Background: We evaluated the validity of a set of 11 quality indicators for prostate cancer radiotherapy and radical prostatectomy by examining their association with outcomes. The selected indicators were: hospital volume, pre-treatment risk assessment, patient consultation with a radiation oncologist, appropriate follow-up care, leg immobilization during radiotherapy, bladder filling during radiotherapy, portal film target localization, use of nerve sparing surgery, operative blood loss, margin status and pelvic lymph node dissection. The selected outcomes were: cause-specific survival, disease-free survival, late morbidity (urinary incontinence, gastrointestinal and genitourinary morbidity), change in node stage from clinical N0 to pathologic N1, and margin status. Methods: Our study sample consisted of 1570 prostate cancer patients who were diagnosed in Ontario between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1998 who received radical prostatectomy within 6 months of diagnosis (n=646), or curative radiotherapy within 9 months of diagnosis (n=924). Quality of care, outcomes, and potential confounders were measured using patient chart and administrative data. Regression techniques were used to evaluate the associations between quality indicators and relevant outcomes. Results: For patients treated surgically, hospital volume met our test of validity. Patients treated in the lowest volume hospital (0-1 RP/month) were at greater risk of prostate cancer death than patients treated in the highest volume hospitals (7+ RP/month) (HR=5.37 95% CI=1.23-23.46). For patients treated with radiotherapy, leg immobilization and bladder filling during radiotherapy met our test of validity. Patients treated without leg immobilization were more likely to experience urinary incontinence (RR=2.18, 95% CI=1.23-3.87) and genitourinary late morbidities (RR=1.72, 95% CI=1.16-2.56) than patients who received leg immobilization. Patients who were treated with an empty bladder were more likely to experience GU late morbidities (RR=1.98, 95% CI=1.08-3.63) than those treated with a full bladder. The remaining indicators did not meet our test of validity. Conclusion: Our results support the validity of one surgical quality indicator and two radiotherapy quality indicators. Explanations for our non-significant findings, including limited study power, data quality, our definition and measurement of indicators, and a true failure to predict outcome(s) are discussed, and recommendations for further research are presented. / Thesis (Master, Community Health & Epidemiology) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-07 20:26:34.461

Transformations of the various agricultural systems have been taking place in the coastal zone of Bangladesh. While some farmers continue to follow traditional practices, in recent years, others have become involved in massive shrimp cultivation, shrimp-rice cultivation, a rice-based improved agricultural system or a shrimp-rice-vegetable integrated system. All these types of agriculture are being practiced under highly vulnerable environmental conditions. The long-term livelihood, food security and adaptation of the coastal people largely depend on the sustainability of these agricultural practices. In this context, assessing the level of sustainability is extremely important and will be essential for developing future policy options in Bangladesh. This study attempts to examine the sustainability of agricultural practices in the coastal region of Bangladesh. A field study was carried out in 2011 in five villages of five upazilas in the mature and active delta areas of the country. The data were collected through in-depth questionnaire surveys, focus groups discussions, field observation, key informants and secondary materials. A comprehensive suite of indicators was developed considering productivity, efficiency, stability, durability, compatibility and equity of the coastal agriculture. The categories and the indicators were weighted using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to measure the sustainability level of five study sites. The integrated agricultural system (shrimp-rice-vegetable) of Dumuria appeared to be the most sustainable system among agricultural practices, and other integrated systems (rice-based improved agricultural system) of Kalaroa were also found to show a good level of sustainability. The massive shrimp cultivation system of Shyamnagar and Kaliganj appears to be least sustainable. A traditional agriculture system with some improved methods followed in Bhola Sadar also performed in a satisfactory manner, but there were limitations in terms of its location in the active delta. The level of the sustainability measured in this study allows for a comparison among agricultural practices of the five study sites. The information generated from the study may be used in formulating policies for this part of the country. Measuring agricultural sustainability in this way produces a useful summary of sustainability issues and also provides some vital learning experiences. A holistic and interdisciplinary approach is attempted in this study for assessing and comparing the sustainability level of coastal agricultural systems. It has the potential to become useful as one of the frameworks for sustainability assessment. / Thesis (Master, Environmental Studies) -- Queen's University, 2012-09-28 15:08:18.847

A large purse-seine fishery is located in the highly productive southern Benguela System off the western Cape. Purseseine fisheries have been prone to collapse worldwide and management practices have met with limited success. Predators offer potential as biological indicators yielding information on the status of fish stocks. The rationale behind this proposed usage was previously loosely-defined. The premise that some variable of seabird biology is related to some aspect of fish biology about which information is required was critically examined. The diet of the Cape Gannet was monitored monthly at Lambert's Bay and Malgas Island in the western Cape from 1977 to 1986. Gannets ate shoaling fishes (mainly Cape Anchovy, South African Pilchard and Saury) , measuring 29-429 mm Lc, which were available during the day at the surface and hake offal scavenged from demersal trawlers. Comparison with purse-seine fishery catches and the distributional ecology of the fishes suggested that the contributions of epipelagic fishes to the diet of the Cape Gannet were related to their availability and abundance, but that the occurrence of mesopelagic fishes (adult Redeye Roundherring and Onderbaadjie) in the diet of gannets was not related to their availability or abundance. Availability of epipelagic fishes was apparently lowest during late winter and spring; at longer time scales, availability was apparently lowest between 1983 and 1985 during the period from 1978 to 1986. Differences in the diets of breeding and nonbreeding gannets were small. Gannets from the colony at Lambert's Bay fed primarily north of Cape Columbine. These birds fed in cool inshore waters on juvenile fishes (mainly Cape Anchovy). Gannets from Malgas Island fed primarily south of Cape Columbine. They fed in cool inshore waters on juvenile epipelagic fishes (mainly Cape Anchovy), in warmer waters offshore on large epipelagic fishes (Saury and adult pilchard) or scavenged hake at trawlers offshore. Adult South African Pilchard were preferred prey. Epipelagic prey were selected in preference to mesopelagic fishes and hake. Significant correlations between the percentage of pilchard in gannet diet and purse-seine fishery catches suggested that gannets were reliable monitors of the trend in pilchard stocks at low biomass levels. The Saury is a poorly known species and its availability to gannets was reviewed as an example of the indirect use of the diets of predators in understanding the ecology of prey species, and functioning of ecosystems. Future directions for research were suggested. However extensive use of data from predators in fisheries management awaits the development of techniques which can use qualitative data. Nevertheless, it was concluded that the species composition and length of prey in gannet diet and the mass of regurgitations and the proportion of birds which regurgitated food were related to the abundance of epipelagic fish prey generally and South African Pilchard in particular. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1987.

In the last century, agricultural intensification on the Canadian prairies has resulted in increased pesticide use with the potential to expose non-target organisms to pesticides as a result of non-point source pollution. In order to minimize risk and implement programs and regulations that promote sustainable agricultural practices, information on the types of pesticides being used and their subsequent fate in soils is essential. In this study, pesticide use trends were summarized and Herbicide Risk Indicators (HRIs) were calculated for the 1996-2006 growing seasons; a time period in which genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) crops were commercially adopted. This study also quantified the influence of soil moisture, temperature, slope position, and soil depth within the plough layer on 2,4-D [2,4-(dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid] fate in soil obtained from a cultivated undulating field in Southern Manitoba. Annual pesticide use varied slightly over the 11-year period, but overall, there were no significant increasing or decreasing temporal trends for herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides. Although the total mass of herbicides remained relatively consistent, there was a significant change in the types of herbicides applied associated with the increased adoption of GMHT-canola; the most significant trend being the increase of GLY, from 16% to 45% of the total herbicides used in 1996 to 2006, respectively. HRIs demonstrated that herbicides used in 2006, are on average, more soluble, but less persistent, less volatile, and less acutely toxic to mammals (inhalation and acceptable daily intake), aquatic invertebrates, fish and algae, than those applied in 1996. Although 2,4-D remains one of the top 10 herbicides applied to agricultural crops in Manitoba, there were no significant increasing or decreasing trends in 2,4-D use between 1996 and 2006. Results from the experimental studies revealed that 2,4-D mineralization half-lives (DT50) in soil varied from 3 days to 51 days with the total 2,4-D mineralization (MT) ranging from 5.8 to 50.9%, depending on soil moisture, temperature, slope position, and depth. Both DT50 and MT demonstrated a polynomial relationship with temperature, typical of a biological system with minimum, optimum, and maximum temperatures.

The purpose of this thesis is to point out how a company can gain a better process by using PM in an effective way. The report concludes that the existence in practice of theoretically important aspects are different, also that the most correct way of leading the aspects are through the creation of a PM process. During this thesis work the benefits with performance measurements have been analyzed. Since the genesis of the industrialisation there have been growing needs to identify ways of understanding how a company functions. One of the main events historically leading to the broad adoption of PM was the introduction of the DuPont model. The DuPont model developed by DuPont and General Motors during the beginning of the 20th century quickly became the industry standard in the US for financial analysis. The Dupont model gave PM a central role in evaluating the performance of a company. Companies are today driven towards a higher level of responsiveness and flexibility in order to remain competitive. In order to measure the advancement towards these objectives, an increasingly complex set of activities collection of PM to monitor performance satisfactorily. Often however, PM are still developed around traditional, functional metrics focusing on departmental issues, rather than on the whole value stream. There has also been analyzed how a manufacturing company can use PM in an effective way. Under this thesis it emerged that the most crucial factor affecting the companies PM was that it was hard to understand how to use it correctly. When a company use it correctly it determines where the company stands, if they want to be competitive in the future and a method to maintain a good value stream flow. The economical factors for the company are at least important because all decisions always include costly investments. At the same time a company’s PM must be as efficient as possible and generate a good investment. Also other factors have been presented in this thesis but do not affect the effectiveness of the PM. The most important factors found to a more effective PM were; does the PM fulfil its purpose, is the performance attained, to make the purpose explicit and at last boost the education around the subject. The whole research has been carried out over a twenty-week period, during that period data collection has been performed via case studies. The rest of the data collection has been collected through a literature review by examining relevant data to answer the two research questions. This thesis have led to a better understanding regarding how to use PM and the benefits of it. This are based on the collected data from the case studies and from the theoretical findings, the empirical data were analyzed in a way that the company understood what was wrong with today´s PM.

The current body of knowledge concerning Agricultural Education quality in regards to its three components is not consistent and total program quality has not been defined scientifically. The purpose of this study was to determine quality indicators for instruction, SAE, and FFA according to experts (agricultural education teacher educators, state instructional staff, and high school teachers) across the United States. The conceptual framework for this study was the three circle model consisting of the three integral, intra-curricular components of Instruction, FFA, and SAE. This national study was descriptive in nature and utilized the Delphi technique to gather responses from an expert panel and combine the responses into one useful statement (Stitt-Gohdes andamp; Crews, 2004). The initial questionnaire consisted of three open-ended questions and was developed by the researcher while subsequent questionnaires were developed from the experts responses. The expert panel agreed upon 37 quality indicators for Instruction, 19 quality indicators for FFA, and 6 quality indicators for SAE.

In this thesis we propose a feasible bibliometric assessment framework of research output quality derived from the definition of research proposed by Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). Based on this basic framework, we show that research output can be assessed from two elements: significance of new insights and effectiveness of sharing based on the new insights. We investigate this issue from two levels: research publication's quality assessment and academic journal's quality assessment. With regard to measurement of research publications, we confirm citation information is accepted as a measure of effectiveness of sharing regardless of various reasons of citation behavior. On the other hand, we observe there are no sufficient studies on bibliometric indices for significance of new insights, based on information other than citations. In this thesis, we theoretically develop some non-citation based bibliometric measurements via utilizing journal characteristics (e.g. journal acceptance rate (JAR) or journal rejection rate (JRR)). Their strength and weakness are shown in our empirical studies. Furthermore, we believe a more complete assessment for research output quality can be achieved by combining information from the two elements. Several combination approaches such as function combination (i.e. production of two indicators) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach are proposed and testified on real data sets like the Association of "- Business School (ABS) journal ranking and Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Secondly, we utilize a part of the HEFCE framework for journal quality assessment from wider perspectives. To this end two ranking approaches are introduced to serve different stakeholders, and Operational Research/Management Science (OR/MS) journals are employed in the empirical studies. Finally, we report a real project of the 3E (i.e. Efficacy, Efficiency, Effectiveness) theory in an international research institute ranking, jointly carried out by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China, and the Centre for Evaluation of Research Performance (CERP), University of Kent, UK.

Fishes are widely used by biologist as ecological indicators that measure key elements of complex systems, without having to capture the full complexity of a specific system. The Vaal River in South Africa is classified as Africa’s hardest working river and is home to, two yellowfish species that are socially and economically important. Both these yellowfish species are considered to be sensitive to changes in water quantity and quality, habitat destruction and utilisation pressure and are often used as ecological indicators to manage aquatic ecosystems. Very little however, is known about their movement, response to changing environmental variables and interspecies habitat preferences. This study therefore aims to use radio telemetry as a method to characterise and evaluate how yellowfish behaviour is influenced by changing environmental variables. To characterise the behavioural ecology of the Vaal-Orange River yellowfish species in lentic and lotic ecosystems, Labeobarbus aeneus (n=18) and L. kimberleyensis (n=3) were fitted with externally attached radio transmitters in Boskop Dam (L. aeneus, n=4) and the Vaal River (L. aeneus, n=14) (L. kimberleyensis, n=3). Various methods were used to collect yellowfish species including: gill nets, to target mobile individuals, in deep habitats, electro-fishing (electro-narcosis) to collect yellowfish in shallow habitats and angling techniques in a wide variety of habitats. Thereafter yellowfish species were sedated and tagged with externally attached radio transmitters, before being released back into the system. Yellowfish were monitored for eleven months using a remote monitoring system together with manual monitoring surveys. Analyses of data collected showed that L. aeneus follows distinct behavioural patterns, with some individual variations in behaviour. Labeobarbus aeneus exhibited higher movement that are associated with deeper water during daylight hours (04:00-16:00). During nocturnal periods (20:00-04:00) L. aeneus showed a decrease in movement activity and preferred shallower water compared to daytime. However, L. aeneus in the Vaal River seems to be less influenced by bright daylight and this might be due to the turbidity of the river water. Labeobarbus aeneus in Boskop Dam showed higher movement counts during full moon phases whereas L. aeneus in the Vaal River showed higher movement counts during new moon phases. All tagged fishes in Boskop Dam and in the Vaal River preferred deeper water during full moon phases than during new moon phases. Movement were significantly higher (P<0.05) with increased temperatures and shallower water in summer whereas movement significantly decreased (P<0.05) with a decrease in temperature and increased depth in autumn and winter. Seasonal movement data were, however, limited. This study confirms that radio telemetry methods can be used to characterise the behavioural ecology of yellowfish species. In addition, the study has improved the knowledge of how environmental variables may affect the behaviour of yellowfish species. However, due to limited data and our understanding of these species, it is still uncertain how behaviour of yellowfish species can be applied as an ecological indicator of aquatic ecosystems. / Thesis (MSc (Zoology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Fishes are widely used by biologist as ecological indicators that measure key elements of complex systems, without having to capture the full complexity of a specific system. The Vaal River in South Africa is classified as Africa’s hardest working river and is home to, two yellowfish species that are socially and economically important. Both these yellowfish species are considered to be sensitive to changes in water quantity and quality, habitat destruction and utilisation pressure and are often used as ecological indicators to manage aquatic ecosystems. Very little however, is known about their movement, response to changing environmental variables and interspecies habitat preferences. This study therefore aims to use radio telemetry as a method to characterise and evaluate how yellowfish behaviour is influenced by changing environmental variables. To characterise the behavioural ecology of the Vaal-Orange River yellowfish species in lentic and lotic ecosystems, Labeobarbus aeneus (n=18) and L. kimberleyensis (n=3) were fitted with externally attached radio transmitters in Boskop Dam (L. aeneus, n=4) and the Vaal River (L. aeneus, n=14) (L. kimberleyensis, n=3). Various methods were used to collect yellowfish species including: gill nets, to target mobile individuals, in deep habitats, electro-fishing (electro-narcosis) to collect yellowfish in shallow habitats and angling techniques in a wide variety of habitats. Thereafter yellowfish species were sedated and tagged with externally attached radio transmitters, before being released back into the system. Yellowfish were monitored for eleven months using a remote monitoring system together with manual monitoring surveys. Analyses of data collected showed that L. aeneus follows distinct behavioural patterns, with some individual variations in behaviour. Labeobarbus aeneus exhibited higher movement that are associated with deeper water during daylight hours (04:00-16:00). During nocturnal periods (20:00-04:00) L. aeneus showed a decrease in movement activity and preferred shallower water compared to daytime. However, L. aeneus in the Vaal River seems to be less influenced by bright daylight and this might be due to the turbidity of the river water. Labeobarbus aeneus in Boskop Dam showed higher movement counts during full moon phases whereas L. aeneus in the Vaal River showed higher movement counts during new moon phases. All tagged fishes in Boskop Dam and in the Vaal River preferred deeper water during full moon phases than during new moon phases. Movement were significantly higher (P<0.05) with increased temperatures and shallower water in summer whereas movement significantly decreased (P<0.05) with a decrease in temperature and increased depth in autumn and winter. Seasonal movement data were, however, limited. This study confirms that radio telemetry methods can be used to characterise the behavioural ecology of yellowfish species. In addition, the study has improved the knowledge of how environmental variables may affect the behaviour of yellowfish species. However, due to limited data and our understanding of these species, it is still uncertain how behaviour of yellowfish species can be applied as an ecological indicator of aquatic ecosystems. / Thesis (MSc (Zoology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

One of the biggest problems South African banks are experiencing when managing operational risk is the lack of a single definition for operational risk. Operational risk can take many forms; for example computer system failure, the malfunction of an ATM or in same instances the long queues at a bank can be an operational risk It is clear that banks lack sufficient information to distinguish between different operational risk events as well as other risk events like credit risk, market risk, etc. In other words, banks are experiencing great difficulties with the identification of operational risk in South Africa The study therefore aims to determine and construct a single definition of operational risk that will be sufficient for the assessment of operational risk management in South Africa. The study also aims to examine the existing as well as the possible methods to identify, quantify and measure operational risk The main goal of this study is therefore to investigate the feasibility of capital provisions as a way of managing operational risk in South African banks, in other words the viability of the New Basel Capital Accord on South African banks. The methodology used includes a literature review, in-depth interviews and a case study on South African Retail Bank to determine and evaluate some of the most renowned indicators of operational risk in South Africa. The first objective was to determine a single definition of operational risk in South Africa. As mentioned, South African banks are having great difficulties to find a single definition of operational risk and this is causing problems in identifying operational risks in South Africa. It is the view of this study that the Basel Committee's definition is not sufficient enough for operational risk management in South Africa; therefore there is a great need to find a single definition of operational risk in South African banks. The second objective is to provide an overview of the Base1 Committee and its Capital Accord, by focusing on one of the outstanding changes to the existing accord, which is the proposed explicit capital requirement for operational risk. It has been established that the Base1 Capital Accord is widely adopted around the world. Consequently, from the viewpoint of being competitive, it is to the advantage of a bank to adhere to the prescriptions of the Base1 Capital Accord. However, to stay relevant, the Basel Capital Accord was due for a review. The Basel Committee released a proposal to replace the existing Basel Capital Accord with a more. risk sensitive framework. The new framework intends to improve safety and soundness in the financial system by placing more emphasis on banks' own internal control and management, the supervisory review process, and market discipline. The third objective of this research was to present the theory of asset and liability management (ALM) within the unifying theme of operational risk management. It was indicated that capital is used to absorb an operational risk loss. The Asset and Liability Committee (ALCO) is responsible for the strategic management of a bank's balance sheet, therefore also ALM, and as capital forms part of the banks balance sheet, it is also the responsibility of the ALCO to manage the capital that is used as provision for an operational risk. The fourth objective was to determine and evaluate the key risk indicators of operational risk in South Africa theoretically and then also by means of a case study on a South African Retail Bank and then to made some recommendations regarding the effective identification of the key indicators of operational risk in South Africa. It was indicated the challenge in identifying key operational risk indicators is to find indicators that is not only business-specific but are also fm wide indicators of operational risk. Recommendations on the effective identification of key operational risk indicators were made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.