<p>We investigate the problem of the maximum number of distinct primitively rooted squares in a string. In comparison to considering general strings, the number of distinct symbols in the string is introduced as an additional parameter of the problem. Let S(d,n) = max {s(x) | x is a (d,n)-string}, where s(x) denotes the number of distinct primitively rooted squares in a string x and a (d,n)-string denotes a string of length n with exactly d distinct symbols.</p> <p>Inspired by the d-step approach which was instrumental in Santos' tackling of the Hirsch conjecture, we introduce a (d,n-d) table with entries S(d,n) where d is the index for the rows and n-d is the index for the columns. We examine the properties of the S(d,n) function in the context of (d,n-d) table and conjecture that the value of S(d,n) is no more than n-d. We present several equivalent properties with the conjecture. We discuss the significance of the main diagonal of the (d,n-d) table, i.e. the square-maximal (d, 2d)-strings for their relevance to the conjectured bound for all strings. We explore their structural properties under both assumptions, complying or not complying with the conjecture, with the intention to derive a contradiction. The result yields novel properties and statements equivalent with the conjecture with computational application to the determination of the values S(d,n).</p> <p>To further populate the (d,n-d) table, we design and implement an efficient computational framework for computing S(d,n). Instead of generating all possible (d,n)-strings as the brute-force approach needs to do, the computational effort is significantly reduced by narrowing down the search space for square-maximal strings. With an easily accessible lower bound obtained either from the previously computed values inductively or by an effective heuristic search, only a relatively small set of candidate strings that might possibly exceed the lower bound is generated. To this end, the notions of s-cover and the density of a string are introduced and utilized. In special circumstances, the computational efficiency can be further improved by starting the s-cover with a double square structure. In addition, we present an auxiliary algorithm that returns the required information including the number of distinct squares for each generated candidate string. This algorithm is a modified version of FJW algorithm, an implementation based on Crochemore's partition algorithm, developed by Franek, Jiang and Weng. As of writing of this thesis, we have been able to obtain the maximum number of distinct squares in binary strings till the length of 70.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Some scholars argue that the principle of voluntary informed consent is rooted in the Western ethos of liberal individualism; that it would be difficult to implement this requirement in societies where the norms of decision-making emphasize collective rather than individual decision-making (for example, Sub-Saharan Africa); that it would amount to “cultural imperialism” to seek to implement the principle of voluntary informed consent in non-Western societies. This thesis rejects this skepticism about the possibility of implementing the informed consent requirement in non-Western environments and argues that applying the principle of voluntary informed consent in human subjects’ research in Sub-Saharan African communal culture could serve as an effective measure to protect vulnerable subjects from possible abuses or exploitations. The thesis proposes the “multi-step” approach to informed consent as the best approach to the implementation of the principle in the African communal setting. The thesis argues that the importance of the “multi-step” approach lies in the fact that it is one that is sensitive to local culture and customs. On the question of whether the principle of voluntary informed consent should be made compulsory in research, the thesis answers that we have no choice in the matter.

<p>Some scholars argue that the principle of voluntary informed consent is rooted in the Western ethos of liberal individualism; that it would be difficult to implement this requirement in societies where the norms of decision-making emphasize collective rather than individual decision-making (for example, Sub-Saharan Africa); that it would amount to “cultural imperialism” to seek to implement the principle of voluntary informed consent in non-Western societies. This thesis rejects this skepticism about the possibility of implementing the informed consent requirement in non-Western environments and argues that applying the principle of voluntary informed consent in human subjects’ research in Sub-Saharan African communal culture could serve as an effective measure to protect vulnerable subjects from possible abuses or exploitations. The thesis proposes the “multi-step” approach to informed consent as the best approach to the implementation of the principle in the African communal setting. The thesis argues that the importance of the “multi-step” approach lies in the fact that it is one that is sensitive to local culture and customs. On the question of whether the principle of voluntary informed consent should be made compulsory in research, the thesis answers that we have no choice in the matter.</p>

In rural areas of least developed countries, the preparation of meals remains the predominant energy consuming activity. Cooking is mostly performed with firewood – using the ancient “technology” of the 3-stone fire. This practice results in numerous challenges that hinder the transformation envisioned by the Millennium Development Goals and it therefore contributes towards slowing the development of rural areas. Activities focussing on amending this status-quo can be termed insufficient in scope- and sustainability. The main deficiencies of most projects are that the prime focus of the mainstream of these endeavours has been on demand side management, mainly performed by disseminating cookstoves, and that there has been little innovation in respect to raising stove adoption rates. As the strict efficiency focus obviously only captures one side of the problem – merely focussing on treating symptoms rather than providing an effective solution, this thesis stresses the need for a paradigm shift towards more holistic interventions. This work very much focuses on the topic of stove adoption. This is a complex topic - very much linked to attaining behavioural change. Deliberations concluded that the identification of enabling factors for adoption, which can be termed a prerequisite for developing sustainable methods for stove projects, requires a mix of instruments. To suffice the required data demand the initial literature review was complemented by a thorough assessment of the kitchen environment and the cooking behaviour of stove owners. The fieldwork concentrated on 210 beneficiaries of an efficient cookstove project. The applied methods included interviews, observations and pictorial documentation. As a remedy to the challenges and current shortcomings identified during field work and literature review, the author herein develops a novel and more holistic implementation strategy for stove projects – the so- called 3-Step approach. This is based on the simultaneous implementation of availing cookstoves, building capacity in respect to kitchen management, as well as performing small-scale household level tree planting. The research, which further encompassed the piloting of the 3-Step approach, led to the overall conclusion that the proposed increase in project scope holds a multitude of opportunities for improving the livelihoods of the rural target groups. The main impact of this innovative strategy lies in a decrease of average transaction costs as well as in a considerable increase in project sustainability. As will be extensively elaborated, the former is achieved by a more effective utilisation of the extensive infrastructure of trained artisans. The latter refers to the expected income increase on household level, as well as to improvements in environmental- and human health. In combination these enable rural communities to better adapt to climate change.

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The aim of the thesis was to develop an integration approach based on benchmarking and the Lean Manufacturing concept for the modernization of the production system of the defense industry enterprise, as well as a method for reducing risks when introducing the BP concept at Russian enterprises. This work contains 8 goals that were achieved in the performance of the work. This work contains 3 positions of scientific novelty. Approbation of scientific novelty is contained in 6 sub-clauses of the work. With the help of the lean manufacturing project, the company will be able to reach the target figures that have been planned. / Целью диссертации заключалась в разработке интеграционный подход, основанный на бенчмаркинге и концепции Бережливого производства для модернизации производственной системы предприятия ОПК, так же был разработан метод снижения рисков при внедрения концепции БП на предприятиях РФ. Данная работа содержит 8 целей, которые были достигнуты при выполнении работы. Данная работа содержит 3 позиции научной новизны. Апробация научной новизны содержится в 6 подпунктах работы. С помощью проекта по внедрению Бережливого производства, предприятие сможет выйти на целевые показатели, которые были запланированы.