Allergies are a common chronic disease and considerably decrease the quality of life for affected individuals. Understanding the immune responses during allergic diseases is essential for both diagnosis and the development of effective therapies. The route of sensitisation to allergens is one factor that influences the immune response and the outcome of allergic diseases and both human and animal studies have highlighted IL-4Ra as an important component in the induction of allergy. The aim of this study was to investigate the contributions of the route of sensitisation to allergens with focus on the significance of cell specific expression of IL-4Ra in the onset of allergy. The route of sensitization to Anisakis pegreffii influences the outcome of experimental allergic asthma: Worldwide, increasing numbers of allergies to the fish parasite Anisakis pegreffii are reported. Anisakis can cause allergies after accidental infection of humans and in the occupational environment. Currently it is not clear if different exposure routes to Anisakis affect the development of allergic asthma and if they have an influence on the immune response. To address these questions, the present study investigated immune responses and disease development after Anisakis live infection and after nasal sensitisation in a mouse model of allergic airway disease. We showed that the route of sensitisation influences the outcome of Anisakis pegreffii induced allergic asthma and demonstrated important contributions of IL-4Ra to the underlying immune response. Alternatively activated macrophages are not necessary for the development of experimental allergic lung inflammation: Development of alternatively activated macrophages (AAM) is induced by signals of IL-4Ra. Alternatively activated macrophages (AAM) are a feature of allergic asthma in clinical and experimental investigations but their role in the development of allergy is not defined. To address this, a model of acute allergic asthma was used to compare mice deficient in AAM (LysMcrelL-4Ra-110x mice) with control mice. We found that the presence of AAM at early stages of allergic airway inflammation these cells was not required for the onset of the disease. Smooth muscle IL-4Ra is not required for experimental allergic asthma: In vitro studies have suggested that IL-4Ra signalling on airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) is critical for airway irrflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Using mice deficient for IL-4Ra in ASMC, the in vivo effects of impaired IL-4Ra signalling in ASMC on the outcome of asthmatic disease were investigated. The impairment of IL-4Ro: on SMC had no effect on major aetiological markers of allergic asthma. These findings suggest that IL-4Ra responsiveness in airway SMC during the acute phase of allergic asthma is not critical for the outcome of the disease. Conclusions: The present study showed the importance of the route of sensitisation and IL4Ra in the development of allergy to Anisakis pegreffii. The use of in vivo models of experimental allergic asthma revealed that the route of sensitisation can influence the underlying immune response of the disease. Furthermore, by using mice with cell specific deficiencies in IL-4Ra it was demonstrated that expression of this receptor on smooth muscle cells and macrophages is not essential for the development of acute experimental allergic airway disease, as it has been previously suggested.

This work aims at improving the previously developed design procedure accounting for anisotropic dimensional changes on sintering. The goal of the project is both enlarging the reference database and investigating in depth the parameters responsible for anisotropic dimensional changes. The effects of green density, geometry, and compaction parameters (compaction speed hold down force and hold down time) on the anisotropy of dimensional changes on sintering were investigated. Ring shaped parts made of eight different iron-based materials were investigated in order to cover a large range of dimensional changes and different sintering mechanisms. The work is divided into two main parts. The first part focuses on investigating the effects of green density and geometry on the anisotropic dimensional changes, also enlarging the database. The application of the design methodology previously developed showed the significant role of anisotropy in the compaction plane for accurate prediction of dimensional changes, which was not highlighted previously. To solve this critical point a new anisotropy parameter is proposed and implemented in the design procedure. With the new anisotropy parameter, prediction of dimensional changes was improved while another critical point was highlighted, which is the scatter in the database. In order to have a reliable design procedure, database must be as accurate as possible, as demonstrated by a careful analysis on data processing. In the second part, the effect of compaction parameters on the anisotropy of dimensional changes on sintering was investigated, with a focus on the anisotropy in the compaction plane highlighted in the first part. No direct correlations were found between anisotropy of dimensional changes and compaction parameters, but compaction settings leading to lower anisotropy in the compaction plane were highlighted. Application of design methodology confirmed that the accuracy of predictions is higher when the sampling is less scattered. Also, a numerical study based on the experimental results was done to evaluate the possibility of neglecting anisotropy in the compaction plane for predicting dimensional changes. It was demonstrated that neglecting anisotropy in the compaction plane is acceptable, for some materials produced using the compaction settings minimizing such anisotropy. Additionally, a correlation between springback during ejection of the parts after compaction and anisotropy in the compaction plane was found.

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No description available.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research report, "Feasibility study of a customer relationship management system in a traditional German mid size trading company", presents both a theoretical and practical overview of customer relationship management. The research methodologies used are described in the introductory chapter. The theoretical part of the report covers relevant customer relationship management theory, and defines and explains the principles of customer relationship management, including the objectives and the strategic intention ofthis approach. Furthermore, the building blocks of customer relationship management systems are explained in detail. In the latter part of the section on theory, managerial aspects like effectiveness, efficiency and the measurability of success with customer relationship systems are discussed. The theory part of this research project concludes with a chapter on the success factors of customer relationship management, describing important aspects of the integration of such a system. The practical part of this research project was conducted in co-operation with the chemical company Lehmann & Voss & Co in Hamburg, Germany. The company was able to provide a division that is interested in the management approach to customer relationship management. They were interested in establishing whether this management approach could be used to their advantage in business. The cooperation with this particular division is regarded as a pilotproject for customer relationship management by the company management. The practical part of this research report begins with general information about the company. Corporate culture, as well as the different aspects of the business, is described. This is followed by information about the division involved in this research project. Business processes, customer base and business performance are covered. In addition, a requirement profile for the division's customer relationship management has been created. This requirement profile is followed by a discussion of the systemic environment in which the company operates. Finally, a conclusion with recommendations for the company situation concerning customer relationship management has been established. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing verslag met die titel "Feasibility study of a customer relationship management system in a traditional German mid size trading company" dek die teoretiese en praktiese deel ten opsigte van kliëntverhoudingsbestuur. Die navorsingsmetodiek word beskryf in die hoofstuk "Research Methodology". Die teoretiese deel dek die teorie van kliëntverhoudingsbestuur ten opsigte van alle belangrike aspekte van hierdie spesifieke bestuursbenadering. Dit verduidelik die definisie en die beginsels van kliëntverhoudingsbestuur insluitend die objektiewe en strategiese doel van die benadering. Verder meer, word die boublokke van 'n kliëntverhoudingsbestuurstelsel breedvoerig bespreek. In die laasgenoemde deel word die teoretiese bestuursaspekte, soos byvoorbeeld effektiewiteit, doeltreffenheid, en vergelyking van sukses met die kliëntverhoudingsbestuurstelsel bespreek. Die teoretiese deel van hierdie navorsingsprojek eindig met 'n hoofstuk oor die suksesfaktore van kliëntverhoudingsbestuur. Dit is 'n beskrywing van kritiese belangrike aspekte van die integrasie van so 'n stelsel. Die praktiese deel van hierdie navorsingsprojek is vasgestel in samewerking met die chemiese firma Lehmann & Voss & Co in Hamburg, Duitsland. Die firma was in staat om 'n afdeling wat belang het in bestuurs- en kliëntebenadering, beskikbaar te stel. Die belangrikheid is om die vraag te beantwoord of hierdie bestuursbenadering tot voordeel van die firma gebruik kan word. Die samewerking met hierdie besondere afdeling word beskou as 'n proef-projek vir kliëntverhoudingsbestuur . Die praktiese deel begin met algemene inligting ten opsigte van die firma. Korporatiewe kulture, sowel as verskeie aspekte van die besigheid, word beskryf. Die algemene inligting omtrent die firma word gevolg met inligting omtrent die betrokke afdeling wat saamwerk. Besigheidsprosedures, kliëntbasisse en besigheidsprosedure is gedek. Verder meer, is ook 'n studie uitgevoer om 'n behoefteprofiel op te stel vir kliëntverhoudingsbestuur in die spesifieke afdeling van die firma. Die profiel word opgevolg met 'n bespreking van die sistimatiese omgewing waarin die firm bedryf word. Ten slotte is 'n konklusie bereik met voorstelle vir die firma se spesifieke situasie ten opsigte van kliënteverhoudings.

The thesis aims to find out the general public's views on raising children within the family, and to compare it with selected psychological research. The theoretical part is a review of several studies over recent years dealing with a child's upbringing in a family, selected so as to reflect the views of the general public, specifically parents, and responds to these themes from a professional point of view. The empirical part attempts to explore the values, attitudes, and opinions of parents on key educational situations, using a questionnaire method. The thesis investigates current trends among parents' child-rearing methods within the Czech Republic, and compares them with the current findings of modern psychological research on education in the family.

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No description available.

No description available.

In the present study, the powder metallurgy was evaluated as a technique to produce high performance Al &amp / #8211 / 8Fe &amp / #8211 / 1.7V &amp / #8211 / 7.9Si (wt%) alloys for elevated temperature applications and the role of powder particle size range and extrusion ratio in the microstructural and mechanical properties of the extruded alloys was investigated. For this purpose, an air atomization method was employed to produce powders of the high temperature alloy and after that the produced powders were sieved and cold compacted. The compacted billets were subsequently hot extruded at 450 &amp / #8211 / 480 &deg / C. Five selected ranges of powders which were different in particle size (&amp / #8722 / 2000+212 &amp / #956 / m, &amp / #8722 / 212+150 &amp / #956 / m, &amp / #8722 / 150+106 &amp / #956 / m, &amp / #8722 / 106+90 &amp / #956 / m, and &amp / #8722 / 90 &amp / #956 / m) and three different extrusion ratios (144:1, 81:1, and 26:1) were used in this study. In the first part of the thesis, microstructure and thermal stability of as &amp / #8211 / air atomized powders were described. &amp / #945 / &amp / #8211 / Al matrix and &amp / #945 / &amp / #8211 / Al13(Fe, V)3Si phases were characterized in all rapidly solidified powders by XRD. The fraction of the intermetallic phases was reduced as the powder particle size increased. DTA analysis revealed an exothermic reaction at 581 &deg / C in all alloy powders of different size fractions. In the second part of the study, the effect of powder particle size and extrusion ratio on microstructural and mechanical properties (at different temperatures) of the extruded alloys was investigated. The results showed that decrease in powder particle size and increase in extrusion ratio refined the microstructure and improved the mechanical properties. It was revealed that the effect of powder size was more evident than that of extrusion ratio. Remarkable increases in mechanical properties (e.g. 60.7% increase in ultimate tensile strength at 250 &deg / C) were observed as a result of rapid solidification process (atomization) and hot extrusion.