This research aims to explore the ways in which community-based mental health social workers assess the qualities of residential care facilities in order to make recommendations to their service users. The daily challenges of serving a marginalized population within the context of structural inequalities and neoliberalist service provision describe some of the contradictions that shape the work experiences of social workers. This research seeks to contribute to and further our understanding of critical social work practice, social justice, and structural oppression. In addressing the phenomenon of structural inequalities and neoliberalist service provision from the perspective of those affected, it will assist in a broader understanding of how social workers support service users to find supportive housing. Semi-structured interviews with community-based mental health social workers employed in Hamilton, Ontario were conducted and complement the existing literature on residential care facilities, the deterioration of the social welfare system, managerialism, and client-centeredness. This is an exploratory study as few previous research has been conducted with social workers in the context of lodging homes. Previous literature existed from the perspective of residents of lodging homes in Hamilton, Ontario. This research suggests that social workers are influenced by a complex number of phenomena in their daily work in order to make recommendations for supportive housing. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW)

The purpose of the study was to examine relationships which existed between selected demographics and college grade point averages “GPAs” for dislocated workers and non dislocated workers enrolled in career-technical courses at a rural community college. The variables included in the study are age, gender, and marital status. The study also reports identified educational goals of dislocated workers as well as the perceived enhancements and barriers to achieving the goals. This study was conducted to assist workforce investment network “WIN” personnel and college counselors in the advisement of dislocated workers interested in the pursuit of career-technical training. A survey research design was used to collect data from first semester career-technical students within a program at East Central Community College in Decatur, MS. An instrument designed by the researcher utilized three demographic items and three open-ended questions to collect the data within a two-week period. A total of 274 surveys were collected. The data were analyzed through the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study indicated the variables of age and gender were shown to have significant relationships with college GPA. Dislocated workers were found to be older, female, and to maintain a higher GPA than non-dislocated worker students. Responses to the open-ended questions revealed that the majority of dislocated workers stated graduation to be a primary goal. Enhancements included support from family and financial aid, most commonly in the form of Workforce Investment Act “WIA” funding. Dislocated workers responded that personal finances and time management skills were the most difficult barriers to overcome in regards to meeting educational goals.

A current trend in residential construction is the use of prefabricated wall panels. It is important to carefully establish how panels will be stacked, because an optimal sequence will improve productivity and reduce the possibility of worker injury. Mathematical models and heuristics are proposed for solving the panel stacking problem without consideration of interference. Dissertation work includes a mathematical model of the corresponding panel stacking problems in which the goal is to minimize total weighted panel move distance concurrent with certain construction assumptions. The heuristic method was provided to establish how each panel would be stacked and gave the drop-off location of each stack. The heuristic method was found to be able to reduce the total weighted panel move distance and ensure connectivity was always maintained, meanwhile, interference could also be avoided. In terms of solution speed, the heuristic method can solve real size problems in less than one second. Solutions to such problems can increase productivity. Three improvements to the only known existing panel stacking algorithm with consideration of interference were proposed. The computational results indicate the proposed algorithm performed better than existing algorithm in all experimental cases. Improvement on panel move distance ranged from 1.35-47.93%, and improvement on interfering panels ranged from 20-100%. The proposed algorithm can solve non-rectangular cases (not possible with existing algorithm) and was compared with an experienced panel designer and commercial software. When compared to the proposed algorithm, total weighted panel move distance increased 0.10-85.52% and 0.77-136.23%, respectively, for the panel designer and software. While connectivity was 100% for all cases with the proposed algorithm (the algorithm ensures connectivity is always maintained), it ranged from 69.56-86.95% and 73.33-90.91%, however, for the panel designer and software respectively. Finally, the proposed algorithm can solve the interfering panels in the last stack: this cannot be done with the existing algorithm. Because prefabricated wall panels are typically large and cumbersome to work with, there is a significant probability of worker injury. It is important to carefully establish how each panel will be handled by workers. This is typically the responsibility of field construction foreman, but such personnel are often ill-equipped to make such decisions. An alternative, proactive approach is to establish how each panel will be handled in advance, such that overall ergonomic consequences can be properly considered. This dissertation presents mathematical models of the corresponding construction task scheduling and worker assignment problems, where the goal is to minimize total project completion time (subject to worker quantity constraints) and assign tasks to workers as evenly as possible. The solution of such problems can help residential construction managers better plan construction by establishing the ergonomic impact associated with a given construction plan. A heuristic was also developed to solve large problems by balancing workload between workers. The heuristic was found to be able to provide near-optimal solutions, and can solve large problems in less than one second. / Ph. D.

Co-operatives, particularly worker co-operatives, form an integral part of the social and economic development efforts of the South African government. However, worker co-operatives have not achieved the expected results and have mostly remained survivalist in nature, In the literature study, this research explored the potential of worker co-operatives in terms of social and economic development, the state of worker co-operatives in South Africa according to previous research and the challenges faced by worker co-operatives. The submission is that worker co-operatives can only reach their potential in social development when they achieve business success. Therefore, business success factors were determined and criteria for these co-operatives to be classified as successful established. These criteria were as follows:  Longevity (operating for more than three years).  Profitability (showing a surplus for at least one year).  Financial Independence (operating without external funding for at least one year).  Member Income (at least R955 per member per month). The research population for the research was actively operating worker co-operatives registered as clients with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda). A questionnaire exploring the demographics of members, the financial position of the co-operatives and the way in which they were managed and operated were developed. The questionnaire contained questions with regard to financial practices and management, marketing management and activities, operations management, human resource management, management processes.and the support received from development institutions. In addition to the evaluation of the business performance in terms of the criteria for success, the research evaluates the way in which worker co-operatives are managed and operated in terms of established business practices. It, moreover, explores the impact of support initiatives by government institutions and a framework for future development efforts is suggested. The study‟s results show that worker co-operatives are operating at a level where they are unable to fulfil their expected role in economic and social development. Various management and operational challenges were identified. Moreover, it was found that current support initiatives do not have the desired developmental effect. / PhD (Business Administration), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Co-operatives, particularly worker co-operatives, form an integral part of the social and economic development efforts of the South African government. However, worker co-operatives have not achieved the expected results and have mostly remained survivalist in nature, In the literature study, this research explored the potential of worker co-operatives in terms of social and economic development, the state of worker co-operatives in South Africa according to previous research and the challenges faced by worker co-operatives. The submission is that worker co-operatives can only reach their potential in social development when they achieve business success. Therefore, business success factors were determined and criteria for these co-operatives to be classified as successful established. These criteria were as follows:  Longevity (operating for more than three years).  Profitability (showing a surplus for at least one year).  Financial Independence (operating without external funding for at least one year).  Member Income (at least R955 per member per month). The research population for the research was actively operating worker co-operatives registered as clients with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda). A questionnaire exploring the demographics of members, the financial position of the co-operatives and the way in which they were managed and operated were developed. The questionnaire contained questions with regard to financial practices and management, marketing management and activities, operations management, human resource management, management processes.and the support received from development institutions. In addition to the evaluation of the business performance in terms of the criteria for success, the research evaluates the way in which worker co-operatives are managed and operated in terms of established business practices. It, moreover, explores the impact of support initiatives by government institutions and a framework for future development efforts is suggested. The study‟s results show that worker co-operatives are operating at a level where they are unable to fulfil their expected role in economic and social development. Various management and operational challenges were identified. Moreover, it was found that current support initiatives do not have the desired developmental effect. / PhD (Business Administration), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Polymorphism is the existence of multiple phenotypes within a given species in a population. In social insects, worker polymorphism plays a key role in maximizing the effectiveness of the division of labor. Some ants have an extreme form of worker polymorphism where workers have a broad size range and multiple size modes. Pheidole ants, for example, consist of both highly polymorphic species as well as those with relatively low polymorphism. Here, we examined why different Pheidole species have different degrees of polymorphism and how polymorphism is produced. We thoroughly characterized the worker caste systems of P. spadonia, P. rhea, P. obtusospinosa, and P. tepicana. There were significant differences among the four species in size range, number of size modes, caste ratios, allometry, and caste biomass allocation. An examination of worker caste traits of P. spadonia, P. rhea, and P. obtusospinosa revealed that as head size increased for all three species: (1) mandibles became broader and less serrated, (2) head muscle volume increased, and (3) bite force increased. These traits of large supersoldiers are likely adapted for crushing while those of small minors are likely for cutting. Foraging experiments showed that P. spadonia, P. rhea, and P. obtusospinosa used their workforce in different ways for food processing outside the nest. For P. rhea, the frequency of supersoldiers involved in food processing increased as the processing level required increased. However, P. obtusospinosa supersoldiers were rarely found processing food outside the nest and P. spadonia soldiers assisted in processing dead prey but did not help at all in processing live prey. P. obtusospinosa and P. spadonia workers may be more involved with other colony tasks. This hypothesis was confirmed when field observations of P. obtusospinosa showed supersoldiers participating in head-blocking at their entrance to fend off invading army ants; no other castes exhibited this behavior. Lastly, we tested genetic influences on worker polymorphism. We found that as colony genetic diversity increased (via polyandry), the degree of polymorphism increased. We also showed evidence of paternal genes influences on the development of worker castes in the highly polymorphic P. rhea.

Att studera arbetslöshet hos män 55-65 år i en mellansvensk kommun har här varit i fokus. Syftet var att se hur de upplevde att bli arbetslösa, hur de såg på sina möjligheter på arbetsmarknaden samt var de la kontrollen för det som hänt dem, vilket avsåg orientering i locus of control. Tidigare genomförd forskning kretsade mycket kring hälsa. Män i åldern mellan 55 och 65 år fanns inte representerade. Kunskap kring vad som hände mentalt vid arbetslöshet saknades. Tillgänglighetsurval användes i ett mellansvenskt samhälle. Nio personer intervjuades och besvarade ett locus of control-test. Resultaten visade att de kände utanförskap, några trodde sig kunna få jobb igen, några längtade efter pension, de flesta kände sig diskriminerade pga. åldern. De intervjuade kände av problem med ekonomi och stress. Upplevd åldersdiskriminering kunde bero på att det då var hård konkurrens om de jobb som fanns att söka.

CONTENTS vi Title: Implementation of parallel query processing in PostgreSQL Author: Bc. Daniel Vojtek Department: Department of Software Engineering Supervisor: Mgr. Július Štroffek Supervisor's e-mail address: julo@stroffek.cz Abstract: Parallel query processing can help with processing of huge amounts of data stored in database systems. The aim of this diploma the- sis was to explore the possibilities, analyze, design and finally implement parallel query processing in open source database system PostgreSQL. I used a Master/Worker design pattern, in which standard PostgreSQL backend process is a master. As workers I used processes created from postmaster. In the thesis I focused on preparing an infrastructure nec- essary for parallel processing. I defined a new top level memory context over shared memory, which allows efficient and convenient memory al- locations. Then I implemented creation of new worker processes, based on master process requirements. To be able to control these workers I defined controlling structures using state machines. Then I implemented parallel sort operation and SQL operator UNION ALL using this infras- tructure. The result of this diploma thesis is not only implementation of infrastructure and some parallel operations, but also description of the problems encountered during the...

Pesticides, poor nutrition, parasites and diseases work synergistically to contribute to the decline of the honey bee. Heritable sub-lethal behavior/immune effects may also contribute to the decline. Maternal stress is a common source of heritable immune/behavior deficits in many species. A stressed honey bee queen has the potential to pass such deficits on to worker bees. Using a repeated measures design, this study will determine whether the health of worker bee is reduced by a cold stress on the queen by analyzing egg hatch rate and protein content, emergence rate, and adult aggression and immune function for offspring laid before and after the stressor. Results show that queen stress influences egg hatching rate and emergence rate but does not impact egg protein content, adult offspring immune function or aggressive behavior.

Syftet med studien har varit att undersöka samverkan mellan fältsekreterare, polis och socialsekreterare samt vilken funktion fältsekreterarna fyller för polis och socialsekreterare i deras ungdomsinriktade arbete. Uppsatsen har sin utgångspunkt i projektet Lokal operativ samverkan i stadsdelarna Gottsunda/Valsätra i Uppsala. Studien rör sig inom det komplexa område som samverkan innebär. Skapar fältsekreterarna nya förutsättningar för hur yrkesgrupperna tillsammans kan arbeta mot ett gemensamt mål? Tidigare forskning har visat att samverkan mellan socialtjänst och polis är beroende av en gemensam problemdefinition och samsyn. Fältsekreterarna verkar i en mittenposition där de förväntas arbeta både utifrån socialtjänstens formulerade önskemål och utifrån ungdomens behov. Fältarbetet kretsar ofta kring att skapa relationer till en grupp som har en negativ bild av myndigheter och att förmå dessa att ta emot samhällets stöd. De teoretiska perspektiv som appliceras för att förstå och tolka samverkan och de interaktioner som sker inom den är systemteori och symbolisk interaktionism. Det är en kvalitativ studie som har genomförts i form utav semi- strukturerade intervjuer. Sex personer har intervjuats; fältsekreterare, polis och socialsekreterare. Intervjuerna analyserades genom en innehållanalys, där skillnader och likheter mellan uttalandena kartlades. Resultatet bekräftar en del av den tidigare forskningen. Respondenterna i studien lyfter fram vikten av en gemensam samsyn. I en samverkan är det viktigt att samverkansparterna fyller skilda funktioner och kompletterar varandra. Respondenterna beskriver att de har skilda perspektiv som kan gynna samverkan. De verifierar att det finns en myndighetsskepsis hos målgruppen, därför strävar fältsekreterarna efter att skapa ett förtroende hos ungdomarna. Fältsekreterarna fungerar för polis och socialsekreterare som en förebyggande aktör. De är myndigheternas ögon utåt. De tre undersökta yrkesgrupperna kan betraktas som ett system, där de fyller olika funktioner men tillsammans arbetar de mot ett gemensamt mål. Samverkan i sig bidrar till en ökad förståelse för varandras arbeten. Den slutsats som kan dras av studien är att det i samverkan är viktigt att ta tillvara på varandras kompetenser och funktioner. Genom att göra detta kan man på bästa sätt möta omvärldens behov. Fältsekreterarna är ytterligare en aktör som verkar i området, de kan skapa en bredare kunskap hos polis och socialsekreterare. / The aim of this study has been to illustrate the collaboration between out-reach workers, police and social workers. The purpose of the study has also been to explore the impact out- reach workers has on the work of the police and social services. Out- reach workers are social workers whose main work is to locate and help youth in their own environment. The basis has been a project in Uppsala, Lokal operativ samverkan. By adding the out- reach workers to the already existing collaboration between police and social workers the conditions changes. Research on the subject has shown that the collaboration is dependent on a joint vision. Out- reach workers exist in the middle, they must meet expectations from the social workers but their main task is to work for the youth in the community. They often meet youth in vulnerable situations. The work includes creating a functional relationship between the youths and the societies agencies. The applied theories have been system theory and symbolic interactionism. The study has a qualitative approach. Six persons have been interviewed using semi-structured interviews, including police, out- reach workers and social workers. Over all the result confirms earlier research on the subject. An agreement about the task is essential for the participants. It’s important to have different roles and to complement each other, to appreciate the different functions. The participants describe how different perspectives further the collaboration. The out- reach workers aim to strengthen the relationship between the youth and the authorities. They function as a preventive and observing agent in the community. The police, the social workers and the out- reach workers function as a system that works against a common vision, but with different tasks. Finally the study shows that it’s vital to take advantage and to esteem the differences in assignments in the collaboration. By doing this the agents can meet the need of the community. The out- reach workers can broaden the knowledge about the youths in the collaboration with the police and the social workers.