Thesis (M.Sc (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

In this thesis, the strength-enhancing mechanisms of dry binders in direct compression were studied. The systems investigated were binary mixtures containing various compounds and binders. Among the binders used were a series of different molecular weights of polyethylene glycol. The proposed simplified tablet model describing the fracture path in a tablet during strength testing offers an explanation for the increase in tablet strength caused by the binder. The model and results in this thesis indicate that fractures will usually propagate around the tablet particles and through the interparticulate voids during tablet strength testing. One important characteristic of the binder is its ability to be effectively and evenly distributed through the interparticulate voids in a compound tablet. Characteristics such as high plasticity, low elasticity and a small particle size were associated with a more even distribution and a consequent pronounced effect on pore structure and marked improvement in tablet strength. The strength of tablets containing less plastic binders was governed more by the compactibility of the binder. The tablet porosity, bonding mechanisms and volume reduction mechanisms of the compound also influenced the effect of the binder. For example, the plasticity and particle size of the binder had the most significant effects on tablet strength when the tablet porosity of the com-pound was relatively low. A combination of the plasticity and the compactibility of the binder determined the strength of tablets when the tablet of a compound was more porous. The positive effect of a binder on pore structure and tablet strength resulted in an increase in the disintegration time. Although addition of a superdisintegrant generally improved the disintegration time, the effect was decreased when the formulation included more deformable binders. The choice of a suitable binder for a tablet formulation requires extensive knowledge of the relative importance of binder properties for enhancing the strength of the tablet and also of the interactions between the various materials constituting a tablet. Thus, the increased knowledge of the functionality of a binder obtained in this thesis enables a more rational approach to tablet formulation.

The following graduate report is an overview of my artistic endeavors spanning the past three years at the University of Texas at Austin. While at UT, I have concentrated on making paintings that focus on the relationship between abstraction, representation, and entropy. Using banal, often overlooked cultural objects as subject matter, I paint ambiguous scenes that teeter between disintegration and formation. Representations of banal detritus within an ambiguous natural space become a metaphor for memory, culture, and life and death alluding to unseen forces and, ultimately, a lack of control. Using a combination of random and deliberate decisions, I aim to create a commentary about the unpredictable yet conformist aspects of the world in which we participate. / text

No description available.

Thesis (M.Sc (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Thesis (M.Sc (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Performance testing and computer simulations have promising applications in Quality by Design approaches. The objectives of these studies were to investigate the performance of the disintegration test using different setups in addition to comparing the performance of the disintegration test with the rupture test using soft gelatin dietary supplements capsules. Classifying common herbs according to the Biopharmaceutical Classification System approach was also investigated using ADMET predictor TM. The final objective was evaluation the predictive power of computer simulations of in vitro dissolution in different media. The studies concluded that the disintegration test is robust only if firm specifications were applied. However, this test has no advantage over the rupture test. In silico methods can be used to classify herbs according to the BCS. Computer simulations of dissolution in vitro can be also a potential tool to estimate the dissolution behavior. These tools facilitate prediction of quality desired in a product. / Pharmaceutical Sciences

The European Union (EU) have during the years faced challenges of disintegration between its own Members. This thesis have studied about the phenomenon of disintegration and it is focused on the research of Phillipe Schmitter and Zoe Lefkofridi. They have studied about the Neofunctionalism explicit and implicit suppositions and hypothesis toward disintegration in the EU. The thesis is structured as a case study and its main purpose is to study about the explicit suppositions and hypothesis of the Neofunctionalism and if they are capable to explain why the United Kingdom (UK) wanted to leave the EU. The thesis have studied areas like the UK's dependence towards other Member States of the EU, if the British citizens feel secured against threats, the jurisdiction of the ECJ (the European Court of Justice) and the implementations of the EU-regulations, the politcalization conflicts between the UK and the EU, the convergence in the British society, the role of the experts and lastly if the UK having any influence in the EU governance. The thesis can conclude that the UK was in fact a disintegrated Member State inside the European Union. Brexit was in other words predicted by the Neofunctionalism.

The fundamental cause of low temperature breakdown (reduction disintegration) is reduction of hematite to magnetite, resulting in a volume expansion and stress relief through the formation of cracks. Serious reduction disintegration causes poor gas permeability, high flue dust production and scaffolding, poor gas distribution, higher fuel consumption and lower productivity. Northern Cape iron ore generally performs well when tested for reduction disintegration properties both for blast furnaces and Corex; nevertheless, significant breakdown is experienced when used in the Corex process (at Saldanha Steel). This study was hence conducted to determine the effects of the following on reduction disintegration:<ul><li> different ore types (from Northern Cape) </li> <li> initial particle size</li><li> temperature range</li><li> reduction gas composition</li></ul> Although disintegration is clearly triggered by reduction, no direct correlation could be established between the percentage reduction and the percentage fines generated. The results indicated that the presence of gangue minerals alone does not cause fractures to form, but does influence the direction and intensity of fractures to some extent. In many cases cracks form randomly, with no specific preference for either gangue minerals or iron oxides. For most of the samples, an incubation period was observed before the first cracks formed. No crack propagation was observed after initial cracking. This study indicates that the degree of reduction disintegration depends mostly on furnace conditions. Reduction disintegration increased with higher hydrogen percentages (>5%), higher temperatures (in the 500ºC-700ºC range) and longer exposure. Disintegration of the samples decreased at temperatures higher than 750°C. For particles smaller than 16 mm an inverse relationship was found between the average particle size and the percentage of fines generated, in line with the observation that most of the disintegration is due to spalling from particle edges rather than particles breaking into smaller clumps. The results indicate that it is important to manage the temperature in the top of the blast furnace and the COREX shaft, and the time spent at temperatures below 750°C, to minimize the amount of fines generated. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering / unrestricted

The new world of work has an enormous impact on the work-life of employees. Retrenchment, early retirement, unemployment and the demand for better performance are the result of massive restructurings, outsourcing, mergers and acquisitions. The old Psychological contract, as well as lifelong employment, is becoming obsolete in a changing world of work. This leads to increased job insecurity in the workplace. There is substantial evidence in the literature that job insecurity is damaging to psychological health. Job insecurity in not only damaging the individual but impacts negatively on the organisation. Job insecurity leads to mistrust, lack of commitment and general dissatisfaction. In the end it will have a definite impact on organisational performance. The empirical objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between job insecurity, psychological well-being and the relationship with future literacy. A cross-sectional design with an availability sample (n =. 459) was used. The sample was subjected to a specific programme of future literacy training (Map Your Life). Questionnaires were completed prior to the training programme. The reliability and construct validity of the measuring instruments acceptable. (Cronbach alpha coefficients adhere to the cut-off point of > 0,70) with the exception of the Dispositional Optimism Questionnaire (Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0,64). Future literacy is an unknown concept and it was necessary to conceptualise the concept. No instrument to measure future literacy existed and it was necessary to compile such an instrument. A questionnaire consisting of 18 items was compiled to measure future literacy. Factor analysis revealed two factors that measured future literacy. Factor One was named Positive Mindset Towards Future Possibilities and Factor Two, Anticipating, Planning and Preparing for Future Changes. The Cronbach alpha for Factor One was 0,76 and 0,8 1 for the second factor. Results indicated statistical signiticant correlations (of a medium effect) between job insecurity, self-efficacy, dispositional optimism and work locus of control. Self-efficacy and dispositional optimism correlated negatively with job insecurity, indicating that job insecurity decreases as self-efficacy and dispositional optimism increases. The results also indicated a significant negative correlation (medium effect) between job insecurity and future literacy. This implies that as job insecurity decreases future literacy increases. The negative correlation between future literacy and job insecurity indicates that candidates who are future literate experience less job insecurity. When candidates with high and low scores on future literacy were compared with one another, candidates who scored low on all the scales of future literacy experienced high levels job insecurity. Candidates who demonstrated high levels of future literacy experienced significantly lower job insecurity. Black employees experienced significantly higher levels of future literacy when compared to White employees. Multiple regression analysis indicated that self-efficacy, dispositional optimism, work locus of control and future literacy predicted job insecurity when controlling for biographical variables. Limitations and recommendations regarding future research, as well as recommendations for the organisation were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.