Da Gama Textiles, based in the Eastern Cape has seen its sales of Jacquard products being affected in recent years by cheaper imported products. A study was required to enable its senior management to develop a branding strategy for its Jacquard products. In addition, senior managers required information about how to take advantage of the 2010 World Cup. Data collection was conducted in July to September 2009, using two population groups. The first one was bed and breakfast managers in KwaZulu-Natal, with the second one being top ten Jacquard customers by volume in South Africa. Results showed that awareness levels for Da Gama’s Jacquard products are low, although more than half of respondents would be willing to receive literature from Da Gama in the future relating to Jacquard products. Among the top ten customers, loyalty levels were found to be high, however customers were not satisfied with Da Gama’s price levels and felt that designs and delivery lead times could be improved. A suggested branding strategy was drafted, targeting both population groups. A strategy to build brand awareness and brand loyalty levels was suggested for bed and breakfast managers, while a strategy to improve brand loyalty levels was suggested for the top ten customers. / Business Administration / M. Tech. (Business Administration)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent organic pollutants used in industrial applications and are globally distributed in the environment. A group of PFASs that are difficult to measure with today’s method are perfluoroalkyl acid precursors (PFAA precursors) that, when degraded, serves as indirect sources of PFAAs. This study has optimized a previously developed method for quantification of PFAA precursors in soil; through total oxidizable precursor assay (TOP assay) under alkaline conditions, to be applicable on sewage sludge. To achieve and maintain an alkaline environment during the entire oxidative treatment, several parameters were tested: concentrations of NaOH, persulfate and sample; additional clean-up with graphitized non-porous carbon and reaction time. Solid phase extraction-weak anion exchange (SPE-WAX) was used for clean-up and separation of analytes, and LC-MS/MS was used for quantification. The optimal conditions with the highest levels of PFAAs detected was obtained with 1.33 M NaOH, 60 mM persulfate, 3.57 g/L sludge with a reaction time of 6 hours. The use of graphitized non-porous carbon reduced matrix effects on oxidative conversion resulting in a higher pH as well as a higher degree of oxidation, but with some analyte loss.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic chemicals which are used in a wide range of applications such as aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) for firefighting, paint, coating and cosmetics. For almost a decade, PFASs have received worldwide attention because of the ubiquitous detection of PFAS in the environment and their bioaccumulative, persistent and give toxic effects on animals and humans. A number of study have shown many unknown organofluorine present in environmental samples. The total oxidizable precursor (TOP) method is an oxidation method to convert any precursor compounds of PFASs into measurable perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) or sulfonic acids (PFSAs). The aims of this project are to evaluate if the use of total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay may help improve the mass balance analysis between the quantifiable PFASs and extractable organofluorine in samples. In this study, three water samples: landfill leachate water, contaminated groundwater and adiluted Sthamex AFFF with tap water were undergone TOP assay to reveal the present of any unidentified precursor compounds. To obtain the extractable organofluorine and quantifiable PFAS levels in the samples, combustion ion chromatography (CIC) and liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were used, respectively. Results suggested the presence of unidentified precursor compounds in the samples with the aid of TOP assay reaction. Although after the oxidative conversion, a large portion of unidentified PFASs compounds were still present in the samples. The quantifiable PFASs in the samples were up to 7 % of the EOF; in other word, there were still around 93 % of unidentified compounds present in the samples. Further development of analytical method for characterization or identification of these unknown PFAS compounds is needed.

Energy storage systems is very useful to use in solar panel systems to save money, but also tobe more environment-friendly. The project was given by the solar energy companyPerpetuum Automobile (PPAM) and the project is for their customer, the condominiumcompound Ekoxen. The task is to make a energy regulation for Ekoxen's energy storage sothey can save more money. The energy storage primary task is to shave the top-peaks of theconsumption for Ekoxen. Which means that the battery will supply the household instead forthe three-phase grid. This will make the electric bill for Ekoxen cheaper. Thesimulation/analysis of the energy regulation is done in a spreadsheet tool, where one partworks as a Time-of-Use program and the other work as a modbus feature. Time-of-Use is aweb-based program for PV systems with battery storage, where time-periods can be set toaffect the battery behavior. The modbus feature simulates a system where an algorithm can beimplemented. The results will show that the time-periods for charging the battery with theTime-of-Use program needs to be changed two times per year. One time for the summermonths and a second time for the rest of the months. The results will also show that themodbus feature is better on peak shaving than the time-of-use program.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The soils of the Central Depression in Rio Grande do Sul consist mainly of mudstones, siltstones and sandstones. The region has dimensions ranging from 40 to 100 m at lower elevations (lowland) predominate Gley soils (shallow, poor drainage). In the plateau predominate Ultisols (deep to very deep and vary in color, as drainage level). The aim of this study was to evaluate the compressive behavior (carrying capacity and susceptibility to compaction) of the soil and influence of loads 25, 50, 100 and 200 kPa in the physical properties and water (CRA and air permeability). The sampling of soil for study was made in a private property located in Santa Maria. Trenches were dug to collect in two profiles located in the floodplain (Haplic Gley soil), two slopes (lower and upper) and one at the top, both Ultisol. In metal rings were collected soil samples with preserved structure for the uniaxial compression test on all horizons of the five different profiles, loads of 25, 50, 100 and 200 kPa in uniaxial press, then were only collected samples of soil surface horizons of the profiles for testing air permeability and water retention curve.. In both times the samples were equilibrated at a voltage of 10 kPa. Were carried out: sieve analysis, organic carbon, density, porosity, macro porosity, compressibility test, air permeability and water retention curve (WRC). The pre-consolidation pressure (σp) had a significant positive correlation with clay and negatively with sand, having no significant correlation with organic carbon (OC), degree of saturation (DS), voids (IV) and density (BD), the IC has had a significant negative correlation only with the Ds. Among the profiles, Gley Soils presented higher carrying capacity than the Argisols. Surface horizons had lower deformation compression curves compared to the subsurface, due to having larger soil density and smaller IV. The deeper horizons (BA, Bt1, Bt2 and Cg) showed higher σp than the surface horizons (A, Ap, A1, A2, B), by having greater amount of clay. The higher the load applied on the samples, higher soil density and porosity. The higher permeability was greater in profiles A, A1 and Ap under loads of 25 and 50 kPa, it produced no adverse effects on the structure. The application of higher loads in the sample changed the soil structure, retaining more water due to the increase of macro porosity. The Gley soils had a higher carrying capacity and are less susceptible to compaction than Argisols. Among Gley soil, profile 2 is less susceptible to compaction than a profile from the Ultisols and susceptibility to compaction of the profile 5 is lower than in profiles 3 and 4. The deeper horizons had higher pre-consolidation pressure (σp) and carrying capacity of the soil surface, because the greatest amount of clay. Loads of 25 and 50 kPa are lower than the values of pressure pre consolidation of horizons and the samples submitted showed no negative effects on the structure and had higher values of permeability. The application of loads 100 and 200 kPa, in the profiles 1.2 (floodplain), 4 (upper slope) and 5 (top) reduced the values of permeability, resulting from the change of the sample. The compacting process of the sample reduced macro porosity and increased total porosity by promoting greater water storage in the highest voltages applied. / Os solos da Depressão Central Gaúcha são constituidos porareia, silte e argila. A região tem cotas entre 40 à 100 m, nas mais baixas (várzea) predominam os Gleissolos e nas coxilhas predominam os Argissolos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o comportamento compressivo (capacidade de suporte e susceptibilidade a compactação) do solo, e a influência de cargas 25, 50, 100 e 200kPa nas propriedades físicas e hídricas (curva de retenção de água (CRA) e permeabilidade ao ar (Ka)). As coletas de solo foram feitas em uma propriedade particular em Santa Maria, RS. Foram abertas trincheiras em dois perfis localizados na várzea (Gleissolos Háplicos), dois na encosta (inferior e superior) e um no topo, ambos Argissolo Vermelho. Foram coletadas amostras de solo com estrutura preservada em anéis metálicos para o teste de compressão uniaxial em todos os horizontes dos cinco diferentes perfis, após foram coletados somente amostras dos horizontes superficiais para os testes de Ka e CRA, após aplicadas as cargas de 25, 50, 100 e 200 kPa na prensa uniaxial. Nos dois momentos as amostras foram equilibradas à tensão de 10 kPa. Foram realizadas análise granulométrica, carbono orgânico, densidade, porosidade total, macroporosidade, microporosidade, teste de compressibilidade, Ka e CRA. A pressão de pré-consolidação (σp) teve correlação significativa positiva com a argila e negativa com a areia, não tendo correlação significativa com carbono orgânico (CO), grau de saturação (GS), índice de vazios (IV) e densidade do solo (Ds), o IC teve correlação significativa negativa somente com a Ds. Os Gleissolos apresentaram maior capacidade de suporte do que os Argissolos. Os horizontes superficiais tiveram menor deformação em relação aos subsuperficiais, devido a ter maior Ds e menor IV. Os horizontes mais profundos(BA, Bt1, Bt2 e Cg) apresentaram maior σp que os horizontes superficiais(A, Ap, A1, A2, AB), por terem maior quantidade de argila. Quanto maior a carga aplicada nas amostras, maior a densidade Ds e menos PT, a maior permeabilidade foi nos perfis A, A1 e Ap sob as cargas de 25 e 50 kPa, pois não produziram efeitos negativos na estrutura. A aplicação de maiores cargas na amostra mudou a estrutura do solo, retendo mais água em função do aumento de mircoporos. Os Gleissolos apresentaram maior capacidade de suporte e são menos suscetíveis à compactação do que os Argissolos. Os Gleissolos apresentaram maior capacidade de suporte e são menos suscetíveis à compactação do que os Argissolos. Dentre os Gleissolos, o perfil 2 apresentou menor susceptibilidade a compactação do que o perfil 1 e dentre os Argissolos, a susceptibilidade à compactação do perfil 5 é menor que nos perfis 3 e 4. Os horizontes mais profundos (BA, Bt1, Bt2 e Cg) apresentaram maior (σp) e capacidade de suporte que os horizontes superficiais (A, Ap, A1, A2 e AB) pois tem maior quantidade de argila. Após aplicação das cargas de 100 e 200 kPa, os perfis 1,2, 4 e 5 apresentaram menores valores de Ka, resultado da mudança de estrutura da amostra, diminuindo a macroporosidade e aumentando a microporosidade. A compactação da amostra reduziu a macroporosidade e a porosidade total promovendo um maior armazenamento de água nas maiores tensões aplicadas.

The aim of the thesis was to evaluate the performance parameters of the breeds of common carp and its crossbreds by using the top-crossing. On the maternal position the Hungarian synthetic mirror carp line (HSM) was used. On this line, males of HSM, Telč mirror carp (TeL), Northern mirror carp (M72) and Amur mirror carp (AL) were crossed and a hybrid of Ropsha carp (ROP) and Tata carp (TAT) was used as their control group. Rearing of the tested groups was monitored from larval stage until their market size in ponds with a semi-intensive way of management in three localities (2 organisations). In the first year, each tested group was bred individually with internal control group of a different scaly covering phenotype in order to correct the influence of the environment on the weight achieved. In the second and the third year, all the groups were group-labelled and bred together in triplicate (three ponds) localities. In the individual stages of testing, the weight and the survival rate were recorded. Moreover, in the market size stage the biometric measurement and slaughtering value were evaluated. In the overall assessment of the results from all the localities carried out by the ANCOVA procedure, the highest weight at the K3 age was achieved by the hybrid HSM x AL (1413 {$\pm$} 31.5 g; Last square means {$\pm$} S.E.), whose weight was statistically comparable to the other hybrids (HSM x M72 a HSM x TeL). However, it was the only noticeably higher weight in comparison with the HSM (1257 {$\pm$} 31.5 g) with its ordinary heterosis effect of growth on the level of 12.4%. During the third year of testing, the survival ranged from 69.0 % in HSM x Tel to 73.4% in HSM x AL and the values were statistically comparable. The yield parameters (the proportion of the processed body, the proportion of filets with skin and the skinless ones) were similar in all the groups. In the previous periods of testing the results reflected the situation in the market size. As a result, it is concluded that preferably the hybrid HSM x AL could be exploitable in commercial breeding.

No description available.

This thesis covers design and implementation of a media system solution for home networks with personal computers and a set-top box. In a home there are effectively two independent media systems with the same purpose: the personal computer and the digital set-top box, with the purpose of delivering digital media in form of audio and video to the consumer. The goal of the thesis work was to implement a solution that bridges the gap between the two systems, so that the user, from the set-top box, can play back media that is actually stored on one or several personal computers. Our solution is based on UPnP technology, which is used for service discovery and control. The choice of UPnP is motivated by an evaluation of discovery protocols, which concludes that UPnP is the most suitable technology in this particular system. Also, an evaluation of suitable transport protocols was done. Here,HTTP was used. For the personal computer, a media server and a graphical user interface for configuring the media server were created. For the set-top box, a media client, and a graphical user interface for browsing the content of the media server, were created. In conclusion, the creation of the prototype was successful and the set-top box was able to playback media that had been shared by the PC on the network.

Although several systems with structure editors have been built, no model exist to formally describe the edit operations used in such editors. This thesis introduces such a model --- a formalism to describe general structure edit operations for text oriented documents. The model allows free bottom-up editing for any tree-based structural document with a textual content. It can also handle attribute and erroneous structures. Some classes of common structures have been identified and structure editor specifications constructed for them, which can be used and combined in the creation of other structure editors.

Esta dissertação tem como objetivo conhecer a produção acadêmica sobre tomada de decisão estratégica pelo alto escalão e entender quais as fundamentações teóricas basilares do tema. Metodologicamente, utilizou-se para este fim de pesquisa bibliométrica e bibliográfica de artigos publicados em periódicos internacionais, complementadas pela leitura analítica dos artigos encontrados na pesquisa. Pesquisou-se as principais palavras-chaves relacionadas ao tema na base de dados Web of Science - ISI Web Of Knowledge, utilizando-se de todos os periódicos e anos disponíveis. Procedeu-se então à leitura dos artigos, retirando aqueles que não refletissem o tema pesquisado, obtendo um total final de 277 artigos. Realizou-se uma análise bibliométrica sobre o conteúdo estudado nos artigos de tomada de decisão, identificando os trabalhos mais referenciados, as publicações mais relevantes, e os periódicos da amostra. Efetuou-se também, uma análise de co-citação, mostrando as relações conceituais entre os trabalhos que fundamentam o tema e identificando tendências dos estudos sobre o tema. Com a leitura analítica e a estruturação do conteúdo dos 277 artigos, expôs-se os objetivos, a base teórica utilizada, os objetos de estudo, a natureza e os resultados dos artigos. Foi, assim, possível identificar os principais clusters teóricos sobre o assunto. O primeiro cluster, aborda as características do Top Management Team (TMT) e como estas influenciam a tomada de decisão; o segundo, apresenta como fatores ambientais comprometem a tomada de decisão, juntamente com a exposição de modelos e processos de tomada de decisão; o terceiro, apresenta estudos sobre conflito e consenso na tomada de decisão. A discussão permitiu ilustrar o atual estado do tema e suas lacunas, apresentar sugestões para pesquisa futuras e propor a criação de um curso executivo sobre tomada de decisão. / This thesis aims to evaluate the academic production on strategic decision making in the upper echelons and understand what are the theoretical foundations of the subject. Methodologically, it was used for this purpose a bibliometric and bibliographic research of articles published in international journals, complemented by analytical reading of the articles found in the search. The main keywords related to the topic were searched in the database Web of Science - ISI Web Of Knowledge, using all available journals and years. We then read out the articles by removing those who did not reflect the theme researched, obtaining a final total of 277 items. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on the content studied in the articles of decision making, identifying the most referenced work, the most relevant publications, and journals of the sample. A co-citation analysis was also conducted, showing the conceptual relations between the work underlying the theme and identifying trends of the studies on the theme. With the analytical reading and the structuring of the content of the 277 articles, the objectives were exposed along with, the theoretical basis used, the objects of study, the nature and results of the articles. It was thus possible to identify the main theoretical clusters on the subject. The first cluster, discusses the characteristics of the Top Management Team (TMT) and how they influence decision making, the second shows how environmental factors compromise the decision making, along with the explanatory models and decision-making processes, the third presents studies conflict and consensus in decision making. The discussion permited the illustration of the current state of the subject and its gaps, making suggestions for future research and proposing the creation of an executive course on decision making.