Building information modelling (BIM) has been discussed as the most prominent tool for bringing advancement in the construction industry. BIM provides a platform to integrate multiple disciplinary such as structural design, architectural design, MEP details and many more into one model, known as the BIM model. During the course of this work it was noticed that there is a spike in developing new methodologies for efficient energy calculation of buildings, but these methodologies are still based on the manual procedure. Example of such methodology is the upcoming EU parameter known as Smart readiness indicator (SRI). Therefore, an aim has been made by the author to propose automation of such energy calculation methodology aided by BIM technology.For this thesis work, a pre-existing Revit based BIM model was selected and structurally modified as per the requirements. Then, the smart services from the SRI calculation method were assigned to the Revit model. Later with the help of Dynamo (i.e. Revit plugin), a script was created to extract smart services information from the Revit model and forward it into MS-Excel file to obtain final SRI score. It was found that results obtain through manual calculation and method proposed by the author were the same. Hence, it is concluded that the automation of new energy certification scheme SRI is possible. / Building information modelling (BIM) har diskuterats som det mest framstående verktyget för att få framsteg inom byggbranschen. BIM tillhandahåller en plattform för att integrera flera discipliner som strukturell design, arkitektonisk design, MEP-detaljer och många fler i en modell, känd som BIM-modellen. Under detta arbete märktes det att det utvecklas nya metoder för effektiv energiberäkning av byggnader, men dessa metoder bygger fortfarande på den manuella proceduren. Exempel på en sådan metod är den kommande EU-parametern som kallas Smart readiness indicator (SRI). Därför har ett syfte gjorts av författaren att föreslå automatisering av sådan energiberäkningsmetod med hjälp av BIM-teknik.För detta uppsatsarbete valdes en redan existerande Revit-baserad BIM-modell och strukturellt modifierad enligt kraven. Sedan tilldelades smarta tjänster från SRI-beräkningsmetoden Revit-modellen. Senare med hjälp av Dynamo (dvs. Revit-plugin) skapades ett manus för att extrahera information om smarta tjänster från Revit-modellen och vidarebefordra den till MS-Excel-filen för att få slutlig SRI-poäng. Det visade sig att resultaten som erhölls genom manuell beräkning och metod som föreslås av författaren var desamma. Därför dras slutsatsen att automatisering av det nya energicertifieringssystemet SRI är möjligt.

Целью работы является разработка методики оценки капитала здоровья субъектов РФ, особенностью которой является выбор показателей, отражающих благополучие населения, их группировка на естественные и инвестиционные, нормализация индикаторов методом min-max, расчет весовых коэффициентов с помощью метода главных компонент, определение промежуточных интегральных показателей с помощью аддитивной агрегации и сводного интегрального показателя капитала здоровья, что позволит более точно и объективно оценить капитал здоровья субъекта и приоритезировать инвестирование субъектов с недостаточным уровнем капитала здоровья. / The aim of the work is to develop a methodology for assessing the health capital of the subjects of the Russian Federation, the feature of which is the selection of indicators reflecting the well-being of the population, their grouping into natural and investment, normalization of indicators by the min-max method, calculation of weighting coefficients using the principal component method, determination of intermediate integral indicators using additive aggregation and a summary integral indicator of health capital, this will allow a more accurate and objective assessment of the subject's health capital and prioritize the investment of subjects with an insufficient level of health capital.

This dissertation examines the use made of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator in the pastoral work of Anglican Clergy. The practical theological focus of the study is reflection on praxis. Various theories of pastoral work are discussed. The history and development of the MBTI is given as well as the Jungian background to it. A qualitative research, grounded theory approach, is utilised. Interviews of 14 Anglican clergy generate the data for the research. The research questions are: "Why do Anglican clergy use the MBTI?"; "How do Anglican clergy use the MBTI?" The research findings show that Anglican clergy use the MBTI for the purpose of personal growth, clergy self-care, and understanding relationships. Anglican clergy attend workshops which encourage the application of MBTI insights in pastoral work. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology)

Bacterial water pollution is a significant problem because it is associated with reduction in the ‘quality’ of water systems with a potential impact on human health. Faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) are usually used to monitor the quality of water, and to indicate the presence of pathogens in water bodies. However, enumeration alone does not enable identification of the precise origin of these pathogens. This study aimed to monitor the quality of bathing water and associated fresh water in and out of the ‘bathing season’ in the UK, and to evaluate the use of microbial source tracking (MST) such as the host-specific based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) to recognize human and other animal sources of faecal pollution. The culture-dependent EU method of estimating FIB in water and sediment samples was performed on beach in the South Sands, Kingsbridge estuary, Devon, UK- a previously ‘problematic’ site. FIB were present at significant levels in the sediments, especially mud, as well as fresh water from the stream and pond flowing onto South Sands beach. However, the quality of bathing water was deemed to be ‘good’ and met with the EU bathing water directive 2006. Using MST it was possible to successfully classify the nature of the source from which the bacteria came. PCR was applied to detect the Bacteroides species 16S rRNA genetic markers from human sewage and animal faeces. All water and sediment samples displayed positive results with a general Bacteroides marker indicating the presence of Bacteroides species. Host-specific PCR showed the human Bacteroides genetic marker only in the sediment of the stream. However, limitations in the ‘types’ of probes available and in the persistence of these markers were identified. Thus, novel dog-specific Bacteroides conventional PCR and qPCR primer sets were developed to amplify a section of the 16S rRNA gene unique to the Bacteroides genetic marker from domestic dog faeces, and these were successfully used to quantify those markers in water samples at a ‘dog permitted’ and ‘dog banned’ beach (Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon, UK). Generic, human and dog Bacteroides PCR primer sets were also used to evaluate the persistence of Bacteroides genetic markers in controlled microcosms of water and sediment at differing salinities (< 0.5 and 34 psu) and temperature (10 and 17 ºC). The rates of decline were found did not differ significantly over 14 and 16 days for the water and sediment microcosms, respectively. Beach sediments which were studied in this project may act as a reservoir for adhesive FIB, and this was confirmed using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). The similarity in the persistence of these Bacteroides 16S rRNA genetic markers in environmental water and sediment suggests that viable but non-culturable (VBNC) Bacteroides spp. do not persist in the natural environment for long. Therefore, 16S rRNA genetic markers can be of value as additional faecal indicators of bathing water pollution and in source tracking. Thus, in this study MST methods were successfully used and in future applications, dog-specific primer sets can be added to the suite of host-specific Bacteroides genetic markers available to identify the source(s) of problem bacteria found on failing beaches.

The enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) is a candidate biomarker for various cancers as its activity in cancerous tissues is significantly increased. An artificial molecule, amantadine, is exclusively acetylated by SSAT to acetylamantadine (AcAm), levels of which in urine can serve as a proxy biomarker for malignancy. Current method of AcAm detection is laborious, time-consuming, and lacks the possibility of transforming to a point-of-care device. In this thesis, two different approaches were applied to detect AcAm in deionized water and in human urine using optical methods. The first one was fluorescence-based indicator displacement assay using cucurbit[7]uril as the receptor molecule. The second was programmed gold nanoparticle disaggregation with cucurbit[7]uril as a molecular linker. / Graduate

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research is to gain insight into the personalities of marketers and to identify a benchmark personality profile for a marketer in professional service industries. In order to accomplish this, the personality traits required when performing the general marketing role, as well as the personality tests to measure the identified traits, were investigated. A best-fit profile was then selected by matching these traits. The variations in the marketing role between the professional services and the goods industry were then investigated in order to adapt the profile for the specific traits required by professional service industries. The Myers Briggs Type Indicator and 16 Personality Factor scales were identified as the main tests and selected to measure the desired traits for the profile. Additional tests were identified to test for high levels of creativity, high levels of tolerance for ambiguity, strong internal locus of control, high need for achievement, high levels of emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit. When comparing the traits required by the boundary spanning, entrepreneurial role of marketers inside organisations, with the descriptions of each of the 16 Myers Briggs types, the Extrovert, Instinctive, Thinking, Perceiving (ENTP) type was identified as the best-fit profile. A corresponding 16PF profile was constructed and compared using correlations between the two scales. No clashing personality traits could be identified when investigating the mainly relational marketing role requirements of the professional services industries. Replacement of the ENTP type was therefore not justified. Additional traits related to ‘loyalty’ and ‘trust’ were added as further advantages and an investigation into the Myers Briggs type theory identified ways of evaluating it. The subsequent theoretical profile and descriptions were then sent to experienced and practised marketers in the professional services industry, asking them to provide feedback regarding the personality traits of the theoretical profile and the methods followed. Feedback was provided by means of a Likert scale multiple-choice survey that was hosted online as well as private email conversations. The feedback was mostly positive and responses corresponded with the theoretical model with the exception of two specific personality traits of the 16PF in question that opposed the model. Personality tests can serve as a starting point for constructive discussions of individual behaviour and performance of current employees. These tests can be used for coaching, career counselling, conflict resolution, team and organisational development and to predict employee-role "fit". The tests and results can help provide a framework for assessing the ways that different individual personalities contribute to the behaviours that impact performance in the workplace.

Thesis (MEd)--Universiteit van Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary purpose of a restructured educational system in South Africa, to which the Government of National Unity has committed itself, is to provide every learner with the opportunity to develop to his/her full potential. This implies insight into and understanding of the personality functioning of learners, which would enable educators to determine their learners' educational needs and address these in a relevant way. A need that resulted from this was to supply educators with information that would enable them to readdress their priorities, methods of instruction and structuring of educational material in order to accommodate all learners in their classes. This need gave rise to a research project undertaken by the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Stellenbosch. An American personality questionnaire, the Murphy-Meisgeier Type Indicator for Children (MMTIC) forms part of this research project. This instrument identifies personality types in children and sheds light on various aspects related to personality type which include: where children are likely to focus their energy, how they perceive information, how they make decisions and how they orient themselves to their external world. This information is especially valuable as it accesses a learner's learning- and communication styles. The MMTIC has been in use in the United States for more than a decade. In an effort to render this instrument universally and across cultural boundaries useful, the compilers are in a process of developing a revised version, of which the Murphy-Meisgeier Type Indicator for Children-Revised (MMTIC-R) is the provisional form. As part of the developing process of the revised version, it is necessary to determine whether the MMTIC-R measures the same .aspects of personality as the MMTIC. Consequently the results yielded by the MMTIC and MMTIC-R on a group of learners are compared in terms personality types, personality type preferences, temperamental types, function- and attitude pair preferences. Correlation between the four scales for the research group on the two instruments, as well as the levels of reliability for both instruments are also campared. As the usefulness of the MMTIC-R across cultural boundaries is a priority, a group of Xhosa speaking learners from an English-medium primary school were selected as candidates for the research group. The research group (N=162) was representative of boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 13 years. The SAS system was used for the statistic computation of the data, and two sets of results, descriptive of the research group and of the two instruments were obtained. The results indicated that both the MMTIC and MMTIC-R measure the same aspects in terms of personality types, personality type preferences, temperamental types, function- and attitude pair preferences. The results however indicated statistical correlation on only one of the four scales of both instruments, which requires further investigation. Although the results for the descriptive statistics showed a higher level of reliability for the MMTIC-R than the MMTIC, both instruments fulfil the requirements for a good psychometric instrument. The educational and teaching implications are valuable, and are discussed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die oorkoepelende doelwit van 'n geherstruktureerde onderwysstelsel waartoe die Regering van Nasionale Eenheid verbind is, is om elke leerder die geleentheid te bied om as individu tot sy/haar volle potensiaal te ontwikkel. Hierdie doelwit behels 'n noukeurige insig in en begrip vir die persoonlikheidsfunksionering van elke leerder, wat die opvoeder in staat sal stelom elke leerder se onderwysbehoeftes te identifiseer en op relevante wyse aan te spreek. 'n Behoefte wat dus hieruit voortvloei is aan inligting wat dit vir opvoeders moontlik sal maak om hul prioriteite, onderrigmetodes en strukturering van onderrigmateriaal aan te pas om elke leerder in hul klasse te akkommodeer. Hierdie behoefte het aanleiding gegee tot 'n omvattende navorsingsprojek wat deur die Departement Opvoedkundige Sielkunde aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch onderneem is. 'n Amerikaanse persoonlikheidsmeetinstrument, die Murphy-Meisgeier Type Indicator for Children (MMTIC), maak deel uit van die navorsingsprojek. Hierdie meetinstrument identifiseer persoonlikheidstipes in kinders en werp lig op verskeie aspekte wat daarmee gepaard gaan soos: waar kinders neig om hul energie te fokus, hoe kinders inligting verkry, op watter wyse hulle besluite neem en oordele fel, asook hoe kinders hul tot die eksterne wêreld oriënteer. Hierdie inligting is veral waardevol aangesien dit inligting oor leer- en kommunikasiestyle verskaf. Die MMTIC is reeds vir meer as 'n dekade in die Verenigde State in gebruik, en in 'n poging om hierdie meetinstrument universeel en oor kultuurgrense heen meer bruikbaar te maak, is die samestelIers in 'n proses om 'n hersiene weergawe te ontwikkel, waarvan die Murphy- Meisgeier Type Indicator for Children - Revised (MMTIC-R) 'n voorlopige vorm is. As deel van die ontwikkelingsproses van die hersiene weergawe moet daar onder andere bepaal word hoe dit vergelyk met die MMTIC in terme van die aspekte van persoonlikheid wat dit meet. In hierdie ondersoek word die resultate van 'n bepaalde groep leerders op beide die meetinstrumente met mekaar vergelyk ten opsigte van persoonlikheidstipes, persoonlikheidstipevoorkeure, temperamentstipes, funks ie- en houdingspaarvoorkeure. Korrelasie tussen die vier afsonderlike skale vir die ondersoekgroep op die twee meetinstrumente, asook die vlakke van betroubaarheid vir albei meetinstrumente word ook vergelyk. Aangesien die bruikbaarheid van die hersiene weergawe oor kultuurgrense heen 'n prioriteit is, is 'n groep Xhosa sprekers in 'n Engelsmedium laerskool as kandidate vir die ondersoekgroep geselekteer. Die ondersoekgroep (N=162) is verteenwoordigend van seuns en meisies tussen die ouderdomme 10 en 13 jaar. Die SAS-sisteem is vir die statistiese verwerking van die data in die ondersoek gebruik en twee stelle resultate, beskrywend van die ondersoekgroep self en van die meetinstrumente afsonderlik, is gelewer. Die resultate dui daarop dat beide meetinstrumente dieselfde aspekte van persoonlikheid meet. Die resultate dui egter daarop dat daar 'n statistiese verband op slegs twee van die vier skale afsonderlik is, en behoort dus verder ondersoek te word. Alhoewel die resultate vir die beskrywende statistiek dui op 'n hoër vlak van betroubaarheid op die MMTIC-R as op die MMTIC, voldoen albei meetinstrumente tegnies aan die statistiese vereistes van 'n goeie meetinstrument. Die implikasies van die bevindings is waardevol vir die opvoedings- en onderrigpraktyk, en word bespreek.

This project implemented novel approaches to assess the source, age, concentration and mobility of fecal indicator microorganisms within a karst groundwater system. Research was conducted in the well-characterized Blue Hole Spring karst groundwater basin in Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky. At this site the AC/TC ratio and fecal coliform (FC) bacteria counts were used to delineate sources of fecal inputs and determine relative age of the fecal matter. An aging experiment using indicator bacteria (total coliform (TC) and atypical colonies (AC)), which approximated subsurface conditions, indicated that changes in the AC/TC ratio are likely to be retarded during bacterial transport through karst conduits. Decreases in the AC/TC ratio during the monitoring period appear to be the result of sewage releases. Multiple logistic regression (MLR) modeling was performed to examine correlations between physiochemical parameters and FC concentrations. MLR models using physiochemical parameters correctly predicted “safe for contact” (< 200 cfu/100 mL FC) conditions 65.6% of the time and “unsafe for contact” (> 200 cfu/100 mL FC) conditions 69.2% of the time at Blue Hole Spring. Modeling using other indicators (TC and AC) predicted “safe for contact” conditions 87.5% of the time and “unsafe for contact” conditions 61.5% of the time. A series of tracer tests were performed to compare transport of solute and abiotic particle tracers (rhodamine WT fluorescent dye, bromide and fluorescent bacteria-sized microspheres) and bacteria (15N-enriched wild-type E. coli) within the karst system. The surrogate tracers did not suitably mimic microbial mobility within the basin. Solutes and 15N-enriched E. coli arrived concurrently during storm flow to Blue Hole Spring, whereas microsphere breakthrough corresponded with maximum solute concentrations. The 15Nenriched E. coli exhibited slightly more tailing during storm-flow recession than solute tracers, none of which exhibited remobilization. Microspheres demonstrated remobilization within the conduits that correlated with later increases in discharge related to secondary storm events.

Indicators are still at the heart of the debate on ‘sustainable development’ (SD), whatever the level or stance taken. However, initiatives of ‘indicators for sustainable development’ (ISD) cannot be related to a well-defined object. Facing this heterogeneity, an analysis of the uses and impacts of ISD in decision- and policy-making situations appears to be a necessity. Consequently, the present thesis focalises on the discussion and analysis of the characteristics of ISD-initiatives that are influencing the usability of ISD in decision situations? At a secondary level, the thesis identifies of a key which allows to read and analyse these characteristics, i.e. the usability-profile of ISD-processes, with respect to the configuration of the decision situation. A discussion of the mechanics of decision-making processes and the handling of information within these, identifies that the utilisation of assessments in policy-making can be apprehended with three different characteristics: legitimacy, credibility and salience (L,C,S). Applied to the context of ISD, legitimacy refers to the perception of the policy-actors of the procedural fairness, credibility to the perception of the scientific soundness and salience to the perception of stakeholder- and policy-relevance. A discussion of alternative and existing utilisation-analyses of ISD shows that the L,C,S-framework has sufficient depth and width to figure as a potential, overarching framework of ISD-characteristics. Simultaneously, the confrontation of the L,C,S-framework with the issue domain of SD, as well as a translation of L,C,S on the level of ISD-initiatives, shows that a secondary level of analysis is necessary. The linkages between an L,C,S-based analysis of the usability-profiles of ISD, the principles of SD and the policy making processes can be identified to be best discussed at the level of the institutionalisation of ISD, i.e. the ‘institutional embeddedness’ of ‘soft’ information-processes for SD-management into public decision-making culture. ISD can be identified as ‘boundary organisations’, i.e. objects which are set to facilitate the interactions between different existing actor arenas which have different cultures of understanding, constructing, organising and digesting information. We propose thus to add to the analysis of the usability of ISD, a second, institutional axis which allows to situate the mechanics of L,C,S between actor arenas, and allows to conceive a ‘usability-profile’ for ISD-initiatives. The institutional reading of ISD-initiatives is than developed further. In order to enhance their usability, ISD-processes need to be governed and steered: their usability can be managed and co-constructed through the lenses of the three usability-characteristics. Simultaneously, ISD are themselves acknowledged as being part of the government- and governance-instruments of the SD-domain. By translating information between actor-arenas, ISD foster a ‘governance-enhancing’ function, which in the end renders ISD as being part of the steering (or governance) instruments of SD. As a consequence, the enhancement or even management of the usability of ISD will distil down to ‘steer the steering’. Such a double-bound governance function can be addressed as ‘reflexive governance’, i.e. the governance of the governance instrument.

This thesis is concerned, loosely, with time series analysis. It is also, loosely, concerned with smoothers and Generalized Additive Models. And, finally, it is also concerned with the estimation of health risk due to air pollution. In the field of time series analysis, we develop two data-driven interpolation algorithms for interpolation of mixed time series data; that is, data which has a stationary or “almost” stationary background with embedded deterministic trend and sinusoidal components. These interpolators are developed to deal with the problem of estimating power spectra under the condition that some observations of the series are unavailable. We examine the structure of time-based cubic regression spline smoothers in Generalized Additive Models and demonstrate several interpretation problems with the resultant models. We propose, implement, and test a replacement smoother and show dramatic improvement. We further demonstrate a new, spectrally motivated way of examining residuals in Generalized Additive Models which drives many of the findings of this thesis. Finally, we create and analyze a large-scale Canadian air pollution and mortality database. In the course of analyzing the data we rebuild the standard risk estimation model and demonstrate several improvements. We conclude with a comparison of the original model and the updated model and show that the new model gives consistently more positive risk estimates. / Thesis (Ph.D, Mathematics & Statistics) -- Queen's University, 2012-10-26 14:32:00.678