The following paper will explore the future of sustainable building practices as it relates to building design rating systems and whether building design rating systems are effective in conserving energy and resources in the construction of new buildings. This paper will begin by highlighting some of the general principles behind sustainable design practices, and the challenges of determining if building design rating systems are utilized effectively towards the goal of sustainability. In addition, the paper will highlight issues specific to ongoing litigation in Gifford v. U.S. Green Building Council and allegations made within the lawsuit that question the methodology and efficacy of building design rating systems. How political and ideological influences have propelled sustainability practices into the mainstream, and to what extent government is and should be involved in regulating building design rating systems will also be explored. Lastly, how will new energy performance and sustainable design methodologies, which are now being required in the law, affect the professional liability of building design professionals in the future?

This study comprises two tasks. The first is to implement gate-level circuit camouflage techniques. The second is to implement the Oracle-guided incremental de-camouflage algorithm and apply it to the camouflaged designs. The circuit camouflage algorithms are implemented in Python, and the Oracle- guided incremental de-camouflage algorithm is implemented in C++. During this study, I evaluate the Oracle-guided de-camouflage tool (Solver, in short) performance by de-obfuscating the ISCAS-85 combinational benchmarks, which are camouflaged by the camouflage algorithms. The results show that Solver is able to efficiently de-obfuscate the ISCAS-85 benchmarks regardless of camouflaging style, and is able to do so 10.5x faster than the best existing approaches. And, based on Solver, this study also measures the de-obfuscation runtime for each camouflage style.

Målet med detta examensarbete är att ersätta den tidigare lösningen av sensorfingret med andra komponenter, eller hitta en annan sensor med motsvarande funktion. Arbetet har begränsats av att ESAB vill ha ett mekaniskt finger för användarvänlighetens skull. Efter en förundersökning av olika typer av sensorer har vi valt att använda oss av trådtöjningsgivare som sensorer till det mekaniska sensorfingret. I och med detta val behövde vi även komma med ett teoretiskt förslag på en mekanisk upphängning av sensorfingret. Vi har byggt upp två separata Wheatstonebryggor med varsin instrumentförstärkare (INA125). Utsignalen från bryggorna är relativt liten och behövde förstärkas cirka 2000 gånger. Nollbalansering av bryggorna har skett manuellt med potentiometrar men vi har även gett ett förslag på en lösning där nollbalansering kan ske med ett enkelt knapptryck. Knappen är placerad på upphängningen på ett sådant sätt att man inte kan trycka oavsiktligt på knappen. Resultatet av arbetet är en uppkoppling på en experimentplatta samt förslag på hur upphängningen och sensorfingret designmässigt kan se ut. För vidare arbetsgång behövs en prototyp för att testa livslängden och ta reda på vilken känslighet som är mest optimal. / The goal with this degree project was to find a solution with different components to the existing design, or find a sensor with similar function that could replace the previous design of the sensor finger. Our work has been limited by ESAB due to the user friendly mechanical design of the previous sensor finger. After examining different sensors we choose to use strain gages as sensors for the mechanical sensor finger. With this choice we also needed to suggest a theoretical design for a mechanical attachment of the sensor finger. We have designed two separate Wheatstone bridges with separate instrumental amplifiers (INA125). The output signals from the bridges are relatively small and need to be amplified around 2000 times. The zero balancing of the bridges has been done manually with potentiometers but we have also suggested a solution where the zero balancing can be performed by a push-button. The button is placed where you cannot push it unintentionally. The result of this degree project is a circuit on a veroboard, a designing proposal for the attachment and the sensor finger. In order to further develop this design it would be necessary to build a prototype to evaluate its life span and find the optimal sensitivity.

Die Option Mechanism Dynamics (MDO) von Creo Parametric ist ein Tool aus dem Bereich Starrkörperdynamik. Im Kern des Vortrags steht jedoch die MDO-Funktion 3D-Kontakt, die einzigartig mit elastischen Körpern arbeitet. Im Vortrag wird die Vorgehensweise bei der dynamischen Simulation eines Rutschreifens auf GFK-Wasserrutschen erläutert, abschließend werden Animationsbeispiele präsentiert.

<p>Målet med detta examensarbete är att ersätta den tidigare lösningen av sensorfingret med andra komponenter, eller hitta en annan sensor med motsvarande funktion.</p><p>Arbetet har begränsats av att ESAB vill ha ett mekaniskt finger för användarvänlighetens skull. Efter en förundersökning av olika typer av sensorer har vi valt att använda oss av trådtöjningsgivare som sensorer till det mekaniska sensorfingret. I och med detta val behövde vi även komma med ett teoretiskt förslag på en mekanisk upphängning av sensorfingret.</p><p>Vi har byggt upp två separata Wheatstonebryggor med varsin instrumentförstärkare (INA125). Utsignalen från bryggorna är relativt liten och behövde förstärkas cirka 2000 gånger.</p><p>Nollbalansering av bryggorna har skett manuellt med potentiometrar men vi har även gett ett förslag på en lösning där nollbalansering kan ske med ett enkelt knapptryck. Knappen är placerad på upphängningen på ett sådant sätt att man inte kan trycka oavsiktligt på knappen.</p><p>Resultatet av arbetet är en uppkoppling på en experimentplatta samt förslag på hur upphängningen och sensorfingret designmässigt kan se ut.</p><p>För vidare arbetsgång behövs en prototyp för att testa livslängden och ta reda på vilken känslighet som är mest optimal.</p> / <p>The goal with this degree project was to find a solution with different components to the existing design, or find a sensor with similar function that could replace the previous design of the sensor finger.</p><p>Our work has been limited by ESAB due to the user friendly mechanical design of the previous sensor finger. After examining different sensors we choose to use strain gages as sensors for the mechanical sensor finger. With this choice we also needed to suggest a theoretical design for a mechanical attachment of the sensor finger.</p><p>We have designed two separate Wheatstone bridges with separate instrumental amplifiers (INA125). The output signals from the bridges are relatively small and need to be amplified around 2000 times.</p><p>The zero balancing of the bridges has been done manually with potentiometers but we have also suggested a solution where the zero balancing can be performed by a push-button. The button is placed where you cannot push it unintentionally.</p><p>The result of this degree project is a circuit on a veroboard, a designing proposal for the attachment and the sensor finger.</p><p>In order to further develop this design it would be necessary to build a prototype to evaluate its life span and find the optimal sensitivity.</p>

[pt] O Lean Six Sigma (LSS) vem impulsionando diversas organizações ao redor do mundo, aprimorando seus negócios através da melhoria de qualidade e de desempenho. Diversos estudos apontam os resultados esperados pela abordagem LSS depende do sucesso do processo de implementação. Embora existam alguns frameworks que guiem as organizações no processo de implementação, poucos estudos consideram as especificidades dos sistemas produtivos Engineer-to-Order (ETO). Esta dissertação de mestrado se propõe a preencher essa lacuna desenvolvendo um framework de implementação desenvolvido em Pesquisa-Ação. Para isso, foi utilizado um modelo de maturidade híbrido cujos principais parâmetros são os Fatores Críticos de Sucesso (FCS). O modelo e os parâmetros foram levantados e explorados na literatura por meio de Revisões de Escopo. Para refletir e avaliar o contexto ETO, esses parâmetros foram validados, estruturados e ponderados por grupos focais de especialistas, através dos métodos Item-Objective Congruence (IOC), Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) e a estatística Kappa de Fleiss. Em seguida, uma Pesquisa-Ação foi realizada junto a uma empresa do setor midiático, perseguindo ciclo checkaction-plan-do (CAPDo). Como resultado, a organização direcionou seus esforços de melhoria contínua, resultando no rápido aumento do nível de maturidade. Essa pesquisa exploratória deu origem um framework apresentado como um guia de implementação LSS para organizações ETO. Algumas oportunidades de melhoria e limitações, como a subjetividade da ferramenta de avaliação e a necessidade de novas aplicações práticas, que requerem tempo, são indagadas como sugestões de melhoria para pesquisas futuras. / [en] Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has been driving many organizations around the world, enhancing their business through quality and performance improvement. Several studies point out the results expected from the LSS approach depend on successful implementations. Although there are some frameworks that guide organizations through the implementation process, few studies consider the specifics of Engineer-to-Order (ETO) production systems. This master dissertation proposes to fill this gap by developing an implementation framework developed in Action Research. For this, a hybrid maturity model was used, whose main parameters are the Critical Success Factors (CSF). The model and parameters were identified and explored in the literature through Scoping Reviews. To reflect and evaluate the ETO context, these parameters were validated, structured and weighted by focus groups with experts using Item-Objective Congruence (IOC), Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods and Fleiss Kappa statistic. Next, a Research-Action was conducted within a media sector company, pursuing the check-action-plan-do (CAPDo) cycle. As a result, the organization directed its continuous improvement efforts, resulting in a rapid increase in maturity level. This exploratory research gave rise to a framework presented as an LSS implementation guide for ETO organizations. Some opportunities for improvement and limitations, such as the subjectivity of the assessment tool and the need for further practical applications, which require time, are inquired as improvement suggestions for future research.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The organisations of the 21st century are confronted with continuous changes. It is necessary that organisations respond to these changes to improve the level of their performance. Although the number of change initiatives within organisations is the norm of the day, there are very few successes. One reason for this, the author maintains, is the tendency to usually overemphasise hard elements, and not attend adequately to the soft elements, although the latter often contribute to the success of the organisation. These soft elements are: staff, skills, style of leadership, and shared values. The aim of the study is to enhance organisational performance of the proposal engineering pillar (PEP) of Sizophumelela organisation. This department was chosen because most of the corrective actions requests (CAR) due to non performance at Sizophumelela are from PEP. The main objective of this study is to identify the areas of concern in PEP, to develop an understanding of organisational change and to propose interventions to address and solve problem areas and improve performance. The McKinsey 7S Model was used to analyse the effectiveness of this department at Sizophumelela, an electrical transformer manufacturer and refurbishment business. After the identification of problem areas, interventions are proposed to address these issues. In the literature review an overview of some organisational change models is provided and the limitations of these models are also indicated. Out of these models, the business process re-engineering (BPR) model was viewed as important for this study; hence some aspects of that model form part of proposed interventions to address the identified issues. The McKinsey 7S Model is preferred for the performance analysis of the PEP with its focus on: Strategy, structure, systems, staff, and style of leadership, skills, and shared values. The 7S model is viewed by the author as the model that has the greatest benefit, because both hard and soft elements are focused on. A comprehensive set of material available within the company was used and structured interviews were conducted with all members of the PEP team. With the help of this methodology the strengths and weaknesses were established and some recommendations were made. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die organisasies van die 21ste eeu kom voortdurend te staan voor veranderinge. Dit is nodig dat organisasies op hierdie veranderinge reageer om hul vlak van prestasie te verbeter. Hoewel die aantal veranderingsinisiatiewe binne organisasies vandag die norm is, is daar baie min suksesse. Een rede hiervoor, volgens hierdie outeur, is die neiging om gewoonlik harde elemente te oorbeklemtoon en nie genoeg aandag te gee aan die sagte elemente nie, hoewel laasgenoemde dikwels bydra tot die sukses van die organisasie. Hierdie sagte elemente is: personeel, vaardighede, leierskapstyl, en gedeelde waardes. Die doel van die studie is die verbetering van organisasieprestasie in die voorleggingsingenieurspilaar (PEP) van die Sizophumelela organisasie. Hierdie afdeling is gekies omdat die meeste van die versoeke om korrektiewe optrede (CAR) weens nieprestasie by Sizophumelela uit PEP afkomstig is. Die hoofdoelwit van hierdie studie is om die areas in PEP waaroor daar kommer bestaan, te identifiseer, begrip te ontwikkel van organisasieverandering en intervensies voor te stel om probleemareas op te los en prestasie te verbeter. Die McKinsey 7S Model is gebruik om die doeltreffendheid van hierdie afdeling by Sizophumelela te ontleed. Laasgenoemde is 'n besigheid wat elektriese transformators vervaardig en opknap. Na die identifisering van probleemareas word intervensies voorgestel om aan hierdie kwessies aandag te gee. In die literatuuroorsig word sommige modelle van organisasieverandering bekyk en die beperkinge van hierdie modelle word ook aangedui. Uit hierdie modelle word die model vir besigheidsprosesherontwerp (BPR) beskou as belangrik vir hierdie studie, dus vorm sommige aspekte van daardie model deel van voorgestelde intervensies ten opsigte van die geidentifiseerde kwessies. Die McKinsey 7S Model word verkies vir die prestasieontleding van die PEP met sy fokus op strategie, struktuur, stelsels, personeel, leierskapstyl, vaardighede en gedeelde waardes. Die 7S Model word deur die outeur beskou as die model met die grootste voordeel, aangesien dit fokus op beide harde en sagte elemente. 'n Omvattende stel materiaal wat binne die maatskappy beskikbaar is, is gebruik, en gestruktureerde onderhoude is gevoer met al die lede van die PEP span. Met behulp van hierdie metodologie is die sterk en swak eienskappe bepaal en sekere aanbevelings gedoen.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / One of the causes for money to be wasted on construction sites is accidents. The reason is that an accident on site is an unplanned event typically relating to the loss of production or the loss of life. Many industry stakeholders and role players have focused on construction health and safety and to improve this area of concern; however, construction health and safety are not significantly improving. Construction still continues to contribute a large number of fatalities and injuries relative to other industry sectors. During the construction phase, poor construction health and safety performance is attributable to a lack of management commitment, inadequate supervision, and a lack of health and safety training and - systems. Health and safety systems do not only include excellent health and safety management on site, but rather an integrated approach on health and safety issues from the conceptual design phase by all stakeholders participating. This integrated approach includes the design done by the engineer. The inspiration behind this research is the question of whether South African Engineers design buildings safe for construction. The lack of knowledge by engineers with regard to construction processes, the lack of health and safety enforcement in the engineering offices and construction sites, and whether engineers adhere to safe design principles is the subject of investigation in this research. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the role of the design engineer in the safety of building projects. Specifically, it investigates to what extent the design engineer can contribute to site safety, and to what extent this is actually taking place. The Construction Regulations states the engineer can be appointed to act on behalf of a client and should share any information that might affect the health and safety of construction employees with the contractor. By means of a literature study, the investigation of case studies and the investigation of questionnaires to which a percentage of South African engineers responded, this research identified the information that should be shared by the design engineer with the contractor. The information can be shared by indicating hazardous activities or - locations on the actual drawings. Information can also be shared by specifying and reminding the contractor of certain health and safety hazards in the health and safety specifications of the building project. Although the Construction Regulations state that the safety hazards associated with most construction processes are the responsibility of the contractor, it will be beneficial for the safety of the employees if the engineer also consults the contractor on the hazards identified by him or her during the early design stages. Early collaboration between the engineer and contractor is also beneficial for the safety of construction employees. The result is an integrated approach towards safety hazard identification and mitigation. Having adequate knowledge with regard to construction processes allows the engineer to be aware of possible safety hazards. This will result in the correct information to be shared with the contractor and incorporated into the early design phases of the project to ensure a healthy and safe working environment. The study shows that a percentage of South African engineers have a lack of site experience, a lack of safety training, a lack of knowledge with regard to the content of the Construction Regulations, and a lack of knowledge with regard to construction processes. These shortcomings can be detrimental to site safety.

Beavers have been described as a “keystone species” and “ecosystem engineers”, and in this dual role have great potential to physically modify their environment through tree-felling, foraging and construction activities. The resultant change in habitat heterogeneity can affect the flora and fauna that share the habitat with them. There has been recent interest in reintroducing the Eurasian beaver to the United Kingdom after an absence of over 400 years. To date, no research (aside from this thesis) has focussed on beaver ecology and behaviour in Scotland. This study has investigated the ecological effects of a small number of beavers in two enclosed but semi-natural Scottish sites at Bamff in Perthshire. The research conducted over a three-year period, with particular emphasis on the effects of tree-felling, foraging and construction activities. Trees were felled for both dietary and construction purposes, with felling rates being influenced by habitat availability, quality and the degree of habitat modification required. Highest rates were evident during the initial colonisation period of marginal sites (c. >300 trees / beaver / calendar year), and lowest rates in later years of occupation of more optimal sites (c. 55 – 70 trees / beaver / calendar year). Preferences were generally for willow and aspen trees, with conifers almost entirely avoided, and smaller trees preferred over larger ones. Proximity of trees to waterbodies was also an important factor, with nearer trees favoured, and generally most felling occurred within 50 m of water. Such behaviour followed the principles of optimal central place foraging. These preferences were less predictable however when intense construction activity was undertaken, with larger trees preferred and generic preferences for deciduous trees apparently invalid. In such cases, close proximity to the construction site was of prime importance. Increased cover of herbaceous plant species was observed in beaver-created canopy gaps in riparian woodland, whilst macrophyte diversity within waterbodies increased slightly in areas of herbaceous grazing. The diversity of terrestrial ground invertebrates was highest in areas of heavy tree-felling, and invertebrate richness and abundance was greatest in areas of herbaceous grazing under an intact tree-canopy. Furthermore, the abundance, diversity and richness of macroinvertebrate communities were increased by beaver-generated woody debris in ponds and streams. Overall, 30% of all macroinvertebrate species collected were found only in beaver-affected areas, due to the refugia and food supply provided by beaver dams, caches and lodges, as well as hydrological effects of these structures. These results are discussed with reference to future plans to return the beaver to Scotland. The habitat usage and modification of riparian ecosystems in northern Britain is likely to be similar to that found in this study, and the results are believed to be relevant, applicable and transferable to many areas of Scotland.

Today’s labor market is teeming with software development jobs, and employeesare needed more than ever. With this statement, one would believe it is easy fora newly graduated student to start their career. However, according to severalstudies, there are specific areas where newly graduated Software Engineeringstudents struggle when beginning their first job. Currently, there is a displace-ment about what the school should focus on when teaching their students. Thiscauses various challenges to arise for newly graduated students when they areinitially starting their career. To address this issue, this study aims to iden-tify whether or not there exists a gap between the education provided by theuniversities, and what is expected from the industry. In accordance with this,the purpose is also the point out which areas might be challenging for newlygraduated students, and highlight how the school and industry can benefit fromthe results of this study.By conducting interviews with both newly graduated student with one to threeyears working experience or personnel responsible for hiring new employees atcompanies, this study will give an insight on which common areas newly grad-uates may struggle with. Although the result specifies several areas which arechallenging to newly graduated students. The greatest challenges which thenewly graduated graduated students faced were areas revolving around softskills. This was in accordance with the opinions of the recruiters. Insinuatingthat these areas are what the school should focus more on. Other differencesbetween the newly graduated interviewee’s opinions and the recruiters are alsohighlighted in the report Several subjects in school could improve its way ofteaching. Furthermore, there are possibilities for companies to better adjusttheir on-boarding of newly graduated. By addressing the challenges which newlygraduated face they can provide their new employees with a better understand-ing of how to properly work and function in the industry today.