The world is currently experiencing major issues in the energy sector. The ever-growing human population, limited energy resources and the effect of greenhouse gas emissions have become major global concerns for the energy sector, including the electricity generation sector. This dilemma caused electricity providers to revise their generation methods and created a major need for consumers to utilise electricity more efficiently. Demand side management (DSM) is one initiative developed for consumers to efficiently utilise electricity. Due to their high electricity consumption and technical skills, mines are ideal targets for the implementation of DSM strategies. Therefore, the focus of this study was to investigate South African mines for possible implementation of DSM strategies on their compressed air networks. Compressed air networks at South African mines are relatively old and inadequately maintained. This causes inefficient distribution and use of compressed air. The study will therefore focus on reconfiguring mining compressed air networks for cost savings. Cost savings include financial savings on electricity bills, implementation costs and decreased maintenance. Through several investigations, the possibility of implementing energy savings strategies to reconfigure the compressed air networks of two South African mines was identified. Reconfiguring the networks would respectively entail interconnecting two shafts and relocating a compressor from an abandoned shaft to a fully productive shaft. Theoretical simulations were developed to determine the networks’ responses to the reconfiguration strategies. The simulations assisted in exposing the viability of implementing the reconfiguration strategies on the respective compressed air networks. Positive responses were obtained from the simulations and proposals were made to the respective mines for possible implementation. The proposed initiatives were implemented on the respective mines’ compressed air networks. After implementation of the interconnection strategy, a consecutive three-month performance assessment period commenced to prove the viability of the proposed savings. An average power saving of 1 700 kW was achieved during the performance assessment period. The proposed initiative to relocate the compressor is currently being implemented. A financial saving of approximately R8.9 million per annum was achieved by implementing the interconnection strategy. The large financial saving was due to the utilisation of the mine’s salvaged equipment. Further savings were achieved by the decreased maintenance on the mine’s compressors. Due to the successful implementation of the interconnection strategy, it is safe to state that cost savings can be achieved by reconfiguring mining compressed air networks. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

HIV/AIDS is already the leading cause of death worldwide (Unicef et al., 2004:10) with more than 5 million people out of a total of 46 million South Africans that were HIV positive in 2004, giving a total population prevalence rate of 11 per cent (Dorrington et al., 2004:1). Many people infected do not have access to even the basic drugs needed to treat HIV-related infections and other conditions (Wikipedia, 2004:3). The relative high price of many of the antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and diagnostics on the other hand are one of the main barriers to their availability in developing countries (Unicef et al., 2004:77). ARV drugs registered in South Africa include the Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs), Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs) and Protease Inhibitors (PIs) (MCC, 2004:1). The objective of this study was to review, analyse and interpret the prescribing patterns of antiviral drugs, with special reference to antiretroviral drugs, in the private health care sector in South Africa by using a medicine claims database. A quantitative, retrospective drug utilisation review was performed. The data ranging from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2001, 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2002, and 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004 were used, dividing each year into three four-month periods, namely January to April, May to August, and September to December. It was found that 0.38 per cent (n=1 475 380) for 2001, 0.72 per cent (n=2 076 236) for 2002, and 1.68 per cent (n=2 595 254) for 2004 of all studied prescriptions for the research periods 2001, 2002, and 2004 respectively, contained ARV drugs. ARV drugs constituted 0.33 per cent (n=2 951 326) for 2001, 0.87 per cent (n=4 042 145) for 2002, and 1.92 per cent (n=5 305 882) for 2004 of the total number of medicine items prescribed for the study years 2001, 2002 and 2004 respectively. The total cost of ARV drugs amounted to R4 990 784.29, thus constituting 1.31 per cent of the total cost (R379 708 489) of all medicine items on the database for 2001, increased to R18 235 075.75, thus constituting 3.03 per cent of the total cost (R601 350 325) of all medicine items on the database for 2002, and increased to R34 714 483.64, thus constituting 5.25 per cent of the total cost (R661 223 146) of all medicine items on the database for 2004. It was found that 35.31 per cent (n=5 599) for 2001, 52.68 per cent (n=15 004) for 2002, and 74.27 per cent (n=43 482) for 2004 of all studied antiviral prescriptions for the research periods 2001, 2002, and 2004 respectively, contained ARV drugs. ARV drugs constituted 46.25 per cent (n=21 183) for 2001, 70.20 per cent (n=50 246) for 2002, and 85.87 per cent (n=118 718) for 2004 of the total number of antiviral medicine items prescribed for the study years 2001, 2002 and 2004 respectively. The total cost of ARV medicine items, represented 67.33 per cent (n=R4 990 784.29) during 2001, 84.72 per cent (n=R18 235 075.75) during 2002, and 91.20 per cent (n=R34 714 483.64) during 2004 of the total cost of all antiviral medicine items claimed through the database (n=R7412577.73 for 2001, n=R21523365.56 for 2002, and n=R38 064 347.38 for 2004). The average cost per ARV medicine items for 2004 increased from R317.93i190.80 for the period January to April to R369.2W219.50 for the period May to August, and decreased to R324.79±212.48 for the period September to December and resulted in a cost saving of R41 044.35 for the period May to August versus September to December for the ARV medicine items. The implementation of the pricing regulations could thus be a possible reason for this cost saving, due to fact that the single exit price only came into effect from May 2004. The weighted average number of ARV medicine items per prescription was 1.75*0.31 for 2001, increased to 2.35±0.03 to 2002 and remained stable on 2.35±0.02 for 2004. It was found that majority of prescriptions contained more combination ARV medicine items than single ARV medicine items, ranging from 6 834 (69.76 per cent; n=9 796) prescriptions containing combination ARV medicine items in 2001 and 32 941 (93.39 per cent; n=35 271) prescriptions containing combination ARV medicine items in 2002 to 98 805 (96.93 per cent; n=101 938) prescriptions containing combination ARV medicine items in 2004. Lastly, it was perceived that didanosine was the active ingredient with the largest prevalence for all three four-month periods of 2001 and also for the periods January to April and May to August of 2002, whilst efavirenz represented the active ingredient with the largest prevalence for the period September to December of 2002, and also for all three four-month periods of 2004. Didanosine represented the active ingredient with the highest total cost for the period January to April of 2001, whilst the combination of lamivudine/zidovudine represented the active ingredient with the highest total cost for the periods May to August and September to December of 2001, and also for all three-four month periods of 2002 and 2004. Nelfinavir has the highest average cost for period January to April of 2001, ritonavir for period May to August of 2001, and saquinavir mesylate for period September to December of 2001. Nelfinavir has the highest average cost for all three-four month periods of 2002, while didanosine has the highest average cost for all three four-month periods of 2004. / Thesis (M.Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006

La agricultura es una de las principales actividades económicas del país, fomenta el intercambio comercial y abastecimiento de los mercados locales. La evolución y tecnificación de la misma ha permitido el crecimiento económico del país y aumentar el PBI mediante el flujo de las exportaciones. Es por ello, que la agricultura ha ido evolucionando, tanto en maquinarias como en tecnología para poder producir a mayor escala y menor costo. Sin embargo, el agricultor no solo se enfrenta al cambio tecnológico sino también a tener un mayor control de su cosecha que genere un mayor rendimiento y que evite pérdidas por plagas y/o cambios climatológicos. Ante esa necesidad nace VANTARIC, un servicio especializado de monitoreo, riego y control de plagas a través del uso de la tecnología VANT y multiespectrales, permite que el agricultor reciba información respecto de la salud de su cultivo y tome acciones correctivas para tener una cosecha óptima reduciendo el costo de uso de agua, uso eficiente de plaguicidas y/o pesticidas. Si bien es cierto, en nuestro país, hay soluciones basadas en la venta de equipos con esa tecnología, nuestra propuesta pretende abarcar un servicio más completo a través de asesoramiento e identificación de soluciones para el agricultor, permitiendo tener en nuestras manos la salud de sus terrenos sin que ellos tengan que realizar grandes inversiones en activos fijos. / Agriculture is one of the main economic activities in the country, encourages the commercial exchange and supply of local markets. Agriculture’s evolution and technological enhancement has contributed in a positive way to the economic growth of the country further the GDP´s improvement through the international trade. Thus, agriculture has evolved, both in equipment and in technology to be able to produce on a larger scale and lower cost. However, the farmers not only challenge the technological change but also to have a greater control of his harvest that generates a greater yield and that avoids losses by plagues and / or climatological changes. Vantagric is born to fulfill this necessity, offering a specialized service of monitoring, irrigation and pest control using UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) technology and multispectral cameras, allowing the farmer to receive information regarding the health of their crop and take corrective actions to have an optimal harvest; reducing the cost of water use, and efficient use of pesticides. In our country, there are currently solutions based on similar technology, but their core business is the sale of equipment. Our proposal aims to cover a more complete service through advice and identification of solutions for the farmer, allowing us to have in our hands the health of their land avoiding, in this way, them to make large investments in fixed assets and to be more focused in their lands. / Trabajo de investigación

L'usage excessif et inapproprié des antibiotiques a été décrit dans le monde entier depuis 25ans, tant en ville qu'à l'hôpital. En plus des effets délétères sur les patients l'utilisation abusive des antibiotiques contribue à l'émergence de résistances bactériennes et à l'augmentation des dépenses hospitalières. Dans les années 1990 plusieurs organisations du monde de la santé ont publié des plans et des recommandations visant à contrôler les consommations en antibiotiques afin de limiter la pression de sélection sur les bactéries et d'en diminuer les coûts. Au CHU de Nancy une politique de bon usage des antibiotiques a été instaurée au milieu des années 1990 puis renforcée en 2006, avec une réorganisation complète du mode prescription et de la délivrance des antibiotiques dans tout l'établissement. Une équipe opérationnelle en infectiologie (EOI) composée d'un infectiologue et d'un pharmacien est intervenue dans une partie des services afin d'améliorer la qualité des prescriptions. Pour évaluer l'impact de l'intervention de l'EOI sur les consommations antibiotique et les coûts qui en découlent, une étude contrôlée en cluster avant/après a été réalisée .Nous avons comparé les consommations globale et par classes antibiotiques ainsi que les coûts « avant » et « après » dans 2 groupes (contrôle et intervention).Les résultats ont montré qu'après l'intervention de l'EIO les consommations globales avaient diminué de 34% dans le groupe intervention et de 3% dans le groupe contrôle ( P=0,003). Pour une même activité, la réduction du coût était 14 fois plus élevée dans le groupe intervention. Nous pouvons donc avancer que l'intervention d'une EOI constitue un moyen efficace pour réduire la consommation hospitalière en antibiotiques et les coûts qui en découlent. / Overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics has been described worldwide for about 25 years, in both community and hospital settings. In addition to its deleterious effect on patients, antibiotic misuse can lead to the emergence of bacterial resistance and increased the cost of hospitalization. Indeed, during the 1990s several organizations published plans to control the costs of antibiotics and limit selective pressure on microorganisms through surveillance and interventions promoting rational use. An antimicrobial policy has been implemented at the University Hospitals of Nancy since the mid-1990s. This antibiotic policy was therefore reinforced the beginning of 2006, changes included complete reorganization of the methods of prescribing and delivering antibiotics in all wards of the University hospitals of Nancy. In addition, an Operational Multidisciplinary Antibiotic Team (OMAT) including an infectious disease physician and a clinical pharmacist was established in some wards. To evaluate the effectiveness of this OMAT, in reducing the hospital antimicrobial consumption and costs a cluster controlled "before-after" study was performed. We compared consumption of antibiotics overall and by therapeutic class and cost savings between "before" and "after" in both groups (control and intervention). The results of this study have shown that overall consumption of antibiotics decreased after implementation of the OMAT by 34% in the intervention group and by 3% in the control group (p = 0.003). For the same activity, the total cost savings were 14-fold higher in the intervention group. Establishment of an operational multidisciplinary team may be an effective way to reduce hospital antibiotic use and cost.

<p>Företag: Midelfart Sonesson AB</p><p>Syfte: Studien skulle ge en bild av vilka kriterier som är betydelsefulla för företag vid rationalisering av lagerställen. Den skulle dessutom ge en bild av vilka tänkbara ekonomiska konsekvenser som kan följa efter en rationalisering. Genom en fallstudie av ett typföretag och genom kompletterande intervjuer med kunniga inom logistik och företagsekonomi skulle författarna undersöka vilka kriterier som företagen lägger mest vikt på när de ska starta ett så stort projekt som lagerställesrationalisering, samt förstå vad kostnadsbesparingen kan bli.</p><p>Metod: En studie av företaget Midelfart Sonesson AB har utförts. Primär- och sekundärdata har samlats in genom personliga intervjuer, litteratur, rapporter, och elektroniska källor.</p><p>Teori: Teorin består av nio olika avsnitt som kan tillämpas på ämnet i uppsatsen. Teorin används för att förstå företagets uppbyggnad, organisation och dess handlande. Det ger en förståelse av lagerhållning och lagerställesrationalisering.</p><p>Empiri: I empirin beskrivs företagets situation idag. Förslag från konsulten tas upp, angående den förändring och det val som de står inför. Material som inkommit genom intervjuer belyses även i empirin.</p><p>Slutsats: Kostnadseffektivitet med bibehållen kundservice är de viktigaste kriterierna. Stora kostnadsbesparingar kan göras vid lagerställesrationalisering.</p> / <p>Company: Midelfart Sonesson AB</p><p>Purpose: The essay should give a picture of which criteria are important to companies when rationalizing their warehouse places. It would also illustrate what the possible economic consequences could be after a rationalization. A case study of a typical company and in addition, interviews with experts in the areas of logistics and business administration should help the authors investigate which criteria the companies emphasize, when they start such a large project as warehouse place rationalizing, and also understand the cost effect.</p><p>Methodology: A study of the company Midelfart Sonesson AB has been done. Primary- and secondary data has been gathered through personal interviews, literature, reports and electronic sources.</p><p>Theoretical perspective: The theory consists of nine different sections that can be applied to the subject of this essay. The theory is used to understand a company’s build-up, organization and its action. It gives a comprehension of stock holding and warehouse place rationalization.</p><p>Empirical foundation: This is where the company’s situation of today is described. The consultant’s recommendations, concerning the transformation and the choice that has to be made, are described. Information received through interviews is also illustrated in the empirical foundation.</p><p>Conclusion: Cost efficiency with maintained customer service is the most important criteria. Large cost savings can be made through warehouse place rationalizing.</p>

Thesis (M.Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Thesis (M.Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice))---North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Företag: Midelfart Sonesson AB Syfte: Studien skulle ge en bild av vilka kriterier som är betydelsefulla för företag vid rationalisering av lagerställen. Den skulle dessutom ge en bild av vilka tänkbara ekonomiska konsekvenser som kan följa efter en rationalisering. Genom en fallstudie av ett typföretag och genom kompletterande intervjuer med kunniga inom logistik och företagsekonomi skulle författarna undersöka vilka kriterier som företagen lägger mest vikt på när de ska starta ett så stort projekt som lagerställesrationalisering, samt förstå vad kostnadsbesparingen kan bli. Metod: En studie av företaget Midelfart Sonesson AB har utförts. Primär- och sekundärdata har samlats in genom personliga intervjuer, litteratur, rapporter, och elektroniska källor. Teori: Teorin består av nio olika avsnitt som kan tillämpas på ämnet i uppsatsen. Teorin används för att förstå företagets uppbyggnad, organisation och dess handlande. Det ger en förståelse av lagerhållning och lagerställesrationalisering. Empiri: I empirin beskrivs företagets situation idag. Förslag från konsulten tas upp, angående den förändring och det val som de står inför. Material som inkommit genom intervjuer belyses även i empirin. Slutsats: Kostnadseffektivitet med bibehållen kundservice är de viktigaste kriterierna. Stora kostnadsbesparingar kan göras vid lagerställesrationalisering. / Company: Midelfart Sonesson AB Purpose: The essay should give a picture of which criteria are important to companies when rationalizing their warehouse places. It would also illustrate what the possible economic consequences could be after a rationalization. A case study of a typical company and in addition, interviews with experts in the areas of logistics and business administration should help the authors investigate which criteria the companies emphasize, when they start such a large project as warehouse place rationalizing, and also understand the cost effect. Methodology: A study of the company Midelfart Sonesson AB has been done. Primary- and secondary data has been gathered through personal interviews, literature, reports and electronic sources. Theoretical perspective: The theory consists of nine different sections that can be applied to the subject of this essay. The theory is used to understand a company’s build-up, organization and its action. It gives a comprehension of stock holding and warehouse place rationalization. Empirical foundation: This is where the company’s situation of today is described. The consultant’s recommendations, concerning the transformation and the choice that has to be made, are described. Information received through interviews is also illustrated in the empirical foundation. Conclusion: Cost efficiency with maintained customer service is the most important criteria. Large cost savings can be made through warehouse place rationalizing.

Thesis (M.Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice))---North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

"Diabetes mellitus" refers to a spectrum of conditions, which all present with hyperglycaemia as a common medical finding. Diabetes was once thought of as a single disease, but according to Setter et a/. (2000:378), it includes a heterogeneous group of disorders that are secondary to various genetic predispositions and precipitating factors. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) accounts for 10 to 15% of all cases of diabetes mellitus and is clinically characterised by hyperglycaemia and a propensity to diabetic keto-acidosis. Its control requires chronic insulin treatment. Although it may occur at any age, it most commonly develops in childhood or adolescence and is the predominant type of diabetes mellitus diagnosed before age 30 (Beers & Berkow, 2004). Type 2 DM is usually the type diagnosed in patients older than 30 years of age. It is also commonly associated with obesity (Berkow, 1992:1108). The objective of this study was to review the usage and cost of antidiabetic drugs and to determine the influence of the pricing regulations on the cost of these drugs. This research can be classified as retrospective and quantitative. Data were obtained from a prescription claims database, and the study population consisted of all the antidiabetic prescriptions for the year 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004. The one-year period was divided into three study periods, namely January to April, May to August and September to December. Firstly diabetes mellitus was investigated in order to understand the disease and to determine the prevalence and treatment thereof. It was found that diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous disorder acquired from both genetic and environmental factors and that education for the general population, and in particular for the patients, is the key to preventing and controlling diabetes and reducing the complications arising from it. Secondly managed health care, pharmaco-economics and a drug utilisation review were investigated in order to understand these concepts. The influence of the South African Government on health care was discussed, including the new pricing regulations of medicine in South Africa. Thirdly, the utilisation patterns of antidiabetic drugs were reviewed, analysed and interpreted. It was determined that the oral antidiabetic agents are relatively less expensive than the insulins and that they are prescribed more frequently, and secondly that the biguanides presented almost half (49.4%, n = 116 138) of all the oral antidiabetic agents. It was also determined that the average cost of the oral antidiabetic drugs was between 21 .O% and 28.0% lower in 2004 than in 1996 - an indication that, despite inflation, the antidiabetic drugs were less expensive in 2004 than eight years ago in 1996. It was also calculated that the total cost savings in antidiabetic medication could have been R1 448 682.26 if the lower price of antidiabetic agents had been implemented during the period January to April. And finally it was also determined that further substantial "cost savings" could have been possible if all the innovator antidiabetic products had been substituted for less expensive generic antidiabetic products. Abstract / Thesis (M.Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.