Yes / This chapter discuss several key issues for the UK in relation to Brexit. Firstly, how new directions could be initiated to fund infrastructure aimed at boosting the UK's future growth potential and/or promote reindustrialisation by nurturing strategic industries through the early and unknowable stages of their development until they achieve their own international competitive advantage. Secondly, we contest the belief that globalisation has created a new environment eroding the efficiency of traditional policy instruments and with it the relevance of individual nation states. Finally, in this context we conclude by arguing that Brexit offers a unique opportunity to negotiate of a new trade relationship with the EU, together with the rest of the world to both replace previous trade deals concluded by the EU, but also to establish a new set of relationships with a wider set of potential trade partners.

Phenotypic selection for production traits causes changes in the underlying genetics of the animal. As such, intensive selection on one trait may have consequences on other traits. Indeed alterations to traits seemingly unrelated to the desirable trait under selection have been documented, although the strength and direction have been inconsistent in livestock species. This leads to the question of how selection for growth may alter the ability to cope with pathogens, and whether because of its associated increase in nutrient requirements, improved nutrition could ameliorate any loss of resilience or resistance arising from this selection (Chapter One). This thesis uses a unique mouse line, divergently selected for low (Roslin low: ROL) and high (Roslin high: ROH) body weight and a chronic gastrointestinal nematode infection, Heligmosomoides bakeri, to address this question. Chapter 2 investigates the effects of dietary crude protein contents ranging from scarce to more than adequate on resilience and resistance traits of uninfected and primary infected ROH and ROL mice, using a fixed level of 250L3 as infection pressure. The data suggest that ROH mice had a greater penalty of infection on resilience, which was overcome by increased protein nutrition, and showed higher worm burdens and egg counts. Chapter 3 goes on to investigate the existence of a minimum parasite dose for the observation of loss of resilience and resistance during infection. Over a range of primary infection pressure from 0 to 250L3, it was found that an incoming parasite dose of 150L3 and over was required to reduce weight gain in ROH mice fed a low protein diet and that this loss in weight gain was ameliorated by increased protein nutrition. Resilience of ROL mice was not affected. It was also observed that worm burdens and egg counts of all mice reached a plateau at 150L3. Samples were taken for cytokine and chemokine analysis (Chapter 4) and data showed that the parasite infection did not polarise a Th2 type immune response as expected, whilst infection in ROL mice and ROH mice on low protein diets resulted in inflammatory immune response. Chapter 5 compares primary and secondary infection in ROH and ROL mice, finding that not only do ROH reduce weight gain in response to a primary and secondary infection during protein scarcity, they also show the greatest reduction in worm burdens and egg counts due to previous exposure. The data from this thesis, discussed in Chapter 6, suggests that intensive selection for high body weight can cause a loss of resilience that is sensitive to protein nutrition but that this may be due to a prioritisation of immunity over growth. Intensive selection for low body weight can cause a greater degree of resilience but cause a reduction in resistance to a pathogen challenge. Whilst this thesis therefore provides evidence that intensive selection, in either direction, can alter an animal‟s ability to cope with a pathogen challenge, future work using a non-selected control line is required to advance this hypothesis.

Thesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of some non-genetic factors on birth weight of Kalahari Red goats. Data on pedigree, breeding and performance records (N=1902) of Kalahari Red goat kids born in the Northern, Southern and Eastern regions of South Africa during the period from 2008 to 2017 were used. Least squares analysis revealed that season of birth, sire age, dam age, sex of kid, breeder, year of birth and Litter size were significant (p<0.05) sources of variation for birth weight in Kalahari Red goats kids. The average birth weights (BW) were 2.45 ± 0.57 kg, 3.33 ± 0.15 kg and 3.14 ± 0.08 kg kg for Eastern, Northern and Southern regions, respectively. Kids born in the Northern region were heavier (3.33 ± 0.158 kg) than those born in the Eastern regions (2.45 ± 0.57 kg). However, region had no significant effect (p>0.05) on birth weight. Breeder effect was significant (p<0.05). Kidding interval was not significant (P>0.05). The average birth weight of male kids was higher than female kids (3.05 ± 0.21 kg: 2.89 ± 0.20 kg), and the difference was significant (P<0.05). The research found a significant effect (p<0.05) of Litter size with the average birth weight of single, twins, triples and quadruplets kids being 3.10 ± 0.19 kg, 2.9 ± 0.20 kg, 2.99 ± 0.20 kg and 2.87 ± 0.36 kg respectively. The kids that were born as single were heavier than those that were born as multiple (twins, triplets and quadruplets). There were four seasons of birth analysed in the study, which were found to be highly significant (P<0.05) on birth weight. Year of birth had significant effect (p<0.05) on birth weight. The kids born in the year 2015 were heavier in BW (3.39 ± 0.23 kg) than those born in the other years, while the kids born in 2016 had the lowest BW (1.91 ± 0.21 kg). Age of dam and sire had a significant effect (p<0.05) on birth weight. It was then concluded that season of birth, sire age, sex of kid, dam age, breeder, year of birth and Litter size significantly influence birth weight of Kalahari Red goat’s kids and, therefore, need to be included in genetic evaluation models. Keywords: Adaptability, Growth potential, Parental effects, Reproduction potential.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration is capable of producing high quality drinking water with an ultra-low nutrient level. Therefore, a very low bacterial growth potential (BGP). BGP is a key bioassay to evaluate microbial quality and the biological stability of drinking water. Current methods to assess BGP in drinking water need to be adapted to the wide variety of water types due to results could highly vary from each, providing unreliable insights to the biological stability of the assessed water. This study evaluates the application of an FCM-based BGP assay for RO produced chlorinated drinking water. The approach combines (i) the standardization of a quenching agent concentration, (ii) the impact of sample pre-treatment such as filtration and pasteurization on the BGP of RO produced chlorinated water, (iii) the effect of different inoculums (an indigenous community and a mixture with bottled water) on the bacterial growth and their longevity after being stored, (iv) the use of BGP to assess the performance of carbon filters in removing chlorine and (v) the use of BGP to assess the effect of the addition of magnesium on bacterial growth. The results showed that high concentrations of sodium metabisulphite (> 7.5 mg/L) decrease the pH levels of the water,thus, inhibiting bacterial growth. Filtration had a significant effect on BGP values (2.62 x10^5 intact cells/mL) in comparison to pasteurization (9.02 x 10^4 intact cells/mL), when compared to the control. Using a mixture of water types as inoculum might provide a better insight to bacterial growth potential in water due to a higher consumption of nutrients. BGP demonstrated to be a sensitive tool to test the performance of carbonfilters applied to remove chlorine and its applicability to evaluate the biological stability of RO produced chlorinated drinking water. The concentrations of magnesium chloride tested in this study did not have a significant effect on cell numbers.

Vegetation establishment is one of the major rehabilitation methods that are used to stabilize, cover, to minimize, mitigate or remove the contaminants from tailings storage facilities (TSF’s). Phytostabilization is a useful mechanism by which plants limit the contamination of natural systems with toxic elements. For successful occurrence of phytostabilization on mine tailings, it is vital to establish plant species that can survive the hostile conditions of the substrate. Major problems encountered with vegetation covers is the lack of natural soil properties e.g. soil structure, organic carbon and also hostile chemical conditions. Only a few species are tolerant to the different negative properties of the tailings. The main aim of this project is to identify plant species that can be used for vegetative rehabilitation of nine different types of tailings material including gypsum, gold, platinum, kimberlite, coal, fluorspar and andalusite tailings. The ability of 28 different plant species to survive in the tailings was assessed by statistically calculating the growth potential of the species and summarizing the data in graphs and an index table that calculates a specific merit value for each of the tailings-species combinations. The various plant stress factors that the species exhibited were also documented. Finally, the results were correlated with a soil physical and -chemical baseline study of the tailings to provide insight into successes and failures of certain species. The final results identified various successful tailings-species combinations, as well as failures. The index table proved to be a useful tool to identify suitable species for establishment on various tailings. The baseline study of the different tailings could be used to explain why certain species could be established successfully, as well as the reason why some species did not survive. / M (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Vegetation establishment is one of the major rehabilitation methods that are used to stabilize, cover, to minimize, mitigate or remove the contaminants from tailings storage facilities (TSF’s). Phytostabilization is a useful mechanism by which plants limit the contamination of natural systems with toxic elements. For successful occurrence of phytostabilization on mine tailings, it is vital to establish plant species that can survive the hostile conditions of the substrate. Major problems encountered with vegetation covers is the lack of natural soil properties e.g. soil structure, organic carbon and also hostile chemical conditions. Only a few species are tolerant to the different negative properties of the tailings. The main aim of this project is to identify plant species that can be used for vegetative rehabilitation of nine different types of tailings material including gypsum, gold, platinum, kimberlite, coal, fluorspar and andalusite tailings. The ability of 28 different plant species to survive in the tailings was assessed by statistically calculating the growth potential of the species and summarizing the data in graphs and an index table that calculates a specific merit value for each of the tailings-species combinations. The various plant stress factors that the species exhibited were also documented. Finally, the results were correlated with a soil physical and -chemical baseline study of the tailings to provide insight into successes and failures of certain species. The final results identified various successful tailings-species combinations, as well as failures. The index table proved to be a useful tool to identify suitable species for establishment on various tailings. The baseline study of the different tailings could be used to explain why certain species could be established successfully, as well as the reason why some species did not survive. / M (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

<p>Doktorska disertacija odnosi se na analizu najznačajnijih kriterijuma<br />koje posmatraju investitori prilikom ulaganja na tržišta u razvoju.<br />Poređenjem šest evropskih berzanskih indeksa tržišta u razvoju i<br />svetski najznačajnijeg berzanskog indeksa - S&amp;P 500, dobijeni su<br />rezultati koji ukazuju da postoji značajnost u zavisnosti nivoa cena od<br />kretanja na globalnom tržištu, a koja su posledica postojanja<br />internacionalnih investitora. Dobijeni rezultati mogu se koristiti<br />kao osnova za dalja istraživanja u oblasti od strane akademske<br />zajednice, kao i od strane profesionalnih učesnika na finansijskim<br />tržištima, kao pomoć prilikom donošenja njihovih investicionih<br />odluka. Od posebnog interesa je mogućnost primene rezultata u vođenju<br />ekonomske i finansijske politike Republike Srbije.</p> / <p> markets investors. Comparison of six European emerging stock market<br /> indices and world&rsquo;s the most important stock exchange index - the S&amp;P 500,<br /> established a level of emerging markets price dependence on international<br /> investors with global market overview. The results obtained can be used as a<br /> basis for further research in the field by the academic community, as well as<br /> by professional investors in financial markets, to assist in making their<br /> investment decisions. Of particular interest is the possibility of applying the<br /> results in economic and financial decision making policy of the Republic of<br /> Serbia.</p>

Att öka den ekonomiska tillväxten hos företag är ett komplext uppdrag att bli tilldelad. Många variabler och faktorer skall tas till hänsyn. Denna studie bygger på en fallstudie utav en analysmodell. Analysmodellen är avsedd att bedöma företags tillväxtpotential. Plattformen och modellen har försetts av Timråkommun och använts för att uppfylla studiens syfte. Studiens syfte är att vetenskapligt pröva sambandet mellan den unika kriterieuppsätningen i analysmodellen med ekonomisk tillväxtpotential. För att hitta ett sådant samband användes en regressionsanalys. Regressionsanalysen försåg studien med en ekvation för viktningar utav tillväxthindren. ROE användes som ett mått för att bedöma ekonomisk tillväxt och företagen med högst ROE-värde ansågs besitta störst tillväxtpotential. I ekvationen användes ett GAP-värde för respektive tillväxthinder vilken kunde uppskatta tillväxten hos ett företag. Skulle det visa sig att den uppskattade tillväxten stämde med ROE skulle analysmodellen vara korrekt uppbyggd. Resultatet visade att detta inte var fallet, istället fanns stora brister i analysmodellen. Flera av företagen som analysmodellen hade framtagit visade på negativ tillväxt enligt ROE och endast ett företag hade visade på ROE-värde bland topp 20. Det konstaterades därmed att sambandet mellan analysmodellens kriterieuppsättning och tillväxtpotential hade låg korrelation. K-kvadrat värdet fann endast ett samband på 0,00008. Detta anses vara för svagt för utveckling utav den unika uppsättning kriterier. Istället rekommenderas helt nya kriterier för framtida modeller. / To increase the economic growth of a company today is a complex task to be assigned. Many variables and factors to be taken into account. This study is based on a case study out of an analysis model made by Timrå County to assess corporate growth potential. Purpose of this study was to examine the unique set of criteria in the model. The study intendeds to scientifically validate the link between the unique criterion-set in the analysis model and economic growth potential. ROE as a measure to assess economic growth and the companies with the highest ROE value was considered to possess the greatest growth potential. The study was conducted to find a correlation between the models criteria and increased economic growth for companies. A regression analysis between economic growth and the criteria’s in the model was performed, to find a connection. The regression analysis provided the study with an equation where weights of the growth obstacles were distributed. The equation used a GAP value for respective growth barriers, which could appreciate the growth of a company. Sued the estimated growth with the ROE value the analysis model to be properly structured. The results showed that this was not the case, but it appeared instead that there were large gaps between the analysis model and economic growth. Several of the companies analyzed by the model showed negative growth value according to ROE, and only one company had a ROE value among top 20. The relationship between the models set of criteria and growth potential, had very low correlation. K-squared only found a correlation of 0.00008. This is considered too weak for the development of the unique set of criteria. The study instead recommends new set of criteria for future analyze models.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2017-05-19T18:26:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Denise Rosane Perdomo Azeredo.pdf: 2006973 bytes, checksum: 610e1499e6733b78ee2eb47034198a7d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-19T18:26:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Denise Rosane Perdomo Azeredo.pdf: 2006973 bytes, checksum: 610e1499e6733b78ee2eb47034198a7d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-25 / Nowadays consumer desired healthy foods that promote benefits and free from food additives. The chemical composition of soft drinks, artificial colors and preservative, may pose a risk to consumer health due to the possibility of benzene formation, a recognized carcinogenic agent in humans and the association between artificial colors, allergic reactions and DNA damage. In this study, an orange soda formula containing the preservatives sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate with carrot and apple concentrate was developed. In parallel, we developed a standard formula containing tartrazine and sunset yellow. Physicochemical, microbiological and sensory analysis of formulas were carried out during the storage period of 150 days. It was observed that there were no changes in physicochemical parameters. However, the colorimetric analysis revealed a short shelf life in the sample containing the carrot and apple concentrate. Regarding microbiology, both formulations were according to regulation by public health agencies. The yeasts and molds counts presented 1 log cycle growth in the formula containing the carrot and apple concentrate, suggesting that the robustness of the developed matrix may be affected, if the hygiene conditions of processing line sanitation are not observed. It was found that the color was the sensory characteristic that most influenced consumers regarding the acceptability of the samples, signaling that this parameter interfered significantly in evaluating flavor and appearance The results obtained by microbiological challenge test and determination of growth potential (?) indicated that yeast and lactic acid bacteria are able to multiply in the formula containing carrot and apple concentrate without preservatives (? ? 0.5 log10), indicating that the formula is sensitive. Acid acetic bacteria, in these conditions, were inhibited. A preserved formula with the addition of carrot and apple concentrate and other formula with the addition of artificial colors were prepared. The results referring to the growth potential (?) indicated that yeast and lactic acid bacteria were inhibited (? ? 0.5 log10) in both formulas. However, the preservative resistant yeasts presented growth ability (? ? 0.5 log10). In the apple and carrot concentrate, it was observed that yeast, lactic acid bacteria and fungus Penicillium citrinum were inhibited, indicating that this ingredient should not be considered a nutrient source for microbial multiplication that would affect the formula robustness. It was verified the growth of the preservative resistant yeasts (growth potential ? ? 0,5 log10) in all the evaluated formulas and ingredient. The data obtained, in this study, indicate that the development of more natural foods still represents a challenge for the food industry. / Atualmente o consumidor anseia por alimentos mais naturais, saud?veis, que promovam benef?cios ? sa?de e que sejam isentos de aditivos. Nesse sentido, a composi??o qu?mica dos refrigerantes, especialmente no que concerne aos corantes artificiais e conservadores pode representar riscos ? sa?de do consumidor, devido a possibilidade de forma??o de benzeno, reconhecido agente carcinog?nico ao homem, e a associa??o entre corantes artificiais, rea??es al?rgicas e efeitos delet?rios ao DNA. Nessa pesquisa, inicialmente, desenvolveu-se uma formula??o de refrigerante de laranja, contendo os conservadores benzoato de s?dio e sorbato de pot?ssio, na qual os corantes artificiais ? amarelo tartrazina e amarelo crep?sculo foram substitu?dos por concentrado de cenoura e ma??. Em paralelo, desenvolveu-se uma formula??o controle. Foram realizadas an?lises f?sico-qu?micas, microbiol?gicas e sensorial das formula??es durante o per?odo de armazenamento de 150 dias. Observou-se o atendimento ao padr?o de identidade e qualidade e estabilidade das formula??es em rela??o aos par?metros f?sico-qu?micos. Entretanto, na an?lise colorim?trica observou-se uma degrada??o de cor percept?vel ao consumidor na amostra contendo o concentrado de cenoura e ma??. Em rela??o as an?lises microbiol?gicas, ambas as formula??es atenderam aos par?metros preconizados pela legisla??o. Entretanto, a contagem de bolores e leveduras apresentou crescimento de 1 ciclo log na formula??o contendo o concentrado de cenoura e ma??, sugerindo que a robustez da matriz desenvolvida pode ser afetada, se as condi??es de higieniza??o da linha de processamento n?o forem observadas. Em rela??o a an?lise sensorial, verificou-se que a cor foi a caracter?stica sensorial que mais influenciou os consumidores com rela??o a aceitabilidade das amostras, sinalizando que esse par?metro interferiu, de forma significativa na avalia??o do sabor e apar?ncia. Os resultados referentes a aplica??o do teste desafio e a determina??o do potencial de multiplica??o microbiana (?) indicaram que as leveduras e bact?rias l?cticas s?o capazes de se multiplicar na formula??o adicionada de concentrada de cenoura e ma?? sem conservadores (? ? 0,5 log10), sinalizando que a formula??o ? sens?vel. As bact?rias ac?ticas, nessas condi??es, foram inibidas. Nas formula??es preservadas quimicamente com adi??o de concentrado de cenoura e ma?? e a adicionada de corantes artificiais, os resultados referentes ao potencial de multiplica??o microbiana (?) indicaram que as leveduras e bact?rias l?cticas foram inibidas (? ? 0,5 log10) em ambas as formula??es. Entretanto, as leveduras resistentes a conservadores apresentaram habilidade de crescimento (? ? 0,5 log10). No ingrediente concentrado de cenoura e ma??, observou-se que as leveduras, bact?rias l?cticas e o fungo Penicillium citrinum foram inibidos, indicando que o concentrado n?o deve ser considerado uma fonte de nutriente para a multiplica??o microbiana que afetaria a robustez da formula??o. Constatou-se a multiplica??o das leveduras resistentes a conservadores, com potencial de multiplica??o ? ? 0,5 log10 em todas as formula??es e ingrediente avaliados. Os dados obtidos no presente estudo sinalizam que o desenvolvimento de alimentos mais naturais ainda representa um desafio para a ind?stria de alimentos.

A company’s board of directors is ultimately responsible for putting effective corporate governance (CG) structures in place as mechanisms to enhance its accountability to stakeholders. An audit committee (AC), which is a subcommittee of the board, is one component of the company’s CG structures. In South Africa, legislation, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listing requirements, and the King code and report of Governance for South Africa 2009 (King III) deal with the composition and responsibilities of ACs. As the shares of AltX listed companies, which are categorised as high-growth potential, small to medium-sized listed companies, are traded publicly, they are required to comply with the Companies Act and to establish an AC according to the Act’s composition requirements to fulfil mandatory responsibilities. In terms of the JSE listing requirements, AltX listed companies must appoint an AC or explain their reason(s) for not doing so. As the total market capitalisation of AltX listed companies has increased by 87% over the past three years, greater numbers of stakeholder groups are being affected. Since stakeholder groups are protected when companies implement effective CG processes, the purpose of this study is to understand the way in which the AC of an AltX listed company, as an example of a high-growth potential, small to medium-sized listed company, adds value to the company and its stakeholders. Attributes that contribute to the value added by ACs were identified as being the characteristics of AC members; the fulfilment of responsibilities through optimised activities; and the fulfilment of responsibilities by maintaining healthy relationships with the board and information providers. An explorative qualitative case-based research design was applied in terms of which a single AltX listed company was selected according to predetermined selection criteria. Data were collected using individual semi-structured interviews, field notes and company documents. Descriptive open coding techniques were used for data analysis with the findings of the study subsequently being presented in terms of a theoretical framework of the attributes that influence the extent to which the AC adds value. The findings of the study confirm that these attributes of the AC facilitate its ability to add value to the AltX listed company investigated and its stakeholders in terms of enlightened shareholder theory. / Auditing / M. Com. (Auditing)