KAMENÍK Tomáš: Bending technology profile of steel The project has been elaborated within the master's of studies of the subject M-STG manufacturing technology and it presents the lay-out of the bending technology profile of steel from the material S235JRG2. The bend is made by the bending and the press tools. The press tools and the bending profile were suggested on the bases of the literature study of technology bending. In consideration of the calculated bending power and the dimension profile will be made profile on the hydraulic press CYS 320 ( the manufacturer ŠMERAL Brno a.s.). At the end of the the thesis there are performed calculations of the technical and economic evaluation for the machine press and the bending .

This master´s thesis deals with the measurement of surface roughness on a roundness instrument Talyrond TR595S. The aim was to expand possibilities of measuring on this roundness instrument. The main benefit of this thesis is creation of the proposal for the roughness measurement components in a horizontal and vertical plane. Thesis also includes the procedure for measuring of the roughness of the circular components including calculation of measurement uncertainty.

This Diploma thesis deals with the identification of microorganisms in samples of experimentally produced cheese. Model samples of cheese were produced in association with a private manufacturer. Raw organic milk was used to make the cheese. The theoretical part provides an overview of the issues such as the characteristics of the cheese, its properties and compounds. A special chapter is dedicated to molecular diagnostic methods, which serve for identification of microorganisms. In the experimental part of the thesis were identified some microorganisms in the samples. A polymerase chain reaction was used. The DNA was isolated from coarse lysates using phenol extraction; it was amplified using specific primers and demonstrated by gel electrophoresis. DNA of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus spp., Lactococcus spp.) and yeast was ascertained in the cheese. The samples do not contain DNA of pathogenic genera Bacillus and Salmonella.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019 / Background: Retail in South Africa is a growing industry, but new demands and the influx of foreign competition require retail business managers to be more creative in solving modern-day complex retail problems. An embedded outcome of the registered National Diploma: Retail Business Management qualification offered by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology is that students should be able to identify business problems and creatively make sound business decisions to solve these problems. However, because creativity is such a diverse topic, it seems that educational institutions and educators do not commit themselves to and evade the development of creativity. Consequently, this leads to graduates being ill-prepared in creatively solving the complex and often unique business problems they encounter in the Wholesale and Retail sector. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the creativity profile of Retail Business Management students and evaluate the progress of their creativity levels from their first- to third year. This approach evaluated if the embedded outcome of creativity was met for the National Diploma: Retail Business Management qualification. Methodology: Empirical research was conducted by collecting a combination of quantitative and qualitative data to determine the creativity levels of Retail Business Management students. A questionnaire consisting of both qualitative- and quantitative questions was used to evaluate the creativity levels of 159 full-time students and 16 students from the retail industry studying through the university’s Retail Academy. Quantitative data were analysed using both descriptive- and inferential statistics. Findings: Based on the analysed data, it was found that creativity is one of the key attributes, if not the most important, to ensure continued business success in the South African retail industry. The results indicate that participants were creative, but not at the required levels. It was further established that there was no growth in the creativity levels of the participants from their first- to third year of studies, thus indicating that the required outcome of creativity, as stipulated in the qualification criteria, was not achieved. Recommendations: It is recommended that further research should be conducted in an attempt to propose a suitable creativity instrument for developing the creativity of Retail Business Management students as this would ensure that graduates are confident and able to use their creativity to address the unique challenges that the South African retail industry face.

Urine samples are routinely used in human and animal patients to diagnose health problems; often to investigate or monitor specific health-related problems that essentially may remain silent for extended periods. However, not much work has been performed on crocodilian urine for diagnostics. In general, crocodilian species lack a bladder as a separate storage organ (as found in mammals), possess metanephric kidneys (unable to concentrate urine) and have functional salt excreting glands. Collection of urine from the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a simple and atraumatic procedure where a dog urinary catheter is used to collect relatively clean urine from the urinary chamber in the crocodile’s cloaca. Unfortunately, in-depth investigations of urine variables, and establishing baseline concentrations, have not been performed on Nile crocodile urine samples before. The specific focus areas of this research project were: (1) determination of urine and plasma biochemical concentrations by means of a standard veterinary clinical pathology profile and the establishment of the ratio between urine and blood biochemical parameters; (2) the validation of a gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric (GC/MS) method for the determination of steroid metabolite concentrations in urine; and (3) using this established analytical method to determine the presence (identify) and concentrations of steroid metabolites in the urine of individual crocodilians. / Urine and plasma samples collected at Izintaba Crocodile Farm during the period November 2005 to July 2006, from captive bred, healthy young Nile crocodiles, were analysed for standard biochemistry variables. The urine samples (n = 101) were analysed for sodium, potassium, chloride, urea, creatinine, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, uric acid, osmolality, and ammonium ion, while the plasma samples (n = 101) were screened for total protein, glucose, sodium, potassium, chloride, urea, creatinine, total calcium, ionised calcium, magnesium, phosphate, uric acid and osmolality. Means, medians and standard deviations were statistically determined, as well as urine to plasma (U/P) ratios for corresponding variables. The value of this project is the establishment of reference concentrations for Nile crocodile urine samples that may become useful for interpretation of laboratory results, in future. / The clinical validation of a GC/MS method for the analysis of urinary steroids in the Nile crocodile was achieved using urine samples from two-year-old Nile crocodiles. The main objective of this investigation was to develop, optimize and validate the laboratory analysis of urinary steroid metabolites. Steroid profiling was performed on individual and pooled Nile crocodile urine samples. Ascending concentrations of representative steroid standards: androsterone, etiocholanolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, 11-OH androsterone, pregnanediol, pregnanetriol, 11-deoxytetrahydrocortisol, tetrahydrocortisone, tetrahydrocortisol and tetra-hydrocorticosterone, were spiked into aliquots of the pooled urine samples, to obtain calibration samples ranging from 0.2 to 20 μg. Sample preparation and analysis methodology were based on a well-established, validated GC/MS method for determination of human urinary steroid metabolites. The validation of the GC/MS method for Nile crocodile urine was successfully completed, by determining lower limits of quantitation and limits of detection for each analyte, obtaining linearity up to the highest calibration level, correlations exceeding 0.90, and recoveries of 82% and more. / Steroid profiling was performed on urine samples collected from a number of mature crocodilian species, namely Nile crocodile, American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) and dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis). Steroid metabolites were identified and were quantitated and reported per urinary creatinine. Qualitative reporting was conducted in cases where creatinine concentrations were not available. Results included identification and quantitation of the steroid metabolites: androsterone, etiocholanolone, 11-hydroxy androsterone, pregnanediol, pregnanetriol, and the tetrahydro- metabolites of cortisone (THE), cortisol (THF), and corticosterone (THB). In some urinary steroid profiles, several prominent peaks were observed which could not be identified. The study findings confirmed that crocodile urine could successfully be used, as it is commonly used in humans, to determine steroid metabolite profiles. A follow-up study to identify the unknown peaks by structure elucidation with more sophisticated equipment is recommended - this could lead to valuable information about liver metabolism of steroids in crocodilians. / An adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test was conducted on 18 captive Nile crocodiles. The experimental animals were temporarily housed in separate enclosures at Le Croc Crocodile Farm for four weeks, to ensure controlled conditions and easy and frequent access to the animals. Twenty-seven urine samples were collected both pre- and post-ACTH or saline injections. Steroid profiling was performed on 24 of the 27 urine samples to assess the corticosterone and tetrahydrocorticosterone concentrations following the ACTH treatment. Quantitation relative to urine creatinine levels was recorded following analyses with a standardised liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method, reporting the concentrations in nmol steroid/μmol creatinine. Unfortunately, a significant increase in urinary corticosterone concentrations 6 h after the injection of Synacthen® (5 μg/kg) was not observed. A possible explanation for this could be that the 6 h period was too short for a significant increase in urinary glucocorticoid metabolite excretion in the Nile crocodile. / In conclusion, this is the first in-depth study that focused, specifically, on Nile crocodile urine for analyses as diagnostic tools and for indices of health. The screening of the urine samples, collected from healthy Nile crocodiles, for a large array of biochemical variables contributed significantly to the database of “normal” concentrations. The establishment of a validated urinary steroid profiling method may significantly contribute to future validation and implementation of innovative diagnostic methods to monitor the health status and endocrine systems of wild Nile crocodiles in Africa. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / The Norwegian Council for Higher Education’s Programme for Development, Research and Education (NUFU) / Royal Netherlands Embassy in South Africa / Crocodile Specialist Group / SAVF / Paraclinical Sciences / PhD / Unrestricted

The modern air parcel distribution industry has significantly grown to become one of the most commonly employed methods to quickly transport goods throughout the world. Although it comes with many benefits, including higher speed, greater reliability, and tighter security, the multimodal transport system within it can expose packages to a wide variety of climatic and physical distribution hazards. In a single route of transportation, packages could be included in different types of small delivery vans, large commercial semi trucks, cargo dollies, feeder aircraft, and high altitude commercial jetliners. The varying hazard level presented during distribution could directly weaken the packaging components and/or cause product damage. For this reason, it is of utmost importance to properly account for them during package design. Although there have been many past studies to quantify the hazards experienced in specific modes of transport, an over-arching profile of entire distribution route has not yet been developed. Furthermore, after a review of the current testing standards presented in the Code of Federal Regulations as outlined in 49 CFR Part 178, Subpart M, it can be found that many of these currently used testing profiles are not truly representative of the conditions experienced in actual distribution. This study quantifies each hazard element experienced within the modern air parcel distribution environment and develops single testing profiles to accurately represent them. In order to develop single testing profiles for each hazard element, instrumented test packages were sent to multiple domestic and international destinations. Throughout each of these distribution routes, data was collected on the hazard levels experienced. Afterwards, by identifying the amount of time a package spends within each mode of transport, correctly weighted testing profiles were developed. These newly developed profiles represent the minimum hazard level to be included in package performance testing that represents the normal conditions of the air transport environment. Although these composite testing profiles are developed, it is the responsibility of testing laboratories to integrate these updated profiles into their practice.

Improving crop yield by generating stress tolerant plants is the enduring objective of this research. A small class of bioactive fatty acid derivatives, N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), including anandamide (NAE 20:4), an endocannabinoid receptor ligand, affects a wide range of physiological and behavioral functions in animals. In plants, NAEs to the exclusion of anandamide are found to be ubiquitous and abundant in seed tissues and are shown to be involved in mediating abscisic acid (ABA) -dependent or -independent stress responses. Early land plants such as Physcomitrella patens (moss) have been shown to tolerate abiotic stresses. We hypothesized that NAEs are involved in mediating stress responses in moss. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed in NAE detection and quantification in moss. Selective lipidomic approach revealed novel NAE metabolites. The endocannabinoid receptor ligand anandamide and its precursor molecules were detected and quantified. Exogenous treatment of NAE 12:0, NAE 20:4 and ABA showed a growth inhibitory effect for all three metabolites. NAE 20:4 was more potent than NAE 12:0 to degrees similar to the plant hormone ABA. In silico analyses of NAE catabolizing enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase from Arabidopsis showed eight putative FAAH candidates in this moss. Candidates showed high similarities with plants as well as animal FAAH proteins. Primers specific to NAE pathway genes have been designed for expression analysis. Our recent identification of the ligand NAE 20:4 in this moss, provides us with a unique opportunity to address if 1) early land plants, such as mosses, retained the endocannabinoid signaling mechanism that is akin to animals but not to plants and 2) if such distinctive NAE profile and mechanism by which it may function in moss plant is responsible, in part, for their natural ability to resist high temperatures, dehydration, osmotic and salt stresses. Insights into unique lipids composition and signaling pathways that mosses acquire naturally, during their successful transition from water to land, may lead to development of tools necessary to enhance abiotic stress tolerance in vegetative tissues of higher plants and thus contribute to improvement of crop productivity.

Title: The competency profile of a taekwondo coach. Objective: The main objective of this thesis is to create a competency profile of a taekwondo coach from the view of taekwondo trustees and to compare the importance of each competences between the categories children and adults, competitors and recreational taekwondists. Methods: The method used to create a competency profile of a taekwondo coach in this thesis is a quantitative research, specifically in the form of an electronic inquiry of the trustees and then a qualitative research through half-structured interviews with taekwondo club coaches and the president of the taekwondo union. Results: The created competency profile includes a total of 20 most important competences from three main areas: personality characteristics (honest, trustworthy, consistent, empathetic, friendly, mentally resilient, fair and responsible), skills and abilities (punctuality, communicativeness, organizational skills, critical situation solving skills, the ability to analyze mistakes, the ability to motivate, the ability to explain, the ability to create a training plan and feedback) and education and knowledge (the knowledge of taekwondo rules and hygienics). Concurrently a second competency profile was created, replacing some of the competences from the first...

Title: The Competency Profile of the Golf Coach Objectives: The main aim of this thesis is to create the competency profile of an ideal golf coach with focus on adult recreational players. It was based on the identification of the most important competencies from two perspectives, namely coaches and their clients. Methods: The thesis combines qualitative and quantitative methods. According to the expert literature studies, previous researches and interviews with the professional golf coaches was created a list of four competency groups needed for quality work of golf coach. Coaches and players evaluated the importance of individual competencies by eletronic questioning. For clarity, the individual competencies are divided into four groups, specifically to character traits and features, abilitites and skills, education and knowledge, other professional attributes. Results: In the thesis is created the competency profile of the ideal golf coach focusing on adult recreational players, which includes 20 competencies from all competency groups: character traits and features, abilities and skills, education and knowledge, other professional attributes. Profile contains the following 20 most important competencies that an ideal golf coach should have: ability to explain and demonstrate, knowledge of golf...

Background: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a component of childhood nephrotic syndrome occurring in 10%-20% of all cases. Over time, 25%-50% of children with FSGS develop kidney failure disease. We followed a cohort of children with FSGS in order to delineate the risk profile of progression to kidney failure (KF). Methods: We evaluated patient data collected from 1977 to 2002 at a regional mid-Atlantic nephrology center in the United States. KF was defined primarily for those patients whose serum creatinine (SCr) value doubled compared with the SCr value from a previous visit. Patients who received dialysis or a kidney transplant were also defined as having KF. We analyzed patient data for those who had at least two visits with SCr values recorded. Various baseline characteristics of patients who had developed KF and those with no kidney failure (NKF) were compared. Hazard ratios and correlation were used to further investigate potential risk factors of the kidney failure. We also compared the inverse SCr trend for KF and NKF patients using weighted linear regression. Results: Thirty-four of 43 FSGS patients had adequate follow-up data. About 60% of the patients developed KF over the study period. The average age of the KF patients at diagnosis of FSGS was 9 years, and that of NKF patients 12 years (P=0.05). FSGS patients with KF had a significantly higher mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at baseline, compared to those with NKF (P<0.0001). Other baseline characteristics including race, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, urinary protein/creatinine ratio and calculated glomerular filtration rate (cGFR) were not significantly different. Baseline DBP was a significant risk factor in progression to KF (HR: 1.03; 95%CI: 1.01-1.06). Inverse SCr values were significantly decreased over time in KF patients (P=0.01). Conclusions: The data of this study indicate that children diagnosed with FSGS who are younger than 10 years and have elevated baseline DBP are more likely to develop kidney failure. The non-significant hazard ratios for other baseline characteristics including gender, race, and BMI are not instrumental risk factors. These results may help understand what may affect progression towards kidney failure in children with FSGS.