The present investigation can be divided into two main sections: the first dealing with the post-shedding embryogenesis of Encephalartos natalensis and the second concerned with the cell wall properties of immature and mature embryos of this species. Development of the embryo of E. natalensis from a rudimentary meristematic structure approximately 700 μm in length, extends over six months after the seed is shed from the strobilus. Throughout its development the embryo remains attached to a long suspensor. Differentiation of the shoot meristem flanked by two cotyledonary protuberances occurs over the first two months, during which peripheral tannin channels become apparent. Tannins, apparently elaborated by the endoplasmic reticulum, first accumulate in the large central vacuole and ultimately fill the channel. By the fourth month of development the root meristem is apparent and procambial tissue forming discrete vascular bundles can be discerned in the elongating cotyledons. Between four and six months, mucilage ducts differentiate, and, after six months when the seed becomes germinable, the embryo is characterised by cotyledons far longer than the axis. Shoot and root meristem cells remain ultrastructurally similar throughout embryo ontogeny, containing small vacuoles, many welldifferentiated mitochondria and ER profiles, abundant polysomes, plastids containing small starch deposits and Golgi bodies. Unusually however, Golgi bodies are infrequent in other cells including those elaborating mucilage which is accumulated in distended ER and apparently secreted into the duct lumen directly by ER-derived vesicles. The nonmeristematic cells accumulate massive starch deposits to the exclusion of any protein bodies, and only very sparse lipid, features which are considered in terms of the prolonged period of embryo development and the high atmospheric oxygen content of the Carboniferous Period, when cycads are suggested to have originated. With regard to plant cell walls, the present investigation employed immunofluorescence microscopy and immunocytochemistry to characterise the cell walls of immature and mature embryos of the recalcitrant-seeded E. natalensis to determine wall composition and potential changes with development. These techniques, together with cryo-scanning- and transmissionelectron microscopy (TEM) were used to analyse potential changes in the cell walls of mature embryos upon desiccation. Immature cell walls appeared to be composed of low- and high methyl esterified epitopes of pectin, rhamnogalacturonan-associated arabinan, and the hemicellulose xyloglucan, while partially-esterified epitopes of pectin appear to have a punctuate distribution in the wall. Arabinogalactan protein recognised by the LM2 antibody, along with rhamnogalacturonan-associated galactan and the hemicellulose xylan, were not positively localised using immunological probes, suggesting that the embryo of the current species does not possess these epitopes. Interestingly, mature embryos appeared to be identical to immature ones with respect to the cell wall components investigated, implying that these may not change during the protracted post-shedding embryogeny of this species. Analysis of the monosaccharide composition of the walls by gas liquid chromatography complemented the immuno-labelling work. However, there appeared to be abnormally high levels of glucose (Glc), which may indicate the presence of Glc-rich polymers not accounted for by the antibodies used in the current study. Preliminary Glc-normalised data revealed that there may be considerable quantities of arabinose polymers in the wall comparable to that found in desiccation tolerant plants. Drying appeared to induce some degree of cell wall folding in mature embryos, correlating with their possession of wall plasticisers such as arabinose polymers, but this was limited, due to the abundance of amyloplasts, which filled the cytoplasmic space. From the results of this study, it is proposed that the embryo cell walls of E. natalensis are constitutively prepared for the flexibility required during cell growth and expansion, which may facilitate the observed moderate cell wall folding in mature embryos upon drying. This, together with an abundant supply of amyloplasts in the cytomatrix may provide sufficient mechanical stabilisation during desiccation even though the seeds of this species are highly desiccation sensitive. Overall, this study has been a relatively comprehensive coverage of histological and ultrastructural aspects of embryogenesis in E. natalensis. This work will form a pivotal basis for future studies, which may ultimately lead to the successful germplasm cryopreservation and in vitro production on a commercial scale of these, and other, endangered cycad species. Furthermore, the work on cell walls in this investigation has provided improved comprehension of the responses of seed cell walls to dehydration. / Ph.D. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

Master-Arbeit Univ. St. Gallen, 2007.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Companies within the FMCG sector are continually trying to create value from their brands by increasing their margins and/or selling more of their products. Taking cost out of the value chain gives the company a competitive advantage, but this advantage is short lived as competitors also reduce costs. Differentiating a product through enhanced features and benefits also provides a competitive advantage, but is also subject to imitation by rivals. As competition increases, companies are looking for new avenues to differentiate themselves. Relationships marketing has, as a result, increased its prevalence as a competitive tool to provide that point of difference. This research report analyses the factors that influence the relationship between a Coca-Cola sales representative and his/her customers with the Cape Town region. The geography is unique in that is has a cross section of people who represent different races, religions and languages. This research report examines the impact that age, gender, education and culture have on the ability of a sales representative to build a relationship with a customer. Culture is broken down into four categories. These categories examined the race, language, religion and area of residence of a sales representative relative to a customer and the impact these attributes have on the ability to build a relationship. Positive relationships have an impact on the sales representative's ability to influence the store owner to activate certain in-store drivers which will increase the sales volume of products through an outlet. In-store drivers have been defined as the availability of a product through listing, the amount of forward share allocated to the product and the price of the product. If the profile of a sales representative relative to that of a customer, has an impact on the strength of the relationship, companies could "match" sales representatives to customers based on their respective profiles. This "matching" would have a positive benefit for the sales representative and his/her company. The research showed that there was a correlation between the profile of a sales representative and a customer. It is easier for a sales representative to build a relationship with a customer who is a similar age. It is however easier for the sales representative to influence a younger customer. Gender plays no role in a sales representative's ability to build a relationship. With respect to education, a stronger relationship exists between a customer and sales representative of a similar education. Again it is easier for a representative to influence a customer who has a lower level of education. Race does have an impact on the ability to build relationships. The research showed that an African sales representative should service an African customer. The same applies to a Xhosa speaking sales representative. There is a positive link between matching sales representatives and customers who come from similar areas and have the same religion. Understanding what factors can improve or inhibit a relationship provides important insights into how management can influence a competitive advantage in customer relationship marketing. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Maatskappye binne die FMCG-sektor probeer deurlopend om waarde tot hulle handelsmerk toe te voeg deur hulle winsmarges te vergroot en/of meer produkte te verkoop. Om koste uit die waardeketting te verwyder, gee die maatskappy slegs vir 'n kort tydjie 'n mededingende voordeel aangesien mededingers ook koste verlaag. Om produkte te differensieer deur kenmerke en voordele te verbeter, bied ook 'n mededingende voordeel maar kan eweneens deur mededingers nageboods word. Soos wat kompetisie toeneem, soek maatkappye nuwe maniere om hulself te differensieer. Verhoudingsbemarking kom gevolglik al meer voor as 'n mededingende instrument om daardie klein verskil te maak. Hierdie navorsing ontleed die faktore wat 'n invloed uitoefen op die verhouding tussen 'n verkoopsverteenwoordiger van Coca Cola en sy/haar mededingers binne die Kaapstad-streek. Die geografie is uniek omdat dit 'n verskeidenheid mense van verskillende rasse, godsdienste en tale omvat. Die navorsingsverslag ondersoek die impak wat ouderdom, geslag, opvoeding en kultuur uitoefen op die vermoe van die verkoopsverteenwoordiger om 'n verhouding met 'n klant op te bou. Kultuur word in vier kategoriee verdeel. Hierdie kategoriee ondersoek die ras, taal, godsdiens en woonarea van 'n verkoopsverteenwoordiger relatief tot 'n klant en die impak wat hierdie kenmerke uitoefen op die vermoe om 'n verhouding op te bou. Positiewe verhoudings het 'n impak op die verkoopsverteenwoordiger se vermoe om die winkeleienaar te beinvloed om sekere aandrywers in die winkel toe te pas om die verkoopsvolume van produkte deur so 'n winkel te verhoog. Hierdie aandrywers in die winkel is geidentifiseer as die beskikbaarheid van 'n produk deur notering, die hoeveelheid aandele wat vooruit aan die produk toegeken word en die prys van die produk. As die profiel van 'n verkoopsverteenwoordiger relatief tot die van die klant 'n impak uitoefen op die kwalitieit van die verhouding kan maatskappye verkoopsverteenwoordigers by klante "pas" op grond van hulle onderskeie profiele. Hierdie "passing" kan 'n positiewe voordeel vir die verkoopsverteenwoordiger en sy/haar maatskappy inhou. Die navorsing het aangetoon dat daar 'n korrelasie bestaan tussen die profiel van 'n verkoopsverteenwoordiger en die klant. Dit is makliker vir 'n verkoopsverteenworrdiger om 'n verhouding op te bou met 'n klant van 'n soortgelyke ouderdom. Dit is egter vir die verkoopsverteenwoordiger makliker om 'n jonger klant te beinvloed. Geslag speel geen rol in die verkoopsverteenwoordiger se vermoe om 'n verhouding op te bou nie. Sover dit opvoeding aangaan, is daar ook 'n sterker verhouding tussen 'n klant en verkoopsverteenwoordiger van soortgelyke opvoeding. Weer eens is dit makliker vir 'n verteenwoordiger om 'n klant met 'n laer vlak van opvoeding te beinvloed. Ras het wel 'n impak op die vermoe om verhoudinge te bou. Die navorsing het aangetoon dat 'n swart verkoopsverteenwoordiger beter vaar met 'n swart klant. Dieselfde geld vir 'n Xhosa-sprekende verkoopsverleenwoordiger. Daar is 'n positiewe gevolg waar verkoopsverteenwoordigers en klante uit soortgelyke areas en met dieselfde godsdiens by mekaar gepas word. 'n Begrip vir die faktore wat 'n verhouding kan verbeter of inhibeer bied belangrike insigte in maniere waarop bestuur 'n mededingende voordeel kan meebring deur verhoudingsbemarking op klante toe te pas.

Purpose: To explore the difference between continuous and pulsed photobiomodulation (PBMT) versus a placebo treatment when using a red-blue light combination over multiple treatment sessions to decrease the symptoms of muscle damage in the quadriceps muscle after a bout of muscle damaging exercise. Methods: Thirty-six healthy, nonactive male and female participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: continuous PBMT, pulsed PBMT, and placebo treatment. Participants were assessed for muscle damage with knee extension maximal isometric and isokinetic contractions, as well as Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) scores. Blood creatine kinase (CK) was also analyzed. Participants were given treatment immediately prior to undergoing a bout of damaging eccentric exercise. Participants were treated with PBMT for the next 4 consecutive days for a total of 5 treatments. Results: The continuous treatment group lost significantly less isokinetic average peak torque than the placebo treatment when averaged across all time points postexercise. However, for isometric testing, the continuous group had more reduction in force compared to the placebo group. Between the treatment groups, the continuous treatment group had significantly more muscle soreness measured by the VAS and had significantly less function in daily tasks reported on the LEFS patient-oriented outcome scale. There was no significant difference in level of creatine kinase between the treatment groups. Conclusion: Pulsed photobiomodulation treatments had no significant effect when compared to the placebo group. Continuous photobiomodulation helped to reduce isokinetic force loss, yet exacerbated all other muscle damage markers following exercise relative to the placebo condition.

L'intégration récente des systèmes de communication numériques embarqués à bord des trains pour la gestion du trafic introduit de nouveaux problèmes de compatibilité électromagnétique dans le milieu ferroviaire, notamment, pour le système GSM-R « Global System for Mobile Communications - Railway» sur lequel se focalisent les travaux de la thèse. Ce système est un système numérique élaboré employant des protocoles de communication qui lui permettent de résister à certaines perturbations électromagnétiques. Ainsi, son immunité électromagnétique ne peut pas être étudiée selon les méthodes traditionnelles standardisées, puisqu'elles sont adaptées principalement à des systèmes analogiques. La thèse consiste à caractériser l'environnement EM ferroviaire d'une manière adaptée au contexte du système GSM-R. En effet, il faut préalablement connaitre les perturbations EM qu'il peut rencontrer à bord d'un train. Ainsi, nous avons exploité les méthodes fréquentielle et temporelle pour caractériser les perturbations EM que peut subir son signal utile sous des conditions normales d'opération. Les résultats obtenus ont montré que les perturbations EM transitoires qui apparaissent lors d'un mauvais contact entre la caténaire et le pantographe sont la source principale de perturbations EM pour le système GSM-R. Ainsi, nous avons étudié minutieusement leurs caractéristiques temporelles et d'amplitude à travers une étude statistique de chaque paramètre. Suite aux résultats obtenus, nous avons pu générer des signaux de test représentatifs de ce que peut voir le système GSM-R à bord d'un train avant d'exploiter ces signaux pour l'étude de l'immunité EM de ce système en laboratoire. Thèse encadrée à l'INRETS par DENIAU,V

Access to modern energy is central to addressing important global development challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change, food security, health and education. The understanding of the concept of energy poverty is critical when making any attempts to alleviate it. Lack of access to sustainable energy is also a major factor preventing social and economic development, both of which are linked to sustainable poverty reduction. However, worldwide access to energy has shown very slow progress because of the costs associated with electric grid extensions and decentralized systems by which power is offered. This study investigates the viability of implementing solar energy in poor communities in Inanda, which is located in Durban, South Africa. Inanda is known to be an area with high unemployment and high poverty levels. Most important to this study are high energy poverty levels in the area. It was found that these communities prioritised energy for cooking, lighting and heating. The results of this study also indicate that in most households, multiple sources of unsustainable energy sources were being used. These included electricity, fuelwood, gas, paraffin and candles. Illegal electrical connections are a growing problem in this community, and other traditional sources were found to have numerous effects on human and environmental health. Upon investigation of the potential for renewable energy implementation in these communities, it found that there was a high willingness to use it, specifically solar energy; however, more education is needed regarding solar energy and related benefits. It was also indicated that the provision of sustainable energy will allow more time for income-generating activities in the community. The biggest challenge with regard to provision of solar energy was cost. These communities cannot afford to pay high start-up and maintenance costs for the technology. It is for this reason that efforts should be made to subsidize these costs and integrate this plan into policy-making. This will not only provide poor communities with sustainable energy, but also help advance the renewable energy industry in South Africa. / M.A. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The publication of news websites mushroomed since the establishment of the World Wide Web, but their viability and/or profitability still tend to pose a problem. This study approaches the question from the viewpoint of the niche theory and gratification and investigates the advantages and disadvantages of publishing news on the Internet, as well as possible elements of news-website business models. The latter comprises firstly, costs such as labour, content, production, marketing and distribution, and secondly possible income sources. It also compares a number of different business models. It found, inter alia, that a greater variety on the broader news menu, as well as the development of cost-effective ways to utilise the unique features of the Internet in the presentation of news will be fundamental to the eventual success of news websites. A generally acceptable norm for the measurement and auditing of traffic to news websites will be crucial in the optimal utilisation of the potential advertisingsales income. The study concludes that it is doubtful whether news websites on their own will ever succeed as media enterprises. In most cases news websites will probably only exist as a minor component of websites deriving their income from a variety of other sources. However, technological innovation may come up with new possibilities that may revolutionise the e-news industry in such a way that it may become profitable on its own. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die publikasie van nuuswebwerwe het soos ʼn paddastoel opgeskiet sedert die daarstelling van die Wêreldwye Web, maar die lewensvatbaarheid en/of winsgewendheid van sulke webwerwe blyk steeds ʼn probleem te wees. Hierdie studie benader die vraagstuk uit die oogpunt van die nisteorie en voldoening, en ondersoek die voor- en nadele van nuuspublikasie op die Internet, sowel as die faktore waaruit bedryfsmodelle vir nuuswebwerwe saamgestel kan word. Die laasgenoemde omvat eendersyds koste, soos arbeid, inhoud, produksie, bemarking en verspreiding; en andersyds die moontlike inkomstebronne. Dit vergelyk ook ʼn aantal verskillende bedryfsmodelle. Die bevindings sluit in dat ʼn groter verskeidenheid op die breër nuusspyskaart sowel as die vind van kostedoeltreffende maniere om die unieke eienskappe van die Internet ten volle in die aanbieding van die nuus te benut, onderliggend tot die uiteindelike sukses van nuuswebwerwe sal wees. ʼn Algemeen aanvaarbare norm vir die meting en ouditering van die verkeer na nuuswebwerwe sal deurslaggewend wees in die optimale benutting van die potensiële inkomste uit advertensieverkope. Die studie kom tot die slotsom dat daar twyfel bestaan of nuuswebwerwe as sulks op die lang duur as onafhanklike media-ondernemings sal slaag. In die meeste gevalle sal nuuswebwerwe waarskynlik hoofsaaklik net voortbestaan as ʼn ondergeskikte komponent van webwerwe wat hul verdienste uit ʼn verskeidenheid van ander bronne put. Tegnologiese vernuwing kan egter nuwe moontlikhede daar stel wat ʼn ommekeer in die winsgewendheid van die e-nuusbedryf teweeg kan bring.

The aim of the thesis ''Analysis of effectiveness of the products of the Building Society 'Českomoravská stavební spořitelna' and proposal of improvements for its business model'' is the assessment of effectiveness of the operations of the Building Society by the means of financial and product analysis. By using the SWOT I want to find the opportunities and reserves in the operation of the above company. On the basis of these findings I'm suggesting the options for better business development of Building Society 'Českomoravská stavební spořitelna'.

No description available.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: PEP is a devision of Pepkor Retail Limited and is the biggest single brand store network in Southern Africa and also owns and runs the largest clothing factory in Southern Africa. It was founded in 1965 and has since grown to more than 1 400 stores in 9 African countries (there is a PEP store in almost every town and village in South Africa). Currently the warehouse management system (WMS) implemented by PEP only allows for a stock keeping unit (SKU) to be placed on one picking line in one location when the distribution list (DBN) is released. Because pickers are only allowed to walk clockwise around the conveyor belt, they are forced to pass a location at least the same number of times as the number of branches to which the SKU is to be distributed to. Therefore if the SKUs with the highest pick frequency can be assigned to 2 locations (it is duplicating the SKU), the number of times each of these locations must be passed may be reduced. In this study 4 questions are considered when 15 algorithms are constructed that will determine how an algorithm assign the SKUs to picking lines. Question 1 determines whether the original picking lines are to be treated separately (PS) or to combine them rst (PC). The second question is to decide if the SKUs are rst to be duplicated and then assigned to picking lines (DA) or if they are rst assigned to picking lines and then duplicated (AD). Question 3 determines whether the non-duplicate and duplicate SKUs are treated separately (ND) or simultaneously (S) when they are assigned to the picking lines. The nal question is to specify how the SKUs are assigned to the picking lines. Three assignment methods (cyclical, set length subset sequential assignment, remaining high, low cyclical assignment) and 6 clustering algorithms are introduced. The conclusion is made that the SKUs with the highest pick frequency is duplicated rst to yield the biggest saving in the number of cycles. Between 40{70% of the SKUs should be duplicated, dependant on the algorithm used. The only decision that has a major in uence on the number of cycles is the assignment method used. Algorithm 5 and 8 yielded the greatest saving in the number of cycles (40.7% and 39.8% respectively), both implementing set length subset sequential assignment, followed by the clustering algorithms. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: PEP is 'n afdeling van Pepkor Retail Limited en is die grootste enkel-handelsmerk winkelnetwerk in Suidelike Afrika. PEP besit en bestuur ook die grootste klerefabriek in Suidelike Afrika. PEP is gestig in 1965 en het sedertien gegroei tot meer as 1 400 winkels in 9 Afrika lande (daar is 'n PEP winkel in amper elke dorp in Suid-Afrika). Op die oomblik laat die pakhuisbestuurstelsel, wat deur PEP in sy distribusie sentrum ge mplementeer word, slegs toe dat voorraadeenhede (VEs) in 'n enkele vakkie langs 'n enkele uitsoeklyn geplaas word. Aangesien werkers slegs toegelaat word om kloksgewys om die vervoerband te beweeg, word hulle gedwing om ten minste soveel keer verby elke vakkie in die uitsoeklyn te loop as wat die aantal winkels is waarna die VEs in daardie vakkie versprei moet word. Dus indien die vakkies wat die VEs bevat wat na die meeste winkels versprei moet word, tussen 2 vakkies verdeel word (die VE word gedupliseer), verminder die aantal kere wat beide vakkies besoek moet word. In hierdie studie word 4 vrae beskou wat geantwoord moet word wanneer die 15 algoritmes opgestel word, wat sal bepaal hoe die algoritme die VEs hanteer. Vraag 1 bepaal of die oorspronklike uitsoeklyne wat deur PEP verskaf is apart hanteer word en of hulle eers gekombineer moet word. Die tweede vraag bepaal of die VEs eers gedupliseer word en dan aan die onderskeie uitsoeklyne toegedeel word en of die VEs eers aan die uitsoeklyne toegedeel word en dan gedupliseer word. Vraag 3 is slegs van toepassing wanneer die VEs eers gedupliseer word en dan toegedeel word aan die uitsoeklyne, en bepaal of die nie-gedupliseerde en gedupliseerde VEs apart of gelyktydig hanteer word. Die laaste vraag spesi seer met behulp van watter metode die VEs toegedeel word aan die onderskeie uitsoeklyne. Drie toedelingsmetodes (sikliese toedeling, vaste lengte subversameling opeenvolgende toedeling, oorblywende hoogste/laagste sikliese toedeling) en 6 bondelalgoritmes word voorgestel. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die VEs met die hoogste uitsoek frekwensie eerste gedupliseer moet word om die grootste besparing mee te bring in die aantal siklusse om al die VEs uit te soek. Tussen 40{70% van die VEs moet gedupliseer word afhangende van die algoritme wat gebruik word. Die enigste besluit wat 'n noemenswaardige invloed op die aantal siklusse het is die toedelingsmetode. Algoritme 5 en 8 lewer die grootste besparing in die aantal siklusse (40.7% en 39.8% onderskeidelik), beide implementeer die vaste lengte subversameling opeenvolgende toedeling, gevolg deur die bondelalgoritmes.