Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Resident'

This thesis is concerned with the Resident Scheduling Problem (RSP) in which a good schedule is desired that will meet both departmental requirements and residents' preferences. Three scenarios that represent most situations and account for various departmental requirements and needs are described. Although similar scheduling problems are considered in the literature, no analysis exists that adequately deals with this specific problem. The problem is modeled as a mixed-integer program (MIP) and heuristic solution procedures are developed for the different identified scheduling scenarios. These procedures exploit the network structure of the problem which is an important feature that enhances problem solvability. For the sake of comparison, the problem is also solved exactly via the CPLEX-MIP package. The contribution of this work is important since many hospitals are still utilizing manual techniques in preparing their own schedules, expending considerable effort and time with less scheduling flexibility.
Master of Science

Elder bullying is on the rise and occurs in many contexts such as senior living communities and nursing homes, causing concern for the well-being of the residents by families, staff, themselves, and society in general. Although research has been limited, it does reveal that resident-to-resident bullying in nursing homes is a problem warranting further scholarly attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) regarding resident-to-resident bullying in nursing homes. The theory of reasoned action and the theory of reflective equilibrium provided a conceptual lens from which to explore and describe the importance of the CNAs' attitudes and behavior when recognizing, observing, and addressing bullying incidences. A phenomenological research design was employed. Using open-ended questions, 10 CNAs were individually interviewed. One major discovery of the study was that 100% of the CNAs interviewed indicated that they experienced resident-to-resident bullying and that it was a major problem in the nursing home. The findings of this study presented many possibilities for positive social change across all levels, from individuals and families to nursing home organizations and society as a whole, but most importantly, it increased awareness about bullying across nursing homes as the ultimate goal was for the improvement on the quality of life experienced by residents in nursing homes.

This study explores the implementation of Restorative Practices (Costello, Wachtel, & Wachtel, 2009) in a residential life program at a small public university. Narrative inquiry is used to explore the perspectives of eleven resident advisors (RAs) who have been trained in Restorative Practices (RP) and are using them in their residential communities. Participants were interviewed three times over the course of one academic year. The study illuminates the RAs' perspectives, growth and experiences with RP over that year. The findings demonstrate that RP may not only provide a structure for RAs to succeed within their challenging position, but may also encourage growth in a RAs' leadership capacity and abilities. This research also addresses how RAs conceptualize their position and role, including how they negotiate their dual, and sometime conflicting, roles of serving simultaneously as an authority figure and peer within the residence hall community, and how RAs benefit from and are challenged by implementing RP in their hall. In addition to examining the RA role specifically, the study also addresses how RP can serve as a theoretical framework for preparing RAs for their work in residence halls and for supporting them throughout the year. Further, the research suggests that RP, as a framework for the RAs' work in the residence halls, can potentially transform the residential experience for both the residents and the RA. The result may be the creation of the kind of community experience that the research has shown contributes to the retention of students. Finally, this study concludes with identifying some of the issues that are important for Residential Life departments in a process of successfully implementing RP in college residential settings.

Mestrado em Economia e Estudos Europeus
Em 1986 Portugal e Espanha assinam o tratado de adesão à Comunidade Económica Europeia. A partir daí os dois países intensificam esforços no sentido da convergência das duas economias para os níveis comunitários. Essa convergência é feita a vários níveis: convergência real, convergência nominal e convergência estrutural. É sobre esta última que este trabalho vai incidir. A partir da análise da evolução da população residente e da população residente empregada em Portugal e nas regiões de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo e Alentejo, em Espanha e nas Comunidades Autónomas de Madrid e da Extremadura, no período compreendido entre 1970 e 2001, pretende-se mostrar que alterações sofreu a distribuição da população residente empregada pelos diversos sectores e ramos da actividade económica. Os resultados da análise efectuada permitem perceber se, face aos dados observados antes da entrada na Comunidade Económica Europeia e no período posterior a essa entrada, houve ou não uma convergência estrutural destes dois indicadores que tenha permitido melhorar os níveis de bem-estar das duas economias e como tal aumentar a convergência real.
In 1986 Portugal and Spain sign the European Economic Community adhesion treaty. From then on the two countries intensify efforts in order to converge their economies to the communitary levels. That convergence happens at different levels: real convergence, nominal convergence and structural convergence. This work will fall upon the latter. Starting from the analysis of the evolution of the resident population and employed resident population in Portugal and in the areas of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo and Alentejo, in Spain and in the Autonomous Communities of Madrid and Extremadura, in the period between 1970 and 2001, it is intended to show which changes has the distribution of the employed resident population suffered among the different sectors and branches of the economic activity. The results of the performed analysis allow to understand if, consedering the data observed previously to the admission in the European Economic Community and in the period after that admission, it existed or not a structural convergence of these indicators that has allowed to improve the welfare of both economies and consequently to increase the real convergence.

The majority of children in the UK live in households with two parents, yet most of the academic research on parenting focuses on the relationship between one parent and one child. More often than not, this one parent has been the mother. There is an expectation of father involvement in contemporary parenting, but the literature still tends to emphasise parenting as a one parent-one child interaction, measuring involvement of the father in terms of time spent with his child. The idea of collaboration, or collaborative parenting, drawing on research into coparenting in the US, considers the involvement of both parents with each other, with respect to the child, as an alternative way of conceptualising parental involvement. Collaboration is considered a useful concept, as it goes beyond the idea of parenting as being about time spent directly with the child. Unlike many factors which may predict child outcomes, a lack of collaboration could be addressed at the family level, through counselling or education. The aims of the research were to develop an understanding of the way in which parents work together, looking in particular at how this is affected by social support; whether there are associations between parental collaboration and the availability of time for family and leisure activities, and feelings about the balance between work and home life; whether parents who collaborate are more likely to adhere to expert advice on parenting matters; and whether there are associations with a child’s social, emotional and behavioural development. Emphasis was also placed on the methodology, as it entailed the development of a method for measuring the concept of collaboration, using data that was not designed for the purpose. The research was conducted through a combination of methods, comprising secondary analysis of data from the first four sweeps of the Growing Up in Scotland (GUS) study, and the conduct and analysis of 20 pairs of semi-structured interviews with parents who had previously taken part in this study. A condition of the funding received from the Scottish Government was to make use of the GUS data. The research found social support affected the process of collaboration in a number of ways: by enabling collaboration to take place; by removing the need for collaboration; by increasing the time available to collaborative couples; and by removing the need to plan ahead. Of particular note were the problems that were more likely to occur when couples neither collaborated, nor had support from outside the home. These are the couples who find that work impacts on their family the most. They are also the ones who are least likely to have time away from their children to do something for their own interest, and are the ones who are most likely to find it difficult to access advice. Collaborative couples tended to find more time available for activities with their children, as well as time for themselves. Positive associations were demonstrated between collaboration and a child’s social, emotional and behavioural development, but the strength of the association was not equal in all situations. When the mother was employed full-time, relatively strong associations were evident. When she was not in employment, and a number of other risk factors were present, relatively strong associations could again be seen. However, when the mother worked part-time, there did not appear to be any association between child behavioural development and collaboration. Associations were also demonstrated with the work-life balance of parents. Collaborative fathers professed less of an impact of the family on their work than non-collaborative ones. Similarly, collaborative fathers were less likely to say that long hours impacted on the time they had with their children than non-collaborative fathers, but there was no equivalent association for mothers. The impact of work on family was more likely to be lower for both parents when they acted collaboratively.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine resident, family member and staff perceptions of electronic monitoring and their effect on resident rights. The sample consisted of 53 nursing home residents, 104 staff and 25 family members, in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, from a nursing facility in which residents utilize video cameras in their rooms (Nursing Facility 1), two nursing facilities that have video cameras in their common rooms areas (Nursing Facility 2 and 3) and a nursing facility that does not utilize video cameras (Nursing Facility 4). The interview questions and self-administered surveys were in regard to the participant's perceptions of electronic monitoring, perceived risks and benefits of video cameras, awareness of resident rights and consciousness of potential risks to resident rights. Data were analyzed using a mixed methods approach using both ATLAS t.i and SAS. Study findings revealed that residents, family members and staff are aware of the potential benefits of electronic monitoring in nursing facilities. While respondents are hesitant to have electronic monitoring in resident rooms, they are interested in utilizing electronic monitoring in common areas. While residents and staff believe that electronic monitoring compromises resident rights, family members believe resident rights are protected. Different types of staff have different perceptions of electronic monitoring. Those staff members that are more directly involved in resident care are less accepting of electronic monitoring compared to staff that have episodic visits with residents. Among staff members, nursing facilities with prior experience with electronic monitoring are less accepting of electronic monitoring. Further studies are needed to enhance this research.

Researchers suggest there are many outcomes associated with attending college. There is also research that suggests there are positive outcomes connected with involvement in college, and living in residence halls. Resident Advisors (RAs) are college students who are involved in college via their RA job, and are on-campus residents. Studies to assess the outcomes associated with serving as a RA, however, have been. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure self-reported outcomes of the RA experience.

The data were gathered by administering the Student Leadership Outcomes (SLO) survey to all RAs on campus in the Spring, 1998 semester. The SLO is an instrument designed by the university at which the study was conducted to measure outcomes of student leadership experiences. Data were analyzed to determine if the outcomes associated with the RA position differed by: size of residence hall (small, medium, large); type of residence hall (single-sex, co-educational); gender of supervisor; or, status of supervisor (undergraduate versus graduate).

The SLO is a 37-item instrument which asks respondents to assess the degree to which they believe they have achieved certain outcomes associated with their leadership position. Respondents rate items on a 4-point Likert-type scale (1= strongly agree, 4= strongly disagree).

Data were analyzed by calculating the mean scores for each group of RAs (i.e., RAs in single-sex halls, RAs in co-ed halls) and rank ordering their scores. Then comparisons between those rankings were examined.

The results of this study provided some interesting information about outcomes associated with being an RA. The findings suggest that the size of hall has a positive impact on loyalty to the university, respect towards others, and leading a group or committee. The findings also suggest that type of hall and status of supervisor has a positive affect on loyalty. In addition, the results indicated that gender of a supervisor has no affect on RA outcomes.
Master of Arts

There is a great deal of literature written on conflict mediation and Resident Assistant (RA) training. This literature not only helps to define what each area is, but it provides readers with the knowledge necessary to become skilled in mediation or to effectively design training programs to educate students employed to work in residence halls. However, there is little literature regarding how RAs are trained in conflict mediation. This study attempts to address this gap.

The purpose of this study was to determine how RAs and professional staff at three public institutions perceive conflict mediation training provided to RAs.

To answer the research questions posed in this study the researcher used a self-designed questionnaire. The design of this questionnaire specifically asked questions focusing on the conflict mediation training RAs receive, how often these skills are used, and how important these skills are as perceived by professional and student employees as well as by gender.

One hundred seventy-nine responses representing a 31 percent response rate were used in this study. Twenty percent of the participants were professional residence life staff members. The other 80 percent were RAs. In addition, 34 percent of the participants were male and 67 percent of the participants were female.

This studyâ s findings illustrated five significant differences in perception among professionals and RAs as well as differences among male and female RAs. Professionals responsible for training RAs may wish to consider these differences as they design future training workshops.

However, the studyâ s findings also illustrated that there is an overwhelming, positive consensus in perception regarding RA training in conflict mediation. Not only are RAs trained in conflict mediation but they use and value these skills as well. In addition, these findings indicate that paraprofessional staffing models are successful.
Master of Arts

Since academic literature indicates that emotional intelligence (EI) is tied to work performance, there is increasing interest in understanding physician EI. We studied the EI of resident physicians in surgery, pediatric, and pathology residency programs at three academic centers to describe the EI profiles of residents in different specialties and determine whether gender differences in resident physician EI profiles mirror those in the general population. 325 residents were electronically invited to complete the validated Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue), a tool comprised of 153 items that cluster to 15 independent facets, 4 composite factors, and 1 global EI score. The overall response rate was 42.8% (n=139, 84 women). Global EI of all residents (mean=101.0, SD=8.0) was comparable to the general population sample and was not statistically different between specialties or genders. EI profiling demonstrated distinct strengths and opportunities for development between specialty groups with an effect of specialty on sociability factor (p=0.005) and five TEIQue facets including optimism, stress management, emotion management, assertiveness, and social awareness (p=0.008-0.043). Women scored higher than men in emotionality factor (p=0.044) and the TEIQue facets impulse control, empathy, relationships, and self-motivation (p=0.004-0.049). Men scored higher than women in sociability factor (p=0.034) and 2 facets including stress management and emotion management (p=0.008-0.023). Linear regression demonstrated that age had a statistically significant predictive relationship with Global EI, though the effect was small (B=0.033, p=0.014). These findings suggest that similar to the general population, male and female residents may benefit from specific training of different EI domains to enhance well-rounded development. EI profiling may also inform future educational programming decisions for each specialty. Future research should focus on the functional relationship between educational interventions that promote targeted EI development and enhanced clinical performance.

Utilizing survey data collected in four communities in the State of Utah, this study examined the extent to which rural resident perceptions and attitudes toward local community circumstances influence their own expectations and attitudes subjectively toward future community development alternatives. Understanding perceptions of community and community development, as well as the patterns of localized community development, is crucial and needs to consider residents' opinions and attitudes toward unique rural economic, environmental, and social conditions in order to help preserve the unique characteristics of the way of life while continuing economic improvement and social betterment in rural areas. Three conceptual frameworks of development (economic, environmental, and social) are applied in this study to explore the relationship between local residents' general attitudes toward the current conditions in their community and their attitudes toward development alternatives. I examine how these three development frameworks guide rural scholars to understand whether the pattern of community development is consistent across the region or localized from community to community. Four different types of rural communities were selected in a Utah-wide community survey in the summer of 2008. These communities are facing four different change patterns: an increasing senior community, an energy-development community, a recreational community, and a constant community that has remained stable over the last five decades. Each type of community has its unique economy, lifestyle, culture, and environment, in which local residents have developed a way of life in response to these changes in social and economic structures. Research findings indicate that the local residents' self-perceptions of community economic situation are not significant indictors to support the arguments of the economic development framework. However, indexes of environmental and social development frameworks are found to have strong associations with locals' environmental and social development alternatives. Also, different types of rural community show different demands for community development strategies, implying that a single development framework would not be sufficient to explain the complex of local residents' perceptions and attitudes toward community development unless the researchers integrate other perspectives into the model.

Research on resident attitudes towards tourism and sustainability are two of the most ubiquitous and important topics within tourism research. This study sought to contribute to these fields of research in four specific ways. First, this study suggested Weber's theory of formal and substantive rationality as a theory capable of explaining the complexity inherent in resident attitudes toward tourism because of its incorporation of the economic and non-economic factors influencing rationality. The inclusion of Weber as a theoretical framework is also presented as a theory useful for bringing Social Exchange Theory (SET) back to its original focus on 'all' the costs and benefits associated within the host/guest relationship. The second and third contributions of the study stem from taking the previously conceptual constructs of psychological, social, and political empowerment and developing them into reliable and valid measurement scales. After validation, the three sub-scales were tested in a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), which demonstrated them to be construct valid based upon tests of convergent, discriminant, and nomological validity. These scales were subsequently included as antecedents to residents' perceptions of tourism's impacts, as well as their overall support for tourism in a Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis. The SEM analysis found all three dimensions of empowerment to have significant relationships with perceptions of tourism's positive and negative impacts with the construct of psychological empowerment being the only empowerment dimension to have a direct and significant relationship with 'support for tourism'. Lastly, the study expanded these areas of research through conducting the study across three counties with varying emphasis placed on sustainable tourism. Floyd, Botetourt, and Franklin County, Virginia were selected for sampling based upon their homogeneity in regards to tourism product, per capita tourism expenditures and economic condition and their heterogeneity in regards to emphasis on sustainable tourism. Nine hundred surveys were distributed across the three counties with 703 ultimately used in the analysis. The results partially confirmed the hypothesis that resident attitudes toward tourism differ by a county's emphasis on sustainable tourism. Future research needs to further investigate sustainable tourism's influence on residents' attitudes toward tourism.
Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to examine resident policies in assisted living facilities and to recommend consistent policies for resident handbooks. To accomplish this purpose, in the first phase, a mail survey form was developed to determine current resident policies provided in existing assisted living facilities in Virginia. In the second phase, the researcher analyzed each policy from the eight participating assisted living facilities and then compared the policies to determine which policies should be included in resident handbooks. Policies with similar content, but with different names were categorized together. The study employed the content-analysis method, which is oriented to qualitative research. The number of resident policies dealt with in this study totaled 56. The framework for analyzing resident policies was divided into three sections: 1) policies related to administration, 2) policies related to resident services, and 3) resident activities listed in the handbooks.

As a result of content analysis and evaluation of policies as they related to the aging process, a total of 27 recommendations were suggested. Two recommendations were suggested based on the findings of the resident handbooks survey, and 25 recommendations were suggested from analysis of the handbooks. The recommendation of resident policies can help staff to manage assisted living facilities efficiently, and the handbooks will be able to offer prospective residents clear information as they make decisions among various assisted living facilities. Moreover, current residents will benefit from lucid and consistent resident handbooks in that they will provide explicit information about policies and services.

Master of Science

Introdução: A catarata é a principal causa de cegueira reversível no mundo e seu tratamento é exclusivamente cirúrgico, cujas técnicas mais difundidas são a extração extracapsular do cristalino (EECC) e a facoemulsificação (FACO). Objetivo: Avaliar custos e desfechos clínicos na cirurgia ambulatorial de catarata por FACO e EECC quando realizadas por médicos residentes do terceiro ano (R3). Material e Métodos: Foram avaliados os custos desses procedimentos, que incluíram: valores pagos aos profissionais, taxas hospitalares, materiais, medicamentos e equipamentos, e analisados os prontuários de pacientes operados por R3, utilizando as técnicas de FACO (n=576) e EECC (n=274), para obtenção de dados referentes à avaliação da acuidade visual (AV) pré-operatória e pós-operatória durante seis meses após a cirurgia, taxa de complicações intraoperatórias e ao número de consultas pós-operatórias. Resultados: O custo médio foi maior na FACO (USD 416) do que na EECC (USD 284), utilizando-se a conversão de moeda do dia 30 de dezembro de 2011. A AV média pré-operatória foi pior na EECC (1,73±0,62 logMAR) do que na FACO (0,74±0,54; p<0,01). O melhor resultado da AV média pós-operatória foi encontrado na FACO (0.21±0.36 logMAR) e na ECCE (0,63±0,63; p<0.01). No grupo FACO, 85% dos casos atingiram AV<=0,30 logMAR, já na EECC esse índice ocorreu em 45% deles (p<0.01). A taxa de complicações intraoperatórias foi menor na FACO (7,6%) do que na EECC (21%; p<0,01). A média de consultas pós-operatórias foi menor na FACO (4,5±2,4) versus EECC (5,6±2,3; p<0,01). Conclusão: Apesar de o custo médio da cirurgia ambulatorial de catarata atingir valor 46% maior na FACO, o uso desta técnica no ensino de R3 mostrou índice de complicações três vezes inferior, menor número de consultas pós-operatórias e melhores resultados para a AV pós-operatória do que os observados nas cirurgias por EECC.
Introduction: Cataract is the leading cause of reversible blindness in the world and cataract surgery is the main performed procedure to its treatment; the most widespread techiniques being the extracapsular extraction of lens (ECCE) and phacoemulsification (PHACO). Objectives: To assess costs and outcomes of cataract surgery by PHACO and by ECCE performed by residents in ophthalmology. Material and Methods: The estimated costs of the procedures include wages, and hospital costs (fees, medicines, medical supplies and equipments). Medical records of patients operated by third-year residents (R3) using PHACO (n=576) and ECCE (n=274) were included in order to collect data on the assessment of visual acuity (VA) before and 6 months after surgery, along with rates of intraoperative complications and total number of postoperative visits. Results: Mean total costs were significantly higher for PHACO (USD 416) than for ECCE (USD 284) (currency exchange for December 30, 2011). The average preoperative VA (logMAR) was worse for eyes submitted to ECCE, 1.73 ± 0.62, than for eyes submitted to PHACO, 0.74 ± 0.54 (p<0.01). Mean postoperative VA was better for PHACO, 0.21 ± 0.36 logMAR than for ECCE, 0.63 ± 0.63 (p<0.01). VA of 0.30 logMAR or better was achieved in 85% of cases for PHACO and in 45% for ECCE (p<0.01). The rate of intraoperative complications was significantly higher for EECC (21%) than for PHACO (7.6%) (p<0.01), and the mean number of postoperative visits was higher for ECCE (5.6 ± 2.3) than for PHACO (4.5 ± 2.4) (p<0.01). Conclusion: Although the average cost of cataract surgery performed by R3 is 46% higher in PHACO when compared with ECCE, the use PHACO by senior residents in ophtalmology showed complication rates three times lower, fewer postoperative visits and, most importantly, better postoperative VA than observed for ECCE.

The healthy intestinal mucosa is home to the largest population of macrophages in body. Like all tissue macrophages, intestinal macrophages play vital roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis by removing apoptotic cells and any other cellular debris. In addition they maintain the integrity of the epithelial barrier and support the differentiation and maintenance of regulatory T cells in the mucosa. By virtue of their high phagocytic and bactericidal activity, these macrophages are also vital members of the innate immune system and are strategically positioned adjacent to the epithelium so that they can capture and eliminate any invading organism(s). However unlike other tissue macrophages, those found in the normal gut have several functional adaptations, such as hyporesponsiveness to toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, which allow them to function without provoking overt inflammation. Macrophages are also abundant during intestinal inflammation, where they show increased TLR responsiveness, pro- inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production and enhanced phagocytic ability. Under these conditions, macrophages perpetuate inflammation. It remains unclear whether these distinct roles in healthy and inflamed intestine roles are carried out by discrete populations of macrophages, or if the resident macrophages alter their behaviour and become pro-inflammatory. One of the main obstacles to gaining a better understanding of the immunobiology of intestinal macrophages during steady state and inflammatory conditions is discriminating them from other mononuclear phagocytes (MP) in the mucosa, such as dendritic cells (DC). At the time of starting my project, it was becoming clear that markers such as F4/80 and CD11c were insufficient for distinguishing between macrophages and DC when used in isolation. Therefore, the aims of this thesis were to first establish reliable multi-parameter flow cytometry staining protocols to allow precise phenotypic and functional characterisation of macrophages in the healthy and inflamed mouse colon, and secondly, to explore the origins of these macrophage populations to assess whether they were derived from distinct precursors, or whether a relationship existed between them. Lastly, I examined the potential mechanisms underlying the characteristic TLR hyporesponsiveness that intestinal macrophages exhibit, focusing on the role of the inhibitory CD200R1-CD200 axis. In Chapter 3, I first set out to characterise phenotypically the macrophage populations present in the steady state mouse colon using multi-parameter flow cytometry. These studies revealed that expression of the chemokine receptor CX3CR1 could be used to identify two main populations of myeloid cells, the bigger of which was a homogeneous population of CX3CR1highCD11b+ macrophages that dominated the resting mucosa. A smaller population of CD11b+ cells expressing intermediate levels of CX3CR1 (CX3CR1int) was also present in the steady state mucosa, but this was remarkably heterogeneous, with at least 4 subsets distinguishable on the basis of Ly6C, class II MHC, F4/80 and CD11c expression. These included F4/80+Ly6ChighMHCIIneg CD11cneg cells that were phenotypically indistinguishable from blood monocytes, F4/80+Ly6C+MHCII+CD11c+/neg cells and F4/80+Ly6CnegMHCII+CD11c+/int cells that were phenotypically and morphologically similar to CX3CR1high macrophages except for their lower level of CX3CR1. Finally there was a minor subset of F4/80negLy6Cneg MHCII+CD11chigh cells that expanded markedly in response to in vivo flt3L treatment and appeared to be genuine DC. CX3CR1neg cells were also found within the CD11b+ population in the healthy mucosa, most of which were Siglec F+ eosinophils, together with a few neutrophils. In the second half of Chapter 3, I examined how these populations changed during acute colitis induced by feeding dextran sodium sulphate (DSS). These experiments demonstrated that the CX3CR1int compartment expanded dramatically during acute inflammation, with preferential accumulation of the Ly6Chigh subsets and relative loss of the CX3CR1high population as colitis progressed. Together these studies suggested that CX3CR1high and CX3CR1int cells represent resident and pro-inflammatory macrophages respectively. I next set out to explore the in vivo origin of the CX3CR1int and CX3CR1high populations, to address whether they were derived from independent precursors as would be predicted by current theories of monocyte heterogeneity, or if a relationship existed between them. By using adoptive transfer of purified BM monocytes, the studies described in Chapter 4 show that 'inflammatory' Ly6Chigh, but not Ly6Clow 'resident' monocytes replenished the CX3CR1high resident macrophage population in the steady state mucosa. This appeared to involve local differentiation of Ly6Chigh monocytes through CX3CR1int intermediary stages, which was accompanied by the acquisition of class II MHC, loss of Ly6C and upregulation of F4/80 and CX3CR1. In vivo BrdU incorporation studies supported the idea that the majority of CX3CR1int cells in the resting intestine represented short-lived intermediaries on their way to becoming CX3CR1high macrophages. Together these studies suggested that rather than representing independent macrophage subsets, the CX3CR1int and CX3CR1high cells in the resting colonic mucosa comprise a differentiation continuum from Ly6Chigh monocytes to mature CX3CR1high macrophages. Analysis of BM chimeric mice confirmed that BM-derived monocytes were the source of the vast majority of colonic LP macrophages. These findings were supported by the fact that CCR2 KO mice, in whom Ly6Chigh monocyte egress from the BM is blocked, lack Ly6Chigh colonic monocytes and have markedly reduced numbers of mature colonic macrophages. In Chapter 4, I also explored whether factors present in the normal mucosa, such as colony stimulating factor (CSF)-1, TGFbeta and the chemokine CX3CL1, could direct monocytes to acquire the phenotype of mucosal macrophages. Although initial in vitro studies suggest that none of these were effective on their own, in vivo administration of recombinant CSF-1 appeared to promote in situ monocyte differentiation in the gut. Taken together, the results in this chapter highlight that the CX3CR1high macrophage population is maintained by Ly6Chigh blood monocytes and that their differentiation is controlled by local factors in the mucosa. In Chapter 5, I went on to investigate whether the phenotypically identifiable differentiation of mucosal macrophages was accompanied by alterations in their functional capacity. Intracellular cytokine staining, qRT-PCR and reporter gene expression revealed that as Ly6Chigh monocytes differentiate locally through the CX3CR1int stages into CX3CR1high macrophages, they progressively acquired the ability to produce IL10 and have reduced production of pro-inflammatory mediators. In addition, the maturation of monocytes was accompanied by an increased ability to phagocytose and kill bacteria. Their response to exogenous stimulation by TLR ligands also altered as differentiation proceeded, with the Ly6Chigh monocytes responding robustly to TLR2 and TLR4 ligation in a TNF-alpha dominated manner, whereas the CX3CR1high macrophages responded less vigorously and their TNF-alpha production was balanced by IL10. This pattern was retained during experimental colitis, where the CX3CR1int cells showed enhanced spontaneous TNF-alpha production, whereas IL10 remained the dominant product of CX3CR1high macrophages. Adoptive transfer experiments in Chapter 6 then showed that donor Ly6Chigh monocytes were recruited to the mucosa of colitic mice, but unlike in resting mice, they failed to acquire the CX3CR1high phenotype.

In Chapter 2, several other relational database systems will be reviewed. The primary goal of each analysis will be to identify the logical and physical approaches to data representation, as well as the user interface. Chapters 3 and 4 identify the physical and logical structure of the experimental disk-resident spatial information system developed for this project. As will be seen, this experimental system combines features of existing relational databases with new approaches to represent and manipulate information in a database. The Query Language Interpreter will be presented in Chapter 5. Through the interpreter, a database user can issue a variety of commands to perform database operations, as well as create sophisticated program control structures. Chapters 6-8 discuss the security, integrity, and recovery aspects of the disk-resident system. During the development of this project, various implementation problems were encountered. These problems and solutions are presented in Chapter 9. Chapter 10 discusses the performance of the disk-resident system. Statistics are presented comparing how the database commands performed when run under a variety of test environments. Chapter 11 uses the results from earlier chapters to draw conclusions concerning the disk-resident system and presents some directions for future work. Following the bibliography are related appendices that illustrate the various types of files recognized by the query language interpreter.
Master of Science

An evidence-based clinical practice guideline was developed to prevent and manage constipation in the long-term care (LTC) resident. Constipation is a prevalent condition in the LTC resident. Guidelines do not address this vulnerable population. Constipation may result in poor nutritional status, quality of life along with increased health care costs and hospitalizations. A literature review was completed and evidence was evaluated and included into the initial draft recommendations. The guideline was reviewed for content validity using a Delphi Committee of clinical experts in gastroenterology, geriatrics, and pharmacy. The updated guidelines were presented to an interdisciplinary team of long-term care residents. Participants were asked to review and complete a survey regarding clinical applicability of the guideline. Thirty-one interdisciplinary members participated in the education session and 30 surveys were received. Overall, the interdisciplinary team members agreed or strongly agreed the guideline was clinically applicable. Finally, the guideline was evaluated by a group of doctoral prepared practicing nurse practitioners using the AGREE II instrument. The scores were >80% in every domain, with an overall score of 91%, indicating the guideline is high in quality. Development of this guideline signifies an initial step in the management and prevention of constipation in the LTC resident.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Nursing) -- University of Colorado Denver, 2008.
Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 209-220). Free to UCD Anschutz Medical Campus. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Tissue resident memory T cells are a subset of memory T cells that reside in tissue permanently, without entering circulation. Their strategic location at sites of common pathogen entry or reinfection, provides a critical advantage for controlling infections. While their role in infection control has become clear, whether tissue-resident T cells can contribute to immune homeostasis or play a role in cancer is unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of tissue-resident T cells in tissue homeostasis and cancer. We show that tissue-resident regulatory T cells exist in human lymphoid tissues and their numbers are greater at sites of recurrent infections. When compared to their circulating counterparts, tissue-resident regulatory T cells are better equipped to maintain tissue homeostasis and functionally are able to suppress T cell proliferation. The study also examined the role of tumour-resident CD8+ T (TR8) cells in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs). Here we found that TR8 cells were significantly higher in HPV+ OPSCCs when compared to HPV- OPSCCs. Interestingly, we found that increased TR8 cell numbers were associated with better patient survival in both cancers. Importantly, our data shows that TR8 cells could underlie improved survival in patients with HPV+ OPSCCs when compared to patients with HPV- OPSCCs. However, when we examined the role of HPV-oncoprotein E6 in modulating the expression of negative regulators within OPSCCs we found no evidence. Finally, we also examined what role tissue-resident T cells may have in recurrent miscarriage (RM). We found higher proportions of tissue-resident CD8+ T cells in women with RM, suggesting a potential role. In summary, our study shows that tissue-resident T cells could play a critical role not only in infections and cancer but also in tissue homeostasis. Understanding the role of these cells in disease is critical for developing future therapies and vaccines.

xii, 69 p. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number.
New Urbanists promote development modeled upon neighborhoods that are highdensity and mixed-use with connected streets so that residents will drive less and have a strong sense of community. Little is known about whether New Urbanist environments provide the envisioned change in living experience for those who reside there. This study assesses changes in the living experience of residents of a suburban New Urbanist environment located in Eugene, Oregon, relative to their living experience in their previous residential environment. Findings reveal that respondents drive less for some but not all types of trips. There are no significant changes in sense of community. Changes in housing density and land-use mix are found associated with driving behavior change. Change in the enjoyment of the walking environment is found associated with changes in levels of resident interaction and feelings of sense of community.
Committee in Charge: Dr. Yizhao Yang, Chair; Dr. Robert Young; Robert Parker

This thesis explores the importance of caravan parks as a provider of long term housing in rural areas. Previous research on caravan parks in the Australian housing system focused on the metropolitan and coastal regions, with little analysis given over to parks in rural areas. There is a similar dearth of research on rural housing in Australia. In previous housing studies rural housing has been discussed as a residual of that in the capital cities. In many instances, rural areas are absorbed into broader metropolitan/non-metropolitan constructs. This is despite the complexity and range of housing issues in rural places. This research has brought these two fields together, particularly to determine whether the problems in the rural housing market are a factor for people living in caravan parks. Previous studies on caravan parks have demonstrated that caravan park residents have socio-economic characteristics that would make it difficult for them to access housing. They have low incomes, a reliance on government benefits and higher mobility rates compared to the general population. Caravan park residents have a greater propensity to poverty. Thus for these residents, caravan parks offer housing that is affordable and accessible. In many instances it is housing of last resort, or housing used in times of crisis. Previous research into rural housing has found that rural areas have greater incidences of after housing poverty as a result of lower incomes. There are also problems of housing accessibility, particularly for specific groups, such as the aged, youth, and the disabled. Rural areas also are encountering the migration of 'urban refugees'. This group has high levels of need which creates a further strain on a market. The Shires of Chinchilla and Murilla in Queensland were selected as case studies because they they have a stable caravan park industry and they are rural without being remote. Interviews were undertaken with a variety of individuals representing a range of organisations. This included a large sample of long-term caravan park residents. The residents who participated in the research were, similarly to the general profile of park residents, disadvantaged. They also had low incomes with a reliance on government benefits. The majority of the residents had located to the case study region from the South-East of the State. It was also found that the majority of residents migrated to the area and immediately moved into a caravan park. Interestingly, there were no family households in the park, and very few young people. Also, caravan parks were not utilised as crisis accommodation. This is attributed to the discriminatory practices of the park operators as a form of 'risk management'. This research found that caravan parks play an important role in the housing system of rural areas. Specifically, they are not a residual form of the dominant tenures, but are a separate component of the housing market. Many residents did not consider the broader housing market, and immediately moved into the park. Residents did not explicitly consider their housing choice within the context of the broader market. While housing related issues did arise, the majority of residents individualised their experiences; that is, their housing experience is related to their own individual situation and not because of any problems in the market.

This thesis explores the importance of caravan parks as a provider of long term housing in rural areas. Previous research on caravan parks in the Australian housing system focused on the metropolitan and coastal regions, with little analysis given over to parks in rural areas. There is a similar dearth of research on rural housing in Australia. In previous housing studies rural housing has been discussed as a residual of that in the capital cities. In many instances, rural areas are absorbed into broader metropolitan/non-metropolitan constructs. This is despite the complexity and range of housing issues in rural places. This research has brought these two fields together, particularly to determine whether the problems in the rural housing market are a factor for people living in caravan parks. Previous studies on caravan parks have demonstrated that caravan park residents have socio-economic characteristics that would make it difficult for them to access housing. They have low incomes, a reliance on government benefits and higher mobility rates compared to the general population. Caravan park residents have a greater propensity to poverty. Thus for these residents, caravan parks offer housing that is affordable and accessible. In many instances it is housing of last resort, or housing used in times of crisis. Previous research into rural housing has found that rural areas have greater incidences of after housing poverty as a result of lower incomes. There are also problems of housing accessibility, particularly for specific groups, such as the aged, youth, and the disabled. Rural areas also are encountering the migration of 'urban refugees'. This group has high levels of need which creates a further strain on a market. The Shires of Chinchilla and Murilla in Queensland were selected as case studies because they they have a stable caravan park industry and they are rural without being remote. Interviews were undertaken with a variety of individuals representing a range of organisations. This included a large sample of long-term caravan park residents. The residents who participated in the research were, similarly to the general profile of park residents, disadvantaged. They also had low incomes with a reliance on government benefits. The majority of the residents had located to the case study region from the South-East of the State. It was also found that the majority of residents migrated to the area and immediately moved into a caravan park. Interestingly, there were no family households in the park, and very few young people. Also, caravan parks were not utilised as crisis accommodation. This is attributed to the discriminatory practices of the park operators as a form of 'risk management'. This research found that caravan parks play an important role in the housing system of rural areas. Specifically, they are not a residual form of the dominant tenures, but are a separate component of the housing market. Many residents did not consider the broader housing market, and immediately moved into the park. Residents did not explicitly consider their housing choice within the context of the broader market. While housing related issues did arise, the majority of residents individualised their experiences; that is, their housing experience is related to their own individual situation and not because of any problems in the market.

Class of 2009 Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a perceived need to offer a teaching certificate program to pharmacy residents in the state of Arizona. METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive study utilized a web-based, electronic survey to gather data from Arizona pharmacy residents and residency program directors. Residents who were part of the Class of 2008 or 2009 were included in the study. The survey asked the respondents to rate the value of a pharmacy certificate program on a 6-point Likert scale. Data on the current activities for residents in the programs, resident confidence levels on performing specific tasks, topics of modules for a certificate program, the quantity and length of the modules, and interest in participating in a program were also collected. RESULTS: There was a 50% response rate for both pharmacy residents (n=17) and residency directors (n=12). The respondents indicated that there was a perceived value to a teaching certificate program (p<0.0001) and 28 stated that they would participate in the certificate program if one was offered (p<0.0001). Seven of the nine proposed module topics for the program were positively received by the respondents, with “How to be a Preceptor” ranked highest (p<0.0001). Overall, a teaching certificate program of 4 to 6 modules (p=0.006) between 46 to 60 minutes in length (p<0.0001) was most appealing to the respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Arizona pharmacy residents and residency program directors who participated in this survey showed a positive interest in a teaching certificate program.

College administrators have been in the business of employing students as RAs or an equivalent position for many years. Over those many years, the students and the type of students hired for this position changed. Once again, it is time for a generational change. Gen Y students are currently entering at least their second year of college and are now eligible to apply for RA positions. The present study operated on the assumption that student motivations to seek the RA position may have changed over time as new generations of students have entered higher education. The perceived benefits of student employments in positions such as the RA position may shift with the change in the characteristics, needs, motivations, and desires of the students to seek employment. Researching employment motivations periodically to gauge shifts in reasons for seeking employment in the RA position may be helpful. The present study has significance for both future practice and future research in student affairs. In terms of future practice, three constituencies might be interested in the results of the study: Residence Life practitioners (RLPs), RAs, and student affairs practitioners. In the current study, there were several significant findings. First, Gen Y students sought the RA position for the following reasons (by order of importance), Helping Behaviors, Career Development, Financial Obligations, RA Cohesiveness, Personal Growth, and Desire for Power. Second, Gen Y females reported Helping Behaviors as an important reason for seeking the RA position significantly more often than did their male counterparts. Third, the research found no statistically significant differences in the reasons majority and minority Gen Y students sought the RA position. Finally, statistically significant differences were found when the reasons Gen X and Gen Y students sought the RA position were examined. Although the study examined only a limited number of Gen Y students, the results indicate that Residence Life professionals and RA staff selections teams may want to reconsider the way in which RA applicants are recruited.
Master of Arts

The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible relationship between social mix and the quality of life in housing. Quality of life is measured by levels of satisfaction, social integration, mobility and freedom of choice, etc. This study has identified some factors which may have an effect on the quality of life in socially mixed housing projects. This study has formulated general observations from these factors which could influence the way the built environment is shaped, especially ways in which residents, can or cannot, appreciate and tolerate social mix. The evidence indicates that design, quality of construction, good management, and the overall environment are much more important for the acceptance and satisfaction of the residents than the question of social mix. Even so, the findings indicate that some of the positive and negative quality of life aspects derive from social mix.

In recent years, there has been a worldwide increase in obesity, which parallels a rise in pathologies, including type 2 diabetes, collectively termed the metabolic syndrome. Chronic, low-grade inflammation has been implicated as a major link between these diseases. Recent work showed the presence of a unique subset of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells residing in visceral adipose tissue (VAT Treg) with PPAR-g being the key transcription factor responsible for their phenotype and function in controlling adipose tissue inflammation and, thereby, insulin sensitivity. VAT Tregs inversely correlated with insulin resistance. In contrast, there was a dramatic age-associated increase in frequency of VAT Tregs in lean animals, correlating with continued insulin sensitivity, despite significant increases in body and adipose tissue weights. This increase in Treg frequencies was not observed in other lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues, including the subcutaneous fat depot. We characterized this unique age-associated increase in VAT Tregs through the use of adoptive transfer models, in vivo labeling and tracking systems, parabiosis, and analysis of the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire used by VAT Tregs. Our findings indicate that the progressive increase in VAT Tregs is not due to conversion of conventional CD4+ T cells nor to substantial infiltration of Tregs from the circulation and secondary lymphoid organs. However, by analyzing the TCR repertoire on a single-cell level we uncovered a striking oligo-clonal expansion of VAT Tregs, suggesting their accumulation results from in situ proliferation. We further showed that this accumulation is dependent on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, but not on CD1d. Finally, we showed that IL-33 was able to induce proliferation of VAT Tregs. In parallel, we extended our analysis of TCR repertoire to the Treg population residing in skeletal muscle. In acute and chronic models of muscle injury, muscle-resident Tregs underwent a substantial clonal expansion, with a particular clone being detected in multiple individuals. Taken together these studies highlight the importance of proliferation as a mechanism of Treg accumulation in tissues in response to acute and chronic inflammation.

VADEHRA, POOJA, Ph.D. Co-resident Grandparents and Children?s Early Cognitive Development. (2015). Directed by Dr. Danielle Crosby. 112 pp. Cross-cultural research on parent?maintained multigenerational families with co-resident grandparents has shown largely positive outcomes for children, but few studies have explored the potential impact of this type of household structure on children in the American context. The goals of the current study were to investigate the association between grandparent co-residency in stable two-parent families and children?s early cognitive development (at ages 9 months and 2 years), and to examine whether grandparents? provision of child care moderated this association. A secondary set of questions asked whether the pattern of associations under study varied by children?s ethnoracial background (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Other). Data for this study were drawn from the first two waves of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (ECLS-B), a unique, prospective study of development for a nationally representative sample of children born in the U.S. in 2001. Analyses focused on the 6,950 children who lived in stable two-parent families during their first two years of life. Descriptive results show that 11.3% of infants living in stable two-parent families in this national sample had at least one grandparent living with them during their first two years of life. A series of multivariate logistic regressions indicated that grandparent co-residency was a more likely occurrence for children with younger mothers, children in families below the poverty threshold and those receiving federal benefits, children in families with higher incomes (once poverty was accounted for), first born children and Asian children. Interesting differences emerged in the pattern of correlates of grandparent co-residency across ethnoracial groups. Poverty and federal assistance were the strongest predictors of co-residency for White, Hispanic, and ?Other? families; whereas higher income was associated with co-residency for Black and Asian families. Hypotheses about the association between grandparent co-residency and children?s early cognitive development were not supported (for the full sample or any of the ethnoracial groups); however, supplementary analyses provided suggestive evidence of higher test scores at 9 months for children with co-resident grandmothers, and higher test scores at age 2 for children with co-resident grandfathers. I found no evidence that grandparent provision of child care moderated this association. Implications for future research and recommendations are further discussed.

This thesis investigates using adaptive estimation techniques to determine unknown model parameters such as size and surface material reflectivity, while estimating position, velocity, attitude, and attitude rates of a resident space object. This work focuses on the application of these methods to the space situational awareness problem.

This thesis proposes a unique method of implementing a top-level gating network in a dual-layer hierarchical mixture of experts. In addition it proposes a decaying learning parameter for use in both the single layer mixture of experts and the dual-layer hierarchical mixture of experts. Both a single layer mixture of experts and dual-layer hierarchical mixture of experts are compared to the multiple model adaptive estimation in estimating resident space object parameters such as size and reflectivity. The hierarchical mixture of experts consists of macromodes. Each macromode can estimate a different parameter in parallel. Each macromode is a single layer mixture of experts with unscented Kalman filters used as the experts. A gating network in each macromode determines a gating weight which is used as a hypothesis tester. Then the output of the macromode gating weights go to a top level gating weight to determine which macromode contains the most probable model. The measurements consist of astrometric and photometric data from non-resolved observations of the target gathered via a telescope with a charge coupled device camera. Each filter receives the same measurement sequence. The apparent magnitude measurement model consists of the Ashikhmin Shirley bidirectional reflectance distribution function. The measurements, process models, and the additional shape, mass, and inertia characteristics allow the algorithm to predict the state and select the most probable fit to the size and reflectance characteristics based on the statistics of the measurement residuals and innovation covariance. A simulation code is developed to test these adaptive estimation techniques. The feasibility of these methods will be demonstrated in this thesis.

The Sport industry has developed over the years and now can even form part of the entertainment industry. Sportspersons have become celebrities in their own right and their image rights are treated as commodities. The image rights of famous sportspersons are commercial products exploited by sports clubs and enterprises in promoting their brands through merchandising and endorsement deals. As a result, sportspersons earn income from the use of their image in promotional activities. The Income Tax Act No.58 of 1962 does not provide specific rules for the taxation of image rights payments and the Guide on the Taxation of Professional Sports Clubs and Players (the 2018 Guide) issued by the South African Revenue Service is not legally binding. Therefore, the income tax treatment of image rights payments is a subject of different interpretations and a cause for uncertainty. The capital or revenue nature (classification) of income from the sale or exploitation of image rights is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the income tax classification of income derived by rugby, cricket and football players from the commercial exploitation of their image rights. The inquiry considered the regulations prescribed by the sport regulatory bodies, legislation, case law, literature and the section of the 2018 Guide which deals with image rights. A brief comparative study was also conducted to assess the tax position in the United Kingdom and United States of America. It was found that the South African law does not currently recognise an image right as a separable asset of an individual. Income emanates from the productive employment of an image right in lieu of its disposal therefore will form part of a sportspersons' gross income. The 2018 Guide also does not sufficiently address the income tax implications of the sale or exploitation of image rights. There is, therefore, a need for a legislative framework and a revised Guide to cater for the taxation of image rights payments.

For students who want to make a difference in college and beyond, involvement in a variety of available leadership positions while in college can lead to gains in many areas-and most importantly, the ability to work respectfully, flexibly, and effectively with an increasingly diverse population. While it is widely acknowledged that leadership qualities and skills are principally learned and developed (rather than inherently innate to the individual), scholars are less certain as to the specific variables and values that result in socially responsible leadership skills among college students. The Resident Assistant (RA) represents a pivotal student leadership role on campus-but it is not the only way for students to assume an influential and skills-building leadership role. Other student leaders (OSLs), encompassed herein under the umbrella title of "peer helpers," include peer counselors, peer educators, and tutors. College and university educators are striving to develop leaders to be effective in an increasingly diverse society through a variety of methods including co-curricular opportunities. The implementation of targeted leadership development opportunities represents another way to meet this goal. The Social Change Model (SCM) of Leadership Development, which consists of seven core value (citizenship, collaboration, common purpose, controversy with civility, consciousness of self, congruence, and commitment), was created to help educate college students by focusing on positive social change through leadership. Given the lack of research examining leadership outcomes from serving in the RA position, this quantitative investigation was designed to compare SCM values in RAs to the analogous values in OSLs to determine if there were differences between the two cohorts with respect to socially responsible leadership. In short, are outcomes associated with socially responsible leadership due to being a student leader in general, or will serving in the RA role be more advantageous in developing those skills? An additional goal was to determine to what degree elements of the Social Change Model (SCM) could predict a student leader serving as a RA or in another role as an OSL. Findings from this investigation were based on responses from the 2012 iteration of the Multi-institutional Study on Leadership (MSL). A careful analysis of the data revealed that the SCM value of "citizenship" was the only one among the seven that could predict a student leader serving as an RA over an OSL; in contrast, RAs did not score significantly higher than OSLs on any of the other remaining six values. Although there is a large body of work related to RA performance, further research is needed to understand the relationship between the performance of student leaders who serve in this role and SCM values.
Ph. D.

In the ever expanding world of sports and entertainment a lot of money circulates amongst artistes, entertainers and sportspersons. This is of great economic relevance given the fact that, as with any business activity, the resources of the country in which they perform are used to earn these monies; as such these countries should have a right to reap some form of payment, through taxation, for the use of their resources. Given the large quantum circulating amongst these performers, it is a fairly lucrative source of economic revenue for the respective countries' tax authorities. In South Africa it is of considerable importance that the Commissioner of SARS (CSARS) ensures that he has access to this form of tax revenue, especially given the fact that the recent growth in the sports and entertainment industries in South Africa have been greater than the rest of the world. As such the CSARS must ensure these performance incomes form part of his tax base. Not only have international musicians and artistes taken a liking to touring and performing in South Africa, but the awarding of the right to host various Sports' World Cups are also significant contributors to this increasing tax base. As we are dealing with the taxation of non-residents in South Africa, the focus of this paper is within the realms of international law, specifically dealing with international tax practice. There is no international tax act governing International tax practice, as such it is more customary law based and is derived from the international tax agreements entered into between countries in order to clarify which country has the right to tax certain forms of income earned by a resident of either contracting country. More specifically with regards to international artistes, entertainers and sportspersons the current practice is to tax these performers on the income received from their performances in the country of performance. The CSARS also follows this practice, but due to practical difficulties, the taxation of these performance incomes is not as effective as it should be, in turn eroding the CSARS's tax base. This loss of tax revenues has lead to the recent introduction of Sections 47A - 47K, effective from 01 August 2006, in the South African Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962, to try and mitigate these losses. Each year these losses of revenues continue to increase, and given the future growth of these revenues in South Africa, particularly looking towards the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the CSARS needs to ensure they try and minimise these losses. According to Grant Thornton the 2010 World Cup is expected to earn ZAR7.2 Billion in taxes , so should the CSARS not have effective legislation in place, they could sacrifice a large proportion of these prospective revenues; this is a material amount of money to throw away due to practical ineffectiveness. The focus of this paper is therefore to evaluate whether the new legislation will in fact help towards improving the CSARS's ability to collect his revenues from the use of South African resources by international performers. This paper is an interpretive guide to the practice of the taxation of non-resident artistes, entertainers and sportspersons in South Africa. There is no greater focus on the artiste, the entertainer or the sportsperson as they are rather seen as one for the purposes of this paper and as such will be collectively referred to as performers. This paper takes the following approach in reaching a conclusion on whether the new South African Tax Legislation, S47A S47K, will be effective in the taxation of non-resident performers in South Africa: Current international practice Double Tax Agreements and the OECD and UN Taxation Model Conventions Article 17 Current Issues/Problems The Definitions 1. Sportsmen 2. Residence 3. Performer 4. Source 5. Performance Income The Deductibility of Performance Expenses Elimination of Double Taxation and Non-Discrimination Explain current practice in South Africa Prior to the new legislation: Practice, Issues and Problems The new legislation Conclusion: Shortfalls and Recommendations

This thesis investigates using adaptive estimation techniques to determine unknown model parameters such as size and surface material reflectivity, while estimating position, velocity, attitude, and attitude rates of a resident space object. This work focuses on the application of these methods to the space situational awareness problem. This thesis proposes a unique method of implementing a top-level gating network in a dual-layer hierarchical mixture of experts. In addition it proposes a decaying learning parameter for use in both the single layer mixture of experts and the dual-layer hierarchical mixture of experts. Both a single layer mixture of experts and dual-layer hierarchical mixture of experts are compared to the multiple model adaptive estimation in estimating resident space object parameters such as size and reflectivity. The hierarchical mixture of experts consists of macromodes. Each macromode can estimate a different parameter in parallel. Each macromode is a single layer mixture of experts with unscented Kalman filters used as the experts. A gating network in each macromode determines a gating weight which is used as a hypothesis tester. Then the output of the macromode gating weights go to a top level gating weight to determine which macromode contains the most probable model. The measurements consist of astrometric and photometric data from non-resolved observations of the target gathered via a telescope with a charge coupled device camera. Each filter receives the same measurement sequence. The apparent magnitude measurement model consists of the Ashikhmin Shirley bidirectional reflectance distribution function. The measurements, process models, and the additional shape, mass, and inertia characteristics allow the algorithm to predict the state and select the most probable fit to the size and reflectance characteristics based on the statistics of the measurement residuals and innovation covariance. A simulation code is developed to test these adaptive estimation techniques. The feasibility of these methods will be demonstrated in this thesis.

Thesis: Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biological Engineering, 2019
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 154-176).
Lack of medication adherence is a worldwide problem. As many as 50-70% of patients have trouble following treatment recommendations. Whereas adherence is driven by many factors including the socioeconomic status of a patient and the quality of the health care team, drug regimen complexity also affects treatment outcomes. For example, adherence decreases as the number of pills per dose and the number of doses per day increases. For diseases where potent medications are available, depot formulations provide sustained drug release to simplify dosing. For diseases lacking potent compounds for treatment, there remains an unmet need for depot systems that could transform medication adherence. Tuberculosis (TB) is one such disease with a high pill burden, where poor patient adherence to the treatment regimen is a major cause of treatment failure and contributes to the emergence of drug-resistant TB strains.
For example, an average 60-kg patient with TB needs to take 3.3 g of antibiotics per day, which is a dose that exceeds the largest swallowable capsule and current depot systems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 10 million people developed TB in 2017 with a global economic burden amounting to $12 billion annually. This thesis presents a solution to the challenge of prolonged dosing for regimens such as TB that require multigram drug dosing. First, a gastric resident system (GRS) compatible with transesophageal administration was designed using biocompatible materials. The GRS consists of a series of drug pills on a coiled superelastic nitinol wire; the ends are protected with a retainer and tubing. Safe administration, gastric retention for 1 month, and retrieval of the GRS were demonstrated in a swine model. Next, sustained release formulations for 6 TB antibiotics were formulated into drug-polymer pills, and first-order drug release kinetics were achieved in vitro.
Then, the GRS was demonstrated to be capable of safely encapsulating and releasing 10 grams of an antibiotic over the period of weeks in a swine model. Lastly, end-user assessment was evaluated with a field questionnaire in India and an economic model to estimate the impact of the GRS on the health care system. There are multiple applications of the GRS in the field of infectious diseases, as well as for other indications where multigram depots could impart meaningful benefits to patients, helping maximize adherence to their medication.
"Funding and Resources: -- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation -- National Institutes of Health -- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship -- MIT Tata Center and leadership team for believing in and guiding our project"
by Malvika Verma.
Ph. D.
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biological Engineering

This is the first study into resident students and commuter students in Ireland and was carried out to facilitate a more informed and targeted approach to supporting specific student groups. The research is based on secondary data analysis of three national Eurostudent surveys undertaken in 2006, 2009 and 2013. Four different student groups were studied to examine differences in their living and social conditions and their levels of student engagement. The groups were: resident students; those living with their parents; renters; and home-owners. Much of the previous research into student residential arrangements has taken place in the US, and this study finds that the US research may not be applicable to the Irish situation. The research indicates that, contrary to research from the US and the UK, students who live with their parents in Ireland are not from lower socio-economic groups. Indeed, they rank highest on many socio-economic indicators. As annual household income increases, the likelihood of a student living with their parents increases. It was also found that student halls in Ireland primarily serve students from higher socio-economic groups, and do not appear to serve the needs of mature students, who are more likely to own their own home or rent. International research indicates that living in student halls has a positive impact on student engagement, which is not supported by this research. Students living on-campus spend a lower amount of time in educationally purposeful activities than average. Those in rented accommodation or home-owners spend the most time on these activities. However, resident students do spend the most amount of time on college activities (extra-curricular), which is positive for student engagement. Resident students are more likely to drink, consume more alcohol than students in other living arrangements, and are more likely to exceed safe limits for alcohol consumption on a regular basis. Several recommendations are made to improve the student engagement of the different groups.

The importance of nurse residency programs is addressed in the literature; however, a review of residency program outcomes and effectiveness is needed. Guided by Roy's adaptation model and Deming's plan-do-check-act model, the purpose of this quality improvement project was to assess the current state of a longstanding critical care nurse residency program in meeting organizational goals and objectives and to recommend modifications to the program related to external factors, internal challenges, and educational deficits of nurses entering the program. A review of the evidence-based literature and feedback from focus groups of leadership stakeholders were used to develop recommendations for residency program improvement. Using qualitative analysis of the focus group data, three common themes emerged related to external factors: financial resources, patient acuity, and generational differences that influence nurse satisfaction with the residency program. Three additional themes emerged related to organizational barriers to satisfaction with the program: preceptor availability and development, limited training hours due to productivity standards, and leader time to support novice nurses. Reality shock when starting to practice in the high acuity critical care area was the most frequently reported educational deficit among new nurses. Recommendations for program improvement included obtaining feedback from residency program participants and preceptors, initiating preceptor development pathways, reinstituting a dedicated cost center for nurse residents' training, and using competency assessment tools to customize training plans for residency program participants. This project has the potential for social change by increasing job satisfaction and retention of new nurses and improving health outcomes in critical care patients.