Dissertations / Theses on the topic '5275r'

Dans l'industrie de la microelectronique, la contamination particulaire est responsable d'une reduction importante des performances des procedes de fabrication. Les procedes assistes plasma, et notamment les procedes de gravure seche sont une source particulierement nefaste de contamination particulaire. Nos travaux nous ont conduit, tout d'abord, a mettre au point et a evaluer des moyens in-situ (diffusion de la lumiere, mesure electriques) pour caracteriser la dimension et la densite des particules. Grace a ces dispositifs, nous avons etudie le transport des particules lors de l'etape critique pour la contamination des substrats en cours de traitement que constitue l'extinction du plasma. Nous avons ensuite analyse la formation des particules dans des plasmas d'argon (pulverisation) et des plasmas de trifluoromethane (gravure ionique reactive). La derniere partie de nos travaux est consacree a l'analyse de l'efficacite des procedes de nettoyage des reacteurs par des plasmas pulses

Over the past few decades stem cells have been extensively investigated due to their potentially invaluable therapeutic use. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have wide-ranging therapeutic applications in tissue repair and regeneration due to their pluripotent properties and their ability to self-renew indefinitely. However, ethical concerns surround their use and hence alternatives are sought. Adult stem cells (ASCs) have been isolated from various adult tissues including the oral mucosa lamina propria (OMLP). This study aims to isolate ASCs from the OMLP, reprogram these cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and determine the potential for both to differentiate into functional neurons due to the limited regeneration of neurons in the central nervous system. Such investigations into strategies for the treatment of neural damage are invaluable and timely due to current limitations in the availability of human-derived cells for potential autologous or allogeneic tissue repair. OMLP-PCs represent an ideal cell source for use in regenerative medicine given their ease of isolation, proliferative potential, multipotent properties and immunosuppressive activities. Work in this Thesis has now demonstrated that these oral progenitors expressed numerous pluripotency markers and for the first time, that they could be reprogrammed to iPSCs utilising safer, non-integrating plasmids, thus increasing their potential for use in clinical applications. OMLP-iPSCs were positive for a number of pluripotent stem cell markers including SSEA-4, SSEA-5, TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81, Oct-4 and Sox-2. Moreover, their expression of early stage germ layer markers indicated their potential to differentiate into cell types of the mesoderm, endoderm and ectoderm. OMLP-PCs were also demonstrated within this Thesis to differentiate down an early neural lineage as evidenced by the presence of typical neural markers (Nestin, βIII tubulin, MAP-2 and NF-M). The presence of both ligand-gated and voltage-sensitive calcium channels indicated some limited potential functional phenotype. Unfortunately, utilising the same neural differentiation methodology, OMLP-iPSCs were not able to be similarly driven down a neural pathway. None-the-less this data suggests that OMLP-PCs and OMLP-iPSCs may hold great promise for a wide range of regenerative medicine applications

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common musculoskeletal disease worldwide and a major cause of chronic pain. Treatment of OA pain is still suboptimal due to limited efficacy and considerable side effects of available analgesics. Pain in OA has a significant central component. Cyclooxygenases (COXs) and glial cells in the spinal cord and the periaqueductal gray (PAG) play a significant role in central sensitisation and pain modulation. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is a key molecule in normal and pathological angiogenesis. Serine arginine protein kinase 1 (SRPK1), which phosphorylates serine arginine splice factor 1 (SRSP1), controls VEGF gene alternative splicing. This results in two splice variants; VEGF-A165a, which is pro-angiogenic and pro-nociceptive, and anti-angiogenic VEGF-A165b, which showed anti-nociceptive effects in models of neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Objective: This thesis investigated changes in COX expression and glial activation in the spinal cord and the PAG in the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) model of OA. It also addressed the effects of VEGF-A165b and SRPK1 inhibitor SPHINX-31 on pain behaviour and joint pathology, as well as COX expression and glial activation in the spinal cord and the PAG in the same model. Hypothesis: VEGF-A165b and SPHINX-31 can prevent and/or reverse enhanced pain behaviour in the MIA model of OA, through involvement of spinal glial cells and COXs in the PAG and spinal cord. Vascular-astrocyte association in the PAG is enhanced in the MIA model of OA, and this effect is reversed by administration of SPHINX-31. Methods: Rats received an intra-articular injection of MIA (1 mg) in the knee. In one study, animals were treated with VEGF-A165b (i.p. 20 ng/g body weight twice weekly) on days 0-13 (VEGF(d0-13) group) or days 14-28 (VEGF(d14-28) group) after MIA injection; in another study, rats received SPHINX-31 (i.p. 0.8 µg/g body weight twice weekly; (MIA/SPHINX group)) for 19 days after induction of the model. Pain behaviour was monitored throughout the studies, at the end of which (day 28) tissues were collected for the assessment of joint histopathology and the evaluation of spinal COX-2 mRNA expression by PCR. In addition, immunofluorescence (IF) was used to assess COX-2 expression and glial activation in the spinal cord, as well as astrocyte activation and vascular-astrocyte association in the PAG. Results: VEGF-A165b significantly attenuated weight bearing asymmetry (%) in MIA rats on day 28 (29.58 ± 1.803 in MIA/VEGF(d0-13) group vs. 22.95 ± 2.088 in MIA/PBS group, p < 0.01; 29.23 ± 1.49 in VEGF(d14-28) vs. 22.95 ± 2.088 in MIA/PBS, p < 0.05). VEGF-A165b reversed mechanical withdrawal thresholds to the naïve level, but without reaching statistical significance. No significant changes in knee joint pathology were observed in VEGF-A165b treated MIA rats compared to the MIA/PBS counterparts. In the MIA/VEGF(d0-13) group, contralateral deep laminae of the dorsal horn had a higher percentage (%) of non-neuronal cells expressing COX-2 than the corresponding superficial laminae (3.26 ±1.16 vs 1.12 ± 0.43, p < 0.05), while no difference was observed in the MIA/PBS group. Administration of VEGF-A165b did not significantly affect spinal microglia and astrocyte activation, nor COX-2 expression in the PAG. SPHINX-31 had no significant effects on pain behaviour, joint pathology or spinal COX-2 expression in the MIA model of OA. On the other hand, MIA/SPHINX group exhibited a higher activation of spinal microglia than MIA controls (% of CD11b +ve cells in MIA/SPHINX-31 vs MIA/vehicle groups: 6.36 ± 0.89 vs 1.72 ± 0.38, p < 0.01). In addition, SPHINX-31 significantly increased astrocyte activation in the ipsilateral dorsolateral (DL) PAG relative to corresponding ventrolateral (VL) PAG (GFAP IF intensity: 12.89 ± 1.52 vs 8.46 ± 0.84, p < 0.05), and it increased vascular-astrocyte association (%) in the contralateral DL PAG relative to corresponding VL PAG (70.35 ± 7.68 vs 38.92 ± 8.19, p < 0.05). Interestingly, naïve rats had a significantly higher astrocyte activation and vascular-astrocyte association in the VL PAG than in DL PAG. Conclusions: VEGF-A165b exerted a significant antinociceptive effect in the MIA model of OA without affecting joint pathology, spinal glial cell activation or COX-2 expression in the PAG. SPHINX-31 did not reverse pain behaviour, but showed a potential effect on astrocyte activation and vascular-astrocyte association in the DL PAG relative VL PAG in the MIA model of OA.

The first part of this research was aimed to improve continuous synthesis of LDHs through a matrix of experiments that investigated the influence of key factors affecting synthesis. These factors; temperature, pressure and reactant concentration were investigated for Ca2Al-NO3 LDHs. Alteration of reaction temperature and pressure caused changes to crystal domain length (CDL). As temperature was increased, tune-ability through pressure manipulation was lessened. The effect of the NaOH concentration in the precipitation reaction was found to have an impact on CDL. The highest NaOH concentration was found to produce smaller domain lengths. The initial excess of OH- causes nucleation of crystals to occur preferentially over sustained growth. High NaOH content caused Ca(OH)2 and Ca2Al-CO3 contamination, due to an excess of Ca2+ in the precursors and excess NaOH in the reaction. The presence of the impurities alter the chemical makeup of the compounds and the thermal properties. The effect of the changes to CDL was not realised in the other physical characteristics of the LDH, as platelet size remained at an average 2-5μm with no trend corresponding to CDL variations. Specific surface area (SBET) also showed no change in relation to CDL variation or the modification of reaction temperature, pressure or precursor NaOH. Scale up synthesis of LDHs focused on Zn2Al-CO3. Reactions to produce Zn2Al-CO3 were carried out at bench, pilot and industrial scale. All variables were kept constant, bar the reactor size and the flow rate. The pilot scale reactor operated at 20-30 times greater than bench scale. The pilot scale LDH exhibited greater CDL, this was attributed primarily to a settling period post-reaction, where the suspension was allowed to settle in the reaction liquor. Platelet diameter increased from 120nm at bench to 177nm at pilot scale and 165nm at industrial scale. The changes to particle size do not correspond with changes to SBET. Surface area decreased from 58m2 g-1 to 50m2 g-1 between bench and pilot synthesis but the surface area was recorded at 64,1m2 g-1 for the industrial Zn2Al-CO3 Industrial synthesis produced a Zn2Al-CO3 LDH with CDL (19nm) comparable to the bench scale sample (18nm) but smaller than the pilot scale sample (26nm). Zn2Al-CO3 LDHs for remediation of a synthetic dye was carried out on two types of reactive dye. The LDH was calcined and the resulting mixed metal oxide (MMO) was characterised. Calcination caused an increase in SBET from 50m2 g-1 to 57m2 g-1. Wet storage of the MMO reformed the LDH crystal phase, partly after 2 weeks and completely after 6 weeks. Adsorption of dye was best modelled by the Langmuir isotherm. The fit of the isotherm model was reduced as adsorption temperature was increased, due to inhibited uptake of dye at low initial concentration (C0). The maximum uptake capacity (qm) at 293K, was 589mg g-1 and 895mg g-1 for Reactive Black 5 and Reactive Orange 16, respectively. Adsorption was also modelled kinetically by a pseudo 2nd order model. Investigation of the impact of competing anions found that, Cl- had no effect on adsorption of either dye molecule, however addition of Na2CO3 and Na2SO4 inhibited adsorption. Thermal regeneration of the adsorbent significantly reduced the adsorption capacity in subsequent cycles. Washing with Na2CO3 prior to re-calcination mitigated the effect of regeneration. Breakthrough curves were fit with the Yoon-Nelson and Thomas models best, while the Adams-Bohart model was not appropriate. The adsorption capacity (qe) from the Thomas model was between 7.2mg g-1 and 7.6mg g-1, which is considerably lower compared with the batch scale Langmuir qm value. The reduction is attributed to a number of factors. The empty bed contact time was not enough to allow the adsorption to occur completely and breakthrough occurred after the first, timed sample. The presence of the PMMA in the granules may block adsorption sites also bind the particles, inhibiting the ability to expand and reform LDH layers with the dye molecules in the interlayer gallery. PMMA is also a hydrophobic which will contribute to a reduced interface between the MMO surface and the adsorbate solution. Continuous synthesis of LDH composites was carried out in a two-stage reactor system. The core@shell composites were designed to combine properties of the core with the adsorptive capacity of LDHs. For this research ZnO was chosen as the core material due to its photocatalytic capabilities, and Mg2Al-CO3 was chosen for the shell, due to the large Ca2Al-NO3 particles. Zn2Al-CO3 would be difficult to distinguish from the ZnO in chemical analysis. The composite exhibited reflections relating to both ZnO and the Mg2Al-CO3 in the diffractogram. The SBET of the composite (75m2 g-1) was greater than each of the individual materials and a dry mixture of LDH and ZnO powders. There is a reduction in Mg/Al ratio of the LDH from 2:1 to closer to 1:1. This was first attributed to the potential for Zn2Al-CO3 LDH production in the second reactor from residual Zn2+ ions or dissolution of ZnO. However, further examination of synthesis in the second reactor indicated that NaOH concentration has a dramatic effect on Mg(OH)2 precipitation. Low NaOH caused Al(OH)3 to be prevalent in the brucite-like sheets. This may phenomenon may occur in composite synthesis. Increased Al(OH)3 distorts the layers and caused an increase in SBET to 250m2 g-1. The synthesis of ZnO@LDH composite materials was partially successful as there appears to be some degree of bonding between ZnO cores and Mg2Al-Co3 LDH shells. However, more work to fine tune continuous composite synthesis is required, as there is in some instances a mixture of LDH and ZnO nanoparticles that are not part of a composite material.

Over the last hundred years, competing and incompatible positions in relation to basic problems of knowledge and the use of the verb ‘to know’ have multiplied; and the prospect of a consensus solution emerging with respect to any of the problems has not seemed particularly good. We have a Gordian knot. Even so, I suggest that we also have a way to cut it. This will involve identifying why the cognitive mechanism that produces our intuitions of knowing evolved and was maintained (by natural selection), i.e., identifying the ‘teleonomic function’ of that cognitive mechanism. Also, it will involve predicting, on the basis of this teleonomic function, the triggering-conditions of these natural knowledge intuitions. In this thesis, I develop a general theory of the origin, function and triggering-conditions of knowledge intuitions that will allow us to cut that knot. That theory follows basic biological theory (including that which pertains to natural altruism) and also signal detection theory. My theory identifies a number of different circumstances under which the triggering-conditions of knowledge intuitions are different. Strikingly, these different circumstances (and their associated triggering-conditions) map onto the different competing and incompatible epistemological positions to which I referred. This suggests that these positions are all correct within the boundaries of one of the circumstances that my theory identifies; and that the Gordian knot is largely the result of epistemologists claiming universal applicability of a theory that in fact only applies under particular circumstances. We cut the knot by specifying the different circumstances under which each of the different epistemological positions will hold, and the reason we should expect it to hold in just these circumstances, in light of the teleonomic function of knowledge intuitions.

Les caracteristiques d'une nouvelle source de plasma pour le depot de revetements par pulverisation sur des grandes surfaces ont ete etudiees. Cette source utilise une onde electromagnetique de frequence 2. 45 ghz pour accelerer les electrons qui ionisent les atomes d'argon par impact electronique. Un champ magnetique permet de confiner les electrons pour d'une part optimiser le couplage avec l'onde en tout lieu ou il est egal a 875 gauss et d'autre part transporter le plasma vers une cible de pulverisation polarisee negativement. Une source produisant une nappe de plasma de section rectangulaire de 75 cm2 a ete realisee. La caracterisation du plasma a ete effectuee en termes de densite electronique par interforemetrie, de temperature electronique par mesure de sonde et de courant d'ions recueillis sur la cible en fonction des parametres puissance micro-onde, pression d'argon, champ magnetique. Les valeurs obtenues ont montre que ce plasma est dense, avec une independance entre les parametres de creation du plasma et ceux de la pulverisation. L'usure des cibles de pulverisation est uniforme et correspond a l'intersection entre les lignes de champ magnetique et la surface de la cible. L'etude des couches de chrome deposees par ce procede a montre que la diminution de la pression permet d'obtenir des couches de densite proche de celle du chrome massique, avec des vitesses de depot elevees, et des contraintes residuelles faibles. Sous pression reduite constante, l'incorporation de carbone dans les couches de chrome par pulverisation reactive a permis d'augmenter la durete de ces couches. La morphologie devient plus dense, avec des contraintes residuelles faibles et une resistivite electrique faible. D'autres revetements (fer, oxyde de chrome, oxyde d'aluminium) ont ete realises pour demontrer la potentialite de ce nouveau dispositif a deposer en tension de polarisation negative continue de la cible des materiaux magnetiques et des oxydes

The present research thesis was focused on the development of new biomaterials and devices for application in regenerative medicine, particularly in the repair/regeneration of bone and osteochondral regions affected by degenerative diseases such as Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis or serious traumas. More specifically, the work was focused on the synthesis and physico-chemical-morphological characterization of: i) a new superparamagnetic apatite phase; ii) new biomimetic superparamagnetic bone and osteochondral scaffolds; iii) new bioactive bone cements for regenerative vertebroplasty. The new bio-devices were designed to exhibit high biomimicry with hard human tissues and with functionality promoting faster tissue repair and improved texturing. In particular, recent trends in tissue regeneration indicate magnetism as a new tool to stimulate cells towards tissue formation and organization; in this perspective a new superparamagnetic apatite was synthesized by doping apatite lattice with di-and trivalent iron ions during synthesis. This finding was the pin to synthesize newly conceived superparamagnetic bone and osteochondral scaffolds by reproducing in laboratory the biological processes yielding the formation of new bone, i.e. the self-assembly/organization of collagen fibrils and heterogeneous nucleation of nanosized, ionically substituted apatite mimicking the mineral part of bone. The new scaffolds can be magnetically switched on/off and function as workstations guiding fast tissue regeneration by minimally invasive and more efficient approaches. Moreover, in the view of specific treatments for patients affected by osteoporosis or traumas involving vertebrae weakening or fracture, the present work was also dedicated to the development of new self-setting injectable pastes based on strontium-substituted calcium phosphates, able to harden in vivo and transform into strontium-substituted hydroxyapatite. The addition of strontium may provide an anti-osteoporotic effect, aiding to restore the physiologic bone turnover. The ceramic-based paste was also added with bio-polymers, able to be progressively resorbed thus creating additional porosity in the cement body that favour cell colonization and osseointegration.

This thesis presents existing published work examining the coherent theme of the pertinent issues on economic development in West Africa. The seven distinct and thematically related papers span over six years of study into the issues relating to the socio-economic context of development in West Africa. Each of the papers discusses salient aspects of regional development in selected West African economies. This thesis has contributed to knowledge in the academic literature on: • The importance of health-responsive development policies in enhancing agricultural transformation. • The role of crude oil in augmenting economic performance. • The importance of export diversification in fostering intra-trade expansion and economic growth. • The role of agricultural trade policy options in facilitating economic expansion: the case of rice. • The contribution of standards to enhancing market access and economic development: the cocoa case study. • The importance of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) in promoting market access and economic performance. • The contribution of Saemaul Undong Model to enhancing rural development policy space. The thesis has attempted to provide an answer to the question: How can regional economic development be achieved in West Africa? The critical review and analyses of the issues examined in each of the papers provide deep insights into the drivers of economic transformation in West Africa. In an attempt to respond to this research question, this thesis proposes a workable strategy for fostering economic development, but cautions that the success of the strategy is contingent on a strong political will, coupled with an effective coordination and cooperation at national and regional levels. The thesis concludes that the proposed transformation plan must be innovation led by strategically reconstructing the rural communities where economic potentials are yet to be exploited.

The following thesis examines the impact of accountability on police judgments and decisions within critical incident contexts. Previous accountability research has often failed to balance experimental control with naturalistic context, thereby preventing the development of an integrated socio-cognitive model. Despite the increase in police accountability over the last few decades (Punch, 2009), there has also been a lack of systematic focus on the influence this evaluation mechanism has on policing. Level of risk posed to public safety in critical incidents and the potential for police actions to increase as well as decrease this risk heightens the importance of identifying and understanding factors that influence police judgments and decisions (Ask & Granhag, 2005). Overall, the thesis seeks to both advance theoretic development and highlight practical implications for policing using a combination of experimental and naturalistic methods and theories from traditional, organisational and naturalistic decision paradigms. Research conducted therefore acknowledges the complexity of policing contexts whilst distinguishing the influence of accountability from other factors. In total, five data chapters are presented that comprise of both qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data consists of transcripts from electronic focus groups, debriefs and questionnaires that are analysed using thematic analysis. Quantitative data consists of police responses to a vignette and a simulation. Findings indicate that accountability may influence police judgments and decisions by altering emotions, motivational goals and attention focus. The influence of this social mechanism may depend on police perceptions of the organisational culture driving the form accountability takes. This thesis will highlight that accountability is most likely to encourage optimal performance when police view the organisation to provide a supportive environment with legitimate and fair appraisal mechanisms. This is in contrast to an unfair, illegitimate environment driven by a culture of blame. Within a supportive environment, police are more likely to be motivated by accuracy than self-preservation. A supportive environment also encourages attention to remain focussed on providing judgments and decisions suitable for the situation rather than becoming distracted by anxiety over the potential to be blamed and punished.

3’,5’-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is the best studied intracellular second messenger. Adenylyl cyclase (AC) catalyses the synthesis of cAMP from ATP following the stimulation of a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR), and its degradation is catalysed by cAMP phosphodiesterases (PDEs) to allow cessation of signal. cAMP can act to bring about a multitude of varying and often opposing cellular responses, which depend on the stimulus received by the GPCR, the cell type, the cell cycle stage, and the complement of downstream effector molecules within that cell. The cAMP PDE subfamilies express multiple splice variants, which possess unique N-termini and non-redundant functional roles. By virtue of this, they are targeted to specific and discrete subcellular locations, where they may form highly specific interactions with scaffold proteins and other enzymes. Here, in these discrete locales, PDEs act to hydrolyse local cAMP, thereby underpinning the spatial and temporal compartmentalisation of cAMP gradients. This fine-tuned balance of synthesis and degradation is paramount for the dynamic cellular responses to extracellular stimuli, allowing differing signal transduction cascades to occur simultaneously in the crowded macromolecular environment of the cell. The compartmentalisation of cAMP signalling is, thus, essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis, and is subject to perturbation in various diseases, including prostate cancer (PC). Despite the wealth of literature implicating cAMP signalling in the progression of PC, little work has been done on the expression or function of PDE splice variant in this disease. Our group, in collaboration with Philips Research and the Prostate Cancer and Molecular Medicine (PCMM) group in the Netherlands, set out to investigate the changes in cAMP signalling during PC progression by studying the expression of cAMP PDE isoforms, with the aim of identifying a novel PC biomarker, as the current standard biomarker (PSA) is not disease-specific and leads to much over-diagnosis and over-treatment of otherwise non-life threatening prostate tumours. Interestingly, we found PDE4D7 to be dramatically downregulated as PC progresses from an androgen sensitive (AS) to an androgen insensitive (AI) state, and, indeed, this enzyme is showing promise as a novel, disease-specific PC biomarker. In this thesis, I report my efforts to characterise a function of PDE4D7 within prostate cancer. Firstly, I report the raising of a novel highly specific PDE4D7 antibody and describe the differential expression of this isoform, at the protein level, between AS and AI PC cell models. I present evidence to suggest that PDE4D7 mediates PC cell growth and migration, and that its loss may play a role in PC progression. I propose that an altered epigenome plays a role in the downregulation of PDE4D7 expression. I then report on the raising of a novel phospho-specific antibody and present evidence to show that PDE4D7 is regulated by PKA phosphorylation within its unique N-terminal region, and that this event confers negative regulation on enzyme activity. Finally, I describe my endeavours to elucidate a PDE4D7 protein-protein interaction that may help transduce PDE4D7-specific signals and maintain the enzymes cellular location.

Neurophysiological brain processes during perceptual decision-making have mainly been investigated under the simplified conditions of two-alternative forced-choice (2AFC) tasks. How do established principles of decision-making, obtained from these simple binary tasks, extend to more complex aspects like multiple choice-alternatives and changes of mind? Here, we first address this question theoretically: based on recent experimental findings, we extend a biophysically realistic attractor model of decision-making to account for multiple choice-alternatives and choice reevaluation. Moreover, we complement our computational approach by a psychophysical experiment, exploring how changes of mind depend on the number of choice-alternatives. Our results affirm the general conformance of attractor networks with higher-level neural processes. In particular, we found evidence for the physiological relevance of a so far unregarded bifurcation. Furthermore, our findings suggest an advantage of a pooled multi-neuron representation of choice-alternatives, and a negative correlation between reaction time and changes of mind, possibly regulated by the decision threshold. Finally, we gained testable predictions on neural firing rates during changes of mind and propose future experiments to distinguish nonlinear attractor from linear diffusion models.
Los procesos neurofisiológicos que tienen lugar en el cerebro durante la toma de decisiones basadas en fenómenos de percepción han sido investigados, principalmente, en condiciones simplificadas, en particular, de tareas con dos alternativas y elección forzada (2AFC). ¿Cómo podemos extender los principios establecidos sobre la toma de decisiones obtenidas a partir de estas tareas simples y binarias, a aspectos más complejos como decisiones con alternativas múltiples y los cambios de opinión? En esta tesis, en primer lugar, abordamos esta cuestión de manera teórica: a partir de resultados experimentales recientes, extendemos un modelo de toma de decisiones, que es un modelo con atractores realista desde el punto de vista biofísico, con el objetivo de explicar la elección con alternativas múltiples y la reevaluación de la elección. Además, complementamos nuestro enfoque computacional con un experimento psicofísico, explorando cómo los cambios de opinión dependen del número de alternativas. Nuestros resultados refuerzan la tesis de que existe una correspondencia general entre las redes de atractores y los procesos neuronales superiores. En particular, revelan la importancia fisiológica de una bifurcación que hasta ahora ha pasado inadvertida. Además, sugieren la ventaja de representar las alternativas de elección con múltiples neuronas, y la existencia de una correlación negativa entre el tiempo de reacción y los cambios de opinión, posiblemente regulada por el umbral de decisión. Finalmente, proporcionamos predicciones comprobables sobre las tasas de disparo neuronal durante los cambios de la opinión y proponemos experimentos futuros para distinguir los modelos no lineales con atractores de los modelos de difusión lineal.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This work is concerned with the hydrodynamic design of hydrofoil-assisted catamarans. Focus is placed on the development of new and suitable design methods and application of these to identify the most important geometric parameters of catamaran hulls and hydrofoil configurations that influence efficiency and performance. These goals are pursued by firstly gaining a thorough understanding of the governing hydrodynamic principles involved in the design process. This knowledge is then applied to develop new and improved experimental techniques and theoretical methods needed for design. Both are improved to the extent where they can be applied as design tools covering the important semi-displacement and semi-planing speeds, which are the focus of this study. The operational speed range of hydrofoil-assisted catamarans is shown to consist of three distinct hydrodynamic phases (displacement, transition and planing) and that different hydrodynamic principles govern vessel performance in each phase. The hydrodynamics are found to differ substantially from that of conventional high-speed craft, primarily due to the interaction between the hull and the hydrofoils, which is found to vary with speed and results in the need for more complex experimental procedures to be followed if accurate predictions of resistance are to be made. Experimental predictions based on scaled model tests of relatively small hydrofoilassisted catamaran models are found to be less accurate than that achievable for conventional ships because of the inability to correct for all scaling errors encountered during model testing. With larger models scaling errors are encountered to a lesser degree. The most important scale effect is found to be due to the lower Reynolds number of the flow over the scaled foils. The lower Reynolds number results in higher drag and lower lift coefficients for hydrofoils compared with those achieved at full scale. This effect can only be partially corrected for in the scaling procedure using the available theoretical scaling methods. Presently available theoretical methods commonly used for the design of conventional ships were found to be ill adapted for modeling the complex hydrodynamics of hydrofoil-assisted catamarans and required further development. Vortex lattice theory was chosen to model the flow around hydrofoil-assisted catamarans as vortex theory models the flow around lifting surfaces in the most natural way. The commercial code AUTOWING is further developed and generalized to be able to model the complex hull-hydrofoil interactions that change with speed. The method is shown to make good predictions of all hydrodynamic quantities with accuracies at least as good as that achievable through model testing and therefore fulfills the requirements for a suitable theoretical design tool. The developed theoretical and experimental design tools are used to investigate the design of hydrofoils for hydrofoil-assisted catamarans. It is found that the main parameter needing consideration in the hydrofoil design is selection of a suitable hydrofoil lift fraction. A foil lift fraction in the order of 20-30% of the displacement weight is needed if resistance improvements using hydrofoil assistance are to be obtained over the hull without foils. It is often more favorable to use higher foil lift fractions (50%+) as the resistance improvements are better, although careful attention should then be given to directional and pitch-heave instabilities. The Hysuwac hydrofoil system patented by the University of Stellenbosch is found to be hydrodynamically optimal for most hullforms. The hullform and in particular the curvature of the aft buttock lines of the hull are found to have an important influence on the achievable resistance improvements and behaviour of the hydrofoil-assisted hull at speed. Hull curvature is detrimental to hydrodynamic performance as the suction pressures resulting from the flow over the curved hull counter the hydrofoil lift. The hullform best suited to hydrofoil assistance is found to be one with relatively straight lines and hard chine deep- V sections. The main conclusion drawn from this study is that hydrofoil-assistance is indeed suitable for improving the performance and efficiency of catamarans. The design and optimization of such vessels nevertheless requires careful consideration of the various resistance components and hull-foil interactions and in particular, how these change with speed. The evaluation of resistance for design purposes requires some discipline between theoretical analysis and experimental measurements as the complexity of the hydrodynamics reduce the accuracies of both. Consideration of these factors allows hulls and hydrofoils to be designed that are efficient and also free of dynamic instabilities.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is gerig op die hidrodinamiese ontwerp van hidrovleuel-gesteunde katamarans. Daar word gefokus op die ontwikkeling van nuwe en geskikte ontwerpmetodes, asook die toepassing van hierdie metodes om die belangrikste geometriese parameters van katamaranrompe en hidrovleuel-konfigurasies wat 'n invloed op doeltreffendheid en werkverrigting het, te identifiseer. As aanloop tot die studie is 'n deeglike begrip van die onderliggende hidrodinamiese beginsels bekom. Hierdie kennis is toegepas om nuwe en verbeterde eksperimentele en teoretiese tegnieke te ontwikkel wat nodig is vir die ontwerp van hidrovleuel-gesteunde katamarans in die belangrike deels-verplasing en deels-planering spoedbereike. Daar word getoon dat die bedryfspoedbereik van 'n hidrovleuel-gesteunde katamaran uit drie onderskeibare hidrodinamiese fases bestaan, naamlik verplasing, oorgang en planering, en dat verskillende hidrodinamiese beginsels die vaartuig se werkverrigting in elke fase bepaal. Daar is ook gevind dat die hidrodinamika wesentlik verskil van dié van konvensionele hoëspoed-vaartuie, hoofsaaklik as gevolg van die interaksie tussen die romp en die hidrovleuels wat wissel na gelang van die spoed. Hierdie interaksies moet in ag geneem word gedurende die ontwerpproses en beide eksperimentele en teoretiese metodes is nuttig om die omvang daarvan te bepaal. Daar is gevind dat die eksperimentele voorspellings gebaseer op toetse met relatief klein skaalmodelle van hidrovleuelgesteunde katamarans minder akkuraat is as dié wat bereik kan word met konvensionele skepe. Dit is omdat al die skaalfoute wat tydens die toetsing met die model ontstaan, nie gekorrigeer kan word nie. Die belangrikste skaaleffek is as gevolg van die laer Reynoldsgetal van die vloei oor die afgeskaalde vleuels. Groter modele Die laer Reynoldsgetal lei tot hoër sleur- en hefkoëffisiënte in vergelyking met dié vir die volskaal-hidrovleuels. Wanneer die beskikbare teoretiese metodes gebruik word, kan daar slegs gedeeltelik vir hierdie effek in die skaalprosedure gekorrigeer word. Daar is ook vasgestel dat die skaaleffekte op die Reynoldsgetal verminder word wanneer die hidrovleuels baie nabyaan die vrye oppervlakte is. Dit lei daartoe dat eksperimentele voorspellings van werkverrigting meer akkuraat is vir die ontwerpe waar die hidrovleuels nie so diep onder die water is nie. Daar is gevind dat die teoretiese metodes wat tans beskikbaar is en algemeen vir die ontwerp van konvensionele skepe gebruik word nie die komplekse hidrodinamika van hidrovleuel-gesteunde katamarans kan modelleer nie. Die werwelroosterteorie is gekies om die vloei om hidrovleuel-gesteunde katamarans te modelleer aangesien dié teorie die vloei om hefvlakke op die natuurlikste manier weergee. Die kommersiële kode AUTOWING is verder ontwikkel en veralgemeen om ook die komplekse spoed-afhanklike interaksies van die romp en hidrovleuel te kan modelleer. Hierdie metode lewer goeie voorspellings van al die hidrodinamiese maatstawwe met akkuraathede wat ten minste so goed is soos di wat met modeltoetsing bereik word en voldoen daarom aan die vereistes vir 'n geskikte teoretiese ontwerpmetode. Die teoretiese en eksperimentele ontwerpmetode wat ontwikkel is, word gebruik om die ontwerp van hidrovleuels vir hidrovleuel-gesteunde katamarans te ondersoek. Daar is gevind dat die belangrikste parameter wat in die hidrovleuel-ontwerp in ag geneem moet word, die keuse van 'n geskikte hidrovleuelhefverhouding is. Om in rompe met hidrovleuelsteun verbeterings in die weerstand te kry in vergelyking met rompe sonder vleuels, is 'n vleuel-hef-verhouding van 20-30 persent van die verplasingsgewig nodig. Dit is dikwels beter om hoër vleuel-hef-verhoudings (van 50 persent of meer) te gebruik omdat die verbetering in weerstand dan groter is. Daar moet dan egter gewaak word teen rigtings- en hei-hef-onstabiliteite. Daar is gevind dat die Hysuwachidrovleuel- stelsel wat deur die Universiteit van Stellenbosch gepatenteer is, hidrodinamies optimaal is vir die meeste rompvorms. Daar is gevind dat die vorm van die romp en veral die kromming van die lyne gevorm deur vertikale snitte deur die romp (Engels: "aft buttock lines") van die romp 'n belangrike invloed het op die bereikbare weerstandsverbeterings en die gedrag van die hidrovleuel-gesteunde romp wat op spoed is. Die kromming van die romp is nadelig vir die hidrodinamiese werksverrigting aangesien die suigdruk as gevolg van die vloei oor die gekromde romp die hefkrag van die hidrovleuels teenwerk. Die rompvorm wat die geskikste is vir hidrovleuel-ondersteuning is 'n romp met relatiewe reguit lyne en skerp hoekige diep- V seksies. Die belangrikste gevolgtrekking waartoe tydens die studie gekom is, is dat hidrovleuelondersteuning wel geskik is vir die verbetering van die werkverrigting en die doeltreffendheid van katamarans. Die ontwerp en optimering van sodanige vaartuie verg nogtans die noukeurige oorweging van die verskeie weerstandskomponente en rompvleuel- interaksies en veral hoe hierdie interaksies verander met spoed. Die evaluering van die weerstand vir die doeleindes van ontwerp verg dissipline tussen die teoretiese analise en die eksperimentele metings aangesien die kompleksiteit van die hidrodinamika die akkuraatheid van die algemeen-gebruikte teoretiese en eksperimentele metodes vir die hidrodinamiese ontwerp verminder. As hierdie faktore in ag geneem word, kan rompe en hidrovleuels ontwerp word wat doeltreffend is en ook vry is van dinamiese onstabiliteite.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The issues of culture and gender are not a well researched subject in Xhosa literature. So far there is one doctoral research study by Mtuze (1990) conducted on prose works of 1909 - 1980. This study aims to investigate culture and gender in Mayasi's novel, Iqhina lomtshato (1995). The main reason for this research is that Xhosa culture has been viewed in literature to be patriarchal, which means that it is organised in such a way that it depicts male domination. Women on the other hand are being regarded as inferior or subordinate. Findings in this research are that the character Sindiswa is presented here as a victim of male domination and oppression when she is forced into a relationship without her consent. The fact that Max, who is a much older man and unsuitable as her lover, leaves her with no choice but to accept what we may call "his induced proposal" of love. Sindiswa's oppression is also intensified by the urban culture that is new to her.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die vraagstukke rakende kultuur en gender is tot nog nie goed ondersoek vir die Xhosa letterkunde nie. Tot dusver is daar een studie, deur Mtuze (1990), wat gedoen is oor prosawerke in Xhosa vanaf 1909-1980. Hierdie studie het as doelstelling die ondersoek van die verband en aard tussen kultuur en gender in Mayosi se novelle Iqhina lomtshato (1995). Die doelstelling van die navorsing is dat Xhosa kultuur dikwels in die letterkunde as patriargaal uitgebeeld is, met ander woorde, dit is op 'n wyse uitgebeeld wat manlike dominering weergee terwyl vroue as ondergeskik of minderwaardig weergegee word. Bevindinge van die studie is dat die karakter Sindiswa hier uitgebeeld word as 'n slagoffer van manlike dominering en verdrukking wanneer sy ingedwing word in 'n verhouding sonder haar toestemming. die feit dat Max 'n veelouer man as sy is wat ongeskik is om haar geliefde te wees, laat haar met geen keuse as om sy 'gedwonge huweliksvoorstel' te aanvaar nie. Sindiswa se onderdrukking word ook vergroot deur die stedelike kultuur wat nuut is vir haar.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study examines issues of culture in Mcani's drama Uhambo Lwenkululeko (Journey of Freedom). Following Bauerlein (1997:63), it is argued that the study of women in literature forces a critical examination of the way women in literature have been portrayed in the past because of male domination. The study aims to establish what the progress is in the portrayal of women characters after the introduction of the new dispensation in South Africa. This study shows in the discussion of the theoretical aspects of culture in Chapter 2 that culture is an elusive concept because it has different definitions. Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, customs and all other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. This implies that culture entails everything that contributes to the survival of man, comprising both physical and social factors. In Chapter 3, it is established that the author has excellently handled both characterisation and the plot in Uhambo Lwenkululeko (Journey of Freedom). The plot structure of Uhambo Lwenkululeko (Journey of Freedom) in particular, has been handled successfully by the author. For example, by opening his drama with conflict, in the exposition, the author has managed to show is that conflict is the source of action in drama. It is the aspect that triggers characters to respond either positively or negatively to a particular opposing force. We have established in Chapter 4 that societies have certain basic needs or requirements that must be met if they are to survive. For example, a means of producing food may be seen as a functional pre-requisite since without it, members of society could not survive. This might have been one of the reasons why the boys are busy fishing in the drama. According to the findings in this study, men and women are portrayed equal with regard to reason. We established that the belief that women lack the capacity to fully exercise the powers of human reason is a deeply rooted prejudice.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek vraagstukke oor kultuur in Mcani se drama Uhambo Iwenkululeko. In navolging van Bauerlein (1997:63), word daar aangevoer dat die studie van vroue in die letterkunde 'n kritiese ondersoek noodsaak van die wyse waarop vroue in die verlede voorgestel is in die letterkunde op grond van dominering deur mans. Die studie poog om vas te stel wat die vordering is in die voorstelling van vroue in die letterkunde na die invoer van In nuwe demokratiese bestel in Suid-Afrika. Die studie toon aan in die bespreking van die teoretiese aspekte van kultuur in hoofstuk 2 dat die kultuur In ontwykende konsep is wat verskillende definisies het. Kultuur is 'n komplekse geheel wat insluit aspekte soos kennis, geloof, kuns, regsisteem, morele sieninge, gewoontes en ander vermoens wat deur mense verwerf word as lede van In gemeenskap. Oit impliseer dat kultuur alles behels wat bydra tot die oorlewing van rnense, insluitende fisiese sowel as sosiale faktore. In hoofstuk 3 word dit bevind dat die skrywer die karakterisering sowel as die intrige in Uhambo Iwenkubuleko meesterlik hanteer. Veral die intrige is op 'n uitstaande wyse hanteer deur die skrywer. Oeur in die begin van die drama konflik in te voer, het die skrywer daarin geslaag om aan te toon dat konflik die bron van aksie in die drama is. Oit is die aspek wat karakters aanspoor om of positief of negatief te reageer op In spesifieke opponerende krag. Oaar is bevind in hoofstuk 4 dat gemeenskappe sekere basiese behoeftes en vereistes het waaraan voldoen moet word indien hulle wil oorleef. In Wyse vir die produksie van voedsel is In vereiste, aangesien In gemeenskap nie daarsonder kan oorleef nie. Oit kon In moontlike rede wees waarom die skrywer verwys na die seuns wat visvang in die drama. Volgens die bevindings van die drama, word mans en vroue gelykwaardig voorgestel wat betref redeneringsvermoe. Oaar word bevind dat die siening dat vroue 'n onverrnoe het om die magte van redenering te beoefen 'n diepgewortelde vooroordeel is.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study focused on three descriptive nominal modifiers which specify the attributes of nouns, i.e. the morphological adjective, the relative clause and the descriptive possessive. The morphological adjective appears in an adjectival phrase, which has to consist of a determiner and an adjective. The adjective must have agreement with the head noun in an NP. The adjective root may appear with nominal suffixes such as -ana and -gadi, it can be reduplicated, it may be transposed to other categories and it may even be compounded. The AP may also occur in predicative position as well as in comparative clauses. The relative clause may have the same semantic properties as the adjective. The relative clause in Setswana consists of a determiner in the position of the complementizer followed by an lP. Such an lP may have a copulative or non-copulative verb. Attention in this study has focused on the nominal relative, which appears as a complement of a copulative verb. These nominal relative stems have been divided into two sections, i.e. a section in which the nominal relative stems may not appear in a descriptive possessive construction and a second section where these stems may also appear as a complement of the possessive [a]. The semantic features of these nominal relative stems have been isolated and it is clear that they show a wide variety of semantic features. This type of relative clause represents the most prolific category, which specifies the attributes of nouns. The third category, which displays the semantic feature of an attribute of a noun, is the descriptive possessive construction. The syntactic and semantic structure of this type of phrase has been investigated. A wide variety of complements of the possessive [a] have been isolated in Setswana and some semantic features have received specific attention, i.e. group nouns and partitives.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie fokus op drie deskriptiewe nominale bepalers wat die attribute van naamwoorde spesifiseer nl. die morfologiese adjektief, die relatief en die deskriptiewe possessief. Die morfologiese adjektief kom voor in 'n adjektieffrase wat bestaan uit 'n bepaler en 'n adjektief. Die adjektief moet klasooreenstemming hê met die kernnaamwoord in 'n naamwoordfrase. Die adjektiefstam kan voorkom met nominale suffikse soos ana en gadi, dit kan geredupliseer word, oorgeplaas word na ander kategorieë en selfs samestellings vorm. Die adjektieffrase kan ook voorkom in 'n predikatiewe posisie sowel as in vergelykings. Die relatief kan dieselfde semantiese eienskappe hê as die adjektief. Die relatief in Setswana bestaan uit 'n bepaler in die posisie van die komplementeerder gevolg deur 'n infleksiefrase. So 'n infleksiefrase kan 'n kopulatiewe of nie-kopulatiewe werkwoord bevat. Die aandag in hierdie studie het gekonsentreer op die nominale relatief wat voorkom as 'n komplement van 'n kopulatiewe werkwoord. Hierdie nominale relatiewe stamme is verdeel in twee afdelings nl. 'n afdeling waarin die nominale relatiewe stamme nie kan voorkom in 'n deskriptiewe possessiewe konstruksie en 'n tweede afdeling waar hierdie stamme ook kan voorkom as 'n komplement van die possessiewe [a]. Die semantiese kenmerke van hierdie nominale relatiewe stamme is geïsoleer en dit is duidelik dat hulle 'n wye verskeidenheid van semantiese kenmerke het. Hierdie tipe relatief verteenwoordig In baie wye keuse t.o.v. die attribute van naamwoorde. Die derde kategorie wat die semantiese kenmerk van 'n attribuut van 'n naamwoord vertoon, is die deskriptiewe possessiewe konstruksie. Die sintaktiese en semantiese struktuur van hierdie tipe frase is nagegaan. 'n Groot verskeidenheid komplemente van die possessiewe [a] is geïsoleer in Setswana en sommige semantiese kenmerke het spesifieke aandag gekry nl. groepnaamwoorde en partitiiewe.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The curricula of the Technikon National Diplomas in Horticulture, Landscape Technology and Parks (Open Space) and Recreation Management have been intermittently revised since the original inception in 1972 of the NO in Horticulture. The shortcomings in the process of curriculum revision, with special reference to programmes in Horticulture, were identified. The institution of outcomes-based education (aBE) and the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) followed the promulgation of the South African Qualifications Authority Act (No. 58 of 1995). All curricula are currently being written in terms of learning outcomes that qualifying learners will be expected to demonstrate. The primary aim of this research study has been based upon the proposition that a scientifically validated situational analysis is an essential precursor to the design or redesign of a curriculum for tertiary-level horticultural training. A situational analysis that includes the sectors of Amenity horticulture, Arboriculture, Floriculture, Landscape, Nursery production, Nursery retail and Turf was undertaken. The results of this analysis were to be utilised in the development of a theoretical curriculum framework, which may be used in the development of a revised curriculum. The secondary aims of the study are complementary to the primary aim as the situational analysis has led directly to the identification of the core and specific skills/competencies within the seven sectors, the degree to which horticulturists are seen to have prepared themselves for their careers, the attributes or qualities employers expect of a qualified horticulturist and the values applicable to the horticulture profession. This research is regarded as exploratory as little documentation exists regarding the competencies being applied by horticulturists within the different sectors. As it describes the characteristics of horticulture education and training and tries to understand the meaning and relevance of the data gathered, it may also be defined as descriptive. It is also an applied research study as its focus is on the sector-specific curriculum development needs in the horticulture industry. A triangulation approach to the study was followed that utilised a quantitative as well as a qualitative approach. This served to heighten the reliability and the validity of the research. In the qualitative approach, use was made of both personal and focus group interviews, which enabled the researcher to study the problem at greater depth. The mail survey, which used a self-administered questionnaire, facilitated the collection of empirical data that was used to corroborate and extend the generalisability of the qualitative findings to a national level and was the quantitative approach followed. While the situational analysis has led to an extensive amount of empirical data relative to the revision of the curricula, the development of a theoretical curriculum framework is seen as the logical conclusion of this analysis as it represents a synthesis of the most important findings of the study. Its presentation to the industry as a concept curriculum framework, upon which a revised curriculum for technikon horticulture training may be based, is recommended. The development of a framework structured in a format compatible with the NQF, aims at meeting the curriculum needs of the different sectors of the industry.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die kurrikula van die Technikons se Nasionale Diplomas in Tuinbou, Landskaptegnologie en Parke- (Oopruimte) en Rekreasiebestuur is sedert die instelling van die NO in Tuinbou in 1972, by tye verander. Die tekortkominge in die proses van kurrikulumhersiening, met spesiale verwysing na programme in Tuinbou, is uitgewys. Die instelling van uitkomsgebaseerde onderwys en die Nasionale Kwalifikasieraamwerk (NKR) het op die proklamasie van die Suid Afrikaanse Kwalifikasie-Owerheid Wetsontwerp (No. 58 van 1995) gevolg. Alle kurrikula word tans in leeruitkomstes wat kwalifiserende leerders sal moet kan demonstreer, omskryf. Hierdie navorsing berus primêr op die uitgangspunt dat 'n belangrike voorvereiste vir die ontwerp of herontwerp van 'n tersiêre vlak-kurrikulum vir tuinbouopleiding op 'n geldige, wetenskaplike situasie-analise gegrond moet wees. 'n Situasie-analise wat die sektore van Baangras, Blommekweek, Boomteelt, Gemeenskapstuinbou, Kwekerykleinhandel, Kwekeryproduksie en Landskap insluit, is onderneem. Die resultate van hierdie situasie-analise sou vir die ontwikkeling van 'n teoretiese kurrikulumraamwerk tydens kurrikulumhersiening benut kon word. Die sekondêre doel van hierdie studie is aanvullend tot die primêre doel aangesien die resultate van die situasie-analise tot die identifisering van die kern- en spesifieke vaardighede/bevoegdhede binne die sewe sektore sou kon bydra. Die mate waartoe tuinboukundiges hul met sukses vir hul loopbaan voorberei het, die eienskappe wat 'n werkgewer van 'n gekwalifiseerde tuinboukundige sou kon verwag en die waardes wat op die tuinbouprofessie van toepassing is, word ook hierdeur geraak. Hierdie navorsing lsverkennend van aard aangesien daar min literatuur beskikbaar is met betrekking tot die bevoegdhede wat deur tuinboukundiges in die verskillende sektore toegepas word. Aangesien dit die eienskappe van tuinbouopvoeding en - opleiding beskryf en 'n poging is om die betekenis en relevansie van die ingesamelde data te verstaan, kan dit ook as beskrywend beskou word. Omdat die fokus op die spesifieke kurrikulumontwikkelingsbehoeftes van die tuinboubedryf geplaas is, is dit ook 'n toegepaste studie. 'n Triangulasiebenadering tot die studie is gevolg waardeur van beide 'n kwantitatiewe en 'n kwalitatiewe benadering gebruik gemaak is. Die betroubaarheid en die geldigheid van die navorsing is hierdeur verhoog. Die kwalitatiewe benadering het van persoonlike en fokusgroeponderhoude gebruik gemaak, wat aan die navorser die geleentheid gebied het om 'n diepgaande ondersoek te doen. Die kwantitatiewe benadering, waar van 'n posopname met 'n self- ingevulde vraelys gebruik gemaak is, het die insameling van empiriese data moontlik gemaak. Hierdie data kon gebruik word om die kwalitatiewe bevindinge tot by 'n nasionale vlak te verbreed. Die situasie-analise het 'n groot hoeveelheid empiriese data, wat op die hersiening van die huidige kurrikula van toepassing is, opgelewer. Die ontwikkeling van 'n teoretiese kurrikulumraamwerk word as die logiese gevolgtrekking van die analise beskou aangesien dit die sintese van die belangrikste bevindinge verteenwoordig. Die aanbieding hiervan aan die bedryf as 'n konsepkurrikulumraamwerk waarop tuinbouopleiding by technikons gebaseer kan word, word aanbeveel. Hierdie konsepraamwerk is in 'n formaat wat met die NKR verenigbaar is, ontwikkel en is geskoei op die realisering van die kurrikulumbehoeftes van die bedryf en sy afsonderlike sektore.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis is about the principles and practices of the emergmg discipline of virtual enterprising within the context of supply chain management. This type of enterprise makes it possible for Southern African companies to compete in the global marketplace against global players. Value chain analysis is firstly discussed to help the business units, within the virtual enterprise, identify their competitive advantage. This competitive advantage will secure the position of these business units within the virtual enterprise. Electronic commerce is described as the vehicle for data communication within the virtual enterprise, and the supported enterprise resource planning (ERP) software as the transaction capturing software. A performance measurement system is proposed that will assist with the management of virtual enterprises at a macro level. Some conclusions and recommendations are made as to how the management of performance can assist the business units, within the virtual enterprise, to grow financially and obtain sustainability. Recommendations are also made for the implementation of the proposed structure within the 3-D Business Simulator.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis handeloor die beginsels en gebruike van die ontluikende dissipline van virtuële ondernemend binne die konteks van toevoerkettingbestuur. Hierdie tipe ondernemings maak dit moontlik vir Suid-Afrikaanse ondernemings om in die globale mark teen globale, multinasionale spelers te kan meeding. Waardekettinganalise is eerstens gedefinieer, om die besigheidseenhede, wat deel vorm van die virtuële onderneming, te help om hul kompeterende voordeel te identifiseer, en sodoende te kan aanwend om hul posisie binne die virtuële onderneming te verseker. Elektroniese handel word bespreek as die middel van data-kommunikasie binne die virtuële onderneming, en ondernemingshulpbronbeplanning (ERP) sagteware as die sagteware wat verantwoordelik is vir die vasvang van alle transaksies. 'n Prestasiemetings-struktuur word voorgestel wat met die bestuur van die virtuële onderneming op makro-vlak sal help. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings word gemaak vir die aanwending van prestasiemeting om met die bestuur van die besigheidseenhede binne die virtuële onderneming van hulp te wees, en sodoende hierdie besigheidseenhede te help om finansieël te groei en volhoubaar te ontwikkel. Aanbvelings word ook gemaak vir die toepassing van die voorgestelde struktuur binne die konteks van die 3-D Besigheidsimulator.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: "Globally, businesses invested about $8 billion in hardware, software and external services in 1999 to design and implement eCRM solutions. And these investments will grow to over $38 billion by 2003. We also see that it is happening everywhere from New York City to Sydney and Frankfurt to Seoul and Rio de Janeiro." Stanley A. Brown (2000:xiii). The ever-changing global environment brings new challenges and opportunities to the business environment. These rapid changes in the marketplace force companies to reconsider the ways in which they do business. Companies will not be able to avoid macro-environmental scanning and scenario planning. Companies that will survive in this unpredictable arena must develop skills to become faster and more efficient. The most significant changes and challenges will be in new competition faced by companies (for example, from previously unexpected sectors) and in changes in customer demands. Recent rapid technological developments have created new methods of doing business, resulting in new markets and new business practices. The world-wide market place now allows customers to obtain price and quality information readily and reliably - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Companies will not be able to gain and retain competitive advantage by developing skills in only one area. 'Customers are increasingly difficult to satisfy and require quality, promptness and realistic prices for products and services. Customers prefer to be treated as individuals with individual needs and requirements, and not as part of the mass-market. Segmentation alone will not assist companles per se - implementation of the segmentation supported by specific business processes and technologies will result in the required shift from a product-orientated approach to a market-orientated approach. A business objective for companies in the New Economy must be to increase customer retention, leveraged by a customer-driven focus. An increase in customer retention will benefit the company - it is more expensive to acquire new customers than retain an existing customer base. This study argues that a customer-driven focus supported by the latest ecommerce processes and technology will assist companies in gaining and retaining a competitive advantage. The study will focus on the successes, and factors contributing to these successes, of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software implementation. In addition to the above, the study will focus on the reasons why ROl (Return on Investment) on CRM implementation projects is inadequate in many cases. A further objective of this study will be to describe the main reasons why up to 60% of CRM implementations fail at first pass, and examine how to reduce this percentage significantly. The study will finally demonstrate that the critical question for managers is not whether a CRM system is necessary, but which products to implement and which factors to take into account before implementing the project.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: "Globally, businesses invested about $8 bill/ion in hardware, software and external services in 1999 to design and implement eCRM solutions. And these investments wil/ grow to over $38 billion by 2003. We also see that it is happening everywhere from New York City to Sydney and Frankfurt to Seoul and Rio de Janeiro." Stanley A. Brown (2000:xiii) Die deurlopend veranderende wêreld veroorsaak dat daar gedurig nuwe uitdagings en geleenthede in die besigheidswêreld ontstaan. Hierdie skielike veranderinge dwing besighede om in diepte te kyk na die manier waarop hulle besigheid doen. Dit sal onwys wees vir besighede om makro-ekonomiese vooruitskatting en scenario-beplanning te vermy. Besighede wat in hierdie onvoorspelbare omgewing wil oorleef, sal vaardighede moet ontwikkel om ratser en meer effektief te wees. Die ingrypendste veranderinge en uitdagings sal wees in die vorm van nuwe kompetisie waardeur besighede bedreig sal word - byvoorbeeld uit voorheen onverwagte sektore - asook veranderinge in verbruikersbehoeftes. Snelle tegnologiese ontwikkeling het nuwe besigheidsmetodes tot stand gebring, met gevolglike nuwe markte en nuwe besigheidspraktyke. Die wêreldmark maak dit nou vir verbruikers moontlik om inligting vinnig en betroubaar in die hande te kry - 24 uur per dag, 7 dae per week. Besighede sal nie 'n kompeterende voorsprong kan realiseer deur vaardighede in slegs een area te ontwikkel nie. Verbruikers is toenemend moeiliker om tevrede te stel, en dring aan op kwaliteit, flinkheid en realistiese pryse vir produkte en dienste. Verbruikers wil behandel word as individue met individuele behoeftes en nie as deel van 'n gesiglose massa nie. Segmentasie alleen kan besighede nie in hierdie verband help nie - die noodsaaklike skuif van 'n produkgeorienteerde benadering na 'n markgeorienteerde benadering sal teweeggebring moet word deur segmentasie wat ondersteun word deur spesifieke besigheidsprosesse en tegnologieë. Besighede in die Nuwe Ekonomie sal hulle ten doel moet stel om verbruikers te behou. Hierdie doelwit moet onderlê word deur 'n verbruikergedrewe fokus. 'n Toename in die behoud van verbruikers is voordelig vir die besigheid, aangesien dit duurder is om nuwe kliënte te werf as om 'n bestaande kliëntebasis te behou. Hierdie studie maak die aanspraak dat 'n verbruikergedrewe fokus, ondersteun deur die mees moderne e-handel prosesse en tegnologieë, besighede sal ondersteun in die verkryging en behoud van 'n kompeterende voorsprong. Die studie sal fokus op die suksesse, en die bydraende faktore tot sukses, wat kan volg op die implementering van spesifiek sagteware vir Kliënteverhoudinge Bestuur (Customer Relationship Management of CRM). Die studie sal verder fokus op die redes waarom die Opbrengs op Belegging (Return on investment of ROl) vir CRM implementasie projekte dikwels ontoereikend is. Die studie sal ook die hoofredes aangee waarom soveel as 60% van alle CRM implementasies met die eerste poging misluk, en ondersoek sal gedoen word na stappe om hierdie persentasie aansienlik te verminder. Die studie sal uiteindelik aan die hand doen dat die kritiese vraag vir bestuurders nie is óf 'n CRM stelsel noodsaaklik is nie, maar watter produkte geïmplementeer moet word, en watter faktore in ag geneem moet word voor implementasie.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With the trends of business moving away from large, corporate companies to small, flexible and innovative alternatives, the need to value new companies are becoming important. A new company generally does not have substantial historical data available and it is therefore difficult to determine potential revenue streams and hence accurate valuations. The focus of this study is to find an appropriate method to attempt the valuation of a new company and this is explained by means of a case study. Three basic approaches exist to value companies. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) method analyses risk and return to estimate a discount rate and presents the value of the company as a Net Present Value (NPV). Relative Valuation methods compare the fundamentals of a company to that of other companies. Contingent Claim Valuation methods base the value of a company on the fact that decisions may be deferred into the future until more information is evident. The basis of this valuation technique is that of Option Pricing Theory in which the Black-Scholes technique and binomial models are used .: This method is normally used on assets that have optionlike features e.g. equity in a company, natural resource rights, product patents or any decision that may be deferred into the future. Decisions (options) deferred may be identified as growth-, staged-, flexibility-, exit-, learning- and expanding options. This is also known as the Real Option Pricing Theory. According to this model the investment proposal may be mapped as a series of call options (Luehrman, 1998a). The amount of money expended in the project corresponds to the option's exercise price (X), the present value of the asset built or acquired corresponds to the stock price (S), the length of time the company can defer the investment decision corresponds to the option's time to expiration (t) and the uncertainty about the future value of the project's cashflow corresponds to the standard deviation of return on the stock (c). Seven steps are used to obtain the value of the call option and the value is reflected by two option-value metries namely the value-to-cost (NPVq) and cumulative volatility (cr--Jt).The two metries are plotteá on a graph (defined as Options Space) in order to visualize and interpret the results. Mushroom Biomedical Systems developed three highly novel and patented products. The company was valued using the conventional OeF method and valued as a staged investment using the Real Option Pricing Theory according to Luehrman's model (1998a). The values of two products are similar using the OeF and Real Options methods. Most of the investment capital was required during the first phases of these products resulting in the investment of the second phases not holding high risks or value. The value of the third product is significantly higher using the Real Options method compared to the OeF. This is ascribed to the forced delay of phase one. The value of this future decision is worth more than the current decision due to expected new information that might arise. By "creating an option" value is added by forcing management to actively make two decisions about the continuation of the project at a future date. Applying Real Option Pricing Theory suggests inherent value in uncertainty when there is freedom to choose different courses of action in the face of different market conditions. With the OeF analysis the impact of risk is seen as depressing the value of the investment. By contrast, real options show that risk can be influenced through managerial flexibility, which becomes a central instrument to create value.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die beweging van die besigheidswêreld vanaf groot korporatiewe maatskappye na kleiner, buigsame en innoverende alternatiewe het 'n behoefte geskep om die waarde van sulke nuwe maatskappye te kan bepaal. 'n Nuwe maatskappy het tipies nie historiese data beskikbaar nie wat die vooruitskatting van potensiële inkomste strome en dus akkurate waardasies moeilik maak. Die fokus van hierdie studie is die bepaling van 'n toepaslike metode om die waarde van 'n nuwe maatskappy te bepaal en dit word deur middel van 'n gevalle studie verduidelik. Drie basiese metodes bestaan om maatskappye te waardeer. Die Verdiskonteerde Kontantvloei Stroom (VKS) metode gebruik risiko en opbrengs om 'n verdiskonteringskoers te bepaal en reflekteer die waarde van die maatskappy as die Netto Teenswoordige Waarde (NTW). Relatiewe Waardasie metodes vergelyk die fundamentele eienskappe van 'n maatskappy met die van ander maatskappye. Die Gebeurlikheids Waardasie metode koppel waarde aan die feit dat besluite uitgestel kan word totdat meer informasie beskikbaar is. Die basis van hierdie tegniek is Opsie Teorie waarin die Black-Scholes tegniek en binomiaal model gebruik word. Hierdie metode word gewoonlik gebruik waar bates "opsie-tipe" eienskappe besit soos aandeelhouding in 'n maatskappy, natuurlike mynregte; produk patente of enige besluit wat uitgestel kan word na 'n datum in die toekoms. Besluite (opsies) wat uitgestel word kan geïdentifiseer word as groei-, stap-vir-stap-, buigbaarheids-, uittree-, lerings- en uitbreidingsopsies. Hierdie metode staan ook bekend as die Ware Opsie Prysings Teorie. Volgens hierdie metode kan 'n beleggingsgeleentheid voorgestel word as 'n reeks koopopsies (Luehrman, 1998a). Die totale uitgawe word voorgestel deur die uitoefeningsprys (X), die teenswoordige waarde van die bate word voorgestel deur die aandeel waarde (S), die tydperk wat die besluit uitgestel kan word, word voorgestel deur die opsie vervaltyd (t), en die onsekerheid van die bate se kontantvloeistroom word voorgestel deur die standaardafwyking van die opbrengs van die bate (c). Sewe stappe word geneem om die waarde van die koopopsie te bepaal wat uitgedruk word deur twee opsiewaarde komponente naamlik waarde-tot-koste (NPVq) en kummulatiewe volatiliteit ((1'Jt). Die twee komponente word grafies voorgestel (genoem Opsie Spasie) om resultate te visualiseer en te interpreteer. Mushroom Biomedical Systems het drie unieke en gepatenteerde produkte ontwikkel. Die maatskappy is met die konvensionele VKS metode gewaardeer en volgens Luehrman (1998a) se Ware Opsie Prysings model as 'n stap-vir-stap opsie gewaardeer. Die waardes van twee van die produkte is dieselfde met die VKS metode en die Opsie Teorie metode. Die meeste van die kapitaal is tydens die eerste fases van die twee produkte benodig met die gevolg dat die tweede fases nie veel risiko of waarde inhou nie. Die waarde van die derde produk is aansienlik meer met die Opsie Teorie metode in vergelyking met die VKS metode. Dit word toegeskryf aan die gedwonge vertraging van fase een. Die waarde gekoppel daaraan om die besluit in die toekoms te neem is meer werd as om die besluit nou te neem a.g.v. verwagte nuwe informasie. Deur hierdie opsie "te skep" word waarde toegevoeg omdat bestuur gedwing word om aktief twee besluite in die toekoms te neem rakende die voortsetting van die projek. Die gebruik van Ware Opsie Prysings Teorie skep 'n inherente waarde wanneer daar verskillende besluite geneem kan word soos mark kondisies verander. Met die VKS metode word risiko gesien as 'n faktor wat waarde laat afneem. In teenstelling hiermee dui die Ware Opsie Teorie dat risiko beïnvloed kan word deur bestuur se vermoëns, wat 'n belangrike instrument is vir waardeskepping.

Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2009.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-109).
While some scholars continue to insist that the concept of sustainability is vague and unwieldy, this thesis seeks to explore multidimensional elements of sustainability and seeks to offer an integrative, transdisciplinary approach to policy design for its attainment. Sustainability and the related concepts of development, globalization, and economic and environmental justice are interwoven with technological, social and institutional change, and with trade as drivers of the transformation of industrial and industrializing societies. The discussion begins by an analysis of the dominant existing models of economic growth and innovation and advances to the effects of economic growth on sustainability. Included is an analysis of the limits of the GDP growth paradigm, the effects of growth on the developed and the developing world and the relationship between economic growth and ecological collapse. The focus of analysis then shifts from the domestic to the international. Trade and the International Financial System are examined both with respect to their primary theories and characteristics, but also in relation to their effects to sustainability. The discussion is then concluded by an examination of the different policy options and analytical tools that could be employed for a transition to a more sustainable economic model.
by Kyriakos Pierrakakis.
S.M.in Technology and Policy

Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2009.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 151-163).
This thesis looks at the potential of labeling products with life cycle greenhouse gas emission information as a bottom-up, complementary alternative to carbon cap and trade systems. By improving the transparency of product carbon footprint information, a market for low carbon intensity products can be created. The conduct of such product life cycle assessments often allows companies to uncover cost effective emission reduction opportunities typically in the order of 10%-20%. Society benefits both from the increased supply chain efficiency of these companies as well as the heightened awareness of climate change among consumers as companies communicate these information to them. An examination of the history of the development of the nutritional label and various eco-labels in the U.S. highlights the importance of timely government intervention in setting guidelines and standards to prevent companies from misleading consumers with unsubstantiated product health or environmental claims. Case studies of current carbon labeling initiatives worldwide demonstrate the benefits of government affiliation in building credibility during their early stages. This affiliation helps in attracting the participation of large established companies who provide strong reinforcing effects that are crucial to the growth and success of new initiatives. There is still lack of consensus about the ideal format for a carbon label. A seal of approval type label could be ideal to attract companies in the initial stages which can later be succeeded by an information disclosure based format as more consumers start to understand the meaning of product carbon footprints in the future.
(cont.) Voluntary public private partnerships have been used extensively by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These partnerships can serve as a potential model for a future carbon labeling initiative in the U.S. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is highlighted as a successful program both in terms of membership growth and emissions saved. System Dynamics modeling is applied as a tool to aid in understanding how the structure of such programs is critical to their success and is demonstrated as a method to potentially quantify the benefits of these programs prior to their actual implementation.
by Kwan Chong Tan.
S.M.in Technology and Policy

Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2009.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 107-111).
Cars sold in the United States have steadily become more fuel-efficient since the 1970s, and assessments of emerging technologies demonstrate a significant potential for continued evolutionary improvements. However, historic efficiency improvements have not always translated into reduced rates of fuel consumption. Instead, most of the technological progress of the past 20 years has been dedicated to offsetting increased acceleration performance, while fuel consumption has languished. This work addresses the questions of (1) why new technology is dedicated to performance rather than fuel consumption, and (2) what policy structures and stringencies can most effectively encourage new technology to be dedicated to reducing fuel consumption. A technology allocation model was developed which couples projections of fuel consumption and performance tradeoffs to consumers' willingness to pay for these attributes, in order to maximize the combined value of these attributes to consumers. The model was calibrated using stated willingness to pay, car price data, and historic trends in performance and fuel consumption. The model was used to investigate the effects of various policies on the balance between performance and fuel consumption. Particular attention was paid to the Emphasis on Reducing Fuel Consumption (ERFC), which quantifies the amount of technology dedicated to improving fuel consumption rather than other attributes. Under baseline conditions of constant gasoline price and no policy intervention, the majority of new technology continues to flow to increasing performance. The performance-fuel consumption balance is sensitive to policy signals. Fuel taxes, incentives (e.g. feebates), and fuel economy standards are all shown to be effective for increasing ERFC, although they have different implications for consumers' costs and automakers' profitability. Policies that merely increase the rate of technology deployment are found to be less effective for increasing emphasis on reducing fuel consumption.
by Donald Warren MacKenzie.
S.M.in Technology and Policy

Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2009.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 117-125).
Today's world is characterized by great turbulence and uncertainty. Rapid and discontinuous changes in technologies, regulation, competition, and demand are increasingly becoming the rule. Information is rapidly rendered inaccurate or obsolete by new information, and strategic opportunities arise and disappear quickly. The complexity of the external environment, and the associated unpredictability, place a premium on fast decision making and organizational flexibility to adapt quickly. Policymakers as well as business decision makers are struggling to keep pace with these new challenges. As the scientific and mechanical view of the world is not appropriate for such complex environments, new methods are required. To this end, we explore emerging fields, such as complexity theory and complex adaptive systems, to offer new approaches to address the fundamental dilemma of flexibility versus efficiency. Furthermore, we argue that policymakers can learn from the private sector and leverage new management concepts to become more effective. A key lesson is that organizations need to tap the passion and spirit of their employees. Clearly, technology will play a central role in redefining decision and policy making. We discuss how new web based social technologies will revolutionize organizations and enable new ways to channel collective intelligence of its employees. Such technologies have virtually eliminated transaction costs and made group forming easy and costless. We propose a framework to leverage the power of new social technologies.
(cont.) We argue that organizations need to redefine their boundaries and make them more permeable. This will enable more interactions with the external environment which will provide the required background information, especially early warning signs, to let the appropriate changes emerge inside an organization based on loosely connected elements. By sensing external triggers early, organizations can initiate internal changes guided by motivated and passionate employees. We have applied relevant portions of the proposed framework to a Fortune 50 company to test our ideas. We also highlight the need for adaptive policies to deal with the turbulent environment and outline specific recommendations for policymakers and agencies accordingly. These recommendations offer new ground for building flexible yet efficient organizations.
by Benjamin Maupetit.
S.M.in Technology and Policy

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2009.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-78).
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
(cont.) However, it is doubtful the costs associated with dosages required to achieve these removals are sustainable for communities such as Las Vegas. To address these deficiencies further sustainable practices for optimizing the Imhoff tanks as well as designs for both pre-treatment and secondary treatment options appropriate for use in Honduras were developed. The recommended system allows achievement of regulatory effluent levels while maintaining low annual operating costs for the system.
Wastewater treatment within Honduras is indicative of the state of water and sanitation services throughout the developing portions of Central America. One technology which comprises approximately 40 percent of all treatment facilities within Honduras is the Imhoff tank. First patented in 1906 the Imhoff tank has long been out of favor within the developed world as newer technologies and large centralized processing of wastewater have developed. Nevertheless, Imhoff tanks remain appropriate primary treatment technology for decentralized facilities like those found throughout Honduras. A large number of Honduras' systems have fallen into various states of disrepair due to neglect through lack of proper maintenance. One system within the municipality of Las Vegas, Honduras was examined extensively to determine the appropriateness of rehabilitating these systems utilizing various enhancement technologies. Water quality measurements were obtained for the Las Vegas system, which was found to be providing only negligible removals of wastewater constituents. Two large factors figuring into this are: measured flow rates were approximately 50 percent higher than originally anticipated in design and routine maintenance on the system has been neglected. Utilizing chemically enhanced primary treatment with ferric chloride as a coagulant, it was possible to increase removal efficiencies and achieve regulatory effluent standards for chemical oxygen demand, turbidity, and pH, despite the high flows.
by Robert C. McLean.
M.Eng.

Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2009.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 102-107).
In Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), private partners assume more responsibility for public projects than in traditional approaches. The larger responsibility of the private partner is expected to improve efficiencies of the project. However, it also increases potential challenges such as conflicts of interest. If the dynamic structures which cause challenges in PPPs are identified, they will help to predict potential challenges in future PPP projects. Therefore, this research develops a dynamics model of which challenges arise in the application of PPP approaches to space projects. The PPP dynamics model is illustrated by using system dynamics modeling. In the first step, this research develops a traditional-approach model. In the second step, it proposes the PPP model, which is a modification of the traditional-approach model. In the third step, this research tests the PPP model by applying it to four space-related PPP cases: the European navigation system Galileo, the Japanese navigation system QZSS, the Japanese launch vehicle GX, and the U.S. launch vehicle families EELV. The PPP model passes these four tests. In the PPP model, three variables play important roles: conflicts of interest among parties, user satisfaction, and the private partner's revenue risk. The three variables represent interests of stakeholders such as the public sector, private partners, and users. Conflicts of interest among parties increase cost schedule inefficiencies. More cost schedule inefficiencies lead to less user satisfaction. Less user satisfaction results in more revenue risk for the private partner. More revenue risk for the private partner leads to more conflicts of interest among parties.
(cont.) Thus, the interaction of stakeholder interests forms a reinforcing loop unique to PPPs. Additionally, unexpected technical and demand problems strengthen the reinforcement. This reinforcing loop and these unexpected problems are the inherent sources of challenges in space-related PPP projects. Lessons for improving the dynamic structures of space-related PPPs are (1) to set cost saving as the primary goal, (2) to choose the government customer market, and (3) to adopt conservative technical and demand forecasts. Based on these lessons, this research proposes that potential missions suitable for future space-related PPPs might be telecommunication, Earth observation, and meteorological monitoring for governments' use.
by Masafumi Hashimoto.
S.M.in Technology and Policy

Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2009.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-114).
Energy storage has the potential to dramatically change the operation of photovoltaics by allowing for a delay between generation and use. This flexibility has the potential to impact both the revenue from generating electricity using photovoltaics and the associated emissions reductions. This thesis attempts to quantify the impacts of adding energy storage to photovoltaics. The thesis formulates an optimization problem to solve for the optimal use of photovoltaics with energy storage from 2000 to 2005 in New England. The optimization is first solved using perfect information about historical solar generation, energy prices, and marginal emissions rates. Then, the model is solved using forecasted energy prices and emissions rates. The analysis finds that adding energy storage to photovoltaics can increase annual revenues by over 30%. With energy storage capacity and power equal to solar capacity, annual revenues were found to increase between 19.3% and 31.1% with an energy storage efficiency of 100%. Unfortuneately, the potential revenue increases were found to fall to between 9.1% and 21.3% with 80% efficient storage and between 3% and 14.5% with 60% efficient storage. However, when owners utilize energy storage to maximize revenue, the changes in avoided emissions with energy storage are found to be negligible. Alternatively, it is possible to achieve significant increases in the emissions offset by photovoltaics with energy storage. However, when energy storage is utilized to maximize emissions reductions, revenue decreases.
(cont.) This tradeoff between the economic and environmental benefits that can be achieved when energy storage is added to photovoltaics means it is unlikely to be possible, without policy, to simultaneously achieve large increases in both revenue and avoided emissions. Policy mechanisms could be used to enable energy storage to enhance both the revenue from photovoltaics and avoided emissions.
by Timothy David Heidel.
S.M.in Technology and Policy

Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2009.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 80-83).
Engineers have deemed creative thinking a necessary skill in their line of work, and ABET, the accreditation board for engineering schools, can evaluate a program based on how it attempts to teach it in its courses. And yet, many students and professors feel that creative thinking is a skill often overlooked by the traditional engineering curriculum. This thesis investigates student acquisition of creative thinking skills in four engineering design courses taught under the Mechanical Engineering and the Aeronautics/Astronautics Departments at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Quantitative research methods (surveys, assessments) and qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups) are combined to identify factors that influence student creativity in the classroom and retention and use of creative thinking skills beyond the classroom. Student reflections are used to tie theories of creativity with educational theory on student learning. Common themes discussed by students in relation to creativity include the interactive lecture and lab environments, the involvement of the professors and confidence and hands-on practice. Data shows the relationship between perceptions of team creativity and individual creative development. Recommendations on course structure and supportive institutional policies encouraging creative classroom environments are made based on the experiences of the students and teaching staff of these courses.
by Monica R. Rush.
S.M.in Technology and Policy

Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2008.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-68).
Many different forms of electronic waste recycling systems now exist worldwide, and the amount of related legislation continues to increase. Numerous approaches have been proposed including landfill bans, extended producer responsibility (EPR) and advance recovery fee (ARF) funded recycling systems. In order for policymakers and system architects to establish the optimal recycling system for their location, they need to know how to evaluate the performance of existing systems, and furthermore, how to use this information to design new systems. This thesis addresses the question: How does the physical system architecture of e-waste systems influence system performance? Specifically, it focuses upon the physical system architecture of collection site density and distribution. This thesis presents a systematic methodology developed with the Materials Systems Laboratory for characterizing recycling systems. Case studies of existing e-waste systems operating in Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, the Canadian province of Alberta and the US States of California, Maine and Maryland are examined for correlations between the environmental and financial performance of existing systems with respect to both the context and the architectural options of those systems. The case study analysis furthermore informs the construction of a model of e-waste systems. This model, which examines architectural choices in collection, transport, processing and system management of e-waste, is used to predict the environmental and financial performance of theoretical e-waste systems for a given location. The model was intentionally developed to be both broad, in order to encompass all pieces of recycling systems, and general, such that many different types of systems, both real and hypothetical, can be analyzed. Following an application of the model to several different combinations of system architecture and context, policy recommendations are made regarding the construction and evaluation of e-waste systems in various locations.
by Susan Fredholm.
S.M.in Technology and Policy

Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2009.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 56-59).
This thesis reports a study of industry-university collaborations aimed at the development of best practices to enhance the impact of such collaborations on company competitiveness. The data sample involves twenty-five research-intensive multinational companies which engage in collaborative research on a regular basis. Over 100 different collaboration projects are analyzed through interviews with the responsible project managers and with senior technology officers. The interviewees provided both quantitative and qualitative information about the success and lack of success of the collaborations. Based on these data, seven best practices for managing collaborations have been defined which, when taken together, significantly contribute to the long-term success of the collaboration. These practices are: 1) select collaboration projects that complement company R&D; 2) select university researchers who understand specific industry goals and practices; 3) select project managers with strong boundary spanning capabilities; 4) promote longer collaboration timeframes; 5) provide appropriate internal support for project management; 6) conduct regular meetings at the company between university and industry researchers; and 7) build awareness of the university project inside the company.
by Julio Alberto Pertuzé Salas.
S.M.in Technology and Policy

Orientador : Prof. Dr. Francisco de Assis Mendonça
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências da Terra, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geografia. Defesa: Curitiba, 31/10/2017
Inclui referências : fls. 155-164
Resumo: A malária é uma doença infeciosa que continua a ser um dos principais problemas de saúde pública em Moçambique. Na região centro de Moçambique na qual a cidade de Quelimane, área de estudo deste trabalho se localiza, a malária é a principal causa de mortalidade. A elevada vulnerabilidade social desta região é uma das causas que concorrem para este facto. Neste trabalho, através de uma análise socio ambiental da Geografia, procurou-se caracterizar os riscos e a vulnerabilidade socioambiental para a transmissão da malária na cidade de Quelimane tendo como método o hipotético-dedutivo. Para o efeito foi caracterizada a suscetibilidade climática da transmissão da malária utilizando os limiares de temperatura média mensal consideradas ótimos para o desenvolvimento do mosquito-vetor da malária (22 a 33°C) e de pluviosidade total mensal igual ou superior a 80 mm, tendo-se constatado de acordo com as médias climatológicas de 1961 - 2016 que a maior transmissão da malária ocorre nos meses de Agosto a Abril e a menor nos meses de Maio a Julho (os meses mais frios). No entanto, observou-se que os anos mais quentes e secos apresentaram uma suscetibilidade climática mais alta em função das elevadas temperaturas que possibilitaram uma maior abundância dos vetores e dos parasitas da malária. Determinou-se também a vulnerabilidade demográfica para a transmissão da malária em Quelimane tendo como variáveis, a população total, a população menor que cinco anos e as densidades demográficas e de ocupação. Tendo em conta as características ambientais determinadas a partir da distância aos potenciais focos para o desenvolvimento dos vetores, a vulnerabilidade demográfica e a urbanização de Quelimane constatou-se que bairros centrais como 24 de Liberdade, Liberdade e Filipe Samuel Magaia apresentem uma vulnerabilidade ambiental muito elevada tal como os bairros periféricos de Icídua, Santágua, Manhaua e Coalane 2. No entanto, entende-se que a melhor condição social apresentada pela população residente nos bairros centrais faz com que estes apresentem menor vulnerabilidade social em relação aos residentes nos bairros periféricos. Dada a associação entre os elementos de clima e a transmissão da malária medido através dos casos notificados, sugere-se que a monitoria das condições climáticas como contributo para a melhoria das ações preventivas bem como a educação comunitária na prevenção da malária, uma doença que é fortemente influenciada pelo clima em função da elevada vulnerabilidade social que Quelimane apresenta. Palavras-chaves: Malária. Quelimane. Riscos. Vulnerabilidades.
Abstract:Malaria is an infectious disease that remains a major public health concern in Mozambique. In the central region where the city of Quelimane, the focus of the current study, is located malaria is the main cause of mortality. The region's high social vulnerability is one of the major contributors to this situation. In this study, through a socio-environmental analysis of Geography, we aimed to characterize the risks and socio-environmental vulnerability contributing to malaria transmission in the city of Quelimane using the hypothetical-deductive method. For this purpose, the climatic susceptibility of malaria transmission was characterized using the monthly average temperature thresholds considered optimal for the development of the malaria mosquito vector (22 to 23°) and of total rainfall equal or above 80mm. having been verified according to the climatological averages of 1961 - 2016 that the highest transmission of malaria occurs in the months of August to April and the lowest in the months of May to July (the coldest months). However, it is observed that the hottest and driest years have shown a higher climatic susceptibility due to higher temperatures that enabled a higher abundance of the malaria vector and parasites. It is also the demographic vulnerability of malaria transmission in the city of Quelimane based on variables such as total population, population aged below 5 years and demographic density and occupation. Taking into account the environmental characteristics determined by the distance to potential vector development hotspots, the demographic vulnerability and urbanization of Quelimane it was verified that central districts such as 24 de Julho, Liberdade and Filipe Samuel Magaia show a very high vulnerability such as peripheral districts like Icídua, Santagua, Manhaua and Coalane 2. However, it is understood that better social living standard presented by the central districts population leads to a lower vulnerability when compared to peripheral district residents. Given the association between the climate elements and the malaria transmission measured through the notified cases, it is suggested the monitoring of the climatic conditions as a contribution for the improvement of preventive actions as well as the community education in malaria prevention, a disease strongly influenced by climate given the high social vulnerability presented by the city of Quelimane. Keywords: Malaria. Quelimane. Risks. Vulnerabilities.

Orientadora : Profª. Drª. Simone Rechia
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física. Defesa: Curitiba, 28/07/2017
Inclui referências : f. 132-143
Resumo: O processo de educação oferecido pela escola, tem se dado de diferentes formas ao longo do desenvolvimento da sociedade. Atualmente, diferentes correntes teóricas sustentam que a Educação deve desenvolver os alunos em todas as suas dimensões, permitindo que os mesmos reflitam, construam e atuem na própria vida de forma consciente e cidadã. Com base neste pressuposto e considerando o tempo/espaço de lazer como parte da vida dos sujeitos, possibilidade de desenvolvimento social e direito garantido pela constituição brasileira, a problemática desta pesquisa versa sobre o "lugar" do lazer no processo ensino-aprendizagem vinculado à Educação Física, enquanto área de conhecimento, presente no currículo da escola. A pesquisa teve como objetivo geral identificar o lugar do fenômeno lazer no cotidiano das aulas da área de Educação Física na escola. Seus objetivos específicos buscaram: 1. Identificar o lugar do lazer nos documentos que norteiam a área de Educação Física no ambiente escolar. 2. Reconhecer quem são os professores pesquisados e o lugar do fenômeno lazer no conjunto da formação docente dos mesmos. 3. Descortinar as maneiras de fazer dos professores de Educação Física e o lugar do lazer em suas práticas cotidianas. Assim, esta pesquisa foi desenvolvida em uma abordagem qualitativa, com a participação dos professores de Educação Física da Rede Municipal de Ensino de Curitiba, materializada em três fases: Na primeira fase vinte e um professores participaram respondendo a um questionário eletrônico. Na segunda fase foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com nove deles e na terceira fase foram entrevistadas duas responsáveis pelo Departamento de Gestão de Currículos da Secretaria Municipal de Educação de Curitiba. Partindo-se da análise dos dados coletados, foram delimitadas as seguintes categorias de análise: O lugar do fenômeno lazer no conjunto da formação docente dos professores pesquisados; O lugar do lazer nos documentos que norteiam a Educação Física; O lugar do Lazer na prática pedagógica dos professores pesquisados. Ao fim, reconhecemos o esforço dos nove professores pesquisados em qualificar o processo educativo. Podemos afirmar que a Educação para e pelo lazer encontra lugar nas práticas pedagógicas desenvolvidas por estes professores, no entanto, ainda de forma periférica e fragilizada, pois muitas vezes tais práticas se defrontam com um sistema educacional ainda muito fragmentado, conteudista e controlador. Porém encontramos sinais de que novas perspectivas de educação começam a ser trilhadas, possibilitando e reconhecendo o Lazer como dimensão da vida que merece destaque nos currículos e nas práticas escolares para uma formação cidadã. . Palavras-chave: Educação. Escola. Educação Física. Lazer.
Abstract: The education process offered by schools has occurred in different ways as society develops. In our days, different theories emphasize that education must develop students in all dimensions, allowing them to reflect, to build and to act in their own lives consciously. Considering this assumption as well as leisure time/space as part of the people's life, the possibility of social development and the right granted by the Brazilian constitution, the research problem of this study discussed the place of leisure at the teaching-learning process linked to the Physical Education (PE) area, as a study area, present at the school curriculum. The general objective of this study was to identify where the leisure phenomenon was situated daily at the schools PE activities. The specific objectives were: 1) To identify the leisure place on the documents that guides the PE area in the school environment. 2) To know who are the teachers selected and where the leisure phenomenon was situated in their background. 3) To show ways that PE teachers place the leisure on their daily practices. Thus, a qualitative approach was used to develop this study, recruiting PE teachers from Municipal Schools of Curitiba City, under 3 phases: On the first phase twenty one PE teachers answered and electronic questionnaire. The second phase nine PE teachers passed through semi structured interviews, and on the third phase, interviews with two persons in charge of the Department of Curriculum Management from the Municipal Education Secretary of Curitiba was applied. For data analyses, the following categories were used: The place of the leisure phenomenon on the formation background of the PE teachers; the place of the leisure in the documents that guide the PE; the place of leisure on the pedagogical practice of the PE teachers. Finally, we recognize the efforts from the nine PE teachers to improve the educational process. We can assure that the education using leisure activities has a place on the pedagogical practices organized by these teachers, although a bit distant and fragile, since several times these practices faced a fragmented educational system, and an inflexible and controlled content. However, we found new signals of educational perspective being constructed, enabling and recognizing leisure as a life dimension that deserves high credits on the curriculum and school practices in order to form responsible citizens. Key words: Education; School; Physical Education; Leisure

Disrupted pancreatic β-cell function is a key event in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. β-cells are responsible for the secretion of insulin, which promotes the uptake of blood glucose into peripheral tissue. Additionally, autocrine insulin signalling contributes to the maintenance of properly functioning β-cells. Upon insulin binding, the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase is activated and recruits insulin receptor substrates to its intracellular domain. These substrates can activate two major signalling branches, the Akt branch and the Ras/Erk branch. Both signalling branches are suggested to be involved in the maintenance of β-cell function and survival. Interestingly, results from experiments in adipose-like cell lines demonstrate, that endocytic vesicles can act as signalling hubs potentially directing insulin receptor signals between the Erk and Akt branches. Endosomes have also been suggested as organelles that are capable of buffering the rapid influx of calcium into β-cells following glucose stimulation thus avoiding calcium-induced β-cell death. These findings highlight endosomes as important organelles involved in the maintenance of β-cell function. This thesis examines the role of endosomes in autocrine insulin signalling and their involvement in calcium homeostasis. To observe the impact of endocytosis on autocrine insulin signalling, a novel fluorescent protein-labeled insulin receptor construct was developed and validated, revealing that tyrosine-phosphorylated caveolin-1 (Cav1) participates in insulin receptor internalization in β-cells. Remarkably, this process was found to bias insulin signalling towards the Erk branch in vitro and in vivo. As a functional consequence, reduction of Cav1 activity inhibited Erk signalling and was associated with increased β-cell apoptosis and decreased β-cell mass in mice lacking Cav1. The role of endosomes in β-cell calcium buffering was elucidated by creating a genetically encoded calcium sensor specifically localized to the lumen of endosomes and estimating calcium levels in defined endosome sub-populations. Indeed, endosomes accumulate calcium during glucose stimulation. Together, this work highlights endosomes as hubs for autocrine insulin signalling and contributors to the calcium homeostasis in the glucose response of β-cells.
Medicine, Faculty of
Graduate

Les traitements de materiaux par plasma sont actuellement largement utilises dans la plupart des industries bien que les processus physiques qui regissent ces decharges ne soient pas totalement maitrises. Avec l'essor de nouvelles sources optiques, le diagnostic de fluorescence laser, non perturbatif vis a vis du milieu, associe aux diagnostics electriques, permet la caracterisation de sources a plasma basse pression. Grace a cet outil, on peut ainsi comprendre la cinetique des ions (production, excitation, diffusion) et mesurer les parametres critiques influant sur la qualite du traitement (flux, directionalite, fonction de distribution en energie des particules bombardant la surface, temperature du substrat)

The overall purpose of this research is to develop a real-time ultrasound based system for controlling robotic weld quality by monitoring the weld pool. The concept of real-time weld quality control is quite broad, and this work focuses on weld penetration depth monitoring and control with laser ultrasonics. The weld penetration depth is one of the most important geometric parameters that define the weld quality, hence remains a key control quantity. This research focuses on the implementation and optimization of the laser phased array generation unit and the development of signal analysis algorithms to extract the weld penetration depth information from the received ultrasonic signals. The system developed is based on using the phased array technique to generate ultrasound, and an Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) as a receiver. The generated ultrasound propagates through the weld pool and is picked up by the EMAT. A transient FE model is built to predict the temperature distribution during welding. An analytical model is developed to understand the propagation of ultrasound during real-time welding and the curved rays are numerically traced. The cross-correlation technique has been applied to estimate the Time-of-Flight (ToF) of the ultrasound. The ToF is then correlated to the measured weld penetration depth. The analytical relationship between the ToF and penetration depth, obtained by a ray-tracing algorithm and geometric analysis, matches the experimental results. The real-time weld sensing technique developed is efficient and can readily be deployed for commercial applications. The successful completion of this research will remove the major obstacle to a fully automated robotic welding process. An on-line welding monitoring and control system will facilitate mass production characterized by consistency, high quality, and low costs. Such a system will increase the precision of the welding process, resulting in quality control of the weld beads. Moreover, in-process control will relieve human operators of tedious, repetitive, and hazardous welding tasks, thus reducing welding-related injures.

Esta tesis ha tenido como objetivo elaborar una propuesta pedagógica para la enseñanza de la traducción en la modalidad semipresencial. Dicha propuesta pedagógica partiendo del enfoque por tareas de traducción, así como de la formación por competencias, ha abarcado tres materias: iniciación a la traducción, traducción científico-técnica y traducción jurídico-administrativa, y distintas combinaciones lingüísticas: del inglés, francés y portugués al español.
Concretamente, las unidades didácticas que se han propuesto son las siguientes en las combinaciones lingüísticas que se especifican en cada caso:
- Iniciación a la traducción:
· Traducción de referentes culturales (del inglés, francés y portugués al español)
· Traducción de textos narrativos (del inglés, francés y portugués al español)
- Traducción científico-técnica:
· El mercado laboral de la traducción científico-técnica (del inglés, francés y portugués al español)
· La traducción de un manual de instrucciones (del inglés, francés y portugués al español)
· La traducción de un documento técnico en soporte audiovisual (del inglés al español)
- Traducción jurídico-administrativa:
· La traducción jurada y la traducción jurídica (del portugués al español)
· La clasificación y caracterización contrastiva de los géneros jurídicos (del portugués al español)
· La traducción de textos administrativos (del portugués al español)
Para comprobar la idoneidad de la propuesta, se han experimentado cuatro unidades didácticas en el marco de la licenciatura de traducción e interpretación de la Facultad de Traducción e interpretación de la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona a lo largo de los cursos 2007-2008 y 2008-2009, en la que han participado un total de 130 estudiantes. Las unidades didácticas experimentadas han sido:
Iniciación a la traducción:
· Traducción de referentes culturales (del inglés al español)
· Traducción de textos narrativos (del inglés al español)
Traducción científico-técnica:
· El mercado laboral de la traducción científico-técnica (del inglés al español)
· La traducción de un manual de instrucciones (del inglés al español)
La experimentación se ha llevado a cabo en dos fases: 1) una prueba piloto durante el curso 2007-2008, con el objetivo de observar la idoneidad de las unidades didácticas propuestas pero sin el objetivo de recoger datos cualitativos y 2) una experimentación durante el curso 2008-2009, con el objetivo de recoger datos que nos permitieran evaluar la adecuación de la propuesta y proponer las modificaciones necesarias.
La metodología utilizada para el desarrollo de la tesis ha sido la investigación-acción, ya que con este tipo de investigación se podía estudiar una práctica (la enseñanza de la traducción) para mejorarla. En este sentido, este enfoque ha permitido recoger información de diferentes instrumentos: cuestionarios de autoevaluación, cuestionarios de evaluación de la enseñanza semipresencial, diarios reflexivos, actividades de aprendizaje, etc. Con estos instrumentos se ha podido evaluar, por un lado, tanto el aprendizaje como la enseñanza y, por otro lado, se ha podido recoger tanto la evaluación de los estudiantes como del profesor.
Las conclusiones a que se ha llegado han sido: la mayoría de estudiantes ha adquirido las competencias específicas y genéricas trabajadas a lo largo de las unidades experimentadas; los contenidos han sido adecuados; el diseño de los materiales ha sido correcto, así como los materiales trabajados y las actividades de aprendizaje. Por otro lado, se ha observado la importancia de que sean los propios estudiantes los que formen los grupos de trabajo.
En lo que respecta a la semipresencialidad, se ha observado que en un inicio los estudiantes sentían reticencia al trabajo semipresencial dada la falta de costumbre de trabajar en esta modalidad. A pesar de ello, el grado de semipresencialidad que se ha otorgado a las unidades ha sido valorado como adecuado y la mayoría de estudiantes ha apuntado que la semipresencialidad permite disponer de flexibilidad de horarios y libertad para organizarse uno mismo los horarios.
Se ha observado también que la semipresencialidad comporta mayor carga de trabajo tanto para el estudiante como para el profesor. Con relación a los problemas que ocasiona la semipresencialidad, los estudiantes han destacado: la dependencia de las nuevas tecnologías, la necesidad de disponer de un espacio en el centro educativo en el que trabajar en grupo y con acceso a ordenadores y a la Red, y autodisciplina. Aunque en definitiva, la mayoría de estudiantes ha coincidido en considerar que la semipresencialidad promueve la autonomía y la responsabilidad.
The objective of this thesis is to draw up a proposal for teaching translation in a blended learning context. This proposal is based on both translation tasks and competence training, and comprises three subjects: introduction to translation, scientific-technical translation and legal-administrative translation. These are available in various language combinations: from English, French or Portuguese into Spanish.
The proposed teaching units breakdown as follows, with the corresponding language combinations given for each unit:
- Introduction to translation:
· Translating cultural references (from English, French or Portuguese into Spanish).
· Translating narrative texts (from English, French or Portuguese into Spanish).
- Scientific-technical translation:
· The scientific-technical translation work market (from English, French or Portuguese into Spanish).
· Translating instruction manuals (from English, French or Portuguese into Spanish).
· Translating technical documents in audio-visual format (from English into Spanish).
- Legal-administrative translation:
· Sworn translations and legal translations (from Portuguese into Spanish).
· Contrastive classification and characterisation of legal text genres (from Portuguese into · Spanish).
Translating administrative texts (from Portuguese into Spanish).
To test the validity of this pedagogical proposal, four teaching units were used for the experiment, which form part of the Translation and Interpreting undergraduate degree programme at the Faculty of Translation and Interpreting, Universidad Autonóma de Barcelona. It was carried out during the academic years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 with a total of 130 students participating, and the teaching units used in this experiment were as follows:
- Introduction to translation:
· Translating cultural references (from English into Spanish.
· Translating narrative texts (from English into Spanish).
- Scientific-technical translation:
· The scientific-technical translation work market (from English into Spanish).
· Translating instruction manuals (from English into Spanish).
The experiment was performed in two phases: 1) a pilot test during the academic year 2007-2008, which focused on assessing the suitability of the proposed teaching units but not on collecting qualitative data, and 2) an experiment during the academic year 2008-2009, with the objective of collecting data that would allow us to evaluate the validity of this proposal and put forward any necessary changes.
The methodology adopted to develop this thesis was action-research, since with this research approach practice (teaching translation) could be studied with the aim of improving it. This approach has allowed for collecting information using a variety of instruments: self-assessment questionnaires, questionnaires evaluating blended learning teaching, reflexive diaries, learning tasks, etc. With these instruments it has been possible to evaluate not only learning and teaching, but also obtain evaluations from both instructors and students.
The conclusions reached are as follows: the majority of students have acquired the general and specific competences worked on throughout the teaching units in this experiment; the course contents and design of the materials have proved to be appropriate, as have the materials worked on and the learning tasks. Furthermore, from another perspective, it was observed that it is important for students themselves to form their own work groups.
Turning to blended learning itself, it was observed that at first the students were reticent to the idea of blended learning as they were unaccustomed to working in this manner. Even so, the degree of blended learning assigned to these units was assessed as appropriate and the majority of students pointed out that blended learning allows them flexibility in terms of schedules and freedom to organise their own work hours.
Another observation was that blending learning brings with it a heavier work load for both students and lecturers. As regards problems linked to blended learning, the students highlighted the following: dependence on new technologies, the need for a space within the confines of the educational establishment where they can work in groups with access to computers and the internet, and self-discipline. However, everything taken into account, there was consensus among the majority of the students that blended learning encourages autonomy and responsibility.

The Moon displays weak magnetic fields resulting from areas of the lunar crust that are remanently magnetised. The origins of the magnetic fields that produced this remanent magnetisation are still under discussion, and theories include among several, an ancient lunar dynamo, or processes occurring on the Moon as a result of impacts. Lunar crustal fields have been mapped globally by the Magnetometer (MAG) and Electron Reflectometer (ER) on the satellite Lunar Prospector, providing vector magnetic field measurements at an average altitude of 30 km, and estimates of the total surface field. This thesis presents global and regional models of the magnitude and direction of lunar magnetisation within a layer, produced from both the MAG and ER data independently and jointly using several inversion methods. The inverse modelling techniques are based on those developed for terrestrial and Martian data sets, employing equivalent source dipoles as basis functions, and Green’s functions relating a magnetic field observation to a spatially continuous magnetisation distribution. A unique magnetisation solution is selected having the smallest rootmean- square (RMS) magnetisation for a given fit to the data, controlled by a damping parameter. The non-uniqueness in magnetisation distributions and the determination of source parameters is discussed with the use of forward models to assist the interpretation of the crustal magnetisation models. Suites of magnetisation models for layers with thicknesses between 10 and 50 km, and with different dipole depths, are able to reproduce both the ER and MAG data well. Inverse models utilising the scalar ER data have been developed successfully, resulting in a joint inversion of the ER and MAG data for one of the strongest magnetic anomalies on the Moon, Reiner Gamma. The largest concentrations of strongly magnetised crust are, like the crustal fields themselves, located antipodal to the youngest large impact basins, and in some isolated areas associated with the strongest crustal fields. The magnetisation distributions show robust magnitudes with different data sets and modelling techniques showing the extent of magnetised sources, but can not be used to infer the direction of the magnetising fields. Average magnetisation values in magnetised regions of 30-40 mA/m are similar to the measured magnetisations of the Apollo samples and significantly weaker than crustal magnetisations for Mars and the Earth. A global preference for a 30 km thick magnetised layer suggests that a dynamo field may be more consistent with these magnetisation models. The magnetisation models in this thesis are the first global magnetisation models for the Moon, and the first to combine the vector MAG and the scalar ER data. These magnetisation models can be used to predict the crustal contribution to the lunar magnetic field environment at a particular location, and in the absence of reliable sample returns, provide valuable information on the magnitude of lunar crustal magnetisation.

This aim of this thesis is to contribute to the debate about the best approach to engage citizens with sustainable behaviour. It is generally agreed that „bottom-up‟ approaches, where individuals are actively involved, are more effective than „top-down‟ authority-led projects where they have a more passive role. There is, however, a dearth of evidence from comparative evaluations. This thesis examines six distinct communication activities aimed at encouraging individuals to adopt more sustainable behaviours. Each used a different approach, some participative and others more top-down informational. Two questionnaires were used to gather data. The first was conducted at the time of the activity; the second between four and five weeks later and included questions about behaviour change. Variables from Petty and Cacioppo‟s Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), such as perceptions about a message and its source, and variables which Ajzen‟s Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) proposes as being key to behaviour change, such as subjective norms and attitudes, were used to see if these identified any difference in outcome. Findings indicate support for the added value of a bottom-up approach compared to other mechanisms and identify that this may be partly explained by the extent to which such activities offer a more supportive environment for behaviour change to take place. The measures used in this study may be useful to others seeking to evaluate behaviour change communication campaigns or those comparing different communicative approaches.

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: National Statistical offices (NSOs) are the sources of wide ranges of socio-economic, demographic and agricultural data and information that are used to monitor and evaluate development programs and formulate policies. The data generated by NSOs is used as basis for making decisions and also used to assess the extent and causes of poverty. Various stakeholders such as researchers, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the UN, and various NGOs prepare and release research materials and annual reports using data and information obtained from NSOs and line ministries. For example, Deneulin and Shahani state that one of the intentions of the annual Human Development Report (HDR) prepared by the UNDP is “to assess the quality of life of a population and be an advocacy tool for its improvement with a political purpose of raising awareness and generating debate on public issues and concerns which would otherwise not be on the political agenda”1. Based on the different approaches to poverty, different sets of data and information are produced and used for poverty measurement. Mostly, poverty is measured using data obtained from nationally representative household surveys which focus on income and expenditure, ownership, access to and use of some basic services. Another approach uses data on mental satisfaction; still others assume poverty to be multi-dimensional and argue that income alone is not enough. They view poverty as deprivation of basic capabilities due to high rates of mortality, illiteracy, malnourishment, unemployment, ill health, lack of education and social exclusion, etc2. The quality of data and information (such as integrity, methodological soundness, accuracy and reliability, serviceability and accessibility) generated by data-producingagencies therefore needs to be preserved and improved in order to obtain meaningful results from the measurement of poverty in any of the approaches and to satisfy the growing data quality demands of stakeholders. Loshin states that “strategic decisions based on untrustworthy information are likely to result in poor decisions”3. This study focuses on the role played by national statistical offices in poverty reduction in general. It examines the various activities, players, interactions, and ICTs used at the various stages of the statistical process in the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency (CSA) to generate poverty-related data and information and how the quality of this data can be preserved and improved. The purpose of this research is therefore to identify poverty related data quality problems with respect to the IMF’s DQAF and assess where in the statistical process specific types of ICTs can improve data quality. For this reason interpretive case study method with the researcher as participant observer was adopted to study how poverty related data and information is produced. It was found out that some of the data quality problems can be addressed using appropriate ICTs with the availability of reliable power infrastructures.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nasionale Statistiekkantore (NSOs) is die bron van ‘n wye reeks sosio-ekonomiese, demografiese en landboukundige data en inligting wat gebruik word om ontwikkelingsprogramme te monitor en te evalueer. Die data wat deur NSOs geskep word, word aangewend as grondslag vir besluitneming. Die data word ook gebruik om die omvang en oorsake van armoede te bepaal. Verskeie betrokkenes soos navorsers, die Wêreldbank (WB), Internasionale Monetêre Fonds (IMF) en die VN en NSOs skep en versprei verskillende navorsingsuitsette en jaarverslae wat gebruik maak van die data en inligting wat verkry word van NSOs en ministeries. So konstateer Deneulin en Shahani dat een van die doelstellings van die Verslag op Menslike Ontwikkeling (HDR), soos opgestel deur die VNDP, is om “die lewensgehalte van ‘n bevolking te skat en om as werktuig en voorspraak vir die verbetering daarvan op te tree, met die politiese doelwit om bewustheid te verhoog en debatvoering oor openbare sake en kwessies, wat andersins nie op die agenda sou verskyn nie, aan te voor”.4. Na gelang van die verskillende benaderings tot armoede word verskillende stelle data en inligting geproduseer en gebruik vir die meting van armoede. Armoede word gewoonlik gemeet deur data te gebruik wat bekom word van landswye opnames van huishoudings en ingestel is op inkomste en besteding, besitreg, toegang tot en die gebruik van ‘n paar basiese dienste. ‘n Ander benadering gebruik data oor geestelike bevrediging; ander weer aanvaar dat armoede multidimensioneel is en voer aan dat inkomste alleen nie genoeg is nie. Hulle beskou armoede as die ontbering van basiese vermoëns weens ‘n hoë sterftesyfer, ongeletterdheid, ondervoeding, siekte, gebrekkige onderwys, sosiale uitsluiting en dies meer5. Die gehalte van data en inligting (soos integriteit, metodologiese deeglikheid, akkuraatheid en betroubaarheid, bruikbaarheid en toeganklikheid) wat deur agentskappe opgelewer word moet dus bewaar en verbeter word ten einde ‘n beduidende resultaat te bekom uit die meting van armoede deur enige van die benaderings en ook om belanghebbendes se groeiende aandrang op datagehalte te bevredig. Loshin beweer dat “strategiese besluite gebaseer op onbetroubare inligting waarskynlik swak besluitneming tot gevolg sal hê”.6. Hierdie ondersoek konsentreer op die rol wat gespeel word deur nasionale statistiekkantore in die algemene bekamping van armoede. Dit ondersoek die verskillende aktiwiteite, rolspelers, interaksies en ICTs wat op verskeie stadiums van die statistiese proses deur die Etiopiese Sentrale Statistiekagentskap (CSA) gebruik word om data en inligting oor armoede te skep en hoe die betroubaarheid van data behou en verbeter kan word. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is dus om kwaliteitsprobleme wat verband hou met armoededata ten opsigte van die IMF se DQAF te identifiseer en om te besluit waar in die statistiese proses bepaalde soort ICT’s die gehalte van data kan identifiseer. Om hierdie rede is die interpretiewe gevallestudiemetode aanvaar om te bepaal hoe armoede-verwante data en inligting geskep word. Die slotsom was dat sommige van die probleme in datagehalte aangespreek kan word deur die gebruik van gepaste ICT’s met die beskikbaarheid van betroubare mag-infrakstrukture.