M.Ing. / The refrigerant R22, which is currently used in hot water heat pumps, delivers a maximum hot water temperature of 60 to 65 °C. This temperature is adequate for domestic use, but low if compared to temperatures that can be delivered by fossil fuels and direct electric resistance systems. This limits the potential applications of hot water heat pumps. In this study two analytical design methodologies were developed that can be used to predict the performances of water-to-water heat pumps. The first design methodology is for a pure R22 heat pump and the second for a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture of R22 and R142b. These design methodologies were used as tools together with three methods of comparison to determine the influence of a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture (R22 mixed with R142b) on the performance of a hot water heat pump. It was found in certain cases that, depending on the concentrations, not only are increased hot water temperatures possible but also an improved heating capacity, an improvement in the coefficient of performance and a reduction in pressure ratio of the compressor.

The Vascular system of the human spinal cord at birth has been investigated, and a report is submitted on the detailed pattern of the arterial and arteriolar vessels in 27 cadavers. In 21 instances, the anterior median spinal arterial trunk and in 9 instances the postero-lateral spinal arterial trunks have been recorded. Selection of cadavers has been on the basis of the absence of obvious congenital deformity or disease of the spine and spinal cord. Particular attention has been paid to the feeder arteries which contribute to the main longitudinal channels, both anteriorly and posteriorly. The number of feeder vessels, their ;.., sources of origin .and their approximate size~ have been determined. In 21 specimens the anterior vessels have been recorded and charted in detail. (Plates I - VII). In 9 specimens the posterior vessels have been recorded and the detailed charts of 3 of the latter are presented. (Plate X, p.46). Material and Methods Newborn cadavers, obtained on average 3-5 days after death from various causes such as prematurity, cerebral trauma, pneumonia and pulmonary hyaline membrane have been used. In each case the body was warmed to room temperature, before the introduction into the right femoral artery of a plastic tubular cannula of appropriate gauge. Dilute Ammonia, 2-3 ml., was introduced to promote the flow of the injection material and the specimens were injected with latex under pressures which varied from 5 lbs per square inch to 20 lbs per square inch. The manometric readings of intra-arterial pressure were between 300 mms. Hg and 1200 mms. Hg, and the optimal pressure of delivery was 15 lbs per square inch. Both the arterial and the venous sides of the circulation were well-filled by the injection material, which in all instances was administered via the femoral artery. Rupture of vessel walls with leakage of injection material was not excessive. The number of cadavers rejected on account of inadequate filling or excessive leakage was less than 10 out of approximately 50 cadavers. The injection material consisted of a prevulcanised latex, "Revultex", coloured red with an appropriate dye, and stained through fine muslin before use to ensure freedom from solid particles which could cause obstruction of vessels of fine calibre. The injection material was allowed to penetrate the vascular tree for periods varying from 5 to 15 minutes and the cadaver was then embalmed, injecting the body cavities and infiltrating the limbs as far as possible with a standard embalming fluid consisting of: White Industrial Spirits, 45%; Glycerine, 35%; Formaldethyde, 15%; Thymol, q.s. The cadaver was preserved in a 50% solution of the embalming fluid, and dissections were commenced not less than 14 - 21 days after preparation. Use was made in all instances of the binocular surgical microscope, and magnifications of 10 or of 16 were found to be optimal. Photographic reproductions were made in colour, and the dissected specimens have been preserved. The findings in respect of the anterior arterial system of supply of the cord have been consistent with those of a number of workers, in particular Woollam and Millen (1958) of Cambridge. Additional findings have been reported in respect of the smaller arteries (arteries of the 4. 4th order) including the perforating arteries of the median sulcus. The value of a computerised "average" for the vascular pattern of the cord is disputed. In the opinion of the author, it is likely to be misleading to the clinician and to the surgeon. Reliance upon an average picture in an individual case is liable to be harmful; in the present series of 21 specimens, the average picture as offered by Suh and Alexander (1939) was, in some respects only, applicable to 1 case. The presence of arterio-arterial anastomoses as a common feature in the spine is reported, and the possible significance discussed. Reference is made to a "critical narrow zone" which the author has determined by the radiological examination of 50 vertebral columns in people of all ages. When the region of the "narrow critical zone" is related to the regional blood supply of the spinal cord, then a significant factor in the post-operative development of paraplegia in scoliosis cases has been found to emerge. Vascular factors have been sought in the etiology of idiopathic scoliosis, but not found.

Food is vital to human life. Therefore, ensuring its safety as it moves from producer to consumer in food supply chains (FSCs) is essential. This can be achieved through the use of food traceability technology which enables track and trace of produce within a FSC. Recently, blockchain technology (BCT) has shown great potential to enhance traceability in FSCs, owing to its ability to securely store data in a decentralised and tamper-evident manner. However, it appears that research on blockchain-enabled food traceability exists primarily within the context of large FSCs, whilst scarce for local FSCs in which traceability is often an inefficient and manual process. Given this background, this exploratory research is carried out, to investigate whether a blockchain-enabled system can be used to improve traceability in local FSCs. To do this, we (i) collaborate with Oranjezicht City Farm Market (OZCFM) - a farmers market in Cape Town, the smallholder farmers that supply OZCFM with fresh local produce and the OZCFM patrons that purchase the produce; (ii) map out the local FSC by conducting observations and running surveys with the aforementioned actors; (iii) design, develop and pilot FoodPrint - a web based and blockchain-enabled food traceability application. During the pilot within the OZCFM-related local FSC, FoodPrint is used to capture data on the harvest, transportation and storage of produce; and reveal produce provenance at destination by scanning of supplier-produce specific quick response (QR) codes. We find that FoodPrint provides tamper-evident traceability and authentic transparency of produce related data to the local FSC actors. Further, we note that scanning a FoodPrint QR code for produce provenance does not enhance the consumers trust of the local FSC, as it pre-exists. This implies that local FSCs with existing and functional trust mechanisms do not benefit from trust-enhancing mechanisms such as blockchain-enabled traceability. Future work may consider data privacy in FSCs and automating FSC data entry to reduce the risk of fraud.

In the master´s thesis author deals with simulations of electromagnetic fields and their applications in the electric practice at the design of electromagnetic devices. The first part of thesis deals with 3 electromagnetic field simulation softwares, their comparison and selection of the best software for the practical part of the thesis. The second part contains the practical applications of electrostatic and electromagnetic field simulation of HT power supply.

El artículo describe la importancia de la gestión de relación con los proveedores en la cadena de abastecimiento y describe algunos de sus beneficios.

Idag har bygg- och anläggningsbranschen låg produktivitet och icke-värdeskapande aktiviteter uppgår till 30- 35% av projektets produktionskostnad. Genom en effektiv logistikhantering ökar produktiviteten och minskar slöserier och därmed byggkostnaden. Studien fokuserar på anläggningsbranschen då det i dagsläget är brist på forskar- och grundutbildad personal inom anläggning vilket även speglar sig i antalet vetenskapliga artiklar som publicerats inom anläggning. Det finns därför ett syfte i att skapa en större teoretisk förståelse för anläggningsbranschen. Studiens syfte har varit att undersöka planeringsfasen för logistik i ett anläggningsprojekt och ta fram en konceptuell logistiskmodell för ett anläggningsprojekt. I anläggningsprojekt är det ofta problem med stora projektytor och svåråtkomlig terräng men det kan även vara problem med trånga utrymmen runt projektet. Dessutom innebär projekt i anläggningsbranschen ofta omfattande hantering av massor. I fallföretaget finns det ingen tydlig logistiskmodell som efterföljs och man har svårt att se fördelarna med att använda logistik. Målet med studien är att genom den konceptuellt framtagna logistiskmodellen få ett standardiserat arbetssätt och därmed effektivisera produktionen och minska kostnaderna. Dessutom är målet att bidra till forskningen om logistik i anläggningsbranschen. Explorativt forskningssyfte har använts för att uppfylla studien syfte. Detta för att skapa en större förståelse för logistik i anläggningsbranschen. Forskningsansatsen är deduktiv i och med att logistikmodellen har utvecklats från befintlig teori, och testas empiririsk i fokusgrupper. En kvalitativ strategi har tillämpats på denna studie då fokus är på att skapa en djupare förståelse och ge möjlighet till anpassning beroende på vad som hittas i datainsamlingen. De datainsamlingsmetoder som har använts är litteraturstudie, intervjuer, fokusgrupper och kvalitativ sekundärdata. För att säkerställa studiens kvalitet användes triangulering men även granskning av handledare och personer som deltog under fokusgrupper och intervjuer. Den konceptuella logistiskmodellen består av sjutton komponenter som innehåller aktiviteter/verktyg och förutsättningar som krävs för en effektiv logistikhantering i anläggning. Med hjälp av denna modell kan företag utvärdera vilka logistiska aktiviteter som bör genomföras i ett anläggningsprojekt samt se vilka förutsättningar som krävs. I fallföretaget genomförs inte alla dessa aktiviteter och det är vissa viktiga förutsättningar som fattas. Fallföretaget rekommenderas att upprätta en utbildning om logistik, skapa en tydligare logistikorganisation och ta fram standardiserade processer för logistik. / Today the construction industry has low productivity and the waste is about 30-35% of a project's production cost. By using an efficient logistics management the productivity will increase, which will reduce the waste and production cost. This thesis focuses on the construction industry with focus on civil engineering projects. It is a lack of research that focus on civil engineering projects, which is reflected in the number of scientific articles that has been published in this area. Hence, this is a reason to research further about civil engineering projects in order to create a bigger theoretical understanding. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the planning process with focus on logistic and to develop a conceptual logistic model for civil engineering projects. In civil engineering projects, companies often have problem with large project areas and difficult terrain around the project. But there can also be problems with narrow spaces. In addition to this, civil engineering projects often have to manage a large amount of masses. The company that this thesis has been conducted at has no clear logistic model that the staff follows, and they find it difficult to see the benefits with logistic. The aim of this thesis is to develop a conceptual logistic model that generates a more standardized work method that streamline the production and reduce the costs. In addition, the goal is also to contribute to research on logistics in the construction industry that focus on civil engineering projects. To fulfill the aim of the thesis an exploratory research have been used. This to create a greater understanding of logistics in the construction industry with focus on civil engineering projects. The research approach is deductive because the logistic model has been developed from existing theory and been empirically tested by using focus groups. A qualitative strategy has been applied on this thesis since the aim is to create a deeper understanding and a qualitative strategy gives an opportunity to adjust the thesis depending on what is found in the data collection. The data has been collected through a literature study, interviews, and focus groups. Data has also been collected from qualitative secondary data. During the focus groups the conceptual logistic model, which are based on the data from theory, interviews and empirical data, was tested. In order to ensure the quality of the thesis, triangulation was used. But the thesis was also reviewed by the supervisors and the persons who participated in the focus groups as well as the interviews. The conceptual logistic model consists of seventeen components that contains activities/tools and conditions that are required for an efficient logistics management. With this model the company that the thesis has been conducted at, but also other similar companies, can see what logistics activities needs to be done but also see what conditions are required. The company where the thesis has been conducted at does not perform all of these activities and some important conditions is not fulfilled. The company is recommended to educate in logistics, make a clear logistic organization and develop standardized processes for logistics.

This dissertation is the outcome of a study to map the economic structure and organisation of two selected mango export chains from South Africa by applying selected supply chain analysis tools. The study is part of an inventory on the export of fresh fruit and vegetables commissioned by the European Commission under the Veg-i-Trade Project Work Package 1. The two selected chains were the Bavaria fresh mango and the Blue Skies freshly cut mango export supply chains. The study sought to understand how food safety and quality standards are shaping the structure and relationships in the two export chains given the prevalence of food scares and scandals. An inventory of the activities and the various actors along the mango export supply chains was made in order to identify the structure and functioning of the chains and the issues and constraints faced with the various quality and safety standards. The objective of the study was to identify the actors and the role they play, determine the governance structure and relationships and identify the quality management programmes and standards employed in the two selected export chains. In addition, the study sought to identify and analyse the different information exchange categories and use of information between the different links along the chains. A qualitative research approach that incorporates case study methodology was used as the inquiry strategy. Through this methodology, the investigation untangled the complexity of the mango export supply chains which is faced with the challenge of maintaining a chain that guarantees adherence to customer specifications and client needs. The study’s findings established that food safety and quality management standards are shaping the structure and organisation of the chains and their stringency has increased with a widened and deepened scope. In addition, the ability to adopt a standard is directly affected by the scale of business operation and standards are technical barriers to entry for small scale mango producers and exporters mainly because of the high certification and operational costs. In reaction to the standards, it was noted that Bavaria and Blue Skies mango export chains are buyer-driven with a high degree of vertical coordination enforced by contracts. The two chains are modular with the use of and strategic positioning of category managers; a high degree of asset specificity and forward integration to reach their markets resulting in a shortened supply chain. Supply chain coordination is carried out on contracted logistics and cold chain services with regulatory functions provided by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Perishable Product Export Control Board (PPECB) in South Africa and agricultural and health inspectors in the United Kingdom (UK). There is also product and process differentiation. It was also noted that compulsory certification of quality and food safety standards is the prerequisite to access export markets. The standards used in the Bavaria and Blue Skies mango export chains are the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and Global Good Agricultural Practice (Global GAP). These are used in conjunction with the British Retail Consortium (BRC), Fairtrade, Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI), International Food Standard (IFS) and Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF). Quality audits and inspections are carried out at each supply chain level to ensure safety and adherence to quality requirements. The supply chain actors carry out continuous quality assessment and one way to achieve this was through the application of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. Quality and safety standards have also resulted in improved traceability in the Bavaria and Blue Skies Mango export chains. Traceability systems in the Bavaria and Blue Skies mango export chains are more automated though they are not harmonised, thus Paltrack, XsenseTM, Caretrace and TempTrip. Automated information systems used to share and exchange information are internet and email as well as barcodes which are used with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Manual information systems in use are mainly telephones, facsimile and mobile phones. It was also established that major issues and challenges in the Bavaria and Blue Skies mango export chains are a result of factors that affect mango perishability, mainly post harvest handling procedures thus packaging, transportation, storage, ripening and distribution. If not managed well, poor safety and quality management result in economic losses due to product rejections, product recall and cessation of buyer-supplier relationships. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

Investment in electricity is a key element of the development process. Its importance is reflected in the growing recognition, since the 1960's, that investing in electricity provides and enhances knowledge, attitude and motivation necessary for economic and social development. The development and utilization of electricity create an economic atmosphere that has direct and indirect benefit for the economy. The direct impact is felt by most households who are able to affect households tasks more rapidly than before and save much time and effort in the process. Electricity also has an indirect impact on development. It improves the quality of life of the community by raising their income. The results of the survey at Katlehong confirms that the availability of electricity as a basic need appears to be far from satisfactory. Areas without electricity experience major social and economic costs as a result of dependency on costly and inconvenient energy sources. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 1993. / Economics / unrestricted

Orientador: Eduardo Guilherme Satolo / Resumo: A cadeia de produção do leite é composta por diversos agentes que integram a cadeia de suprimentos desde a aquisição da matéria-prima até a distribuição do produto para o cliente final. Esta cadeia tem importância em termos de contribuição econômica e social para o país ou região. Desta forma, a obtenção de produtividade não está relacionada apenas aos benefícios para o produtor, como aumento de lucratividade, competitividade no mercado, eficiência na gestão das propriedades, mas em aspectos que geram impactos na sociedade, como por exemplo geração de novos postos de trabalho. Este trabalho tem como objetivo geral, analisar quais os principais gargalos na gestão da cadeia de suprimentos leiteira de pequenos produtores da região de Tupã/SP. Desta forma, é indispensável explorar os impactos sofridos pelos produtores, a falta de apoio e orientação para que os mesmos consigam conduzir e realizar uma gestão eficiente em sua propriedade. Tal estudo apresenta a metodologia aplicada em forma de pesquisa de campo de caráter descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa, do tipo survey com aplicação de questionário com questões predominantemente fechadas com uso da escala Likert. O resultado da coleta foi apresentado por meio da análise de correspondência. Tais resultados demostraram os gargalos na cadeia de suprimentos, baseado nos oito pilares da abordagem LSCM, sendo: Gestão da Tecnologia da Informação, Gestão de Fornecedores de Insumos, Eliminação de desperdícios, Produção, Gestão de Relac... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The milk supply chain is made up of products that integrate the supply chain from the raw material to the final distribution of the product to the end customer. This organization has an economic and social building base for the country or region. Thus, a strategy option is not only an advantage for the producer, such as the increase of profitability, market competitiveness, management performance of companies, but also the managerial impact on society, such as the generation of new jobs. This paper aims to analyze what are the main bottlenecks of the milk and milk industry of small farmers in the Tupã / SP region. Therefore, is necessary It is necessary to explore the impacts suffered by the producers, the lack of support and guidance for them to be able to conduct and efficiently manage their property. The study presents the applied method in the search fields, descriptive, with a qualitative approach, on the survey form, of general studies predominated closed to use the scale of Likert. The result of the collection was presented through the correspondence analysis. These results demonstrated bottlenecks in the supply chain, based on the eight pillars of the LSCM approach, namely: Information Technology Management, Input Supplier Management, Waste Disposal, Production, Customer Relationship Management, Logistics Management, Owners Commitment, and Continuous Improvement. Stands out the result of data collection for the need to improve quality, the implementation of technologi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) - MSc (Biodiv and Cons Biol) / Freshwater ecosystems are valuable to all components of biodiversity communities. Globally, these ecosystems are threatened by human activity and as a consequence, many vertebrates, including waterbirds, have become threatened. Wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystem types in the world. Yet, despite this, many protected area networks around the world fail to include this ecosystem type in their protected area networks. On a national scale, in South Africa, wetland loss and deteriorating wetland habitat quality continues to restrict and reduce the range of wetland waterbirds. For this thesis, Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) species distribution modelling was used to identify additional areas of possible waterbird occurrence. The MaxEnt results noted that waterbirds rely on a combination of these environmental variables for their distribution ecology in their wetland habitat, with vegetation and humidity variables having the highest predictive powers. These would be considered important predictor variables for the distribution ecology of these waterbirds.