toeplitz operators. Chapter 3 contains the main research contribution of this thesis. Here we derive sharp growth rates for the norms of the inverses of Toeplitz-generated matrices. These results are achieved by employing powerful theory related to the Avram-Parter theorem that describes the distribution of the singular values of banded Toeplitz matrices. The investigation is then extended to include the behaviour of the extreme and general singular values of Toeplitz-generated matrices. We conclude with Chapter 4, which sets out to answer a very speci c question regarding the singular vectors of a particular subclass of Toeplitz-generated matrices. The entries of each singular vector seems to be a permutation (up to sign) of the same set of real numbers. To arrive at an explanation for this phenomenon, explicit formulas are derived for the singular values of the banded Toeplitz matrices that serve as generators for the matrices in question. Some abstract algebra is also employed together with some results from the previous chapter to describe the permutation phenomenon. Explicit formulas are also shown to exist for the inverses of these particular Toeplitz-generated matrices as well as algorithms to calculate the norms and norms of the inverses. Finally, some additional results are compiled in an appendix. / PhD (Mathematics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The research project discusses the ethical aspects of governance focusing on formalisation of ethics within a state owned enterprises as a mechanism to improve governance practices.

Background Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common obstructive airway diseases with a substantial burden in terms of morbidity, mortality and costs. Smoking is the single most important risk factor for COPD, and is associated with incident asthma. It is important to know if the prevalence of asthma and COPD is increasing or decreasing in the population in order to effectively allocate health care resources. The definitions of these diseases have varied over time which makes it difficult to measure changes in prevalence. The preferred method is to estimate the prevalence with the same procedures and definitions based on cross-sectional population samples with identical age distributions in the same geographical area at different time points. Measurements of lung function (spirometry) are required to diagnose COPD, and spirometry is used to evaluate disease severity and progress of both asthma and COPD, where observed values are compared to reference values. The most commonly used reference values in Sweden are published during the mid 1980s, and there are few evaluations of how appropriate they are today based on Swedish population samples. The aim of the thesis was to estimate trends in the prevalence of asthma and COPD in relation to smoking habits, and to evaluate and estimate reference values for spirometry. Methods The project was based on population-based samples of adults from the Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden (OLIN) studies. Postal questionnaires were sent to large cohorts, recruited in 1992 (n=4851, 20-69 years), 1996 (n=7420, 20-74 years) and 2006 (n=6165, 20-69 years), respectively. The questionnaire included questions on respiratory symptoms and diseases, their comorbidities and several possible risk factors including smoking habits. Structured interviews and spirometry were performed in random samples of the responders to the 1992 and 2006 surveys, of which n=660 (in 1994) and n=623 (in 2009) were within identical age-spans (23-72 years). The trend in asthma prevalence was estimated by comparing the postal questionnaire surveys in 1996 and 2006, and the trend in COPD prevalence was estimated by comparing the samples participating in dynamic spirometry in 1994 and 2009, respectively. The prevalence of COPD was estimated based on two different definitions of COPD. Commonly used reference values for spirometry were evaluated based on randomly sampled healthy non-smokers defined in clinical examinations of participants in the 2006 postal questionnaire (n=501). The main focus of the evaluation was the global lung function initiative (GLI) reference values published in 2012, for which Z-scores and percent of predicted values were analysed. New sex-specific reference values for spirometry were estimated by linear regression, with age and height as predictors. These new OLIN reference values were also evaluated on a sample of healthy non-smokers identified in the population-based West Sweden Asthma Study. Results Although the prevalence of smoking decreased from 27.4% to 19.1%, p<0.001, between 1996 and 2006, the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma increased from 9.4% to 11.6%, p<0.001. The prevalence of symptoms common in asthma such as recurrent wheeze did not change significantly between the surveys or tended to decrease, while bronchitis symptoms such as cough and sputum production decreased significantly. The evaluation of the GLI reference values showed that the predicted values were significantly lower compared to the observed values in Norrbotten, which makes the percent of predicted too high. This was especially true for FVC percent predicted with a mean of 106%. In general, the deviations were more pronounced among women. New OLIN reference values valid for the Norrbotten sample were modelled and showed a high external validity when applied on the sample from western Sweden. The prevalence of moderate to severe COPD decreased substantially over the 15-year period between 1994 and 2009, regardless of definition. Conclusions In parallel with substantially decreased smoking habits in the population between 1996 and 2006, the prevalence of several airway symptoms decreased while the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma increased. These results suggest increased diagnostic activity for asthma, but may also suggest that the asthma prevalence has continued to increase. In contrast to asthma, the prevalence of COPD tended to decrease and moderate to severe COPD decreased substantially. The continuous decrease in smoking in Sweden during several decades prior to the study period is most likely contributing to these results. The evaluation of reference values showed that the GLI reference values were lower than the observed spirometric values in the population, especially for women, why the new up-to date reference values may be of importance for disease evaluation in epidemiology and in the health care as well.

This study concerns the relationship between organisational and professional commitment over time. The study was conducted among solicitors In large commercial practices. Reviewing the literature on organisational and professional commitment three issues appeared salient. The first concerns the extent to which commitment Is time related. The second concerns the extent to which professional and organisational commitment are compatible. The third relates to the nature of commitment. Levinson's (1978) theory of adult development provided the framework of analysis for the present study. The core of Levinson's theory Is that people experience periods of stability and transition during their lifetime. Moreover, these changes are to some extent predetermined. The present study tests the Idea that commitment generally Increases with age. The underlying assumption is that older people are generally more satisfied with life In general than younger people. Another set of hypotheses relates to the relationship between organisational and professional commitment. It Is expected that both forms of commitment are complementary. Levinson suggests that at each life structure individuals experience different Intensities of commitment. This Is shaped by personality development as well as the processes of adaptation and socialisation. Finally, the motives behind an Individual's decision to stay In the organisation or the profession determines the nature of their commitments. It Is expected that professionals express their commitments In terms of a positive attitude rather than Instrumental behaviour. Organisational and professional commitment were measured using Meyer and Alien's (1991) scale.The measuresof organisational and professional commitment differentiated between attitudinal and behavioural dimensions. Attitudinal commitment was defined as the psychological Identification and attachment to the firm and to the profession (affective commitment), as well as a perceived moral duty to remain In the firm and profession (normative commitment). Behavioural commitment wasdescribed aspersonal sacrifices and the costs of quitting either the profession or the firm (continuance commitment). The survey also measured Job Involvement (Lodahl and Kejner 1965). professionalism (Hall 1968), and work values orientation (Shepard 1972; Popper and Lipshizt 1992). A sample was drawn randomly from large solicitors' firms In London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester. 403 usable replies were received. Data were analyzed mainly by t-test and Oneway Analysis of Variance (A.N.O.V.A) and Duncan's multiple-range test for multiple comparisons. The results confirm the Initial hypotheses. Age was found to be a stronger predictor of commitment than Individuals' experiences. Further, solicitors are more professionally than organisationally committed. This finding Is, however, subjected to some qualifications. The sense of 'wanting to stay' and 'needing to stay' Is higher for the profession than the firms. Yet the 'obllgation to stay' Is higher for the organisation than the profession. When results are analysed by age, professional commitment predominates only among solicitors In the early career stage. Thereafter, no form of commitment predominates until 'Mid-life Transition'. At this stage, organisational commitment predominates. In the late career stage, there Is no significant difference between both forms of commitment. Generally, affective commitment predominates over calculative commitment. The theoretical and practical Implications of the findings of the present study are discussed. The thesis Includes suggestions for future research.

Recent (post-1950s) climate change impacts on society and ecosystems have been recognised globally. However these global impacts are not uniform at regional or local scales. Despite research progress on such scales there are still gaps in the knowledge as to 'what' is happening and 'where'? The goal of this study addresses some of these gaps by analysing climate variability and vegetation response at the furthest south westerly peninsula of the United Kingdom. This research is focused on West Cornwall (South West England) - an area dominated by a strong maritime influence. The first part of this PhD research analysed archive and contemporary instrumental data in order to detect any trends in climate variability. The weather data was retrieved from the Met Office archive for Camborne 1957-2010 and Culdrose 1985-2011 stations; Trengwainton Garden (1940-2010), and from the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society, for Falmouth (1880-1952) and Helston (1843-1888). The data showed positive trends in mean annual and maximum temperature with the largest trend magnitude in the 20th and 21st century. Seasonal temperature change varies locally with the highest increase in autumn spring and summer. Precipitation trends were only positive for the 19th century for Helston. Correlation between precipitation data and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO index) was negative, however the opposite result was detected when the NAO index was correlated with temperatures. Surprisingly, return period analysis showed a decrease in the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events post 1975 for Camborne and Trengwainton Garden stations. The second part of this study analysed changes in vegetation distribution in West Cornwall using historical and contemporary vegetation records. Historical vegetation records were used from the Flora of Cornwall collection of herbarium records and contemporary vegetation records which were available online, containing mainly the 'New Atlas of British and Irish flora'. Data sets were geo-referenced using ArcGIS in order to analyse changes in species geographical distribution pre and post-1900. Analysis showed that historical vegetation records can be used to assess any changes in geographic distributions of vegetation. Analysis for the area of West Cornwall showed a loss of range for 18 species, for 6 species this loss was larger than 50% of the area, and there was no change in overall range area for 10 species. Ellenberg values and environmental indicator values showed that they can be used as an indicator of environmental change, showing a decrease in species with lower January temperatures. Analysis also showed an increase in moderate wetter species, where species with extreme low and high precipitation environmental indicator values showed a greater loss. Furthermore species with a higher requirement for light showed a loss as well as species with lower nitrogen values. To analyse the loss of species at the local scale, West Cornwall was divided into three areas (North Border Cells, Central West Cornwall Cells and South Border Cells). The highest loss of 11 species was detected for South Border Cells, where the loss for Central West Cornwall Cells was 6 and for North Border Cells 8 species. It was found that 17 species were experiencing loss on different local sites. For 9 of these 17 species, change at the local scale was different to the national scale change at the individual species level, group level and habitat level. Furthermore, the whole area of West Cornwall lost two species post-1900, with a different loss locally. This showed that species could be protected locally in appropriate microclimate refugia, which will be of benefit for the preservation of regional identity ecosystem services and overall genetic pool of the species.

Course/ Level: 2FE21E, Bachelor thesis Authors: Evelin Gimbergsson & Sandra Lundberg Tutor: Viktor Magnusson Examiner: Åsa Devine Title: Work values of Generation Z: A quantitative study explaining different groups of Generation Z’s work values. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to explain how the work values differ within different groups of Generation Z. Hypotheses: H1: Depending on major individuals value different work values. H2: Depending on gender individuals value different work values. Theory: Intrinsic, Extrinsic, Altruistic, Status-associated and Social work values. Methodology: Questionnaire Conclusion: Based on the findings, H1 was rejected and H2 was accepted. Keywords Employer branding, Generation Z, Work values, Intrinsic work values, Extrinsic work values, Altruistic work values, Status-associated work values and Social work values.

published_or_final_version / Psychology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The study aims to contribute in the understanding of key values and behaviours for Education for sustainable development and their correlations and to further develop knowledge about how they are distributed among upper secondary school students in relation to socio-demographic factors. There were 274 surveys collected in 5 different schools in Ulaanbaatar and analysed using ANOVA followed by Tukey test and Pearson’s correlation tests. The study supports the findings of previous research that universal, benevolence and traditional values are positively correlated with a positive environmental behaviour. The positive orientation towards sustainability suggest that the current adolescent Mongolian population can become potential environmental supporters with a strong motivation towards sustainable behaviour and attitudes. The demographic and social factors were weak in relation to value orientations, no significant difference observed in value orientation. There was a notable gender difference in pro environmental behaviour which aligned with many existing academic studies. Social factors in relation to environmentally friendly attitude suggested that pro environmental adolescents were somehow exposed to the natural environment and read books during their free time displayed increasingly positive behaviour toward the environment. Therefore this study emphasises the importance of encouraging informal outdoor activities and increasing the access and popularity of reading books among youths. These measures would also serve to strengthen the benevolence value and promote pro environmental behaviour.

In this essay I defend a skeptical thesis about the meaning of life: I argue that a meaningful life is impossible. I begin by examining the attempts of several philosophers to dismiss questions of the possibility of a meaningful life as either senseless or having an affirmative answer so obvious that serious philosophical scrutiny is rendered pointless. These philosophers, I argue, offer no conclusive arguments. I proceed to consider some skeptical arguments about the meaning of life. Although these arguments are suggestive, I maintain that they are undeveloped at crucial points, and thus unconvincing. To defend my skeptical thesis, I develop an account of a necessary condition for a meaningful life. I argue that in order for a person to have a meaningful life, he must be engaged in some activity of sufficient importance so that failure in that activity would constitute a good reason for feeling a painful retrospective attitude which I call remorse. I argue that one is justified in feeling remorse, in my sense, only when one fails in the attempt to realize some desire for a categorical good, that is, a desire for something which is good independently of how one happens to feel about it. I argue that we lack good reason for thinking that such justification exists. It follows that we lack good reason for feeling what I call remorse and thus for believing we might have a meaningful life.

Although the non-profit sector is now the third largest sector of the global economy, relatively little is known about the psychological processes that underlie decisions to donate to charity. Across five experiments, the present research explores two factors that are thought to underlie giving: social norms and personal values. Study 1 elicits personal values and manipulates descriptive social norm information and finds that both of these factors influence giving behavior. Study 2 replicates these findings with injunctive norms in place of descriptive norms. Study 3 manipulates both descriptive and injunctive social norms within a single study and finds that while both have an influence on giving, they do not interact in any meaningful way with each other. Study 4 manipulates descriptive and injunctive norm information in the context of a realistic online donation decision and finds that both injunctive norms influence rates of giving, but that descriptive norm information alone influences willingness to give. Study 5 experimentally manipulates the costs and benefits associated with viewing social information and finds that while participants are willing to view social information when there are no associated costs, willingness to view information decreases dramatically under even very small costs. We conclude in Chapter 6 by discussing the implications of these findings and potential directions for future research.