This research project focuses on conversions from Islam to Christianity in the Sudan. It first gives a biblical and theological understanding of conversion and then introduces the sociological and psychological understanding of such a change in religious affiliation. It discusses conversion as a spiritual decision process and develops a spiritual decision matrix for evaluating conversion processes of Muslims. The heart of the study is an analysis of the conversion processes of six converts with a Northern Sudanese background from different Muslim tribes. The interviews that were conducted with these converts are analysed in terms of five parameters: reasons for conversion; factors that led to conversion; stages in the conversion processes; problems encountered during the conversion processes; and results of the conversion. These parameters are compared with existing data from six studies of Muslims in other geographical areas who also converted to the Christian faith. / Christian Spirituality Church History and Missiology / M.Th. (Missiology)

This thesis analyses the conversion processes of 17 urban Muslims in Kenya who decided to follow Jesus Christ. It first describes conversion from a multidisciplinary perspective by introducing sociological, psychological, anthropological, theological and missiological understandings of such a change in religious affiliation. Next in-depth interviews are analysed using principles of grounded theory, where new theory is developed by interaction between data from reality, the analysis and existing theories (abductive reasoning). The main findings are that the conversion of Muslims who accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord is a process that develops over a period of time through phases with a cognitive and an affective dimension. Changes with regard to convictions and attitudes take place simultaneously on several properties or ‘layers’ of both dimensions. The process is influenced by significant factors in the form of causal and intervening conditions, resulting in consequences for the convert in the form of a transformation as well as in changed relationships with the community. Gender, socio-economic level, education as well as the community from which the converts come influence the process. In order to describe the complex dynamics that are at work in such conversion processes of Muslims, a Matrix of Conversion Processes is developed in which the multiple movements of a convert on the two dimensions are put in relation to six chronological phases. A matrix of different types of conversion processes and the description of four typical processes emerge from the analysis. In order to facilitate conversion processes, cognitive and affective elements need to be addressed together. The interaction between different factors, the will-power of the person and the influence of God determine the development, an understanding that is relevant for conversion studies, as well as for missiology and the missionary task of the church in Kenya and beyond. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology)

Multistage hydraulic fracturing of horizontal wells continues to be a major technological tool in the oil and gas industry. Creation of multiple transverse fractures in shale gas has enabled production from very low permeability. The strategy entails the development of a Stimulated Reservoir Volume (SRV), defined as the volume of reservoir, which is effectively stimulated to increase the well performance. An ideal model for a shale gas SRV is a rectangle of length equal to horizontal well length and width equal to twice the half length of the created hydraulic fractures. This project focused on using the Multistage Transverse Fractured Horizontal Wells (MTFHW) for two novel applications. The first application considers using the SRV of a shale gas well, after the gas production rate drops below the economic limit, for low grade geothermal heat extraction. Cold water is pumped into the fracture network through one horizontal well drilled at the fracture tips. Heat is transferred to the water through the fracture surface. The hot water is then recovered through a second horizontal well drilled at the other end of the fracture network. The basis of this concept is to use the already created stimulated reservoir volume for heat transfer purposes. This technique was applied to the SRV of Haynesville Shale and the results were discussed in light of the economics of the project. For the second application, we considered the use of a similarly created SRV for producing hydrocarbon products from oil shale. Thermal decomposition of kerogen to oil and gas requires heating the oil shale to 700 degrees F. High quality saturated steam generated using a small scale nuclear plant was used for heating the formation to the necessary temperature. Analytical and numerical models are developed for modeling heat transfer in a single fracture unit of MTFHW. These models suggest that successful reuse of Haynesville Shale gas production wells for low grade geothermal heat extraction and the project appears feasible both technically and economically. The economics of the project is greatly aided by eliminating well drilling and completion costs. The models also demonstrate the success of using MTFHW array for heating oil shale using SMR technology.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T14:59:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 5488981 bytes, checksum: bc22a73599584c867e933138268f4187 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-06-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / A large number of national companies has been using diesel gensets as an alternative to the electricity supplied by the local utility. Therefore, generators are used as an emergency power system or during peak hours. Peak hour in Brazil is between 5 to 10 p. m. As we know diesel engines contribute to the large increase in environmental pollution, since the diesel exhaust may contain fine particles associated with negative health effect, toxic air contaminants, as NOx and SOx. On the other hand, Natural gas is considered as a suitable choice rather than the use of diesel, because it possesses high calorific power, clean burning, and proper octane level for Otto cycle engine. The present work deals with the performance analysis of a Perkins engine turbocharged, diesel, model 1104C-44TA, converted into an Otto cycle engine to run on natural gas, also identifying the limiting factors of power in these types of engines. Giving the importance of the compression rate on the Diesel to Otto cycle conversion, the evaluation of the Perkins processed engine happened under the influence of three different rates: 7.6:1; 8.7:1 and 12.3:1. For each compressed rate, and stoichiometric mixture, the task was to choose the spark advance to guarantee best performances to the engine. All tests were performed with a hydraulic dynamometer. The results showed that, the best combination of those parameters are not sufficient to ensure the highest performance of a diesel converted engine. There was a consubstantial rise in temperature of the exhaust gases and on the turbine walls, due to the increase in the exhaust gases volume, compared to that of the burnt gases withdrawn from the original engine, impairing the efficiency and lifespan of the engine components. It was found, by energetic analysis, the compression ratio of 8.7:1, was the most efficient, among the other two, assuring the engine its best performance. As expected, at the compression rate of 7.6:1 the exhaust gases presented the highest temperatures. At compression ratio of 12.3:1 the gas emissions of the converted engine delivered highest NOx level and the lowest level of unburned hydrocarbons at the exhaust. Keywords: Diesel Turbocharged Engine. Diesel to Otto Cycle Conversion Process. Natural Gas. Performance. Energy Balance / Um grande número de empresas nacionais faz uso de grupos geradores a diesel como opção à eletricidade fornecida pela concessionária local. O emprego de grupos geradores é comum durante as horas de pico, que no Brasil, ocorrem entre as 17 e 22 h. Tais aparatos, juntamente com os motores veiculares a diesel têm contribuído para o grande aumento da poluição ambiental, uma vez que a queima deste combustível se faz com grande emissão de particulados, de NOx e de SOx. O gás natural é considerado uma alternativa ao uso do diesel por possuir um alto poder calorífico, queima limpa, e adequada octanagem para o ciclo Otto. O presente trabalho trata da análise de desempenho de um motor Perkins turboalimentado, a diesel, modelo 1104C-44TA, convertido para funcionar apenas com gás natural, identificando ainda, os fatores limitadores de potência nestes tipos de motores. Considerando a importância da taxa de compressão no processo de ottolização, o motor convertido foi avaliado sob a influência de três diferentes taxas: 7,6:1; 8,7:1 e 12,3:1. Para tanto, foram selecionados avanços de ignição que ao interagir com a mistura próxima da estequiométrica garantisse ao funcionamento do motor as melhores condições de desempenho, para cada taxa de compressão escolhida. Os ensaios foram feitos com o auxílio de um dinamômetro hidráulico e os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que, na prática, tais parâmetros não são suficientes para se assegurar os melhores desempenhos em um motor diesel ottolizado. Foi observado um aumento consubstancial na temperatura dos gases de exaustão e na turbina, em virtude da ampliação do volume dos gases de escapamento com relação àquele observado no motor original, com prejuízos para a eficiência e a própria vida útil do motor. Verificou-se, através das análises energéticas, que a taxa de compressão de 8,7:1 permitiu ao motor seu melhor desempenho, com relação à outras experimentadas. Como esperado, o motor operando na taxa de 7,6:1 produziu as mais elevadas temperaturas dos gases de exaustão. Com respeito às emissões gasosas, o motor convertido com taxa de compressão de 12,3:1 emitiu o maior nível de NOx e o menor nível de hidrocarbonetos não queimados

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:38:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Luciana_Honorato.pdf: 1136712 bytes, checksum: 9bcd7bd40d2f4171d6f284b047c93435 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-05-02 / The aim of this study were: I) to characterize the organic dairy farms in Santa Catarina, identify the motivations and evaluation of producers on the particular production system, in comparison to conventional farms and; II) to compare indicators of health and animal welfare (AW) of dairy herds, management systems and milk quality in both systems. We selected 17 organic dairy farms or in the conversion process and 17 conventional farms. All producers were visited twice: once in March, once in September/2010, which were open interviews about the historic and farmer s opinions on organic production and an evaluation on the structuring of production farms, discussed the differences between the systems. The technologies and management practices adopted were analyzed in the light of current legislation in order to estimate the contribution needed to ensure the permanence of these families in the organic system. One question in the interviews was examined the farmers' perceptions about animal welfare. Data on environment, food and health management, clinical examination of animals and bulk tank milk samples were collected. Notes on diseases and treatments done in animals were evaluated within the period. Our results indicate that the reduction in production costs and benefits to health and environment are factors that motivate the organic, while the lack of technical support and logistics market are cited as major barriers. It is also evident that farmers know little about the recent regulations, which limits its suitability standards. Organic farmers make production less intensive than conventional ones, where the composition of the herd and feed management are key differences. Both systems kept similar level of animal health, despite greatest difficulty of organic in controlling ectoparasites in summer. We found a lower incidence of disease in animals in the organic, and were reduced use of antimicrobials than in conventional, which is an important indicator of welfare animal and food safety. The levels of animal welfare in some way correspond with the farmers' perceptions on the subject, so improvements could occur via changes in attitudes of the producers. / Os objetivos desse trabalho foram: I) caracterizar os produtores de leite orgânico da região oeste de Santa Catarina, identificar suas motivações e sua avaliação particular sobre o sistema de produção em comparação aos produtores convencionais e, II) comparar indicadores de saúde e bem-estar animal (BEA) dos rebanhos leiteiros, manejos e qualidade do leite nos dois sistemas. Foram selecionadas 17 unidades leiteiras orgânicas ou em fase de conversão e 17 unidades convencionais similares, de agricultores familiares. Foram feitas duas visitas à cada propriedade, em março e setembro de 2010, onde foram feitas entrevistas abertas sobre o histórico e opiniões sobre a produção orgânica e, na avaliação sobre a estruturação das unidades produtivas, foram discutidas as diferenças entre os sistemas. As tecnologias e manejos adotados foram analisados à luz da legislação vigente a fim de se estimar o aporte necessário para garantir a permanência dessas famílias no sistema orgânico. A percepção dos produtores sobre bem-estar animal foi analisada por intermédio de uma questão pontual dentro das entrevistas. Também foram feitas observações do ambiente, manejo sanitário e alimentar, exame clínico dos animais, avaliação do leite total e anotações sobre doenças e tratamentos feitos nos animais dentro do período. Os resultados indicam que a redução nos custos de produção e benefícios a saúde e ambiente são fatores que motivam os produtores orgânicos, enquanto a falta de suporte técnico e logística de mercado são apontadas como entraves importantes. Percebe-se também que os produtores conhecem pouco sobre as recentes normativas, o que limita sua adequação aos padrões. Os produtores orgânicos desenvolvem uma produção menos intensiva do que os convencionais, onde a composição do rebanho e manejo alimentar são as principais diferenças. Os sistemas mantêm níveis similares de saúde animal, porém, o sistema orgânico enfrenta uma dificuldade maior em controlar os ectoparasitas no verão. Foi encontrada uma incidência menor de doenças nos animais no sistema orgânico e, consequentemente, um menor uso de antibióticos sintéticos do que no convencional, o que é importante para o bem-estar animal e segurança alimentar. Os níveis de bem-estar animal foram relacionados ao sistema e correspondem de certa forma, com a percepção dos produtores sobre o tema, portanto, melhorias poderiam ocorrer via mudança de atitudes dos produtores.

Tre musikinstrument – En röst. En studie om omställningsprocessen mellan ett träblåsinstrument till ett annat. Detta område omfattar tvärflöjt- oboe- och altsaxofonspel. Arbetet bygger på observationer av en sex veckor lång instuderingsprocess, sett i relation till ett urval av tidigare forskning och högskoleuppsatser inom området. Studien har i syfte att utforska omställningsprocessen när jag byter från det ena blåsinstrumentet till det andra. Detta för att ge en djupare inblick i en multiinstrumentalists vardag och belysa de fenomen som ligger till grund för spelet för respektive instrument och som sedan tas med i omställningsprocessen. Denna kvalitativa studie utgår från ett livsvärldsperspektiv och metod är loggboksskrivande samt videodokumentation. Resultatet bärs upp av två teman: Inre röst och instrumentbyte-muskelbyte som står för mentala respektive fysiska handlingar. Efter resultatet följer en diskussion som sätts i förhållande till litteratur och tidigare forskning inom området. Arbetet avslutas med tankar om dess betydelse samt möjligheter till framtida forskning. / Three musical instruments – One voice. A study of the conversion process between a woodwind instrument to another. This area includes the flute, oboe and the alto saxophone. This study is based on observations of a six-week rehearsal process in relation to a sample of previous research and academic papers in the field. The study is aimed to explore the conversion process when I switch from one wind instrument to the other. This is to provide a deeper insight into a multiinstrumentalists everyday life and highlight all the phenomena that form the basis of the play for each instrument and then be included in the conversion process. This qualitative study is based on a life-world perspective and method logbook writing and video documentation. The result is supported by two themes: Inner voice and change of instrument-muscle change representing mental and physical actions. After the result is a discussion that is related to the literature and previous research in the area. The work concludes with thoughts about its importance as well as opportunities for future research.

The Kyrgyz are a Mongolian, Turkic ethno-linguistic people group. The political and social changes of the post-soviet times have led to a great religious openness among the Kyrgyz. Within one decade the nunber of Kyrgyz Christians has grown from few dozens to over 3000. The intention of this work was to analyze the conversion process of the Kyrgyz converts to Christianity and to apply the results to further missiological activity. The religious background of the Kyrgyz, which is heavily influenced by Folk Islam, was presented in the first chapter of the paper. In the second chapter, interviews collected from Kyrgyz Christians were evaluated. The third chapter summarizes the most important findings of the work and makes them applicable for missionary work. The precise knowledge of the religious background of the Kyrgyz and intercultural communication that it is based upon it can essentially dismantle barriers for the acceptance of the gospel. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

This thesis is an examination of why South Africans have converted to Buddhism, how this conversion has come about and what the meaning of the conversion has been in their lives. Chapter one is a literature review which revealed very little literature available on conversion to Buddhism and less on the conversion of South Africans to Buddhism. L.R. Rambo's Theory of Conversion is used in this thesis to see if these conversions to Buddhism can be understood within this theory. In Chapter two Rambo's theory, which is a holistic model for conversion, is analyzed in detail. He proposes seven stages within his model: crisis, quest, encounter, interaction, commitment and consequences. Context is Rambo's first stage and in Chapter three the socio-historic and religious background of these converts is examined. In order to understand how and why these conversions have come about there needs to be an understanding of the background from which these converts come. Taking Refuge (or the Gohonzon Ceremony) was used for the purpose of this thesis to be the turning point from non-Buddhist to Buddhists. In Chapter four the meaning and importance of Taking Refuge is discussed. The empirical aspect of this thesis was to interview twenty South Africans who had converted to Buddhism. Chapter five is a detailed analysis of these interviews and Appendix two gives the questionnaire used. The aim of this analysis was firstly, to investigate whether these conversions to Buddhism can be understood in the context of Rambo's theory, secondly, to see whether Taking Refuge is the correct choice of the turning point from non-Buddhist to Buddhist. In the conclusion it was found that Rambo's theory did not fully account for the conversion of the interviewees to Buddhism, and that Taking Refuge was not necessarily a good focal point in the conversion process. In the light of this a Developmental theory of becoming a Buddhist was proposed which has the following steps: Context, exposure, interest invoked, practical application, commitment and consequences. From the analysis of the people interviewed their conversion to Buddhism was a developmental process rather than a conversion as such. Hence their conversion fitted more closely with a Developmental theory than with Rambo's theory of conversion. This ties in with the discovery amongst the interviewees that none of them experienced one focal point at which they became Buddhist. For most of the interviewees becoming a Buddhist was a developmental process, with many of them having some sort of proto-Buddhist tendency within them before ever hearing about Buddhism. / RELIGIOUS STUDIES & ARABIC / DLITT ET PHIL (REL STUD)

This thesis is an examination of why South Africans have converted to Buddhism, how this conversion has come about and what the meaning of the conversion has been in their lives. Chapter one is a literature review which revealed very little literature available on conversion to Buddhism and less on the conversion of South Africans to Buddhism. L.R. Rambo's Theory of Conversion is used in this thesis to see if these conversions to Buddhism can be understood within this theory. In Chapter two Rambo's theory, which is a holistic model for conversion, is analyzed in detail. He proposes seven stages within his model: crisis, quest, encounter, interaction, commitment and consequences. Context is Rambo's first stage and in Chapter three the socio-historic and religious background of these converts is examined. In order to understand how and why these conversions have come about there needs to be an understanding of the background from which these converts come. Taking Refuge (or the Gohonzon Ceremony) was used for the purpose of this thesis to be the turning point from non-Buddhist to Buddhists. In Chapter four the meaning and importance of Taking Refuge is discussed. The empirical aspect of this thesis was to interview twenty South Africans who had converted to Buddhism. Chapter five is a detailed analysis of these interviews and Appendix two gives the questionnaire used. The aim of this analysis was firstly, to investigate whether these conversions to Buddhism can be understood in the context of Rambo's theory, secondly, to see whether Taking Refuge is the correct choice of the turning point from non-Buddhist to Buddhist. In the conclusion it was found that Rambo's theory did not fully account for the conversion of the interviewees to Buddhism, and that Taking Refuge was not necessarily a good focal point in the conversion process. In the light of this a Developmental theory of becoming a Buddhist was proposed which has the following steps: Context, exposure, interest invoked, practical application, commitment and consequences. From the analysis of the people interviewed their conversion to Buddhism was a developmental process rather than a conversion as such. Hence their conversion fitted more closely with a Developmental theory than with Rambo's theory of conversion. This ties in with the discovery amongst the interviewees that none of them experienced one focal point at which they became Buddhist. For most of the interviewees becoming a Buddhist was a developmental process, with many of them having some sort of proto-Buddhist tendency within them before ever hearing about Buddhism. / RELIGIOUS STUDIES and ARABIC / DLITT ET PHIL (REL STUD)

The Kyrgyz are a Mongolian, Turkic ethno-linguistic people group. The political and social changes of the post-soviet times have led to a great religious openness among the Kyrgyz. Within one decade the nunber of Kyrgyz Christians has grown from few dozens to over 3000. The intention of this work was to analyze the conversion process of the Kyrgyz converts to Christianity and to apply the results to further missiological activity. The religious background of the Kyrgyz, which is heavily influenced by Folk Islam, was presented in the first chapter of the paper. In the second chapter, interviews collected from Kyrgyz Christians were evaluated. The third chapter summarizes the most important findings of the work and makes them applicable for missionary work. The precise knowledge of the religious background of the Kyrgyz and intercultural communication that it is based upon it can essentially dismantle barriers for the acceptance of the gospel. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)