Magister Pharmaceuticae - MPharm / Diabetes mellitus places a substantial financial burden on the funder for treatment of this disease. This burden is compounded by the development of diabetes mellitus related complications. The cost of management of diabetes mellitus and its complications in South Africa in a tertiary level hospital is unknown. The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop a method to determine the cost of management of diabetes mellitus and its complications at Groote Schuur hospital, (2) quantify the direct medical costs associated with diabetes mellitus and its complications, and (3) develop models which could predict the cost of management of diabetes mellitus and its complications at Groote Schuur hospital. Patients were conveniently selected from Groote Schuur Hospital. Retrospective data were collected for 20 months from the two data sources available at Groote Schuur hospital, i.e., (1) electronic patient records and (2) patient folders. Two methods of costing were developed, i.e., the combined method (using data from electronic database and patient folders) and the electronic method (using data from the electronic database only). The patient folders were used to complete any missing information from the electronic patient records. The combined method allowed better categorisation of costs compared to the electronic method. With the combined method the costs associated with diabetes mellitus (type I or type II) and diabetes mellitus complications could be categorized as the type of diabetes mellitus complications and the reasons for emergency room visits and hospitalisations were known. However, with the electronic method this categorisation could not be done. Both methods provided a total cost and cost per patient associated with diabetes mellitus and its complications. Data from the combined method were arranged in the following main sub-groups for analysis: (1) type I diabetes mellitus, (2) type II diabetes mellitus, (3) diabetes mellitus, (4) diabetes mellitus with complications (5) diabetes mellitus complications only. The electronic method estimated a total cost which was 6.4% more than the combined method .The electronic method did not require the perusal of patient folders for additional information and hence it is a simplified method that could be used. When comparing the total costs and the average cost per patient for diabetes mellitus and diabetes mellitus with complications, there was no statistically significant difference between the combined method and the electronic method (p= 0.41). The average cost per patient per year for diabetes mellitus and diabetes mellitus with complications was R 1 231.54 and R 3 208.71, respectively. These results show that a patient with diabetes mellitus and its complications cost 2.6 times more to treat than a patient with diabetes mellitus only. The complications of diabetes mellitus contributed 60.7% to the total cost of diabetes mellitus and its complications. The cost of treating diabetes mellitus only and the cost of treating diabetes mellitus complications only were separated into 2 distinct categories. In this case, the cost of treating the complications of diabetes mellitus only was 2 times more than treating diabetes mellitus only. Type I diabetes mellitus cost R 3 011.32 and type II diabetes mellitus cost R 2 649.40 per patient per year. The treatment costs for type I diabetic patients was 13.7% more than that for type II diabetic patients. The decision tree model determined a cost which was 0.23% more than the actual cost obtained by the combined method. Hence, the decision tree method could be used to predict the total cost of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Patients who attended Groote Schuur Hospital also received treatment for their diabetes at community health centres. A method was developed which could predict the cost of management of diabetes mellitus at community health centres. This will allow the calculation of the total cost of diabetes mellitus and its complications from the perspective of the government. Four methods (i.e. combined, electronic, decision tree and prediction of costs at cost at community health centres) were developed in this study.

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Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Elizabeth Yeager / Crossbreeding has long been promoted as the preferred method of production for cow-calf producers. Unfortunately, crossbreeding can add complexity to maintain a consistent cowherd and can drive the need to purchase replacement females from outside the producer’s own herd. This has led some producers to pursue straightbreeding to provide their own supply of replacements and the opportunity to more narrowly select for individuals suited to a carcass quality grid marketing system. The subject of this thesis is a Red Angus based cowherd that breeds females to Red Angus sires in early parities. The same cowherd is bred to Simmental sires in later parities to produce a terminal F1 cross. It is the objective of this thesis to explore whether this operation’s straghtbred or crossbred calf crop provides an economic advantage to the other treatment. Mortality data were collected during pre-weaning for both steers and heifers. Mortality data were collected for steers during backgrounding and feedlot phases. Wean weights and feed conversion performance during the backgrounding phase was unavailable for use in this study. Feedlot and carcass data were captured for steers from both treatments. The straightbred treatment showed an advantage in carcass quality. The composite treatment showed a slight advantage in mortality cost during pre-weaning and feedlot phase, and a slight advantage in feed conversion and cost per pound of gain while in the feedlot. The composite treatment showed a significant disadvantage during the backgrounding phase. The primary advantage for the composite treatment was the difference in actual wean weights. This difference in wean weight carried over to a higher start weight during the feedlot phase. This was the driving factor in providing the composite group the economic advantage in this study and making it the more attractive production option.

abstract: This thesis presents a literature research analyzing the cost overrun of the construction industry worldwide, exploring documented causes for cost overrun, and documented parties responsible for the inefficiency. The analysis looks at a comparison between the metrics of construction projects in different continents and regions. Multiple publication databases were used to look into over 300 papers. It is shown that although construction demands are increasing, cost overrun on these projects is not decreasing at the same rate around the world. This thesis also presents a possible solution to improve cost overrun in the construction industry, through the use of the Best Value Performance Information Procurement System (BV PIPS). This is a system that has been utilized in various countries around the world, and has documented evidence that it may be able to alleviate the overrun occurring in the construction industry. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Construction 2017

Submitted by JESAIAS ISMAEL DA COSTA null (jesaiaslbr@gmail.com) on 2016-09-22T12:40:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese CostaJI.pdf: 2026522 bytes, checksum: 774d050927833445c9989141ec75b1d0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-09-27T16:30:14Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 costa_ji_dr_jabo.pdf: 2026522 bytes, checksum: 774d050927833445c9989141ec75b1d0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-27T16:30:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 costa_ji_dr_jabo.pdf: 2026522 bytes, checksum: 774d050927833445c9989141ec75b1d0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-29 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / A tilápia e o tambaqui são as espécies mais produzidas na piscicultura brasileira. A produção de tilápia é desenvolvida principalmente no sistema em tanques-rede utilizando os grandes reservatórios artificiais e rios das regiões Sudeste, Nordeste e Sul. A produção de tambaqui está concentrada nas regiões Nordeste, Centro-Oeste e Norte, utilizando viveiros escavados com elevado grau de eutrofização. A importância dessas duas espécies para a piscicultura brasileira é inquestionável. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar, avaliar economicamente e determinar a eficiência da criação de tilápia em tanques-rede e do tambaqui em viveiros escavados, partindo da hipótese que “esses sistemas são eficientes técnica e economicamente”. Fez-se a caracterização das unidades de excelência que possam servir como modelo para as demais propriedades e identificados os desperdícios gerados nas unidades ineficientes. Para avaliar a criação de tilápia foi escolhida a região do médio Paranapanema-SP, por ser considerada a com maior índice de produtividade e historicamente produtora de peixe. No caso do tambaqui escolheu-se a região metropolitana de Manaus-AM, considerada a região com maior consumo dessa espécie no Brasil e historicamente produtora da espécie. Os dados foram obtidos por meio da aplicação de questionário semiestruturado em que foram identificadas as fases de criação, ciclos de produção, manejos adotados, infraestrutura utilizada, os índices produtivos obtidos e o desembolso monetário. Esses dados possibilitaram a determinação do custo de produção e os indicadores de rentabilidade. Os dados de custo de produção e lucro foram utilizados para determinar a eficiência das pisciculturas utilizando o modelo BCC- Data Envelopment Analyse (DEA). / The tilapia and tambaqui are the fish species most produced in Brazilian. The production of tilapia is mainly developed in the system in cages using large artificial reservoirs and rivers of the Southeast, Northeast and South. The production of tambaqui is concentrated in the Northeast, Midwest and North, using earth ponds with high eutrophication. The importance of these species on the Brazilian fish is unquestionable. The objective of this study was to characterize, economically evaluate and determine the efficiency of tilapia in cages and tambaqui in earth ponds, on the assumption that "these systems are efficient technically and economically." There was the characterization of excellence units that can serve as model for other properties and identified waste generated in inefficient units. To evaluate the tilapia was chosen the region of the Middle Paranapanema-SP, for being considered the most productivity index and historically producing fish. In the case of tambaqui we were chosen the metropolitan region of Manaus-AM, considered the region with the highest consumption of this species in Brazil and historically producing species. The data were obtained by applying a semi-structured questionnaire that were identified phases of creation, production cycles adopted handlings infrastructure used, the obtained production rates and monetary disbursements. These data enabled the determination of the cost of production and profitability indicators. production and profit cost data were used to determine the efficiency of fish farms using the model BCC- Analyse data envelopment (DEA). / CNPq: 140551/2013-1

Thesis (MTech (Construction Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The South African construction industry is faced with challenges which contribute to unsuccessful project delivery. Cost underestimation have negative contribution to construction projects, the effects and causes of cost underestimation have not been adequately explored with the objective of providing mitigating mechanisms. This study is aimed at investigating factors which contribute to cost underestimation, the prevalence of cost underestimation in relation to causes and effects of cost underestimation, with the final objective to establish mechanisms for efficient mitigation of cost underestimation. The study review literatures relating to cost estimation, and additional data were collected in form of a structured questionnaire. The questions highlight the following areas; project planning, method and techniques, and tools as factors contributing to cost underestimation; scope changes and risk associated with specialized building works as prevalence of cost underestimation; planning stage, design and material changes risk due to unforeseen factors as causes of cost underestimation; loss of reputation, exposure to risk and financial loss as effects of cost underestimation; and design requirements, effective techniques and planning as cost underestimation mitigation mechanism. A total of one hundred and forty two (142) emails were sent via the survey website to the selected respondents and seventy four (74) responses were received. A quantitative approach was used and a convenient purposive sampling of respondents was used by handpicking the respondents from the available register of the South African Council for Quantity Surveying Professions (SACQSP) and the general building contractors registered with Construction Industry Development Board (CIBD), construction professionals working in quantity surveying practice and construction firms within and around Cape Town.

Neste trabalho foi realizada a simulaÃÃo do processo de produÃÃo de biodiesel pelas rotas de transesterificaÃÃo alcalina convencional para o processamento de Ãleo refinado (P-01), a transesterificaÃÃo alcalina com Ãleo residual a partir da etapa de prÃ-tratamento do Ãleo (P-02) e por fim a transesterificaÃÃo supercrÃtica do Ãleo residual (P-03). A simulaÃÃo do processo das trÃs plantas foi realizada no software comercial ÂHysys 7.3, utilizando o modelo termodinÃmico NRTL. A anÃlise do capital total investido foi realizada pelo mÃtodo dos fatores individuais de Guthrie e o mÃtodo percentual disposto em Peters et al., (1991). O capital total investido obtido pelo mÃtodo do fator individual de Guthrie foi 14, 16,4 e 20 milhÃes de reais, para os processos P-01, P-02 e P-03, respectivamente. Em geral, o custo total de produÃÃo anual de biodiesel foi realizado levando em consideraÃÃo os custos diretos de produÃÃo, custo indiretos, custos fixos, despesas gerais e depreciaÃÃo. A anÃlise de custo da rota P-01 foi verificada para empresas que pagam a taxa geral, bem como as que dispÃem do selo social, considerando a isenÃÃo de 69 e 100% das contribuiÃÃes PIS/COFINS. Os Ãndices de rentabilidade utilizados para qualificar os processos foram o retorno do investimento e o perÃodo de retorno do investimento. Ãndices que levam em consideraÃÃo o valor do dinheiro no tempo como o VPL (valor presente lÃquido) e a taxa interna de retorno (TIR) tambÃm foram utilizados na avaliaÃÃo comparativa do projeto mais rentÃvel economicamente. A anÃlise dos Ãndices econÃmicos aponta que a unidade de transesterificaÃÃo supercrÃtica à a mais rentÃvel dentre as trÃs (retorno do investimento igual a 36%, perÃodo de retorno igual a 1,59 anos, VPL igual a R$ 19,41 milhÃes de reais e TIR igual a 33%). O segundo melhor investimento, com retorno de 20%, foi verificado para a unidade de transesterificaÃÃo alcalina com prÃ-tratamento do Ãleo residual. Todos os Ãndices financeiros avaliados foram negativos para a unidade de transesterficaÃÃo alcalina convencional processando Ãleo virgem. O custo de produÃÃo anual do biodiesel pelas rotas P-01, P-02 e P-03 foram 3,58 R$/kg, 1,81 R$/kg e 1,82 R$/kg, respectivamente. A anÃlise de sensibilidade mostrou que as variÃveis mais influentes na composiÃÃo do retorno do investimento sÃo o preÃo do Ãleo, biodiesel e do glicerol. Por fim, verificou-se o efeito da variaÃÃo dos custos de aquisiÃÃo destes componentes (entre +50 e -50%), nos Ãndices financeiros (retorno do investimento, VPL e TIR). / The simulation of three processes for biodiesel production has been developed: transesterified refined oil (P-01); transesterified residual oil pretreated (P-02) and finally the residual oil supercritical transesterification (P-03 ) from commercial software Hysys  7.3, using the NRTL thermodynamic model. The analysis of the total capital invested was performed by individual factors Guthrie and percentage method provided in Peters et al., (1991). The total invested capital obtained by the method of single factor Guthrie was $7, $8.2 and $10 million, for the processes P-01, P-02 and P-03, respectively. In general, the total cost of annual production of biodiesel was performed taking into account the direct production costs, indirect costs, fixed costs, overheads and depreciation. The cost of the plant P-01 was verified for companies that pay the general rate, as well as those that have the social fuel seal, considering the exemption of 69 and 100% of PIS / COFINS. Profitability ratios used to evaluate the processes were the return on investment and payback period of the investment. Indices that take into account the value of money over time as the NPV (net present value) and internal rate of return (IRR) were also used to determine the project economically more profitable. Analysis of economic indicators shows that the supercritical transesterification unit is the most profitable of the three (return on investment of 36%, payback period equal to 1.59 years, NPV of $9.7 million and TIR equal to 33%). The second best investment with a 20% return was seen in the plant P-02. All economic indicator evaluated were negative for the unit P-01. The cost of annual biodiesel production facilities by P-01, P-02 and P-03 were $1.79/kg, $0.9/kg and $0.91/kg respectively. The sensitivity analysis showed that the most influential variables in the composition of investment return are the price of oil, biodiesel and glycerol. Finally, there was the effect of the variation of the acquisition costs of these components (between +50 and -50%), in the economic indicators (ROI, NPV and IRR).

The problem with which this study is concerned is the separation of rehabilitation from production costs in vocational rehabilitation workshops. The problem exists within production operations of workshops where production and rehabilitation efforts are intertwined and the two kinds of costs are incurred simultaneously.

Globally, aircraft emissions represent 2-3% of total CO2 emissions. Due to an increase in passenger and freight transport, the climate's impact is increasing. To solve that problem there are several different solutions, one of them is the use of an optimal cost index during flight. The purpose of this work is to analyze the cost index and its shortcomings and to develop solutions to create an Environment Cost Index. ECI contains strategies that make cost index more optimal with focus on environment, fuel consumption and emissions. However, this thesis only deals with the Boeing 737-800 (winglets) aircraft type. The work process began with a wide search of current climate problems and aviation emissions, with a deep search in cost index and previous studies on the subject. In order to link theory with reality, an interview was conducted with Lars Andersen Resare, SAS Sustainability Manager. The result showed that the theory is in line with Lars Andersen's answers. In addition to different strategies that can be followed during the flight to reduce fuel consumption, the ultimate solution is a dynamic module. A dynamic module has all sources packed in a system and updates the pilot with information during a flight, as the system is connected to the network. With an ECI, airlines can save 5-6% fuel during one flight. As an airplane is often in the air, the strategies give an environmental gain, as well as a saving up to 5 million dollars a year, without noticeable changes in the timetable. As the aircraft emissions increase every year, and the FN Climate Panel has set a goal to zero the growth of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, ECI is one of the solutions that reduces the climate impact. It would therefore be of great benefit to both environment and costs if the airlines used the tool.