Submitted by Aline Diorio Dos Santos (aline_sduarte@yahoo.com.br) on 2018-06-08T13:12:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Aline_23_4_1.pdf: 4336751 bytes, checksum: b04bc967fc2ebdfb6b4208fbc09f7000 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Santulo Custódio de Medeiros null (asantulo@rc.unesp.br) on 2018-06-08T16:42:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 santos_ad_me_rcla.pdf: 4221486 bytes, checksum: 64fef6cda169d205f99769d9b9e4f33f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-08T16:42:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 santos_ad_me_rcla.pdf: 4221486 bytes, checksum: 64fef6cda169d205f99769d9b9e4f33f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-23 / Um dos materiais presentes nos lodos oriundos das estações de tratamento (LETAs) é o polímero denominado Poliacrilamida (PAM). Acredita-se que o mesmo seja inerte no solo, porém sua degradação pode estar associada a presença de compostos nitrogenados no solo, como amônio, nitratos e nitritos. Assim, é essencial avaliar a degradação de polímeros no sistema de tratamento de água que auxiliará na seleção e uso de produtos poliméricos no tratamento de água potável. Através da revisão bibliográfica apresentada neste trabalho, foi elaborado um Modelo Conceitual para a disposição de LETAs em aterro, com enfoque na degradação de poliacrilamidas e sua degradação em compostos nitrogenados, validando-o através de dados observados em estudo de caso. Conforme o Modelo Conceitual elaborado, pela via aeróbia, em que os processos de nitrificação podem ser observados, esperavam-se menores valores de pH (resultado da liberação de íons H+), assim como ambiente oxidante para ocorrência do processo de nitrificação (meio aeróbio necessita de oxigênio disponível), enquanto na área fora da zona de nitrificação, esperava-se maior valores de pH, presença maior de OD e maiores valores de Eh, uma vez que o oxigênio não estará sendo consumido pelas bactérias nitrificantes, podendo ainda haver incremento de OD pela recarga do aquífero através das precipitações. Observa-se outra via de degradação anaeróbia, pela reação anamox, em que amônio é oxidado e nitrito reduzido, liberando gás nitrogênio, em ambiente redutor. Adicionalmente, podem ser observados o íon amônio e óxido de manganês e hidróxido de ferro (abundantes no solo) sendo oxidados a nitrogênio gasoso, consumindo íons H+ no meio. A flutuação do nível de água no aquífero pode influenciar as concentrações observadas, através da recarga do aquífero, devido a precipitação e infiltração da água no solo, a espessura do aquífero livre pode se tornar maior, entrando em contato com camadas superficiais de PAM, ocorrendo maior lixiviação dos íons presentes nestas camadas e aumento das concentrações, havendo incremento de massa. Esse fenômeno pode ocorrer em conjunto com os processos biológicos citados, ocorrendo alternância da dissociação dos compostos nitrogenados por meio aeróbio e anaeróbio, conforme OD disponível no meio. Torna-se, portanto, indispensável a discussão sobre quais tipos de polieletrólitos podem ser utilizados no sistema de tratamento de água, pois conforme dados apresentados neste trabalho, a poliacrilamida presente no LETA pode degradar-se em amônio e por sua vez em nitrato por via aeróbia, contaminando o aquífero local, não se apresentando como resíduo inerte como preconizado pelo mercado e alguns autores. / One of the materials present in the sludge originated from water treatment is the polymer polyacrylamide, which some people believes is inert in the soil however its degradation may be associated with nitrogenous compounds in the soil, such as ammonium, nitrates and nitrites. So, it is essential to evaluate the degradation of polymers in the water treatment system due to it will assist in the selection and use of polymer products in the water treatment. Through the bibliographic review presented, a Conceptual Model for the disposition of sludge from water treatment in soil was developed, with the focus on the degradation of polyacrylamides and their degradation in nitrogenous compounds, validating it through data observed in a case study. According to the Conceptual Model elaborated, considering the aerobic route, where the nitrification processes can be observed, were expected lower pH values and oxidizing environment, while in the area outside the nitrification zone were expected higher pH values, presence of dissolved oxygen and reduction environment, once oxygen will not be consumed by nitrifying bacteria and also oxygen could be increased by water from precipitation which recharges the aquifer. Another anaerobic degradation route is observed, considering the anamox reaction, where ammonia is oxidized and nitrite reduced, releasing nitrogen gas, in a reducing environment. In addition, ammonium ion plus manganese oxide plus iron hydroxide can be oxidized to a vapour nitrogen, consuming hydrogen ions. The water level fluctuation in the aquifer can influence the observed concentrations, through the recharge of the aquifer, due to precipitation and infiltration of the water in the soil, the thickness of the free aquifer can become larger, coming into contact with sludge, occurring higher lixiviation of the ions present in these layers and increasing of the concentrations and mass. This phenomenon can occur together with the biological processes, occurring alternation of dissociation of the nitrogen compounds by aerobic and anaerobic, according to dissolved oxygen available. Therefore, it is essential to discuss what types of polyelectrolytes can be used in the water treatment system, due to according to data presented, the polyacrylamide present in the sludge can degrade in ammonium and in turn in nitrate by aerobic process, contaminating the local aquifer, not presenting as inert residue as recommended by the market and some authors.

Abstract The theme of this dissertation is the nursing care based on humanistic-altruistic values by model of Margaret Watson. Creating conceptual models and their designation in itself was a very important progress in the field of nursing. Conceptual models of nursing are some connection among philosophy, theory and practice. Conceptual model of M. J. Watson is unique in that it focuses on self-nurses, are also among the humanist conceptual models based on the principles of humanism respecting patient rights. Foreign authors talk about the content of the model as a return to the deep roots of professional nursing and values, such as helping others, empathy, trust, finding and meeting the needs of ill people. For practical application of established M. J. Watson there are 10 factors of humanistic care. In the area of research there was carried out questionnaire survey focused on awareness of selected conceptual models of interest in nursing education courses in the area of conceptual models. In addition the conceptual model was applied by M. J. Watson, in practice, for which interviews were used the original author designed and the nurses diaries. Qualitative results were processed by using a modified approach by Ritchie and Spencer. We set two objectives. To achieve the objective to inform nurses about the conceptual model of M. J. Watson was determined by six hypotheses. Hypothesis 1: Nurses are not informed about the conceptual model of M. J. Watson. This hypothesis was confirmed. Hypothesis 2: Nurses do not use M. J. Watson conceptual model for a care of their clients. This hypothesis was confirmed. Hypothesis 3: Nurses recognize an empathy as an important ability to nurse. This hypothesis was confirmed. Hypothesis 4: The interest of nurses in training courses in the area of conceptual models vary according to the length of experience. This hypothesis was confirmed. Hypothesis 5: The interest of nurses in training courses in the area of conceptual models vary according to their age. This hypothesis was not confirmed. Hypothesis 6: The interest of nurses in training courses in the area of conceptual models varies by their educational attainment. This hypothesis was not confirmed. To consider the surprising result that although the nurses admit a lack of information on conceptual models which prevails at the lack of interest in any course in this area. To gain the objective to find out what causes the changes of nursing care are based on a conceptual model of M. J. Watson for selected nurses and clients, we realized the practical application of the model. During our research we set goals to achieve more research questions which we work. Research question 1: Will nurses in implementing nursing care according to M. J. Watson indicate greater satisfaction with their work than before? Research question 2: Will the nurses recognize the increased benefits in the way of nursing care according to M. J. Watson compared to their normal practice? Research question 3: How does the nursing care according to M. J. Watson influence the clients? Research question 4: How nurses will evaluate the success factors of ten applications of humanistic care by M. J. Watson? Research question 5: What do nurses perceive negatively when applying the model of M. J. Watson in practice? We believe we have done this work to break the barrier of lack of information in the conceptual model of M. J. Watson in the country while we described how to return to the loving care in nursing. This model leads to a nurse wondered at herself, carried out their activities at the client with respect and the build confidence. Through the humanistic factors of ten to reach a tenderness in the nursing care.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:54:59Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_re_me_mar.pdf: 1232145 bytes, checksum: 0769231b6107aa5227dea1ca687c1457 (MD5) / A proposta de uma Web Semântica surgiu como uma alternativa que possibilitaria a interpretação das informações por máquinas, permitindo assim maior qualidade nas buscas e resultados mais relevantes aos usuários. A Web Semântica pode ser utilizada atualmente apenas em domínios restritos, como em sites de comércio eletrônico, devido à dificuldade de representar ontologicamente toda a Web. Objetiva-se verificar como os conceitos, tecnologias, arquiteturas de metadados utilizados pela Web Semântica podem contribuir à construção, modelagem e arquitetura de metadados de catálogos bibliográficos, tomando por base os conceitos definidos no modelo conceitual desenvolvido para a representação do universo bibliográfico denominado Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR), além de explanar sobre a utilização do modelo conceitual como recurso ontológico. A proposta se pauta no estudo de arquiteturas de metadados semânticas, de modo a identificar suas características, funções e estruturas, além de estudar o modelo BIBFRAME (Bibliographic Framework), que se configura como a iniciativa mais recente acerca da implementação de tecnologias da Web à área da Biblioteconomia e Ciência da Informação. Esta pesquisa caracteriza-se por seu caráter teórico-exploratório e foi desenvolvida mediante análise e revisão de literatura sobre seus temas. Os resultados apresentam as principais arquiteturas de metadados utilizadas no contexto da Web Semântica e uma abordagem sobre ontologias, interoperabilidade em sistemas de informação, modelagem de catálogos online, além da apresentação do modelo BIBFRAME, com base em sua importância para a catalogação. / The proposal of a Semantic Web has emerged as an alternative that would allow the interpretation of information by machines, allowing higher quality in the searches and more relevant results to users. Currently, the Semantic Web can only be used in restricted domains, such as e-commerce sites, due to the difficulty of representing the entire Web ontologically. The objective is to see how the concepts, technologies, architectures, and metadata used by the Semantic Web can contribute to build, model and metadata architecture of bibliographic catalogs, based on the concepts defined in the conceptual model developed for the representation of the bibliographic universe called Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR), and explain about the use of the conceptual model and ontological resource. The proposal is guided in the study of semantic metadata architectures, in order to identify its characteristics, functions and structures, in addition to study the model BIBFRAME (Bibliographic Framework), which constitutes the most recent initiative on implementing Web technologies to the Library and Information Science field. This research is characterized by its theoretical and exploratory character was developed through analysis and review of literature on their subjects. The results show the main architectures used in the metadata context of the Semantic Web and an approach to ontology, interoperability in information systems, modeling catalogs online, besides the presentation of the model BIBFRAME, based on their importance to the Cataloging.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-04-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:43:11Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 gastmans_d_dr_rcla.pdf: 6127390 bytes, checksum: ab710341c81fc6a1a52c3f6d1d493132 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / O fluxo das águas subterrâneas no SAG, em sua porção ocidental, é caracterizado pela existência de três áreas de recarga regional, localizadas em Mato Grosso do Sul e Goiás. A partir destas áreas de recarga o fluxo regional é radial direcionado para o centro da Bacia do Paraná. Em algumas porções das zonas de aforamento ocorrem fluxos localizados de descarga. As águas apresentam características químicas que permitem sua classificação em: bicarbonatadas cálcicas ou calco-magnesianas, bicarbonatadas sódicas e bicarbonatadas cloretadas/sulfatadas sódicas, representando, nesta ordem, a sua evolução hidroquímica. Os mecanismos envolvidos nesta evolução são: dissolução de feldspatos e remoção do cimento carbonático do arcabouço mineral dos arenitos, seguido por troca iônica, responsável pelo aumento nas concentrações de sódio e diminuição nas concentrações de cálcio e, finalmente, o enriquecimento em cloreto e sulfato, oriundos dos aqüíferos sotopostos ao SAG. Foram reconhecidas três unidades hidroestratigráficas distintas no SAG: superior, representada pelos arenitos eólicos limpos, da Formação Botucatu, intenuediária, representada por arenitos finos e argilosos, e inferior, por arenitos finos, pouco argilosos, estas duas últimas unidades pertencentes à Formação Pirambóia. / The groundwater flow pattern in the occidental portion of SAG (Guarani Aquifer System) is characterized by the existence of three regional recharge areas located in Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás states. From these areas ofrecharge the regional flow is radial and directed toward the center of Paraná Sedimentary Basin. Local discharge flows occurs in portions of outcrop regions. The groundwater can be classified as calcium or calcium-magnesium bicarbonate type, sodium bicarbonate type and sodium bicarbonate/chloride/sulphate type, representing in this sequence its hydrochemical evolution. The mechanisms responsible for this evolution are dissolution of feldspars and remova! of the carbonate cement of the sandstones mineral framework, followed by ionic exchange, responsible for the increase in the sodium concentration and decrease of calcium, and, finally, the enrichment in chloride and sulphate derived from underlying aquifers units. Three distinct hydrostratigraphics units in the SAG have been recognized: the upper unit is represented by aeolian sandstones from Botucatu Formation, the intermediate, represented by the fine and argillaceous sandstones, and the lower unit is constituted by fine sandstones with low content in clays, these last two units belong to the Pirambóia formation.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Earth Science) / This research focused on understanding the current hydrogeology of the Sakumo wetland by developing a conceptual flow model and simulating the groundwater flow system. The purpose of the model is to assist in understanding the groundwater flow system and quantify the water fluxes contributing to the wetland water storage. The research adapted quantitative, qualitative and mixed analysis to characterize the water flow in the basin. This involved the use of numerical modelling techniques to determine the zones of groundwater discharge to the wetland and zones of wetland water released for groundwater recharge. Field investigation were carried out to estimate the hydraulic parameters and sample rainwater, wetland water and groundwater. The Sakumo wetland aquifer is situated in the quaternary unit consisting of sandy clay and weathered quartzite. The average annual precipitation in the study area from 1970 to 2016 was estimated at 760 mm/yr. Groundwater recharge rate was estimated as 5% of the mean annual rainfall which provided inputs into the numerical groundwater flow model. Evaporation from the wetland and evapotranspiration from the basin estimated using the Hargreaves and Samani method were 1341 mm/a and 546 mm/a, respectively. The hydrogeologic conceptual model was developed from the geology, borehole lithology, groundwater and wetland water levels.

As a highly commercialized sport, tennis is growing rapidly in the Chinese market. With robust economic growth and various supports from the government, China is becoming more and more valuable in the eyes of professional tennis tournament organizers. Nevertheless, those tournaments do not receive the same amount of popularity as they do in other countries like US and Japan. The purpose of this paper is finding effective ways to improve the popularity of professional tennis tournaments in China from the aspect of customer engagement. Comments from people who are closely involved in the events will be the most relevant empirical material for this study, because they are the group engaged in, or most likely to be engaged in the event. The comments collected will be coded and compared with theories in the field of customer engagement. A conceptual model and practical suggestions will be provided as the result of study.

Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2016-05-31T13:54:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Omar dos Santos Silva.pdf: 984087 bytes, checksum: 28844ef69a08ab7d6cdf013db9d79f04 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-31T13:54:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Omar dos Santos Silva.pdf: 984087 bytes, checksum: 28844ef69a08ab7d6cdf013db9d79f04 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / It is salutary to analyze the important role of OSCIP's Microcredit, since microcredit promotes entrepreneurship and minimizes poverty through project financing for small entrepreneurs. This paper presents the conceptual model of a OSCIP Microcredit where it could compare with the procedures implemented by OSCIP believe in the municipality of Gloria do Goitá - PE, where he realized that OSCIP, which since 2007 operates with microcredit in the region and can promote resources for small local entrepreneurs, provide technical support to low cost to borrowers and still manage to be efficient for self sustaining, maintaining the continuity of the program. The methodology employed in this work initially aim was to use a qualitative approach with quantitative contribution and followed three steps: 1) bibliographical research with literature analysis, articles related to the topic, as well as relevant authors works that gave support to the development of this model conceptual, 2) use of the database provided by OSCIP believe and 3) were yet used survey data conducted with 151 micro-entrepreneurs in the city of the city commercial center, through a questionnaire. It can be seen from this work that the conceptual model was demonstrated bonded with the existing model OSCIP, verified by observation of OSCIP through its procedures. / É salutar analisar a relevância do papel das OSCIP’s de Microcrédito, uma vez que o microcrédito fomenta o empreendedorismo e minimiza a pobreza através de financiamento de projetos para pequenos empreendedores. Este trabalho apresenta a de Modelo Conceitual de uma OSCIP de Microcrédito onde se pôde comparar com os procedimentos implementados pela OSCIP Acreditar localizada no município de Glória do Goitá – PE, onde se percebeu que essa OSCIP, que desde 2007, opera com o microcrédito na região e que consegue fomentar recursos para pequenos empreendedores locais, dar suporte técnico com baixo custo para os tomadores e ainda assim conseguem ser eficientes para se auto sustentar, mantendo assim a continuidade do programa. A metodologia utilizada nesse trabalho inicialmente buscou-se utilizar uma abordagem qualitativa com aporte quantitativo e seguiu três etapas: 1) pesquisa bibliográfica com análise de literatura, de artigos relacionados ao tema, bem como obras de autores relevantes que deu suporte para a elaboração deste modelo conceitual, 2) uso do banco de dados disponibilizados pela OSCIP Acreditar e, 3) Ainda foram utilizados dados de pesquisa realizada com 151 microempreendedores do município do centro comercial do município, através de um questionário. Pode-se observar com esse trabalho que o modelo conceitual demonstrou-se aderente com o modelo existente na OSCIP, constatado pela observação da OSCIP, através de seus procedimentos.

Ao redor do canal de Jurubatuba, no município de São Paulo, a água subterrânea do Aquífero Cristalino apresentou elevadas concentrações de Compostos Orgânicos Voláteis (VOC), levando à proibição do seu uso nessa região. No Brasil, são raros os estudos sobre áreas intensamente contaminadas, principalmente, em meios heterogêneos como os aquíferos fraturados. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de elaborar um modelo conceitual da rede de fraturas, indicando os caminhos preferênciaisda água subterrânea.Uma detalhada investigação da geologia estrutural foi realizada, a partir dos seguintes métodos: 1) análise de lineamentos traçados em escala local e regional; 2) levantamento de fraturas, segundo scanlinese pontos, em afloramentos; 3) aplicação conjunta de diferentes perfilagens geofísicas (cáliper, radiação gama, temperatura, condutividade elétrica, imageamento óptico e acústico - OTV e ATV - e flowmeter) em quatro poços profundos;. Os resultados estruturais obtidos, levaram à caracterização dos principais grupos de fraturas, quanto às suas direções, mergulhos, comprimentos e espaçamentos. Foi verificado que os principais grupos de fraturas identificados nos poços, podem ser correlacionados com os grupos identificados nos afloramentos. Foram eles: (1) NW a NNW, subvertical;(2) E-W a ENE, subvertical; (3) NE, subvertical; (4) E-W a WNW, com mergulho entre 30° e 60°; (5) NNE e NE, com mergulho entre 10° e 40°. As fraturas NW, bastante frequentes nos afloramentos, foram subamostradas nos poços, onde, por sua vez, predominam as fraturas NNW. Outra diferença foi observada com relação ao grupo NNE e NE de baixo ângulo de mergulho, que enquanto nos poços as fraturas estão muitas vezes associado à foliação, nos afloramentos esta associação não ocorre. Os espaçamentos obtidos nos afloramentos para os grupos subverticais e de médio ângulo são mais representativos do que aqueles obtidos através das perfilagens. No entanto, o oposto ocorre para o grupo de baixo ângulo.Os grupos foram ordenados em ordem decrescente de espaçamento daseguinte forma: NNE a NE/ baixo ângulo, E-W a ENE/vertical, NW a NNW/vertical, E-W a WNW/médio e NE/vertical. Os grupos também foram classificados de acordo com a sua importância para o fluxo, sendo que: o grupo E-W a WNW e mergulho médio, apresentou menor importância; os três grupos subverticais (E-W a ENE, NE e NW a NNW) apresentaram importância intermediária, não sendo possível identificar a hierarquia entre eles; e o grupo de direção NNE a NE e baixo ou médio ângulo, com a maior importância. As de baixo ângulo são compatíveis com um dos camposde esforços atuais proposto pela literatura, tendo \'sigma\'1 de direção NE em regime compressivo, ou seja, com \'sigma\'3 vertical. / In the surroundings of the Jurubatuba channel, São Paulo, the ground water of the Crystalline Aquifer has elevated concentrations of VolatileOrganic Compounds (VOC), which led to its prohibition to usage. In Brazil, the studies about highly contaminated areas are scarce, and especially in heterogeneous environments like the fractured aquifers. Therefore, in this context, this work\'s main purpose is to elaborate a conceptual model of the fracture net in the Crystalline Aquifer, indicating the preferential ways of ground water flow and, consequently, of its contaminants. A detailed investigation of the structural geologyof the area was conducted, using the following methods: 1)analysis of lineaments in local and regional scale; 2) measurements of fractures in outcrops utilizing scanlinesand observation points; 3) integrated geophysical logging (calipers, gamma radiation, temperature, electrical conductivity, optical and acoustic imaging - OTV and ATV - and flowmeter) in four deep wells. The results obtained led to the characterization of strike, dip, length and spacing of all fractures and its subsequent division in groups. The main fracture groups identified in the wells can be correlated to the ones observed in the outcrops. The groups are: (1) NW to NNW, subvertical; (2) E-W to ENE, subvertical; (3) NE, subvertical; (4) E-W to WNW, with dips between 30º and 60º; (5) NNE and NE, with dips between 10ºand 40º. The fractures with direction NW, which are very common in outcrops, were subsampled in the wells - dominated by fractures NNW. Another difference observed was related to the low dip NNE and NE fractures; in the wells it is clear thatthey are associated with the rock foliation, but they don\'t occur in outcrops. The spacing obtained for the subvertical and medium angle groups in outcrops are more representative than the ones obtained through logging. However, the opposite is observed for the low angle group. The groups were then ordered following the spacing criteria. They are, in a decrescent order: NNE to NE/low angle, E-W to ENE/vertical, NW to NNW/vertical,E-W to WNW/medium angle and NE/vertical. The groups were also classified according to its importance of flow path, being: group E-W to WNW/medium dip was the least importance; the three subvertical groups had intermediate importance - not being possible to hierarchize between them; the most important group is NNE to NE and low to medium dip angle. This result is in agreement with one of the stress fields proposedin the literature, \'sigma\'1 with NE direction and in a compressive regimen, where the fractures that favor the flow are of low angle.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / Coal provides for 77% of South Africa’s primary energy needs and is therefore a major resource that supports the socio-economic needs of South African citizens. Power stations are the major consumers of coal in South Africa and produces electricity from burned coal. The burning of coal produces a large volume of ash that is disposed in the form of ash dump systems. The ash dump system is treated with high salinity process water from the power station for dust suppression. The process water contains salts due to evaporation processes from the recirculation of water in the cooling water system. Various studies to evaluate the sustainability of the ash dump system as a sustainable salt sink were therefore conducted. This study aimed to develop a conceptual model for the ash dump system by evaluating the movement of the process water trough the ash dump and the impacts it might have on the underlying weathered dolerite aquifer. This was achieved by evaluating the hydraulic and transport properties of the ash dump system. An initial site conceptual model was first established prior to the application of the hydraulic and transport methods. The initial conceptual model was based on the literature, previous reports and an initial site walk over. Known and tested hydraulic and transport methods were applied n bo.th field and laboratory scale for the saturated part of the ash dump system. The laboratory experiments comprised of column and core experiments. These methods assisted in parameter estimation of hydraulic and transport properties and also assisted in the planning of the field experiments. The field experiments were conducted in the form of slug tests, tracer dilution and natural gradient divergent tracer test experiments. The combined laboratory and field experiments provided statistically significant values that were then used as inputs into the conceptual model. Field experiments were also applied to a surrogate aquifer that represented the underlying shallow weathered dolerite aquifer of the ash dump system. The components of the updated conceptual model identified and investigated include the physical environment, the calculated hydraulic and transport properties.The ash dump can be conceptualized as a 20 to 30 meter high heap of consolidated clay size ash particles built on top of an underlying shallow weathered dolerite aquifer. The ash dup is directly connected to the underlying weathered dolerite aquifer. The saline water within the saturated zone has the ability to move through the ash dump system with hydraulic conductivities ranging between 10-1-10- 2 m/day, with flow velocities of 7-8m/day and effective porosities of 1%-2%. The hydraulic properties of the ash dump are, amongst others, controlled by the ash geology, contact time of the process water with the sh and show a significant reduction in hydraulic conductivity over time, before reaching a steady state. The transport properties are controlled by advection and spreading in available pathways. Results for the surrogate underlying fractured rock aquifer show flow velocities of 31m/day and an effective porosity of 1%.This suggests that the underlying weathered dolerite aquifer is vulnerable to process water contamination from the ash dump system. The study illustrates the importance of a site conceptual model before the application of investigative methods. Hence having a site conceptual model provides an excellent platform for hydraulic and transport estimation. The development of a site conceptual model enhanced the understanding of flow and transport movement of the processed water trough the ash dump, it also assisted as a beneficial tool to enhance ash dump management. / South Africa

The research problem this study seeks to address is that confusion exists regarding the nature, management and organisation of financial communication. Six objectives guide the research efforts. Theoretical perspectives surrounding investor relations, public relations and accounting are used to describe the current approach to financial communication (Objective 1). Two main shortcomings of the current approach are identified (Objective 2): - a lack of integration in the management and organisation of financial communication; and - a narrow focus on communication with the financial community alone. This leads to Objective 3 (theoretical justification for an inclusive approach to financial communication). Perspectives from the corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder and public relations as relationship management literature are used to prove that organisations need to engage in financial communication with all relevant stakeholders, not only "financial" stakeholders. In order to achieve Objective 4, the theoretical perspectives mentioned above are used to develop a conceptual model for an inclusive and integrated approach to financial communication. The model provides a point of departure for future research. The empirical component of the study supplements the theoretical component. Quantitative, exploratory survey research is done to establish whether a number of South African companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange follow an inclusive and integrated approach to financial communication (Objective 5). The main conclusions are: - that there are indications of an inclusive approach to financial communication, although respondents varied in their opinions; and - that there are indications of an integrated approach to financial communication, although the majority of respondents indicated that a single department takes responsibility for financial communication. Similarities and differences between the results of this study and those of studies conducted previously in the USA, United Kingdom and Europe, are also identified (Objective 6). Finally, the limitations of both the theoretical and empirical components are used to formulate recommendations for future research. It is recommended that future efforts concentrate on the contributions that disciplines such as marketing, law, economics and financial management can make to financial communication. The research strategy (qualitative or quantitative) also needs to be carefully considered. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Communication Management / MCom / Unrestricted