Dimensions of perceptions

Amidst increasing global challenges in social, economic and environmental dimensions, the importance of involving our young generations in the discussions on how to address these connected issues is increasingly being recognised. This case study explores how different academic orientations influence students' perceptions of sustainable development across three distinct programmes at Swedish universities. These are BSc Biology and Environmental Sciences at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, BSc Business and Economics at Stockholm School of Economics, SSE, and BSc Peace and Conflict at Uppsala University, UU. Through interviews and thesis content analysis across these university programmes, this case study reveals that students' academic orientations influence their contextualisation of sustainable development, providing students with the language and frameworks to discuss and engage with these concepts effectively. This, in turn, influences students' emphasis on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development. The findings from this study reveal the pivotal role that education has in equipping future generations with the necessary language and frameworks to navigate and address sustainable development

Friction stir processing of cast magnesium alloys

This thesis investigates the feasibility and benefits of using friction stir processing as a thermo-mechanical microstructural modification tool for local property enhancement or casting repair of magnesium alloys, specifically high strength EV31A and WE43 --Abstract, page iv

Solving the Problem of the Transferability of Response to Intervention skills to the General Education Setting: An Applied Approach Study

The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of the transferability of Response to Intervention (RTI) skills (specifically tiers 2 and 3) into the general education setting for students at an elementary school located in middle Tennessee and to design practices to address the problem. Data collection included interviews, achievement scores, and surveys from over 60 stakeholders at the elementary school. This data was collected from stakeholders to include teachers, students, administrators, and interventionists. After collecting data from the stakeholders at the elementary school, analysis strategies were incorporated to describe the problem. Coding, direct analysis, and descriptive statistics of the information occurred to assist in developing a practice to solve the circumstance. Once the data collection described the problem in a cohesive manner, the researcher proposed an action plan that includes professional development for the staff, hiring additional staff, and incorporating vigorous instruction for students. These practices seek to help improve the problem of the transferability of RTI skills at the elementary school

An Investigation of the Under-Representation of African American Athletic Directors in Division IA Intercollegiate Athletics

The position of athletic directors is one of the top administrative posts within the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). In a perfect world, these positions would be opened to all qualified persons. In reality, however, there are major barriers for African American athletic administrators to overcome before they can join the ranks of Athletic Director. Barriers, such as bias hiring practices and policies, exist in intercollegiate athletics that have directly or indirectly resulted in an under-representation of African American athletic administrators. These barriers prohibit African American athletic administrators from advancing into the most senior role in intercollegiate administrative positions, the Athletic Director position. Influential men in college have been making decisions that have directly affected African American in athletic administrations. This investigation focuses on the position of Athletic Director, which is dominated by white men, and finds the direct correlation between African Americans and the problems that they have encountered when pursuing senior level positions within athletic administration, specifically the position of Athletic Director. The goals of the investigation are to be informative, descriptive, and evaluative of the under-representation of African Americans Athletic Directors by uncovering an organizational culture rich in hypocrisy

Engaging students with Computer Coding in the Visual and Applied Arts in Higher Education: The Possibilities, Challenges and Opportunities

The following “Expository” thesis paper is Postgraduate Research masters by research project entitled: “Engaging students in the use of Computer Coding in the Visual and Applied Arts within Higher Education: The Possibilities, Challenges and Opportunities”. Although degree programs already exist in subject areas such as Computer Art and in Interactive Media there is a current trend that sees coding as a skill for all, and some even see it an emerging core subject along side subjects such as English and maths. As such there is opportunity for coding to be integrated in all areas of education, from Computer Science where it has its roots, to the Humanities and even Health and Medicine. This research looks at how computer coding can be integrated in a more universal form in the Visual and Applied Arts and highlights the important considerations and ways forward in todays new “coding for all” landscape, making it accessible and creating the opportunity for diversity through the integration of coding within visual arts subjects and indeed all subjects. It is an original piece of research. Qualitative and Quantitative information was collected through the collection and analysis of data from questionnaires with students and through interviews with creative professionals who had a proven and extensive history in creative digital technologies and creative coding. It is a systematic investigation following a structured methodology. It builds upon previous working experience involving small focus groups of art and design students learning coding for the first time. It is designed for the purpose of expanding knowledge and understanding, in the implementation of new and emerging technologies within Visual Arts Higher education. It was a rigorous investigation in that much data was collected from both students and creative professionals. Questions and interviews were designed to draw out the most relevant and informative information possible. The significance of the findings lie in the potential to design modernised forms of teaching and learning using interdisciplinary technologies within the Visual Arts in Higher education. The research also outlines new avenues of enquiry which could form the basis of Doctoral Research

Effect of Welding Parameters on Properties of 5052 Al Friction Stir Spot Welds

Effect of process parameters on friction stir spot welding (FSSW) of 5052 Al alloy has been evaluated. a plunge type FSSW machine was used for this study. Sheet thicknesses of 1 and 1.6mm were used. the tool rotation rate was varied between 1000 and 3000 rpm. the tool plunge rate and dwell time was varied to give weld cycle of 1-4 seconds. Shear tests were performed in 2 sheet and 3 sheet configurations to determine the influence of processing parameters on the mechanical properties of lap joint FSSWs. Higher joint strengths were observed at lower tool rotation rates. Copyright © 2006 SAE International

Employee engagement: do practitioners care what academics have to say – and should they?

Securing high levels of employee engagement has become a dominant concern for HR practitioners globally, and a lucrative survey and consultancy industry has grown up around the topic. Despite significant parallel interest within the scholarly community, it is questionable whether research published in peer-reviewed journals has had any impact on the practice of engagement. The divergent perspectives of academics and practitioners on engagement are explored within the wider context of evidence-based management and the ‘rigor – relevance’ debate, alongside consideration of the risks of presupposing a simplified binary divide between the two communities. Some suggestions for strategies aimed at creating a stronger connection between the interests of practitioners and those of academics are proposed, whilst bearing in mind academia’s broader and more critical remit

O acolhimento, a cura e os vultos: reflexões sobre a religião e a militância negra-norte-americana do sul dos Estados Unidos

Este texto, uma colaboração entre Rachel e sua falecida mãe, Rosemarie, reconta, por meio de memórias da vida de Rosemarie enquanto militante no movimento negro dos anos 60 e pela história oral da família Freeney-Harding, a experiência dos negros norte-americanos que migraram do sul do país para cidades do norte do país nas primeiras décadas do século vinte. O texto examina tradições de acolhimento, cura, e uma espiritualidade mística afro-indígena do sul dos Estados Unidos como recursos para militância social e racial na comunidade negra norte americana. O texto está escrita na voz de Rosemarie.Palavras-chave: Ativismo. Negros Sul-americanos. Espiritualidade. Misticismo. Família

Hospitality, healing and haints: african american indigenous religion and activism

Este texto é um trecho do livro Remnants: A Memoir of Spirit, Activism and Mothering, publicado por Duke University Press em 2015. Remnants é uma colaboração entre Rachel e sua finada mãe, Rosemarie. Atraves de memórias da vida de Rosemarie enquanto militante no movemento negro dos anos 60, e da história oral da familia Freeney-Harding, o Remnants examina o papel de compaixão, e uma espiritualidade mística, afroindigena do sul dos estados unidos como recursos para militância social e racial na communidade negra norteamericana. O texto está escrito na voz de Rosemarie.Palavras-chave: Ativismo. Negros Sul-americanos. Espiritualidade. Misticismo. Família

Rested, friendly, and engaged: The role of daily positive collegial interactions at work

This diary study examined within-person effects of positive work and off-work experiences on daily engagement levels. Assessing the gain cycle assumption of conservation of resources theory, we investigated the relationship of night-time recovery and subsequent resources including elevated sleep quality and morning positive affect; the relationship of morning positive affect with positive collegial interactions and subsequent engagement; and the relationship of engagement with night-time recovery. Sixty-nine employees from various occupations completed surveys three times per day, over five consecutive working days. Multilevel analyses revealed that sleep quality positively predicted morning positive affect, which in turn predicted engagement directly and also indirectly through having positive interactions with colleagues. Engagement positively predicted night-time recovery, while night-time recovery was not related to sleep quality or morning positive affect the next day. The results suggest that on days when individuals have a good night’s sleep, they feel more positive, bring this positivity to their workplace, reach out to their workplace colleagues, and are in turn more likely to be engaged in their work. Additionally, on days when individuals experience higher levels of positive collegial interactions at work and in turn higher engagement, they are likely to experience better recovery