Epidemiological studies show that offspring subjected to maternal undernutrition during early pregnancy are prone to developing obesity and other diseases in adulthood. The hypothalamic energy regulating pathway may be altered in these offspring, with epigenetic changes as a core mechanism. Therefore, this thesis aimed to determine if epigenetic changes are present in this pathway in the hypothalami from offspring subjected to maternal undernutrition. The investigations are focused on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) as an inhibitor of the anorexigenic neuropeptide pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), with potential modifications leading to increased food intake and the development of obesity. To achieve this, an established sheep model developed by our collaborators was used, during which maternal ewes were undernourished periconceptionally to produce a 10-15% decrease in body weight. We found that hypothalami from fetal offspring had greater epigenetic modifications when this reduction in maternal body weight was maintained from 60 days before conception until 30 days into pregnancy, with lower levels of POMC and GR promoter methylation. This was associated with increased GR mRNA expression. Other regions of the brain that also express POMC and GR, did not exhibit these epigenetic modifications. This study revealed that maternal undernutrition induces tissue specific epigenetic changes in fetal hypothalami which may contribute to disease in later life. Twins have been shown to have similar phenotypic characteristics as maternally undernourished offspring and therefore it has been suggested that they may also be programmed, but by intrauterine growth restriction. Consequently, extensive methylation and histone analysis of GR and POMC promoter regions was carried out in twin fetal hypothalami and compared to maternally undernourished groups. Interestingly, the decreased POMC and GR methylation of our amplicons in the maternally undernourished fetal hypothalami was also observed in twin fetal hypothalamic. This was concomitant with histone modifications and alterations in overall DNA methyltransferase activity. However, it was found that there were no changes in the POMC and GR mRNA expression levels in twin fetuses, but we postulate that this may occur later in life. To determine if changes in the fetal epigenetic status of hypothalamic GR and POMC impacted the adult progeny, tissues were obtained from adult offspring of maternally undernourished ewes. Epigenetic changes in the hypothalamic GR promoter observed in the fetal group persisted into adulthood, with concurrent increases in GR mRNA and GR protein expression. Of these groups the undernourished adult male offspring had decreased hypothalamic POMC expression and increased fat mass, changes that are consistent with an obese phenotype. The epigenetic and expression status of GR in the hippocampus and pituitary were modified, but in a tissue and sex specific manner. POMC epigenetic changes in the brain were complex, with various levels of epigenetic and expression changes. Overall periconceptional undernutrition induces hypothalamic specific changes in the epigenetic status of the GR gene which is known to regulate energy balance. Hypothalamic changes were persistent from the fetal stage into adulthood, with modifications in other tissues occurring after birth. These adaptations have the potential to increase the offspring’s propensity to develop obesity and altered stress regulation in later life.

The main aim of this diploma thesis is design and calculation of steam condensing turbine with given parameters. In the first part is made calculation of heat balance scheme, which contains high and low pressure regeneration and turbine with total of 5 unregulated steam extraction. It is followed by calculation of regulating stage with impulse blading and calculation of stage part of turbine with reaction blades with total of 27 stages divided to 7 cones. Designes of regulating stage and stage part were checked by calculation of tensile and bending stress. In next parts are calculations of compensating piston and turbine seal system, design of radial and thrust bearings and in the last chapter is shown consumption characteristics of turbine. The designed turbine after optimization at nominal condition has power of 55013,02 kW with thermodynamic efficiency of 83,06 %. The reheat factor of turbine is 1,063. The diploma thesis is supplemented by a conceptual sectional drawing of turbine.

Xenophobia is a rampant problem in South Africa; it manifests itself in many ways and impedes the full enjoyment and protection of human rights for all migrants in the country. Xenophobia has deep roots and causes. One of the main problems in curbing xenophobia in South Africa is the lack of an adequate legal response, which can permeate and regulate other sectors of society where xenophobia is concerned. In recent times, xenophobic violence has been triggered and incited through online digital platforms such as Whatsapp and Twitter. This research asses the legal regulation of xenophobia in South Africa, with a particular focus on the ‘new’ digital face of xenophobia. This research assesses the adequacy of the South African legal framework in addressing xenophobia with regard to South Africa’s international and regional obligations for the protection of migrants and people in need of international protection and the impact this has on their human rights. This research offers interdisciplinary responses in relation to the changing face of xenophobia and what can be done in order to regulate the incitement of xenophobic violence, the perpetuation of xenophobic rhetoric and the results of this through online platforms with a legal response as the foundation. The research concludes that the changing face towards digital xenophobia requires the existing problems relating to ‘traditional’ manifestations of xenophobia to be addressed as well as the underpinning of a concrete and specific legal framework and policy framework that governs the peculiarities of xenophobia that are specific to the South African context. / Mini Dissertation (LLM (Multidisciplinary Human Rights))--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Centre for Human Rights / LLM (Multidisciplinary Human Rights) / Unrestricted

For today’s digital native students, digital translation tools appear to be the most favoured help tools in language classes. The day of the paper dictionary has gone and this is being followed closely by online dictionaries and thesauruses. The purpose of this research is to contribute to the knowledge concerning the role digital translation tools have in the teaching and learning of English at secondary school level. Specifically, it looks at the use of digital translation tools, the possibilities and challenges they present both in and outside of the classroom, and what way teachers perceive their impact to be on English language learning outcomes. Perceptions were gathered from eight English teachers during recorded, semi-structured interviews, both group and individual. These were transcribed then analysed using a thematic analysis. The analysis and results highlight a growing concern that students are using digital translation tools in the lower grades and many appear to lack confidence in their language abilities. Furthermore, it is clear that teachers see the use of digital translation tools as one means of help, not the only means, and that it is important to test students’ knowledge by regulating the use of these tools from time to time. Teachers have mixed opinions concerning the general standard of English being affected by the use of digital translation tools. This study has also raised the question of the possibility of a growing dependency on digital translation tools among students in lower grades, an area needing more research.

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This research project explores the Hosh house typology, a historic dwelling type in Baghdad facing rapid decline and extinction. The study critically examines historic documentation and employs a wide range of methods to expand knowledge and understanding of the Hosh house. By building an archive around selected architectural objects, the research provides insights in various fields, including architectural anthropology, heritage, craftmanship and sustainable construction. The study draws from scarce and dated documentation, providing new translations of German books on Iraqi architecture, while simultaneously questioning and challenging these findings. The study explores the reasons behind the disappearance of the Hosh house, including urbanization, preference for modern technology and social attitudes. The findings highlight the characteristics and layouts of the Hosh house, presenting the ideal and compromised versions of its design. It also incorporates contemporary sources, such as interviews with local enthusiasts, to fill knowledge gaps and provide a contemporary perspective on the vanishing architectural tradition. Overall, this project contributes to the understanding of the Hosh house's cultural significance within Iraqi architecture and cultural heritage, while emphasizing the need for updated sources and in situ inventories.

This research project explores the Hosh house typology, a historic dwelling type in Baghdad facing rapid decline and extinction. The study critically examines historic documentation and employs a wide range of methods to expand knowledge and understanding of the Hosh house. By building an archive around selected architectural objects, the research provides insights in various fields, including architectural anthropology, heritage, craftmanship and sustainable construction. The study draws from scarce and dated documentation, providing new translations of German books on Iraqi architecture, while simultaneously questioning and challenging these findings. The study explores the reasons behind the disappearance of the Hosh house, including urbanization, preference for modern technology and social attitudes. The findings highlight the characteristics and layouts of the Hosh house, presenting the ideal and compromised versions of its design. It also incorporates contemporary sources, such as interviews with local enthusiasts, to fill knowledge gaps and provide a contemporary perspective on the vanishing architectural tradition. Overall, this project contributes to the understanding of the Hosh house's cultural significance within Iraqi architecture and cultural heritage, while emphasizing the need for updated sources and in situ inventories.

The main function of the power grid is to transfer electric energy from generating facilities to consumers. To have a reliable and economical supply of electricity, large amounts of electric energy often have to be transferred over long distances. The transmission system has a limited capacity to transfer electric power, called the transfer capacity. Severe system failures may follow if the transfer capacity is reached during operation. Due to uncertainties, such as the random failure of system components, the transfer capacity for the near future is not readily determinable. Also, due to market principles, and reaction times and ramp rates of production facilities, power flow control is not fully flexible. Therefore, a transfer limit, which is below the transfer capacity, is decided and preventative actions are taken when the transfer reaches this limit. In this thesis an approach to deciding an optimal strategy for power flow control through activation of regulating bids on the regulating power market is outlined. This approach leads to an optimal definition of transfer limits as the boundary between the domain where no bid should be activated and the domains where bids should be activated. The approach is based on weighing the expected cost from system failures against the production cost. This leads to a stochastic impulse control problem for a Markov process in continuous time. The proposed method is a novel approach to decide transfer limits in power system operation. The method is tested in a case study on the IEEE 39 bus system, that shows promising results. In addition to deciding optimal transfer limits, it is also investigated how the transfer capacity can be enhanced by controlling components in the power system to increase stability. / QC 20111010

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Submitted by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-05-27T14:02:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE Ana Souto pdf.pdf: 1381556 bytes, checksum: 4e70e42cd48fdcff03df2cccd32ea690 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Creuza Silva(mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-05-27T14:04:41Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE Ana Souto pdf.pdf: 1381556 bytes, checksum: 4e70e42cd48fdcff03df2cccd32ea690 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-05-27T14:04:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE Ana Souto pdf.pdf: 1381556 bytes, checksum: 4e70e42cd48fdcff03df2cccd32ea690 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Em 1999, a Secretaria de Vigilância Sanitária tornava-se a primeira Agência Reguladora na área da saúde. A partir daí, surgiram estudos sobre as políticas e a gestão nessa organização. Esta investigação focaliza o processo de gestão da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária no período de 1999 a 2005. A pergunta central é “Como se realiza o processo de gestão na Anvisa?” Para responder a essa indagação, foram identificados quatro objetivos: a) identificar e analisar os aspectos político-organizacionais da gestão; b) identificar e analisar os tipos, formas e distribuição do poder no seu processo de gestão; c) discutir o papel da burocracia, do poder e dos atores políticos no processo de gestão; d) analisar as relações das políticas de governo e das políticas internacionais sobre a gestão da Vigilância Sanitária, no âmbito federal. O processo de gestão foi analisado a partir dos conceitos de poder, burocracia e de instituições hipercomplexas. Foi realizado um estudo de caso tipo exploratório, utilizando-se roteiro de entrevistas semi-estruturado, documentos institucionais e noticias de jornais. Os resultados revelaram que a criação e desenvolvimento da Anvisa foram devido a um momento político da sociedade brasileira, cujo contexto sócio-sanitário nacional e internacional e de aspectos relacionados à natureza da vigilância sanitária federal conformaram o processo de gestão dessa organização ao longo da sua existência. O poder originado dentro e fora da Agência possibilitou a construção de projetos institucionais significativos em respostas aos diversos tipos de influências e pressões. / Salvador