M.Phil. (Education) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Die Integration von Produkten und Dienstleistungen zu einem nutzenstiftenden Leistungsbündel und das damit einhergehende ökonomische und ökologische Potenzial ist auch heute noch mittel- bzw. unmittelbarer Gegenstand vielfältiger Untersuchungen in Wissenschaft und Praxis. Als Konzept hat die Hybride Wertschöpfung viele Merkmale wie die Interdisziplinarität bei der Leistungserstellung, die Substituierbarkeit von Bestandteilen oder die Ausrichtung am gesamten Lebenszyklus geprägt, welche auch in vielen anderen Konzepten Anwendung finden. Trotzdem hat sie als etablierte Betrachtungsweise bislang keine umfassende Erweiterung erfahren, mit der sie beispielsweise die seit vielen Jahren vorherrschende Digitalisierung von Produkten und Dienstleistungen durch Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie nutzen und integrieren kann. Stattdessen entstehen neue, analoge und teilweise konkurrierende Konzepte, welche die Bildung eines theoretischen Kerns hemmen. Die vorliegende Dissertation adressiert diese Fragestellung und entwickelt einen Ansatz, mit dem die informationsbasierte Integration von Produkten und Dienstleistungen und damit die Nutzung der Digitalisierungspotenziale gelingen kann. Damit folgt die Arbeit dem anwendungs- und schnittstellenorientierten Anspruch der Wirtschaftsinformatik und generiert Ergebnisse in den folgenden Bereichen: (1) Identifikation von Anforderungen an die Entwicklung informationsbasierte hybrider Leistungsbündel, (2) konzeptuelle Zusammenführung der unterschiedlichen Komponenten Produkt und Dienstleistung sowie (3) die prototypische Implementierung einer Plattformlösung zur Unterstützung der Entwicklung entsprechender Leistungsbündel. Die Arbeit leistet somit einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur systemischen Weiterentwicklung des Hybriden Wertschöpfungskonzepts, um als etabliertes Rahmenwerk weiterhin Bestand zu haben und für die Erklärung und Entwicklung neuer Leistungsportfolios verwendbar zu sein.

I takt med att marknaden för robotgräsklippare ökar så är pressen högre på företag att deras produkt ska vara robust. Detta kan uppnås genom att testerna som görs på robotgräsklipparen testas så fort som möjligt. Genom att skapa en simulering där alla tester genomförs istället för att köra testerna på en fysisk robotgräsklippare kan detta uppnås och utifrån detta utformades forskningsfrågan. För att skapa simuleringen undersöktes först mjukvaror vilket ansågs lämpliga för att utveckla en simulator, detta gjordes via en fallstudie. Dessa har sedan analyserats och jämförts för att till slut bestämma de som ansetts bäst att använda. Med hjälp av de så startade en utveckling av en simulator där hjul- och kollisionsdata hämtades från en fysisk robotgräsklippare och skickades till en virtuell robotgräsklippare. Den färdigställda simulatorn utvärderades vid slutet av arbetet med hjälp av experiment där författarna observerade och jämförde rörelsen hos den fysiska och virtuella robotgräsklipparen. För att utföra denna uppgift så tillämpade arbetet metoden Design science research där det arbetades iterativt vid utvecklingen av simulatorn. Resultatet visar på att det är möjligt att skapa en simulator med de valda mjukvarorna ROS och Gazebo där man kan genomföra simulerade tester. Arbetet visar på ökad kunskap där data från en fysisk robotgräsklippare kan implementeras i 3D-simulatorn Gazebo via ramverket ROS. Studien kan användas som riktlinje i liknande projekt när det kommer till val av mjukvaror och om de är lämpliga. Arbetet begränsas till enbart hjul- och kollisionsdata från den fysiska robotgräsklipparen.

Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) are contained within the olfactory epithelium (OE) and are responsible for detecting odorant molecules in the air. The exposure of OSNs to the external environment is necessary for their function, but it also leaves them exposed to potentially harmful elements and thus results in a high turnover rate. Despite the high turnover, the olfactory sense is maintained throughout life through the division of a population of stem cells that produce new OSNs both during normal turnover and after an injury occurs in the OE. When new OSNs are born, they must extend axons from the OE to the olfactory bulb (OB) where they make specific synaptic contacts. To determine the timeline of axon extension in normal turnover and after a methimazole-induced injury, we used fate-tracing utilizing an inducible Cre-LoxP model in which a fluorescent reporter was expressed by neuronal precursors and subsequently used to track axonal growth as the OSNs matured. Our results show that axon extension in both conditions follow the same timeline. However, markers of synaptic connectivity in the OB were delayed after injury. The delay in synaptic connectivity was also corroborated with delays in olfactory behavior after injury, which took 40 days to recover to control levels. Additionally, we investigated the process of removal of axonal debris created after an injury. Immunohistochemical analysis after injury indicated upregulation of IBA1+ cells within the 3 olfactory nerve layer of the OB, suggesting a role of microglia in this process. These microglia also showed an activated morphology and some had very large cell bodies with multiple nuclei. Furthermore, qPCR analysis of post-injury OB tissue shows upregulation of the CD11b receptor that is expressed on microglia. Our results have also shown upregulation of components of the complement pathway after injury, which is suggestive of a mechanism that underlies axonal debris removal after injury in the OB. Taken together, these results shed light on the process by which the olfactory system is able to recover after injury and could lead to discovery of mechanisms that could translate to treatments for injuries in other areas of the nervous system.

Developing complex sociotechnical systems often involves integrating new technology into existing systems by applying systems engineering processes. This requires an understanding of the problem space and the possible impact of the new technology. Systems engineering uses modelling to explore the structural, functional, and operational elements of the problem and solution space (Hitchins 2008). Historically, systems engineering has however struggled with complex sociotechnical systems projects, as it cannot cope with the dynamic behaviour of complex sociotechnical systems. The hypothesis of this thesis is that addressing the contribution of humans performing work in a complex, constrained and dynamic environment using modelling will result in a better understanding in the analysis phase; it should also lead to improved requirements, designs, selection of technologies, and implementation strategies, enabling sociotechnical systems to cope with complex operating environments. A sociotechnical system consists of humans applying technology to perform work through processes within a social structure (organisation) aimed at achieving a defined objective (Bostrom & Heinen 1977, Walker et al. 2009). Work can become complex due to non-linear and dynamic interaction among the people themselves, among people and technology, as well as among people and the environment. Complexity may lead to “wicked and messy” problems, as many unintended or unpredicted consequences may be experienced. The new technology may also lead to new task possibilities that evolve user requirements (Carroll & Rosson 1992). Systems engineering, as developed in the 1950s, forms the basis of developing systems, including sociotechnical systems. Classic systems engineering processes assume that problems can be isolated and decomposed, making the development of complex sociotechnical systems difficult. One way to improve the success of systems engineering is to ensure that the problem to be solved is properly understood. Analysis of the problem and solution space involves capturing and modelling the knowledge and mental models of the stakeholders, to support understanding the system’s requirements. A good description of the problem situation through a model is the first step towards designing and developing a solution. The aim of this study is to develop and demonstrate a modelling methodology for complex sociotechnical systems, in support of the systems engineering process. The two approaches used in the modelling methodology are cognitive work analysis and system dynamics. Cognitive work analysis is a framework for analysing the way people perform work in an organisation, while taking the environmental constraints into consideration. The outputs of cognitive work analysis are constructs or models that capture the structure of the problem. Functions provided by different technological elements are linked to the functional requirements of the system, to achieve its purpose (Lintern 2012). However, cognitive work analysis is limited in investigating the dynamic effect of decisions and policies on the system (Cummings 2006). The dynamic behaviour of complex sociotechnical systems can be analysed using system dynamics, which uses the structure of the system in simulation. System dynamics analyse the effect of feedback and delays on operating the system, as a result of decisions based on policies (Sterman 2000). The design science research framework, which also supports the research design of this thesis, is used to implement the modelling and structure the methodology. Design science research aims at creating technology for a human purpose, unlike the natural sciences, which are geared towards attempting to understand and define reality (March & Smith 1995). The proposed methodology is demonstrated in a case study using modelling and analysis of the impact of a new collaboration technology on command and control systems. Command and control is a good example of a complex sociotechnical system, as humans use technology to assemble and analyse information for situation assessment in support of planning operations (Walker et al. 2009). These systems are also used to control the successful implementation of plans in constrained and variable operating environments. The modelling methodology is demonstrated by modelling and assessing the effect of a new command and control technology for border safeguarding operations, anti-poaching operations and community policing forums. The new technology to be implemented in these complex sociotechnical systems is called “Cmore”. It is a web-based collaboration system that uses smartphones to capture information and track users. Even though the three demonstrations constitute similar systems, the different contextual situations result in diverse behaviour and issues to be investigated. The demonstrations centre on the functions of situation awareness and decision support. The different output models for the command and control systems are used in system dynamics simulations to assess the effect of new technology on the operating and effectiveness of a system. The case studies demonstrated that the modelling methodology support learning about the implementation of a new technology in various complex sociotechnical systems. The developed models and constructs also supported developing evaluation templates during the planning of experiments through identifying key issues. The system dynamics simulations used parametric inputs to investigate the behaviour of the system. In most cases, the simulation outputs identified interesting and counter-intuitive behaviour for deeper assessment. The community policing forum case study also gathered qualitative empirical evidence on the system's behaviour, during a field experiment. The outcomes are compared with the models and simulation outputs to improve the system behavioural models. The learning and improved understanding of the complex sociotechnical system behaviour gained through the modelling methodology, demonstrated its utility. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM) / PhD / Unrestricted

Thesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019 / The availability of high-speed/high-volume Data Link Layer (Layer 2) transmission networks fuelled by the implementation of mission critical and performance-intensive technologies, such as Cloud and Data Centre services transmitting sensitive data over the wide area network (WAN) has shifted the attention of hackers, eavesdroppers, cyber-criminals and other malicious attackers to the exploitation of these data transmission technologies. It is argued that security on the current classical technologies that store, transmit and manipulate information on the OSI Layer 2 have historically not been adequately addressed when it comes to secure communication and exchange of information. Quantum teleportation (QT) stemming from quantum communication a branch of quantum information science (QIS) has emerged as a technology that promise unconditional security and providing new ways to design and develop frameworks that operate based on the laws of quantum physics. It is argued that it has a potential to address the data transmission security GAP for OSI layer 2 technologies. This research study aims to propose a framework for the implementation of secure quantum teleportation infrastructures in South Africa. There is currently a lack of generic models and methods to guide the implementation of QT infrastructures that will enable secure transmission of information. A design science research (DSR) was undertaken in order to develop a secure quantum teleportation artefact called (SecureQT-Framework). SecureQT-Framework is a generic model and method that guides the selection and implementation of QT infrastructures motivated by multi-disciplinary domains such as QIS, Quantum Physics, Computer Science as well as information and communication technology (ICT). The DSR process employed a primary DSR cycle with four DSR sub-cycles which involved the awareness and suggestion phase guided by a systematic literature review (SLR), development and evaluation phase guided by Software Defined Network’s OpenFlow, Mininet, Mininet-Wifi and computer simulations for QT using SQUANCH framework. We investigated, examined and collected credible QT techniques and its variant protocols to develop and simulate secure transmission of information over the WAN, We studied their features and challenges. We concluded the study by describing the QT techniques, protocols and implementations that has potential to bridge the security GAP for OSI Layer 2 technologies over the WAN. The results gained were used in the construction of a framework for the implementation of a secure quantum teleportation infrastructure in South Africa. The framework describes the main factors that need to be taken into consideration when implementing quantum teleportation infrastructures.

Saxony has developed into an outstanding national and international science location. Excellent scientific knowledge in fields, such as cancer research, material sciences, biotech-nology, or microelectronics, have their origin in institutions in Saxony. Our universities and research institutes are closely networked, and with their outstanding personel and technical equipment, they are attractive to experts from all over the world, whom we very much welcome in Saxony. Redaktionsschluss: 31.07.2017 / Die Broschüre gibt einen Überblick über die reiche Forschungslandschaft in Sachsen.

Die Broschüre gibt einen Überblick über die reiche Forschungslandschaft in Sachsen. Redaktionsschluss: 31.07.2017 / Saxony has developed into an outstanding national and international science location. Excellent scientific knowledge in fields, such as cancer research, material sciences, biotech-nology, or microelectronics, have their origin in institutions in Saxony. Our universities and research institutes are closely networked, and with their outstanding personel and technical equipment, they are attractive to experts from all over the world, whom we very much welcome in Saxony.

There are many situations during information system development (ISD) where there is a need to do modelling on a business level before more detailed and robust modelling are done on the technical system level. Most business level modelling uses some form of natural language constructs which are, on the one hand, easy to use by untrained users, but which are too vague and ambiguous to be used in subsequent systems level modelling by systems analysts, on the other hand. The goal of this study is to develop an integrative modelling technique that is easy enough to be used by most business users with little training, but robust and structured enough to be used in subsequent ISD modelling. The term “integrative” in the title refers to the fact that this technique attempts to bridge the current gap between modelling on a business level and modelling on a technical level. The research consists of two major phases. During the first phase, an integrative modelling technique is developed using a grounded approach. The data that is used for analysis is a representative example of the major ISD modelling techniques used currently. For instance, to represent all the UML techniques, the UML 2 standard is used. The purpose of this first phase is to understand what the fundamental concepts and relationships in ISD are and to develop an integrative technique based on that. During the second phase, the resultant artefact created by the first phase is evaluated and improved using the design science research approach. This artefact is used in a representative set of business modelling situations to evaluate its applicability and suitability as an integrative modelling technique between business and ISD. The integrative modelling technique is evaluated from three perspectives: how it represents business rules, how it handled various aspects of ISD and how it represents requirements expressed as use cases. These evaluations used the two main design criteria of ease of use for users and at the same time adequate levels of expressive power so that the model can be easily translated into existing ISD modelling languages. The integrative modelling technique developed identified the following three levels of modelling entities and their relationships: • Base entities (corresponding to the morphological level in linguistics) • Structure entities (corresponding to the syntactical level in linguistics) • Role entities (corresponding to the semantic level in linguistics) The contribution of this research is to provide a better understanding of the fundamental entities in business and ISD modelling and their relationships in order to improve informal, mostly textual, business modelling. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Informatics / unrestricted

Although cannabis is widely consumed by humans for the intoxicating effects that are mediated by delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), pre-clinical models of THC self-administration have been difficult to establish. We hypothesized that THC may have reinforcement enhancing effects comparable to other drugs (e.g., nicotine and caffeine), which are also widely consumed by humans but difficult to establish as primary reinforcers in non-human animals. To investigate whether THC is a reinforcement enhancer, male (M, n=8) and female (F, n=8) rats were shaped to self-administer a reinforcing saccharin (SACC) solution (0.2% w/v) in standard operant chambers equipped with infrared beams to monitor locomotor activity. At baseline, we found a significant sex difference for active lever responses and reinforcers earned (F