Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Relative continuity'

Le monde numérique est parsemé de structures mathématiques discrètes, destinées à être facilement manipulables par un ordinateur tout en donnant à notre cerveau l'impression d'être de belles formes réelles continues. Les images numériques peuvent ainsi être vues comme des sous-ensembles de Z^2. En géométrie discrète, nous nous intéressons aux structures de Z^d et cherchons à établir des propriétés géométriques ou topologiques sur ces objets. Si les questions que nous nous posons sont relativement simples en géométrie euclidienne, elles deviennent beaucoup plus difficiles en géométrie discrète : plus de division, adieu les limites, tout n'est plus qu'arithmétique. Cette thèse est également l'occasion de jongler avec de nombreuses notions élémentaires de mathématiques et d'informatique (algèbre linéaire, anneaux, automates, analyse réelle, arithmétique, combinatoire) pour résoudre des questions de géométrie discrète. Nous nous intéressons à des structures fondamentales de cette géométrie : les hyperplans arithmétiques. Ceux-ci ont en effet une définition très simple et purement arithmétique : un hyperplan arithmétique est l'ensemble des points entiers situés entre deux hyperplans (réels) affines parallèles. Nous parlons dans cette thèse de trois problèmes portant sur les hyperplans arithmétiques : - la connexité : un hyperplan arithmétique est-il composé d'un seul morceau ou de plusieurs ? Apport principal de ce manuscrit, nous étendons des résultats déjà connus pour la connexité par faces pour des voisinages quelconques. Si certains phénomènes demeurent dans le cas général, l'explosion combinatoire rend difficile l'adaptation des algorithmes connus pour résoudre le problème. Nous adoptons donc une approche analytique et prouvons des propriétés de connexité en étudiant la régularité d'une fonction. - la reconnaissance : comment connaître les caractéristiques d'un hyperplan arithmétique ? Problème plus classique de géométrie discrète, avec une littérature très riche, nous proposons pour le résoudre un algorithme de reconnaissance reposant sur l'arbre de Stern-Brocot généralisé. Nous introduisons notamment la notion de corde séparante qui caractérise géométriquement les zones auxquelles appartiennent les paramètres d'un hyperplan arithmétique. - les transformations douces : comment transformer continûment un hyperplan arithmétique via des translations ou rotations ? Approche discrète des transformations homotopiques, nous caractérisons les mouvements de pixels possibles dans une structure discrète tout en préservant ses propriétés géométriques. Au-delà de l'étude de ces problèmes et des résultats que nous avons pu obtenir, cette thèse montre l'intérêt d'utiliser des réels, et notamment de l'analyse réelle, pour mieux comprendre les hyperplans arithmétiques. Ces derniers sont en effet caractérisés en grande partie par leur vecteur normal, souvent considéré entier pour obtenir des propriétés de périodicité. Considérer des vecteurs normaux réels quelconques permet de gagner en souplesse, et de faire disparaître les phénomènes de bruit induits par les relations arithmétiques du vecteur. S'ouvrir de nouveau au réel est enfin un moyen de créer des ponts vers d'autres branches des mathématiques, comme la combinatoire des mots ou les systèmes de numération
The digital world is littered with discrete mathematical structures, designed to be easily manipulated by a computer while giving our brains the impression of beautiful continuous real shapes. Digital images can thus be seen as subsets of Z^2. In discrete geometry, we are interested in the structures of Z^d and seek to establish geometric or topological properties on these objects. While the questions we ask are relatively simple in Euclidean geometry, they become much more difficult in discrete geometry: no more division, goodbye to limits, everything is just arithmetic. This thesis is also an opportunity to juggle many elementary notions of mathematics and computer science (linear algebra, rings, automata, real analysis, arithmetic, combinatorics) to solve discrete geometry questions. We are interested in the fundamental structures of this geometry: arithmetic hyperplanes. These have a very simple and purely arithmetical definition: an arithmetical hyperplane is the set of integer points lying between two parallel (real) affine hyperplanes. In this thesis, we discuss three problems involving arithmetic hyperplanes:- connectedness: is an arithmetic hyperplane composed of a single piece or of several pieces? The main contribution of this manuscript is to extend results already known for facewise connectedness for any neighbourhood. While certain phenomena remain in the general case, the combinatorial explosion makes it difficult to adapt known algorithms to solve the problem. We therefore adopt an analytical approach and prove connectivity properties by studying the regularity of a function. - recognition: how can we find out the characteristics of an arithmetic hyperplane? This is a more traditional problem in discrete geometry, with a very rich literature. To solve it, we propose a recognition algorithm based on the generalised Stern-Brocot tree. In particular, we introduce the notion of separating chord, which geometrically characterises the zones to which the parameters of an arithmetic hyperplane belong. - soft transformations: how can an arithmetic hyperplane be continuously transformed using translations or rotations? A discrete approach to homotopic transformations, we characterise the possible pixel movements in a discrete structure while preserving its geometric properties. Beyond the study of these problems and the results we were able to obtain, this thesis shows the interest of using the reals, and in particular real analysis, to better understand arithmetic hyperplanes. Arithmetic hyperplanes are largely characterised by their normal vector, which is often considered integer to obtain periodicity properties. Considering any real normal vectors provides greater flexibility and eliminates the noise induced by the arithmetic relationships of the vector. Finally, opening up to the real again is a way of building bridges to other branches of mathematics, such as word combinatorics or numbering systems

Cette note de synthèse s'inscrit dans le courant actuel des recherches analysant l'agir professionnel en éducation. Elle porte sur l'étude de la relation entre la sphère sociocognitive et la sphère pragmatique dans le domaine de l'enseignement. Elle présente dans un premier temps la dynamique de l'évolution de mon objet de recherche, puis dans un deuxième et troisième temps, le cœur de la note de synthèse consacré à mon objet actuel : la recherche des éléments représentationnels potentiellement ou effectivement organisateurs des pratiques d'enseignement. Cet objet porte sur l'analyse des pratiques verbales que les enseignants adressent à leurs élèves dans la communication pédagogique, pratiques particulièrement en prise avec les représentations via la symbolique du langage. Il se focalise sur les pratiques génériques d'enseignement, c'est-à-dire celles partagées par les enseignants. M'appuyant sur une discipline contributive aux Sciences de l'Éducation, la Psychologie Sociale, je considère les pratiques verbales comme des actes verbaux récurrents qui, par cette récurrence même, traduisent des intentions particulières guidées par des représentations plus ou moins conscientisées. C'est ce rapport entre les représentations (sphère sociocognitive) et les pratiques verbales (sphère pragmatique) qui est particulièrement étudié dans cette note de synthèse, via la confrontation des pratiques verbales observées en situation pédagogique (manifestations de représentations en pratiques), aux pratiques déclarées et justifiées en entretien (représentations des pratiques). Mes avancées sont essentiellement conceptuelles et théoriques. Elles s'inscrivent dans l'optique des recherches visant la connaissance de la pratique. Dévoiler les cohérences mais aussi les ruptures sociocognitivo-pragmatiques concourt à la réflexion scientifique cherchant à mettre en évidence des savoirs professionnels impliqués dans les pratiques. J'opérationnalise les cohérences, ou les ruptures par la mise au jour de différents types de généricités que je nomme ainsi : - Généricité congruente. Elle est à l'œuvre lorsque les pratiques constatées en classe correspondent à celles décrites et justifiées en entretien (ou lorsque des pratiques non constatées en classe ont été par ailleurs signalées par les enseignants comme ne pouvant être mises en place). Les représentations livrées en entretien ont un statut d'organisateurs opérants des pratiques, (ou dans le deuxième cas, celui d'organisateurs potentiellement opérants de l'absence de pratiques). - Généricité implicite. Elle se manifeste lorsque les pratiques constatées en classe ne sont pas décrites et justifiées en entretien. Les représentations (inférées par le chercheur, à propos des pratiques de terrain) ont alors un statut d'organisateurs potentiels des pratiques. - Généricité convenue. Elle est présente lorsqu'à l'inverse, les pratiques décrites et justifiées en entretien, ne sont pas constatées en classe. Les représentations livrées par les enseignants ne sont pas organisatrices des pratiques. Elles alimentent plutôt la pensée professionnelle. - Enfin Généricité contextuelle. Elle est à l'œuvre lorsque les enseignants signalent des pratiques qu'ils ne font pas, et justifient cette absence, alors que paradoxalement le chercheur constate de telles pratiques en classe. Les représentations ne sont pas dans ce cas organisatrices des pratiques. D'autres éléments de contexte influencent ces dernières. J'analyse les pratiques pour saisir lesquelles des représentations dont les psychologues sociaux ont mis en évidence l'impact sur les comportements en situations expérimentales (représentations de soi, d'autrui, de la tâche, du contexte), et éventuellement quelles représentations d'un autre type, sont organisatrices, ou potentiellement organisatrices, ou non organisatrices des pratiques ordinaires d'enseignement. Certains résultats obtenus permettent par exemple de mettre en relation certaines pratiques verbales génériques avec les représentations de la tâche d'enseignement à caractère hétérostructurant, ou encore avec les représentations que les enseignants possèdent des capacités cognitives des élèves selon le statut scolaire qu'ils leur attribuent. Pour étudier la relation entre la sphère sociocognitive et la sphère pragmatique en situations ordinaires d'enseignement, cette note de synthèse propose une démarche méthodologique et un cadre opératoire illustrant une orientation structuro-herméneutique.

The purpose of this thesis is to make a thematic study of the Books of Haggai and Zechariah 1-6 in order firstly to identify the ways in which classical prophetic methods and traditions are continued and developed in these works and secondly to consider the reasons for any divergence in thought and style. The study is based on the hypothesis that the community of Israel underwent radical change as a result of the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile and that during the restoration period, under Persian rule, fundamental distinctions in theological understanding and the phenomenon of prophecy arose. The thesis contains six major chapters. The first is introductory and considers the composite nature of the books and the possibility of distinguishing and dating the different strata. The second compares the status, authority and roie within the community of Haggai and Zechariah with those of their prophetic predecessors. Chapter three studies the ways in which the prophetic messages were received and transmitted and includes a discussion on the development of angeloiogy. Specific themes which are important in Haggai and Zechariah 1-8 are dealt with in the next three chapters; issues relating to Israel's leadership and ideas of messianism; ideas about divine judgement and punishment upon the nation; and thoughts on the relationships between other nations, Israel and her God. Each of these compares the treatment of the themes with that found in the classical prophetic books and also considers the respective use that is made of other Old Testament material. Conclusions were drawn in each chapter and these have been collated in the short final chapter. The study concluded that Haggai stood firmly in the classical prophetic tradition while Zechariah was more innovative in respect of prophetic method and at times radical in the theological ideas he proclaimed.

Ce mémoire de recherche investigue la continuité des traits psychopathiques chez les enfants de même que la contribution de la qualité des relations avec les parents, l’enseignant et les pairs à la variabilité de ces traits. La présente étude porte sur 281 enfants (48 % de filles) âgés de 6 à 9 ans avec un trouble des conduites. Trois dimensions de traits psychopathiques ont été évaluées chez les enfants (narcissisme, impulsivité, insensibilité), en plus d’un construit global. Ces traits ont été mesurés avec l’APSD par un parent et un enseignant à l’entrée dans l’étude (temps 0 ou T0) puis à une année d’intervalle sur une période de 4 ans (T1 à T4). Ces évaluateurs ont également évalué la qualité de leur relation avec l’enfant ainsi que celle avec les pairs (T0). Les résultats montrent que la stabilité différentielle des traits sur l’intervalle de quatre années va de faible à modérée pour chaque dimension. Cependant, l’analyse de la stabilité des niveaux moyens indique que c’est entre le T0 et le T2 que la variabilité des traits est la plus significative, la stabilité étant plus importante entre le T2 et le T4. Enfin, l’étude démontre qu’aucune des variables relationnelles ne contribue significativement à la variabilité des traits quatre ans plus tard et ce, pour chacune des dimensions ainsi que pour le construit global. stabilité, traits psychopathiques, traits antisociaux, trouble des conduites, enfants, relation avec le parent, relation avec l’enseignant, relation avec les pairs

Forskning visar på att patienter önskar kontinuitet, då de upplever att det bidrar till känslan av trygghet och närhet. Det ger sjuksköterskan möjlighet att lära känna personen och en möjlighet att bättre följa upp gjorda åtgärder. Syfte Syftet med denna studie var att beskriva vilka faktorer som har samband med patientens upplevelse av kontinuitet i vården. Metod Studien har genomförts som en litteraturstudie. Resultat Resultatet visade att det var viktigt för kontinuiteten att de fick träffa en sjuksköterska som de kände sedan tidigare och att det var samma sjuksköterska vid alla vårdtillfällen. Det var även viktigt att sjuksköterskan de träffade var uppdaterad på deras medicinska historia. En viktig faktor som höjde kontinuiteten var om patienten hade en kronisk sjukdom, då de patienterna oftare kräver regelbunden uppföljning med fler besök hos vården. Patienterna upplevde större kontinuitet om vården utfördes av sjuksköterska istället för av andra vårdgivare Sjuksköterskorna var mer anpassningsbara, flexibla och tog sig mer tid med patienten. Slutsats Studien visar att kontinuitet är något som patienter upplever som viktigt när de möter vården men det saknas forskning om hur vården ska organiseras, för att kontinuiteten ska upplevas bättre ur ett patientperspektiv, balanserat mot organisationens behov av att spara tid och pengar.
Research shows that patients wants continuity, as they feel it adds to the feeling of security and closeness That it gives the nurse the opportunity to get to know the person and an opportunity to better follow up actions. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that influence patient perception of continuity of care. Method This study was conducted as a literature review. Result The results showed that it was important for the continuity that they got to meet a nurse they knew from before, and it was the same nurse at every appointment. It was also important that who they met, was up to date on their medical history. An important factor that increased continuity was if the patient has a chronic disease, which increases the need to require regular follow-up with more visits to health care. Patients experienced greater flexibility of care performed by a nurse instead of a doctor, the nurses took more time with the patient and that it was more effective. Conclusion The study shows that continuity is important when patients recieve care, but there is no research about how care should be organized, for continuity to be perceived better from a patient perspective, balanced against the needs of the organization to save time and money.

Driven by the needs of growing populations, industrial and governing powers are successfully accelerating the rate of industrial consumption, production and employment as if the earth’s resources are in unlimited supply. In contrast, a range of international sustainable development forums, inspired by visionary individuals, have made significant progress in creating awareness that the footprint of human activity is exceeding the earth’s sink and source capacity; and educating people in government, workplaces and communities to slow down industrial consumption and clean up production. Turning around conventional and short sighted ‘business as usual’ logic, and directing economies toward greener, long-term sustainability outcomes, still meet with resistance and hidden unsustainable agendas. The ‘green economy’ drive nevertheless since 2008 attracts financial and human resources and bold action in favour of more sustainable management of human-nature relations. The sustainable development movement for example advocates a ‘triple bottom line’ approach, holding that socially and ecologically responsible economic development would be sustainable. The sustainability movement has attained significant buy-in among governments and business communities. It forms the under-labouring philosophy of the programmes reviewed in this case study. The thesis reviews social-economic events paving the way for a global green economy. Taking a leadership role in the sustainable development movement the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) concurred to respond to the 2008 world-wide economic meltdown with a two-pronged ‘Green New Deal’ (UNEP, 2008). The Green New Deal financial package helps restore multi-national economic growth, employment and markets while re-shaping economies to follow an ecologically and socially responsible growth trajectory. South Africa implements green economy principles as part of the 2010 The New Growth Path overarching policy framework, with an implementation strategy embedded in the 2011 National Development Plan (NDP) (RSA. The Presidency, 2010; 2011). The New Growth Path emphasises that the transformation of South Africa’s un-sustainable economic and educational legacy to a more sustainable future is not expected to follow a smooth, linear process. The transition to a green economy is rather expected to be an event of “… noisy, healthy democracy” (RSA. The Presidency, 2010). A green, low carbon economy particularly constitutes a pledge to slow down and turn the human induced climate change trajectory around. McKinsey (2009) argues that this pledge is attainable on a world-wide scale, as sufficient and suitable environmentally sound techniques and technologies are already in place. Attaining buy-in from business stakeholders toward re-thinking and amending an economy’s self-defying large environmental footprint (inclusive of carbon, water and waste footprints) however requires education starting with awarenessraising followed by educational programmes and official curricula aimed at implementation and continuous improvement of green practices in day to day ‘doings and beings’ (Sen, 1997). This study at implementation level reviews two green economy training programmes and their emergence in South Africa around this rationale. The awareness generation and training programmes elected as case study examples are the ‘Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production’ (RECP) and ‘Industrial Energy Efficiency’ (IEE) programmes, of the hosting agency National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC-SA). The RECP and IEE teams reach out to decision makers, engineers and artisans at industrial workplaces and workplace related events to add green competences to their business-as-usual skill sets. Implementing green options in industry typically slows down industrial scale resource consumption, pollution, waste generation and green-house gas (GHG) emissions while optimising resource productivity and enterprise excellence. Optimised supply side systems allow industry to reduce energy and material intensity of products thus reducing cost and producing more with less. In transitioning to a ‘Green GDP’ economy South Africa is awakening to the reality that natural resources constitute the original, albeit limited feedstock for growth and employment. The RECP and IEE approach also contribute to reduction of industrial waste, waste-to-landfill, and energy and resource security. Literature reviewed for this research provides evidence that the green economy’s triple bottom line philosophy is quantifiable thus manageable. A range of green economy management tools are emerging, including guidelines for carbon, water and environmental footprinting and the green-house gas abatement cost curve (see section 2.2.5) (McKinsey and Company, 2009). Transitioning from business as usual to ecologically sustainable industrial sectors however requires visionary, educated leadership, willing and capable of introducing modern and more efficient techniques and technologies. The boundaries of this half thesis embrace the globally and historically significant Tbilisi Declaration and other education and sustainable development agreements produced by United Nations and OECD mechanisms. Participating nations like South Africa incorporate the essence of these agreements into domestic policies and strategies, and align industries to remain competitive in international markets, which are increasingly enforcing green standards like ISO 14001 and ISO 50001. The focus of this case study guided by inductive, abductive and retroductive inference is to understand how the two sustainability learning programmes for people in industrial workplaces, supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and relevant donors, and overseen by the South African Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), relate to emerging green learning aspects. Producing a review of this nature requires a framework of laterally understanding emerging green learning aspects, for which I have reviewed green economy literature and also green learning and conventional education and training literature respectively. Themes emerging from the literature review informed an analytical instrument (questionnaire) in Phase One. In Phase Two the questionnaire was applied through nested case study methodology to show how the educational content and approaches of the RECP and IEE programmes relate to emerging green learning aspects and as such is suitable for mainstreaming in the national educational system. From an explicit educational perspective potential partners for collaboration include the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) the South African Qualifications Authority’s (SAQA’s) Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) representing the training needs of the industrial workforce but affiliated to QCTO and SAQA. In the extended scenario the NCPC-SA as a dti programme recognises the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) as lead agency guiding implementation of South Africa’s green economy, and specifically DEA’s National Environmental Sector Skills Planning Forum (NESPF), a national leader in green skills development in South Africa, as conduit for productively mainstreaming relevant RECP and IEE content and approaches toward green skills development for the green economy.

Depuis les années 1980, de nombreuses études ont montré l’importance des peuplements forestiers très matures et de leurs attributs constitutifs (arbres de gros diamètre, bois morts…) pour la conservation de la biodiversité forestière. Ces travaux ont permis d’initier un processus en faveur d’une meilleure reconnaissance de la fonction écologique des forêts. La plupart de ces études ne tiennent cependant pas compte de la notion d’ancienneté des forêts, i.e. de la continuité temporelle de l’état boisé. Cette notion apparaît pourtant pertinente pour expliquer la répartition de certaines espèces. Ainsi, une forêt ancienne, même rajeunie par une perturbation, pourrait jouer un rôle pour la conservation de la biodiversité tout aussi important qu’une forêt récente constituée de peuplements très matures. Cette relation a priori contrastée entre biodiversité et maturité d’une part et biodiversité et ancienneté d’autre part, soulève de nombreuses questions quant aux choix stratégiques à mettre en place pour une conservation et une gestion optimale de la biodiversité en forêts. Plus généralement, ces notions permettent de questionner l’influence relative des activités humaines passées et actuelles sur la biodiversité forestière. Afin de préciser les effets relatifs de l’ancienneté et de la maturité sur la biodiversité, une approche combinant géohistoire et sciences de l’environnement a été mise en place. Un dispositif d’étude de 70 sites, croisant des forêts anciennes ou récentes avec des peuplements peu matures ou très matures, a été développé dans les Préalpes francçaises (Vercors, Chartreuse et Bauges). Pour chacun des sites, l’ancienneté et la maturité ont été caractérisées et quatre groupes taxinomiques ont été inventoriés : flore vasculaire, coléoptères saproxyliques, collemboles et macrolichens épiphytes. Nos résultats indiquent une absence flagrante d’effet d’héritage dû aux usages passés, à la fois dans les sols et sur la biodiversité. Les espèces étaient avant tout influencées par la maturité des peuplements, notamment la diversité des bois morts pour les coléoptères saproxyliques et l’ouverture de la canopée pour la flore vasculaire. Le sol, à travers le pH et les formes d’humus, avait également un rôle structurant fort sur la flore vasculaire et les collemboles, et le climat, à travers les températures, sur les coléoptères saproxyliques. Cet effet limité de l’ancienneté, comparativement aux études antérieures, est à mettre en relation avec le contexte écologique, paysager et historique des forêts de montagne : fort taux de boisement, forte proportion de forêts anciennes, surfaces boisées peu fragmentées, usage ancien peu impactant et gestion forestière actuelle assez extensive. Nos résultats montrent ainsi que l’effet des usages anciens sur la biodiversité dépend fortement du contexte. Ils soulignent l’importance de la prise en compte des conditions environnementales locales, attributs de maturité mais aussi conditions climatiques et édaphiques, pour une compréhension plus fine des patrons de biodiversité en forêts de montagne
Since the 1980s, numerous studies had shown the importance of stand maturity, especially old-growth habitat features (very large trees, deadwood…) for forest biodiversity conservation. This work led to a better recognition of the ecological function of forests. However, most of these studies do not take account of forest continuity, i.e. the temporal continuity in forested condition. Forest continuity has been used to explain some species distribution. Therefore, ancient forests, even rejuvenated by disturbances, may be of greater conservation interest for biodiversity than recent forests composed of overmature stands. This a priori contrasting relationship between biodiversity and stand maturity on the one hand and biodiversity and forest continuity on the other hand, raises many questions about the most appropriate policy choices to conserve and manage adequately forest biodiversity. More generally, these concepts allow the questioning of the relative influence of past and present human-induced environmental changes on forest biodiversity. To clarify the relative effects of forest continuity and stand maturity on biodiversity, we developed an approach in which we combined historical ecology and environmental sciences. We established 70 sites in the French Prealps (Vercors, Chartreuse and Bauges) in which we crossed ancient or recent forests with mature or overmature stands. For each site we characterized forest continuity and stand maturity and assessed the response of four taxonomic groups: vascular plants, saproxylic beetles, springtails and epiphytic macrolichens. Results showed an obvious lack of legacy effect on both soil conditions and biodiversity. Species were above all influenced by stand maturity, especially deadwood diversity for saproxylic beetles and canopy openness for vascular plants. Soil conditions, through pH and humus forms, had also a great structuring role on vascular plants and springtails, and climatic conditions, through temperature, on saproxylic beetles. Comparatively to previous studies, this quite limited effect of forest continuity can be linked with the ecological, landscape and historical context of mountain forests: high percentage of forest cover, high proportion of ancient forests, low-fragmented wooded areas, past land use being low impacting and current extensive forest management. Overall, our results show that the effect of forest continuity on biodiversity is context dependent and underline the necessity to better account for local environmental conditions, stand maturity attributes but also climatic and edaphic conditions, to improve our understanding of biodiversity patterns in mountain forests

The purpose of this study was to investigate the assessment instruments that a southwestern community college (SWCC) used to evaluate its incoming students' academic literacy skills and to determine how well the results of those tests placed students in either college-level or developmental reading courses. The three college-level academic literacy instruments that were investigated were: the Nelson-Denny Reading Test (NDRT), the Degrees of Reading Power (DRP), and the Turrentine/Bradley Literacy Testing Battery (TBLTB), consisting of two response types: the TBLTB Multiple-Choice (TBLTB-MC) and the TBLTB Short-Answer (TBLTB-SA). Interrelationships were computed for reliability, concurrent validity and extent of agreement for placement into the three developmental reading courses. The three tests were administered to 88 students placed into the three developmental reading courses, Reading 071, Reading 081 and Reading 091, taught by the researcher during the Fall 1997 semester. The NDRT was used by the college for placement purposes. The DRP and the TBLTB were given during the first and second weeks of the semester for comparison purposes. Pearson Product-Moment correlations indicated that there were low to moderately low positive correlations among all the tests at the .01 level of confidence. The Kappas obtained between pairings of the three tests demonstrated that two of the tests showed concurrent placement validity: (1) the NDRT with the TBLTB-MC and (2) the TBLTB-MC with the TBLTB-SA. The extent of agreement exceeded the .01 level of confidence. The other tests did not show sufficient extent of agreement for placement purposes. The ANOVAS demonstrated significant mean differences among students placed into the three SWCC developmental reading classes by: (1) the NDRT and the DRP, (2) the NDRT and the TBLTB-MC and (3) the NDRT and the TBLTB-SA at the .01 level of confidence. Two other combinations of tests showed significance at the .05 level of confidence: (1) the DRP and the TBLTB-MC and (2) the DRP and the TBLTB-SA. Although the three tests did not have extent of agreement sufficient for placement into the three developmental reading classes, all three tests did agree that this sample of students did not possess college-level reading abilities.

The purpose of this study is to examine and understand social workers view on the relationship between children and social workers within Individual and Family care in Sweden, and how personnel turnover affects relationship-building with children.   Method: This study is based on a qualitative method, with semi-structured interviews as an approach to gather empirical data. The participants in the study are seven social workers from five different municipalities in Sweden, who work with placed children.   Theory: Our theoretical framework is the attachment theory and the accounts theory. This approach has helped us analyze the result and highlight the importance of essential attributes for a good relationship between social worker and child.   Result: The study is characterized by two different themes, Professional relationship-building and The organization of social work. Our results show that the attributes trustful, confiding, straight, predictable and respectful are essential for a good relationship. Further results indicate that continuity is of importance to build and preserve a healthy relationship. The study also shows that variety in the work force have negative impact on the relationship between social workers and placed children.

The study focused on mealtimes in two NHS Continuing Care facilities for people with dementia. The overall aim of the study was to collaboratively develop and implement smallscale interventions to improve the tone and nature of meals on the ward, enhance service user, relative and staff experiences of meals and mealtimes, and improve service user nutrition and hydration levels. It was predicted that interventions collaboratively developed with service users, relatives/carers and staff would likely be adopted and effective. In order to evaluate mealtimes and their change over time, the study employed mixed methodologies and measured physiological (e.g. nutrition and hydration), environmental (e.g. mealtime setup) and psycho-social (e.g. engagement and emotion) dimensions of mealtimes. The study found that while all stakeholder groups on both wards generated a high volume of ideas for improvement, organisational and micro-cultural factors adversely affected implementation. Also, the chosen interventions successfully addressed physiological aspects of mealtime experiences (overall, patients on both wards gained weight, which was in contradiction to both research and practitioner expectations; see Abbasi & Rudman, 1994). However, social aspects of mealtimes were often overlooked by ward staff and did not show substantial improvement. Additionally, comparisons of research sites revealed that micro-cultural processes within the wards determined both the way mealtimes were experienced and their potential for change/improvement. The study, therefore, demonstrated that while enhancing mealtime experiences on Continuing Care wards is possible, it is also a highly complex and multifaceted process, often not taken into account by organisational and national-level policies and care guidelines.

The onset of dysphagia (swallowing difficulty) is associated with increasing age and the diseases that frequently occur with increasing age. Dysphagia increases the risk of dehydration and malnutrition with subsequent declines in body composition, physical health, and quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to administer a set of valid objective and perceptual measures to document (a) physical health, and (b) nutrition and hydration, relative to (c) swallowing function in 15 self-reported healthy older women in a Continuing Care Retirement Community. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) correlations were identified between perceived physical health, emotional well-being, and reflux symptoms and objective measures of breathing capacity, blood oxygen level, and tongue strength and endurance. The consumption of a regular, unrestricted diet was significantly associated with Eating Duration and Eating Desire on the Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) survey. Objective measures and participants��� responses on the SWAL-QOL identified a subgroup of older adults who were experiencing swallowing difficulties. Results confirm the importance of including both objective and perceptual measures of physical health, nutrition, hydration, and swallowing function in a screening protocol for older adults in residential care to identify those at-risk for developing dysphagia.
Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Health Professions, Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders

The onset of dysphagia (swallowing difficulty) is associated with increasing age and the diseases that frequently occur with increasing age. Dysphagia increases the risk of dehydration and malnutrition with subsequent declines in body composition, physical health, and quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to administer a set of valid objective and perceptual measures to document (a) physical health, and (b) nutrition and hydration, relative to (c) swallowing function in 15 self-reported healthy older women in a Continuing Care Retirement Community. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) correlations were identified between perceived physical health, emotional well-being, and reflux symptoms and objective measures of breathing capacity, blood oxygen level, and tongue strength and endurance. The consumption of a regular, unrestricted diet was significantly associated with Eating Duration and Eating Desire on the Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) survey. Objective measures and participants’ responses on the SWAL-QOL identified a subgroup of older adults who were experiencing swallowing difficulties. Results confirm the importance of including both objective and perceptual measures of physical health, nutrition, hydration, and swallowing function in a screening protocol for older adults in residential care to identify those at-risk for developing dysphagia.
Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Health Professions, Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Research consistently indicates that less affluent students across the country are often deprived of the necessary academic preparation and college guidance needed to successfully select, attend, and graduate from a postsecondary institution (Louie, 2017). Independent schools across America have historically served affluent, White students; however, many independent schools now strive to attract more diverse student populations. One such subgroup in independent school’s communities are students of color. Students of color who enter a traditionally White independent school often find unexpected struggles while acclimating to the independent school environment (Ohikuare, 2013) including developing social capital (Putnam, 2017) and establishing meaningful relationships with students and staff members at these schools. Weiss (2014) refers to these students as being as “doubly disadvantaged”; students of color fortunate to gain acceptance to elite private schools who can still find themselves at the bottom of the opportunity structure without the proper support and guidance. This qualitative study will explore the experiences and perceptions of students who are involved with the A Better Chance (ABC) Program during their college preparation process at a select independent boarding and day schools in the Mid-Atlantic region. Methods of data collection included detailed interviews with sixteen students across fourteen schools from the Mid-Atlantic region currently involved with the A Better Chance program. The study will also compare and contrast the information regarding participant's high school-to-college (HStoC) guidance process versus the high school to college guidance provided by A Better Chance.

In this study, an overview is presented regarding how the mechanics in a resource-based game, specifically Crusader Kings II (Paradox Development Studio 2012), might affect the player's connection to the characters in the game. The study introduces conventions prevalent in grand strategy games, roleplaying games as well as literature theory. Participants of the study played two different versions of a mod for Crusader Kings II (2012), and were interviewed, to find indications for how different players related to characters in the game, what mechanics they valued, and their view on the characters themselves. The conclusions that are reached in the study indicated that there are mechanics in the game that influence the player’s connection to the characters, but that it is, to a certain degree, up to the player as to what extent they are used or employed.

La thèse de doctorat porte sur l'éthique dans la relation éducative. Elle s'intéresse à l'engagement du formateur pour orienter son activité dans une relation d'accompagnement en formation professionnelle continue en soins infirmiers. Il est fait l'hypothèse que cet engagement ne peut être qu'éthique et orienté dans une éthique de la relation. La problématique de recherche porte sur la relation d'accompagnement visant la professionnalisation dans une profession traversée par différentes finalités. La méthodologie de recherche s'appuie sur l'analyse de l'activité, utilisant des traces visuelles et auditives pour l'élaboration d'une compréhension de l'engagement éthique pour s'orienter par l'action. L'investigation de l'activité de six formateurs dans la relation d'accompagnement est conduite à partir d'une double analyse, du discours et interprétative sur la base d'indicateurs issus du cadre théorique élaboré.Les résultats éclairent l'extrême variabilité de l'orientation éthique et l'importance de l'expérience dans le déploiement d'une réflexivité délibérante. Cette variabilité a des conséquences sur la manière d'investir la relation éducative d'accompagnement, ses dilemmes et de conduire la mission de formation. Une éthique de la relation met en œuvre un accompagnement autorisant une professionnalisation comme mise en projet par la reliance à la culture infirmière.La finalité de ce travail de recherche s'inscrit dans une didactique au service de la formation. L'utilisation du collectif apparaît comme un moyen pouvant servir à faire émerger un travail d'interprétation de l'action et de soi et la faculté à délibérer sur la légitimité de ses actes
PhD thesis is part of the field research on ethics in the educational relationship. She is interested in the commitment of the trainer to guide his activity in a relationship of coaching in the field of continuing professional education in nursing. It is hypothesized that this commitment can only be ethical and oriented in an ethics of the relationship.The research problematic focuses on the relationship of coaching to professionalization in nursing, a professional field crossed by different finalities. Methodologically, the research relies on the analysis of the activity, using visual and auditory traces in the development of the understanding of the ethical commitment to direct action. The investigation of the activity of six trainers in the relationship of coaching is conduct from double analysis, discourse analysis and interpretative analysis on the basis on indicators developed from the theoretical framework.The results shed light on the extreme variability of the trainers' ethical orientation and on the importance of the experience in the deployment of a deliberative reflexivity. This variability has consequences on how to conduct the relationship of coaching, to deal with its dilemmas and with the training mission. An ethics of the relationship implements a coaching allowing professionalization process as power of action by the reliance with the nursing culture.The purpose of this research is part of a didactic dedicated to the teacher training. Using the collective appears as a mean that can be used by a trainer to develop an interpretation of action and of himself, and the ability to deliberate on the legitimacy of his actions

This thesis is concerned with the theoretical and practical development of a surface-based mapping algorithm for reliable and robust localization and mapping in prior unknown and unstructured environments. A surface-based map consists of a set of compressed surfaces, processed and represented without geometrical modelling. Each surface in the surface-based map represents an object in the environment. The ability to represent the exact shapes of objects via individual surfaces during the mapping process makes the surface-based mapping algorithm valuable in a number of navigation applications, such as mapping of prior unknown indoor and outdoor unstructured environments, target tracking, path planning and collision avoidance. The ability to unify representations of the same object taken from different viewpoints into a single surface makes the algorithm capable of working in multi-robot mapping applications. A surface-based map of the environment is build incrementally by acquiring the 3D range image of the scene, extracting the objects' surfaces from the 3D range image, aligning the set of extracted surfaces relative to the map and unifying the aligned set of surfaces with surfaces in the map. In the surface unification process the surfaces representing the same object are unified to make a single surface. The thesis introduces the following new methods which are used in the surface-based mapping algorithm: the extraction of surfaces from 3D range images based on a scanned surface continuity check; homogenization of the representation of the non-homogenously sampled surfaces; the alignment of the surface set relative to a large set of surfaces based on surface-based alignment algorithm; evaluating the correspondence between two surfaces based on the overlap area between surfaces; unification of the two surfaces belonging to the same object; and surface unification for a large set of surfaces. The theoretical contributions of this thesis are demonstrated with a series of practical implementations in different outdoor environments.

Doctor of Philosophy(PhD)
This thesis is concerned with the theoretical and practical development of a surface-based mapping algorithm for reliable and robust localization and mapping in prior unknown and unstructured environments. A surface-based map consists of a set of compressed surfaces, processed and represented without geometrical modelling. Each surface in the surface-based map represents an object in the environment. The ability to represent the exact shapes of objects via individual surfaces during the mapping process makes the surface-based mapping algorithm valuable in a number of navigation applications, such as mapping of prior unknown indoor and outdoor unstructured environments, target tracking, path planning and collision avoidance. The ability to unify representations of the same object taken from different viewpoints into a single surface makes the algorithm capable of working in multi-robot mapping applications. A surface-based map of the environment is build incrementally by acquiring the 3D range image of the scene, extracting the objects' surfaces from the 3D range image, aligning the set of extracted surfaces relative to the map and unifying the aligned set of surfaces with surfaces in the map. In the surface unification process the surfaces representing the same object are unified to make a single surface. The thesis introduces the following new methods which are used in the surface-based mapping algorithm: the extraction of surfaces from 3D range images based on a scanned surface continuity check; homogenization of the representation of the non-homogenously sampled surfaces; the alignment of the surface set relative to a large set of surfaces based on surface-based alignment algorithm; evaluating the correspondence between two surfaces based on the overlap area between surfaces; unification of the two surfaces belonging to the same object; and surface unification for a large set of surfaces. The theoretical contributions of this thesis are demonstrated with a series of practical implementations in different outdoor environments.

Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous nous intéressons à ”l’exposant de Lyapu-nov” pour deux modèles en milieu aléatoire : la marche aléatoire en potentiel aléatoire, le mouvement brownien en potentiel poissonnien.Dans la première partie de la thèse (chapitre II), on étudie une marche aléatoire dans un potentiel aléatoire donné par une famille de variables aléa¬toires i.i.d. non-négatives. La continuité des exposants de Lyapunov par rap¬port à la loi du potentiel est démontrée dans le cas transient, c’est-à-dire en dimension d ≥ 3 ou en dimension 2 pour un potentiel borné inférieurement. On poursuit avec l’étude des exposants critiques : l’exposant de volume ξ et l’exposant de fluctuation X. On obtient l’une des inégalités suggérée par la conjecture de KPZ sous une condition de courbure de la forme asymptotique. Les exposants de Lyapunov jouent un rôle important dans cette étude.La deuxième partie de la thèse (chapitre III) est surtout consacrée à l’étude du brownien dans un potentiel aléatoire de longue portée. On débute cependant par un potentiel classique à portée finie. Sznitman (1987-1998) a étudié plusieurs aspects de ce modèle. Un premier résultat de cette partie est la continuité des exposants de Lyapunov par rapport au paramètre du pro¬cessus de Poisson. On étudie ensuite le modèle proposé par Lacoin (2012) qui est un modèle avec un potentiel à longue portée. Il a obtenu des estimations des exposants critiques sensiblement différentes de celles de Wüthrich (1998) pour le modèle de Sznitman. Dans cette thèse, on poursuit l’étude du modèle de Lacoin. On montre l’existence des exposants de Lyapunov, le théorème de la forme limite et une estimation de grandes déviations
In this thesis, we are interested in Lyapunov exponent for two models in random media : random walk in random potential, Brownian motion in Poisson potential.In the first part (chapter II), we study a random walk in a random potential given by a family of i.i.d random non-negative variables. The continuity of Lyapunov exponents with respect to the law of potential is shown in the case transient, that is, in the dimension d ≥ 3 or in the dimension d = 2 for a lower bounded potential. Next, we consider the critical exponents : the exponent of volume ξ and the exponent of fluctuation X. We give an inequality suggested by the KPZ conjecture under a condition of asymptotic form. Lyapunov exponents play an important role in this work.The second part (chapter III) is mainly devoted to the study Brownian motion in a long-range random potential. However, we begin with a classical finite-range potential. Sznitman (1987-1998) investigated several aspects of this model. The first result of this part is the continuity of the Lyapunov exponents with respect to the parameter of the Poisson process. Then, we study the model proposed by Lacoin (2012) which is a long-range potential model. He obtained some estimations of critical exponents that are significantly different from those of Wüthrich (1998) for the model of Sznitman.In this thesis, we pursue the study of Lacoin model. We show the existence of Lyapunov exponents, the shape limit theorem and an estimation of large deviations

This diploma thesis deals with numerical simulation of pressure pulsations in elastic pipes. Continuity relation of fluid in elastic pipes, when calculating some damping in pipe material, is derived into practice. Rheological model of such a pipe corresponds to Voigt (Kelvin) model. For analysing dynamic effects in time periods are used numerical methods that deal with flow of compressible fluid: FTCS, Lax-Friedrichs and Lax-Wendroff method. The numerical results are confronted with the experiment. During the experiment simulation the method considers speed of sound in liquid like a function of pressure. This diploma thesis lays partial principles for finding elastic constants for describing dynamic characteristics of elastic pipes by measuring the pressure pulsations.

碩士
高雄醫學大學
醫學社會學與社會工作學系碩士班
105
In view of the fact that continuing education for social workers has reached the first renewal period after 2016, it has not been able to complete the update. This study, from the sociological point of view, to explore the experience of continuing contact with social workers in Taiwan, to understand the process has not encountered difficulties. And finishing the domestic and foreign professional continuing education approach, and then sort out the information after the opening of Taiwan, found that the existence of regional problems in 2015, showing a very uneven geographical distribution, but also the lack of distance teaching. In addition, the present study explored the experience of 20 social workers when they came into contact with education through guided interviews, and supplemented them with government practice registration units and curriculum reviewers to check the authenticity of the data. We look forward to explaining this phenomenon and to assist the social workers in the future development of professional education, to provide future recommendations After analysis, it is clear that some social workers have difficulties in completing continuing education. The availability of resources for continuing education courses will be differentiated according to their areas of residence, work areas and so on, and they are "hospitals, public departments and large organizations , Which is easier to obtain than the private sector, "" the western region, the metropolitan area is easier than partial township and outlying islands "," association energy influence curriculum selection "," supervisor support has a direct impact "," female role difficulties "," ethics and quality points difficult to obtain "and" lack of distance learning ". Coupled with the possibility of facing a "penalty" in the future, the social workers responded to pay more, less feedback, more restrictions, and compared with the unregistered social workers and other professional (better freedom and resource richness), the feelings are not worth the pay, there has been "relative deprivation" feelings. Behind the behavior may be anxious, to avoid registration, and even choose to leave the social work system, perhaps not obvious but should be alert to the important issue. It is suggested that the Government should "build social worker distance teaching" as soon as possible, which will affect the issue of "fairness of resources" and "professional abundance" behind "penalty". We also hope that this discussion will be conducive to the future development of our social welfare, and we will have the opportunity to review the policy and make the social professional education system more perfect.

碩士
國立東華大學
企業管理學系
97
According to Institute of Information Industry, commissioned by Department of Industrial Technology, until the end of March 2008, the number of frequent Internet users is 10.09 million, in which 4.66 million users connect via household cable broadband Internet, up 20,000 more than the number of previous year. Compare with 2007, the number of broadband users have increased by 0.15 million households as well as 3% growth. Instead of complicated interaction, in recent years, the Internet has changed our life styles from human-machine interaction to self-service. The Internet also helps customers acquire massive information from the web without going to different travel agencies to collect data. It has brought global impact and become the critical element driving companies to enhance their information technology management. From the perspective of service encounter and relation benefits, we are about to discuss how to remain relationship continuity, and acquire comprehensive results that the relation benefits would be necessarily affected by technology-based service encounter. This research primarily focuses on subjects who have purchased trip packages through traveling agencies or traveling websites, and provides traveling companies a liable reference by realizing the research assumptions. Therefore, by the means of remaining customer relationship in fast changing competition, traveling companies will be able to develop trustworthy, accountable values for customers. The research adopts questionnaire survey method and has collected 333 surveys for the later analysis of using structural equation modeling. The verification and analysis gives the result that: 1) Followed by social interests, the special treatment benefit has the most direct effect upon influencing relationship continuity. 2) Service encounter has obviously positive influence against social interest, but technology-based service encounter does not. 3) Followed by social interest, special treatment benefit has the most aggregated effect upon influencing relationship continuity. On the basis of established structures and proved results, this research proposes several implications of management practices and recommendations for continued researches.

L'objectif de ce mémoire est de comprendre la spécificité de l'humain en tant qu'il fait intégralement partie du vivant. Pour dépasser le réductionnisme positiviste, nous proposerons une conception dialectique de la nature humaine. Pour ce faire, deux auteurs seront étudiés : le sociologue Michel Freitag et le philosophe Cornelius Castoriadis. Il sera d'abord question d'élaborer la position réaliste-dialectique à travers laquelle nous pourrons interpréter ces deux auteurs dans l'optique de notre problématique. Nous appréhenderons ainsi le rapport d'objectivation comme modalité de compréhension de la subjectivité et de l'évolution. À partir de ce concept central, nous pourrons comparer les modes d'être de l'animal et de l'humain pour les différencier, et ce, chez chaque auteur étudié. Avec Michel Freitag, nous verrons l'objectivation symbolique comme spécificité de l'humain qui est, chez lui, opposée à l'objectivation sensori-motrice de l'animal. Nous verrons ensuite, avec Cornelius Castoriadis, l'imaginaire radical comme spécificité de l'humain. Il sera question des différences entre la psyché animale et la psyché humaine. Nous clôturerons le tout en effectuant une rencontre entre les concepts d'imaginaire et de symbolique propre à chaque auteur. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : Rapport individu/société, Réalisme-dialectique, Rapport d'objectivation, Médiation symbolique, Médiation sensori-motrice, Évolution, Dualité nature/culture, Monde pour-soi, Imaginaire, Imagination, Psyché.