Novel disc like molecules based on hexa-n-alkoxy benzoates of triphenylene were synthesised at Hull university. The compounds exhibited thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviour. The compounds differed chemically based upon the number and position of methyl additions to the ester benzoate linkage. Unsymmetrical compounds based on hexa-n-alkoxy triphenylenes were also examined. A number of techniques were employed to observe and measure the physical properties of these compounds. Polarising optical microscopy was used to observe and record the phase behaviour. Typical schlieren nematic textures were often observed in the liquid crystalline phase. The transition temperatures of the phase transitions were recorded to within +/-0.1 °C. Methyl additions to the ester benzoate linkage plays a major role in determining transition temperatures and also the ranges of liquid crystal phase. X-ray diffraction investigations allowed the molecular planar spacings to be measured, use of a heating stage enabled measurements to be taken in the liquid crystalline phase. All the samples produced a diffuse broad diffraction ring in the liquid crystalline phase, indicating that the samples are not highly ordered and that they are likely to have adopted a hexagonal packing arrangement. Planar spacings measured were in the range 22 - 30A, only one sample, DB26, showed a diffraction ring corresponding to a planar spacing of 4.1A, indicating that molecular columns or partial columns were able to form from molecules stacking one on top of another. Thus methyl groups on the ester benzoate linkage disrupt the formation of columns, in turn reducing transition temperatures. A number of methods of successfully aligning the discotic materials using surface treatments are presented. Rubbed PVA and HTAB layers aligned the samples hometropically, while SiO deposited layers aligned the samples homogeneously. (The SiO deposition used an evaporation angle of 45°, a deposition angle of 5° is commonly used to obtain homotropic alignment of calamitic materials.) Methods that produced homogeonous alignment of calamitic materials produced hometropically aligned discotic materials and vice-versa. FTIR allows conformational information about a molecule to be determined. The CH[2] wagging region was investigated to determine conformational information relating to the alkyl arms. Combination of FTIR and aligned samples allowed the alignment process to be investigated, it was determined that the alignment of the molecules occurs in a series of stages, the triphenylene cores align first on cooling, followed by the ester benzoate linkages and finally the alkyl arms. Computer modelling simulations allowed various molecular conformations to be observed, combination with X-ray diffraction data allowed molecular structures to be generated. The software allowed various molecular dimensions to be easily measured and the effect and extent of interdigitation of molecular arms to be observed. The molecular dynamics calculations were only able to calculate energy minimisations for crystalline structures, but the crystalline results offered valuable insights into the liquid crystalline structures and behaviour.

Transformation vector with mutated psbA gene and selective aadA gene was created and transferred into Nicotiana tabacum living cells using Biolistic bombardment. Due to homologous recombination, transformed plant lineage carrying D1-A209, D1-C-212 instead of D1-S209, D1-S212 in D1 protein in PS II was obtained. Seeds from transformed plant were harvested and homoplasmy of the first generation was tested. These mutations caused higher thermostability in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 so the transformed plant is expected to be the first step in the study of PS II thermostability in higher plants.

Deliberative democracy and conflict management models have been given increasing attention for their potential consistency and similarities, which is useful knowledge given the opened possibilities of interdisciplinary work. I argue that this debate ought to be broadened to include how conflict transformation and a pragmatic strand of deliberative democracy are aligned with regard to orientation to conflict. First, I offer an account of why conflict transformation’s key values should be seen as valuable for democratic theory to emulate. Second, I show how a pragmatic strand of deliberative democracy is consistent and similar with respect to those key values. Together, these build a framework which offers the ability for practitioners and theorists to pursue interdisciplinary work between two particular strands of deliberative democracy and conflict management which to date have not been given adequate attention.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-12T15:57:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivo3161_1.pdf: 1109714 bytes, checksum: 63bb826b538cafab9528cb9cb8274bdc (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Com a adoção pelo mercado dos processadores de nucleos multiplos, o uso de threads em Java se torna cada vez mais proveitoso. O desenvolvimento de sistemas paralelos e, entretanto, uma tarefa que poucos desenvolvedores estão capacitados a enfrentar. Dado esse contexto, foi desenvolvida uma abordagem de paralelizaçaao de programas java baseada em leis de transformação, com o intuito de facilitar esse processo e permitir uma paralelização sistemática. O primeiro passo da abordagem utiliza leis de transformação para converter um programa Java em uma forma normal que utiliza um conjunto restrito de recursos da linguagem. Neste passo, foram definidas leis de transformação adaptadas de trabalhos anteriores, assim como novas leis foram propostas. A partir de um programa na forma normal, são utilizadas regras de transformação focadas em introduzir paralelismo. Após a aplicação dessas regras de acordo com a estretégia desenvolvida, um programa paralelo e produzido. Dois casos de estudo foram realizados para validar a abordagem: calculo de series de Fourier e o algoritmo de criptografia IDEA. Ambos códigos foram obtidos do Java Grande Benchmark Suite. A execução dos estudos de caso comprova o êxito da abordagem em melhorar a performance do cóodigo original

The use of plasma sprayed ceramic coats as thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for the protection of metallic structures and equipment from severe thermal, abrasive and corrosive conditions has been documented extensively in the last two decades. The state-of-the-art TBCs consist of a double layer coat. a top ceramic layer and an intermediate bond coat (MCrAIY, M=Ni, Co, Fe) deposited on the alloy substrate. Zirconia, both stabilized and partially stabilized with different oxides has been used as the ceramic top coat due to its low thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion coefficient. Studies of the microstructure of the TBCs have shown aspects that can help the understanding of the properties of the coating. The ternary system ZrOz-Y203-TiCz is believed to offer improved properties when it is compared to Zr02-Y203. However, the use of &02-Y203-Ti02 as TBCs, a major part of this work, is not widely reported in the literature. The purpose of this thesis was to study the microstructure of a plasma sprayed ZrOrY203-TiO2 TBC using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The evolution of the Zr41_phase distribution in the ceramic coat was followed by XRD after different heat treatments, with the finding that the cooling rate plays a decisive role in the final Zr42 phase composition. SEM studies allowed a description of the lamellae structure of the Zr02-Y203-TiOz coating. The evolution of the morphology, porosity and crack distribution in the coat after different thermal treatments were followed by SEM. Evidence of incipient sintering is observed in Zr02-Y203-Ti02 coats heated at temperatures higher than 1200 °C. This should lead to poor coating performance. EDS analysis revealed an heterogeneous distribution of titanium through the oating. A detailed microstructural characterization of the as-sprayed coating was done using TEM. Microstructural features such as micro-twins, antiphase-boundaries and mottled morphology associated with "non-transformable" tetragonal ZrO2 phase were identified. It is believed that these microstructural elements promote toughening and thermal stress relief mechanisms that provide the coating with the erosion and thermal shock resistance required for a TBC. The presence of TiO2 is linked to a higher proportion of tetragonal ZrO2 in the Zr02-Y203-Ti02 coating, therefore improved properties of the coating are expected. The addition of TiO2 promotes grain growth and decreases the final density in pressed and sintered Zr02-Y203-TiO2 powders. The results obtained are a contribution to the understanding of the microstructure of TBCs and to the sparse knowledge base of the ZrOrY2O3-TiO2 coatings. Further work should be done in the characterization of the ZrO2-Y2O3-Ti42 coatings and the study of its stability under different conditions in order to determine the real potential of this material offers as an alternative to the better known ZrOrY203 TBC.

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / In this study, the researcher aim is to examine the approach to social healing used by the Institute for Healing of Memories (IHOM). The focus is to explore how the approach has been employed within the community to enhance social transformation and healing. This study comes from a most recent field of social healing which explores the ways of dealing with social ills that are caused by conflict and collective trauma. In South Africa, the majority of the population were oppressed under the apartheid regime for a period that lasted from 1948 to 1994. As a way of dealing with the ordeal after the abolition of apartheid, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was formulated. This created a space for both the perpetrator and the survivor of apartheid atrocities to have public hearings. Although the TRC contributed in laying the foundation for South Africa’s social transformation, it could not meet the population demand. To date individuals and communities in South Africa are struggling to triumph over their past experiences. IHOM is an organisation that has embarked on community healing programmes and has identified the healing needs of the communities in the Western Cape but on a small-scale, at grassroots level. The research design took the form of a case study of IHOM. A qualitative approach to the study was followed to examine the IHOM approach to social healing and the interpretation of the findings would be useful in enhancing the IHOM’s programme. In-depth interviews were used to gather data where IHOM’s facilitators and participants were interviewed. The research found out that IHOM approach is a combination of several methods including spiritual, emotional and psychological methods and that storytelling is the core feature of the approach of IHOM. The results of the research show that the approach caters for the needs of individuals who had suffered emotionally and psychologically due to exposure to traumatic conditions caused by human rights violations. With an exploration into personal narratives, participants experienced emotional relief. Therefore at the Institute for Healing of Memories making sense of one’s suffering through empathising with another is the core finding: making sense of suffering together creates an individual inner awareness of healing strength. Own feelings plus experiences become clearer. Thus the study found that there is a correlation between narrating and healing. Listening and sharing creates sentiments of connection and commonality. Also creates the possibility of empathy and in the process something happens in the spirit and a sense of transcendence emerges. These processes prepare the ground for forgiveness and reconciliation between diverse populations, races, cultures and religions.

Change is a way of life in organizations today, whether the change is planned or unplanned. The goals of planned change are to improve the ability of the organization, as an open system, to adapt to change, and more specifically, to change behaviour of employees. Change in customer needs, the competition, and changed legislation amongst others, force the organization to change, and lead to change plans, strategies, and techniques. The drivers for change impacted on the interrelated primary components of the organization (subsystems); viz. technical, structural, management, psychological, goal, and value components. The impact on the structural subsystem of the organization was brought about through restructuring, division of work, new decision-makers and authority, and changes in organizational policies and procedures. The impact on the technical subsystem was brought about by process re-engineering, new technology, and new techniques and equipment necessary for service delivery. The impact on the psychosocial subsystem was brought about by restructuring and affirmative action initiatives, resulting in a new network of social relationships, behavioural patterns, norms, roles, and communications. The impact on the goal and value subsystem was brought about by a new mission and vision of the organization, value changes such as empowerment, teamwork, learning and development, diversity awareness, as well as respect for the individual. All the changes mentioned previously collectively impacted on the managerial subsystem that spans the entire organization by directing, organising and coordinating all activities toward the basic mission. The managerial subsystem is important for the integration of the other subsystems, and the proposed changes were true role modelling, living the new organizational values, participative management, creating opportunities, people-centerd focus, giving recognition, motivating and coaching staff, and capacity building. For change to be effective there should be an integrated approach of structural, technical (work processes), and behavioural strategies. Through this research it became evident that it could be easier to change processes and structures within the organization, but the challenge is to change behaviour of individuals, groups, and the larger organization as it impacts on the management, psychological, goal, and value subsystems. People are the key to facilitate, implement, and manage change effectively in order to improve organizational effectiveness. Therefore, good leadership, including motivating employees during organizational change, is vital to the success of any change initiative. In summary, organizational strategy alone cannot produce the desired change results; there should be alignment with the management style, and the organizational culture or subcultures. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if an integrated approach to organizational transformation (focusing on work processes, structures and employee behaviour) was followed. The analysis focused on factors that have an impact on the effectiveness/ineffectiveness to the change process, the impact of change on the organization, employees, and the organization culture. Specific work-related needs were also determined. The specific role of Human Resources (HR) during this change was determined, and recommendations were made accordingly. A qualitative and quantitative research strategy were utilized to investigate the factors that influenced the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the transformation process. Quantitative techniques were used to assess attitudes of the factors that influenced transformation, to investigate work-related needs, work motivation, and locus of control variables. Data were subjected to discriminant analysis and two-way factorial analysis of variance. Post-hoc comparisons were done by means of the Scheffé Test. A qualitative strategy was used to gather information about the need for change in this organization, the diagnoses of the current organization, planning of change strategies, implementation of change interventions, and management of the transformation process within the organization. The researcher's role was established as an objective observer of each and every aspect of the transformation process that entailed data collection, evaluation and feedback to the external consultants. Many issues were identified that impacted on the effectiveness of the transformation initiatives. Recommendations were made for addressing the issues on individual, group and organizational systems level. It was proposed that the organization (business) strategy and organizational culture(s) be aligned, and that all transformation initiatives be driven with a holistic and integrated change approach. An organization transformation strategy should be part of the business strategy. It was proposed that culture (climate) surveys, and focus groups should become part of the transformation strategy, where the factors that impact on a strong organizational culture or sub-culture are tracked, measured and managed continuously. A motivation strategy (included in the transformation strategy) needs to be developed for the business unit/team that is aligned with the organization’s strategy, objectives, business plans, critical success factors, the values of the organization, as well as the subculture(s) of the team/business unit(s). / Thesis (DCom (Human Resources Management))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

In this thesis two problems concerning linear transformations are discussed. Both problems involve linear transformations which are not in some sense semi-simple; otherwise they are unrelated. In part I we present a proof of the theorem that a linear transformation, of a finite dimensional vector space over a field, which has the property that the irreducible factors of its minimal polynomial are separable is the sum of a semi-simple linear transformation and a nilpotent linear transformation, which commute with the original transformation and are polynomials in the original transformation.. We present an example to show that such a decomposition is not always possible. In parts II and III we obtain some representation theorems for closed algebras of linear transformations on a Banach space which are generated by spectral operators. Since such an algebra is the direct sum of its radical and a space of continuous functions its radical can be investigated more readily than the radical of an arbitrary non-semi- simple commutative Banach algebra. In part II we remark that the reduction theory for rings of operators allows one to reduce the problem of representing a spectral operator, T, on a Hilbert space to the problem of representing a quasi-nilpotent operator. When T is of type m+1 and has a "simple" spectrum it is quite easy to obtain an explicit representation of T. In part III we consider spectral operators on a Banach space. We impose quite stringent conditions, hoping that the theorems obtained for these special cases will serve as a model for more general theorems. The knowledge obtained at least delimits the possibilities. We assume that T is of type m+1 and has a "simple" spectrum. One other condition, which is satisfied if the space, X, on which T acts is separable, is imposed. We are then able to obtain a representation of X as a function space. These function spaces are modelled on the analogy of the Orlicz spaces. We are also able to obtain a representation of the not necessarily semi-simple algebra generated by T and its associated projections as an algebra of functions. / Science, Faculty of / Mathematics, Department of / Graduate

Background: Recent research showing how dietary interventions substantially influence the potential presence of widespread and stable bacterial core phyla in the human colon has garnered a considerable amount of attention. Because the human gut can play a major role in host health, there is currently some interest in observing how diet influences human gut microbial composition and how changes in diet affect the potential for gut microbiota to transform mercury. This study aims to discover how different kinds of diet affect the nature and magnitude of microbial Hg transformations in the human gut environment. Methods: Fecal samples have been collected from 5 human male individuals at University of Ottawa and stored at -80ºC for further investigation. Using high throughput DNA amplicon sequencing targeting the 16s rRNA V4 region, we investigated the microbial community structure of the gut in 5 healthy male. Mercury biotransformations in the pooled fecal sample have been carried out using stable isotopes of mercury (198HgCl2 and Me199HgCl) and analysis was conducted by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results and conclusions: We were not able to detect any significant Hg methylation or MeHg demethylation. We suspect this is due to Enterobacteria dominating the microbial community structure after 96h; Although Enterobacteria are part of the typical microbiota of a healthy individual, they do not possess genes required for Hg methylation. As such, our microbial data support our chemical analyses. We were not able to identify whether a change in diet affected Hg transformations in the human gut environment.

Le stockage et la gestion de données sont des questions centrales en informatique. La structuration sous forme d'arbres est devenue la norme (XML, JSON). Pour en assurer la pérennité et l'échange efficace des données, il est nécessaire d'identifier de nouveaux mécanismes de transformations automatisables. Nous nous concentrons sur l'étude de transformations d'arbres en mots représentées par des machines à états finies. Nous définissons les transducteurs séquentiels d'arbres en mots ne pouvant utiliser qu'une et unique fois chaque nœud de l'arbre d'entrée pour décider de la production. En réduisant le problème d'équivalence des transducteurs séquentiels à celui des morphismes appliqués à des grammaires algébriques (Plandowski, 95), nous prouvons qu'il est décidable en temps polynomial. Cette thèse introduit la notion de transducteur travailleur, forme normalisée de transducteurs séquentiels, cherchant à produire la sortie le «plus tôt possible» dans la transduction. A l'aide d'un algorithme de normalisation et de minimisation, nous prouvons qu'il existe un représentant canonique, unique transducteur travailleur minimal, pour chaque transduction de notre classe. La décision de l’existence d’un transducteur séquentiel représentant un échantillon, i.e. paires d'entrées et sorties d'une transformation, est prouvée NP-difficile. Nous proposons un algorithme d'apprentissage produisant à partir d'un échantillon le transducteur canonique le représentant, ou échouant, le tout en restant polynomial. Cet algorithme se base sur des techniques d'inférence grammaticales et sur l'adaptation du théorème de Myhill-Nerode. / Storage, management and sharing of data are central issues in computer science. Structuring data in trees has become a standard (XML, JSON). To ensure preservation and quick exchange of data, one must identify new mechanisms to automatize such transformations. We focus on the study of tree to words transformations represented by finite state machines. We define sequential tree to words transducers, that use each node of the input tree exactly once to produce an output. Using reduction to the equivalence problem of morphisms applied to context-free grammars (Plandowski, 95), we prove that equivalence of sequential transducers is decidable in polynomial time. We introduce the concept of earliest transducer, sequential transducers normal form, which aim to produce output "as soon as possible" during the transduction. Using normalization and minimization algorithms, we prove the existence of a canonical transducer, unique, minimal and earliest, for each transduction of our class. Deciding the existence of a transducer representing a sample, i.e. pairs of input and output of a transformation, is proved NP-hard. Thus, we propose a learning algorithm that generate a canonical transducer from a sample, or fail, while remaining polynomial. This algorithm is based on grammatical inference techniques and the adaptation of a Myhill-Nerode theorem.