Vibration-based condition monitoring is a key and crucial element for asset longevity and to avoid unexpected financial compromise. Currently, data-driven methodologies often require significant investments into data acquisition and a large amount of operational data for both healthy and unhealthy cases. The acquisition of unhealthy fault data is often financially infeasible and the result is that most methods detailed in literature are not suitable for critical industrial applications. In this work, unsupervised latent variable models negate the requirement for asset fault data. These models operate by learning the representation of healthy data and utilise health indicators to track deviance from this representation. A variety of latent variable models are compared, namely: Principal Component Analysis, Variational Auto-Encoders and Generative Adversarial Network-based methods. This research investigated the relationship between time-series data and latent variable model design under the sensible notion of data interpretation, the influence of model complexity on result performance on different datasets and shows that the latent manifold, when untangled and traversed in a sensible manner, is indicative of damage. Three latent health indicators are proposed in this work and utilised in conjunction with a proposed temporal preservation approach. The performance is compared over the different models. It was found that these latent health indicators can augment standard health indicators and benefit model performance. This allows one to compare the performance of different latent variable models, an approach that has not been realised in previous work as the interpretation of the latent manifold and the manifold response to anomalous instances had not been explored. If all aspects of a latent variable model are systematically investigated and compared, different models can be analysed on a consistent platform. In the model analysis step, a latent variable model is used to evaluate the available data such that the health indicators used to infer the health state of an asset, are available for analysis and comparison. The datasets investigated in this work consist of stationary and time-varying operating conditions. The objective was to determine whether deep learning is comparable or on par with state-of-the-art signal processing techniques. The results showed that damage is detectable in both the input space and the latent space and can be trended to identify clear condition deviance points. This highlights that both spaces are indicative of damage when analysed in a sensible manner. A key take away from this work is that for data that contains impulsive components that manifest naturally and not due to the presence of a fault, the anomaly detection procedure may be limited by inherent assumptions made in model formulations concerning Gaussianity. This work illustrates how the latent manifold is useful for the detection of anomalous instances, how one must consider a variety of latent-variable model types and how subtle changes to data processing can benefit model performance analysis substantially. For vibration-based condition monitoring, latent variable models offer significant improvements in fault diagnostics and reduce the requirement for expert knowledge. This can ultimately improve asset longevity and the investment required from businesses in asset maintenance. / Dissertation (MEng (Mechanical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Eskom Power Plant Engineering Institute (EPPEI) / UP Postgraduate Bursary / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / MEng (Mechanical Engineering) / Unrestricted

Existing office buildings’ embodied energy, history and culture offer something a newly constructed building cannot. On the other hand, new office buildings’ adoption of new technologies and building philosophies offer a range of sustainable efficiencies previously unavailable. Combining these efficiencies with elements that embrace human diversity and well- being offer the opportunity to not only mend our existing buildings’ deteriorating physical bodies but aid in creating workplaces that promote good physical and mental health. This project provides recommendation on how an existing high-rise commercial building can incorporate a number of incremental improvements that continually evolve to meet rapidly changing market demands. This design approach allows for ease of installation and modification to meet the needs of the tenants and the building owner.

The basic unmedicated formula consists of dextran, sorbitol, Miranol 2 MCA Modified, and water. The major advantages of the film are 1) fast release rates, 2) ease of application to denuded skin without aggravation, and 3) lack of necessity for removal, hence no aggravation. However, it is extremely sensitive to moisture and elevated temperatures which is a major disadvantage. Excessive humidity will solubilize the film or make it too tacky to handle while very low humidity causes the film to lose its flexibility. Also, elevated temperatures remove moisture from the film and cause it to lose flexibility much as with low humidities. This study was designed to evaluate further this new dosage form with respect to: (1) Modification of formula to minimize moisture sensitivity.; (2) Determination of a suitable packaging material.; (3) Determination of proper storage conditions.; (4) Determination of shelf-life of silver sulfadiazine and nitrofurazone dry foams.; (5) Determination of a suitable sterilization method(s).

The basic aim of this mini-dissertation was to explore the prospects of digitisation at the University of Ghana Library System (UGLS). The research followed a qualitative approach and a case study research design was adopted. A thorough literature study was conducted. The primary purpose of the literature was to inform the research on the questions and objectives raised on the aspects of digitisation to understand the dynamics and complexity of digitisation. Six staff from the UGLS digitisation programme were purposively sampled for in-depth interviews for their direct involvement in the UGLS digitisation programme. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with UGLS digitisation managers and the current IT and digitisation operations staff to collect data. During the interviews, the following issues associated with digitisation were addressed: policy, planning, goals and priorities, selection criteria, skills and expertise, digital preservation and long-term access, issues and challenges; solutions and recommendations to digitisation constraints of the UGLS. These issues were used to identify and develop themes where thematic analyses of research data were done. Specific recommendations were also develop to share with UGLS to address the digitisation policy and planning issues, selection issues, human resource and skills requirements; the critical challenges, resource requirements, long-term preservation and access of digitised content and the sustainability of digitisation programme. Final recommendations were made based on the findings and conclusions of the research to advise on the sustainability of the UGLS digitisation programme. / Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Information Science / MIT / Unrestricted

With the current upsurge of a technological era, there is an underlying global threat to the cultural development of theatre, especially opera. Therefore, there is a need for a paradigm shift that will re-imagine and transcend opera into the 21st century. Site-specific opera merges the potential of theatrical entertainment and the value of an existing site. Both the location and the performance have the ability to remove the audience from their lives and submerge them in a fantasy or created reality. With the focal approach being the interpretation of the Magic Flute Opera at a site-specific location, a concept of cultural heritage awareness is revealed. With this in mind, the preservation extends into a consideration of the existing site. The site, Fort Daspoortrand, is currently in a state of physical degradation, and the decay of heritage and cultural fabric is prominent. Thus, the potential for preservation and cultural celebration arises. It is proposed that through a site-specific opera performance of William Kentridge’s adaptation of The Magic Flute by Mozart, a sense of wareness can be created for both the site and a South African interpretation of opera. The opera will catalyse the awareness of the site, and the scenography will act as a vehicle to bring site and opera together in a visual and spatial experience. Through the merging of opera and site, the heritage and cultural significance of both entities will be explored, allowing the opportunity for life to be breathed back into both the fort and opera in general. The design intention of this project is to bring awareness to the existing fabric of the site, as well as the dramatic opportunities that the site naturally presents. In this way, the physical and cultural decay of both Fort Daspoortrand and opera are brought to the public’s attention. The intention in this creation of site awareness is to promote an afterlife for the site, by exposing its character in an attempt to ignite future development at the site once the opera has finished. Through combining opera and site, the audience will be exposed to the beauty of the site and the cultural richness of opera simultaneously. The temporary design intervention aims to strategically link the themes of The Magic Flute with the characteristics of the site to explore the relationship between narrative, fort and opera. Emphasis is placed on how to take the audience on a winding and intertwining journey of the site during the performance of the opera adaptation. The fluidity and natural progression of the audience through the site will ultimately create a reflective and emotive understanding of The Magic Flute’s theme of the journey from darkness to light. / Mini-dissertation Mint(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Architecture / MInt(Prof) / Unrestricted

The dissertation research is an examination of the social and cultural dynamics of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company (ALIC) in Atlanta, GA. During the Jim Crow era (and post Jim Crow era), the ALIC provided economic mobility through employment, home loans, life insurance, and community solidarity. The company was one of the largest and most successful African-American financial institution in the country during the 20th century. It was founded in 1905 by Alonzo F. Herndon, a prosperous black barber and entrepreneur who rose from enslavement to become by 1927 the wealthiest African American in Atlanta. Renamed as the Atlanta Life Financial Group (ALFG), today the insurance company remains the leading African American stock-owned insurance company in the nation. I examine how Atlanta Life employees conceptualized their relationships within the company (past and present) and the larger African American community of Atlanta, along with the role the institution played as a shared space for producing cultural identities through social interactions. I explore the multiple roles of the company that impacted the community in the past and current roles within the African American community. I also explore what the possible closing of the Herndon Home Museum mean for memories and heritage, and the Herndon family's accomplishments if the home were torn down.

In this study we investigate the synergistic effect of low frequency ultrasonication (14, 22, and 47 kHz) on antimicrobial activity of Cecropin P1 against Escherichia coli. The hypothesis was tested by comparing three different treatments (1) ultrasonication only (2) Cecropin P1 only (3) combination of both. The results showed that the combined treatment deactivate E. coli more efficiently by six order of magnitude. The mechanism of membrane permeabilization due to Cecropin P1 is also investigated using dye leakage experiment. The result indicated pore formation and carpet mechanism. Finally, a mathematical modeling is proposed to explain the synergistic effect, allowing us to make better prediction for cell deactivation.

The objectives of this research were to 1) investigate bridge deck condition assessment methods used in the field and laboratory, methods of managing bridge decks, and methods for estimating remaining bridge deck service life using computer models through a comprehensive literature review on these subjects; 2) collect and analyze field data from representative concrete bridge decks in Utah; and 3) develop a decision tree for concrete bridge deck management in Utah. As a result of the literature review performed for objective 1, a synthesis of existing information about condition assessment, bridge deck preservation and rehabilitation, bridge deck reconstruction, and estimating remaining service life using computer models was compiled. For objective 2, 15 bridge decks were strategically selected for testing in this research. Five bridge decks had bare concrete surfaces, five bridge decks had asphalt overlays, and five bridge decks had polymer overlays. Bridge deck testing included site layout, cover depth measurement, chloride concentration testing, chain dragging, half-cell potential testing, Schmidt rebound hammer testing, impact-echo testing, and vertical electrical impedance testing. Two-sample t-tests were performed to investigate the effects of selected bridge deck features, including polymer overlay application, deck age at polymer overlay application, overlay age, asphalt overlay application with and without a membrane, stay-in-place metal forms (SIPMFs), SIPMF removal, internally cured concrete, and use of an automatic deck deicing system. For objective 3, condition assessment methods were described in terms of test type, factors evaluated, equipment cost, data collection speed, required expertise, and traffic control for each method. Unit costs, expected treatment service life estimates, and factors addressed for the preservation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction methods most commonly used by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) were also summarized. Bridge deck testing results were supplemented with information about current bridge deck management practices and treatment costs obtained from UDOT, as well as information about condition assessment and expected treatment service life, to develop a decision tree for concrete bridge deck management. Based on the results of field work and statistical analyses, placing an overlay within a year after construction is recommended. Removing SIPMFs after a deck age greater than 18 years is not likely to be effective at reversing the adverse effects of the SIPMFs on bridge deck condition and is not recommended. Bridge deck construction using internally cured concrete is not recommended for protecting against rebar corrosion. To the extent that excluding an automatic deck deicing system does not compromise public safety, automatic deck deicing systems are not recommended. To supplement the typical corrosion initiation threshold of 2.0 lb Cl-/yd3 of concrete for black bar, a corrosion initiation threshold of 8.0 lb Cl-/yd3 of concrete is recommended in this research for bridge decks with intact epoxy-coated rebar. For chloride concentrations less than 20 lb Cl-/yd3 of concrete as measured between reinforcing bars, an increase of up to 70 percent should be applied to estimate the corresponding chloride concentration of the concrete in direct contact with the rebar. The decision tree developed in this research includes 10 junctions and seven recommended treatments. The junctions require the user to address questions about surface type, degree of protection against water and chloride ion ingress, degree of deterioration, and years of additional service life needed; the answers lead to selection of treatment options ranging from repairing an overlay to full-depth bridge deck reconstruction. Revisions to the decision tree should be incorporated as additional methods, data, treatments, or other relevant information become available.

Cities are increasingly becoming vessels of consumption, while various opportunities for production of space and public expression are taken away from the city's inhabitants. New architectural interventions often disregard a site's previously developed character and further aid in wiping away memories closely related to a city's cultural past. Banja Luka, the second largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been an important cultural center, even through years of unrest. Within the city's main plaza stands an unfinished concrete structure (Fig. 3), built with pre-war conceptions of a hotel. The structure's location within the city of Banja Luka has provided for a close connection with the city's inhabitants and has allowed them to relate to it directly on a daily basis. The city's youth has left traces of artistic expression on this structure; its interface with the countercultures of graffiti artists and skateboarders has created a unique testament of time which desires continued narration. With the post-war privatization of most properties within the city, and the increasing desire to live within the city center, construction cranes are appearing throughout the city's core, providing new residential towers and a high increase in places for consumption. The opportunities for production of space, for places where memories are preserved and created, are decreasing and threaten to affect the thesis site. Completion of the project as initially envisioned would disregard the existing interactive relationship established between the city's inhabitants and the structure. The beauty of artistic expression cultivated upon the structure longs to be preserved and augmented in order to enable the structure's autonomy. Recognition of the value of the existing built elements and the site's overall character is essential and requires purposeful evaluation in the unification process of the new and existing elements. The redefined space will become a monument to the activities which have echoed at the site through some of the toughest times the city's youth had to endure. "...the notion of monument I have sought to put forward here is bound up with the lingering resonance of poetry after it has been heard, with the recollection of architecture after it has been seen." (Solà-Morales Rubió, Ignasi and Sarah Whiting. Differences: Topographies of Contemporary Architecture (Cambridge: MIT Press, 1997), 71.) The old and new will become individual halves of one self, united as they continue to play.

Desde el año 2001, integrantes del pueblo originario shipibo-conibo —grupo étnico de la Amazonía peruana— se establecieron en el mercado público de Cantagallo en el distrito del Rímac, Lima-Perú. Desde su llegada, a lo largo de diferentes etapas, los shipibos se han establecido y desarrollado en este espacio y han intentado mantener su cultura, costumbres y tradiciones junto con su lengua de origen. Sin embargo, no se sabe en qué medida los jóvenes han mantenido su cultura y su lengua originarias. Por ello, se explorarán las percepciones de los adolescentes de la comunidad shipibo-conibo de Cantagallo respecto a su idioma, pues son los herederos de dichas tradiciones, costumbres, modo de vida y cultura que mantienen en esta ciudad. El método que se utilizó para la presente investigación fue cualitativo por lo que se realizaron entrevistas estructuradas. Los resultados muestran que los adolescentes utilizan la lengua shipibo-conibo con su familia y amigos dentro de la comunidad; sin embargo, factores como la discriminación, desinterés, vergüenza, entre otros representan una amenaza para la vitalidad de la lengua shipibo-conibo. / Since 2001, members of the shipibo-conibo indigenous people —an ethnic group originally from the Peruvian Amazon— settled in the public market of Cantagallo in the district of Rimac, Lima-Peru. Since their arrival through many years, they have settled and developed in this location, trying to maintain their culture, customs and traditions along with their native language. However, it is unknown how young people have maintained their native culture and language. As a result, we explore the perceptions of the adolescents of the shipibo-conibo community of Cantagallo regarding their language, since they are heirs of those traditions, customs, lifestyle and culture that they maintain in this city. The method used for the present research was qualitative, so in-depth interviews were conducted. The results showed that adolescents use the shipibo-conibo language to communicate with their relatives and friends of the community. However, factors such as discrimination, disinterest, embarrassment, among others, represent a threat for the preservation of the shipibo-conibo language. / Trabajo de suficiencia profesional